India 2009 Diary. Day 1 - Wednesday 11 February

Transcription

1 Day 1 - Wednesday 11 February India 2009 Diary It was an early start for the 18-strong team embarking on an incredible (hopefully) voyage to the slums of New Delhi. We queued up to obtain our boarding tickets for both flights only to find that Cedar wasn t down to be on the flight! After an earful from Ruth and Christine, two minutes later, Cedar had her boarding ticket in hand. It was a quick stop over in Schipol and we were soon en route to the bustling traffic of India. We arrived at half one on Thursday morning, received a warm welcome, a few safety precautions and then headed for bed. Day 2 - Thursday 12 February We woke up to the sound of constant car horns blaring and today would be our first taste of true India. Sights, sounds and smells. The three S s of south Asian travel. A not too early breakfast at 9:15 am and a quick change of currency and we were set to embark on our adventure to asha s HQ. Here we met some of the staff including Freddy Martin, and we learnt more about what asha do in the slums as well as getting domino s pizza for lunch. Unexpected by us all we were then taken to Kalkaji. We didn t think we would visit it until Friday but Freddy had other plans. We arrived at the entrance to the resource centre in Kalkaji and were warmly welcomed with garments of flowers being strung around each of our necks and petals being thrown like confetti. This was our first impression of the resource centre and one I m sure none of us will forget. Local woman who had been trained by asha to carry out medical work in the slums came to meet us in the courtyard of the centre and told of stories of their lives and how asha had changed them. This was an eye-opener for all of us. Children also told

2 us stories of their lives and of how the Kalkaji resource centre has helped them with their health and learning. It was amazing to see a 12 year old Indian girl talking in English with complete confidence. We were then given a short tour of the centre, allowing us to become slightly more familiar with our surroundings, which after meeting many more of the children turned into a photo fest. When we were told to leave, even though we d only been there for a short while, it seemed that none of us wanted to. Shopping for Indian clothes was our last order of the day and though it took time we all got pretty sweet outfits. : ) Rob, Steven, Jake and Luke Day 3 - Friday 13th We woke up to a delicious breakfast of pancakes, fresh fruit and interesting. omelettes. Then it was straight off to Kalkaji. However, our Speedy Gonzales journey was not completed without a hitch or two. While one half of the team were pleasantly cruising along the streets of Delhi, the other half s progress ground to a halt as they experienced their first true Indian gridlock. After horns blaring and fists shaking they safely arrived at the Resource Centre. We began with a thought for the day, pleasantly interrupted by the sounds of a tambourine, drums and ladies singing it was the weekly prayer meeting. Some of us ended up joining in and hearing first hand how the ladies depend on each other and the power of prayer. We soon discovered that there were many rooms requiring a touch of colour. We came up with different themes for every room and got stuck in to work, sketching our pictures. However as time went by it was clear to all that some were more handy with

3 the pencil than others! The kids from the centre were always on hand for some constructive criticism. Meanwhile the boys were messing about outside, getting along famously, playing sports with the other boys from the slums, language barriers forgotten. After a quick stop for lunch, we headed to a market like none we d seen before. The bustling atmosphere provided a backdrop for the girls to do yet more shopping as they purchased their first Indian saris. Despite much oohing and aahing due to the fabulous array of colours, the girls managed to leave after merely an hour or two! We discovered the boys had spent said hour or two haggling for numerous pairs of sunglasses, ignoring their inability to wear more than one at a time! At this late stage in the day the prospect of a Chinese for dinner was warmly welcomed by the team and we headed off to a favourite of Ruth and Christine s. An impromptu taxi race started by Jake heralded our return to the mighty fine Legend inn where we recognised both the challenges and the highlights of the day. Our third day in India definitely did not disappoint. We can t believe we re here for another week! Signing off for now, Namaste, Christina, Morgan and Rebecca (Room 406 the 3 musketeers) PS. Love you parentals and friends. Hope you all have a joyous Valentine s day.

4 Day 4 - Saturday 14th Today we went to the Kalkaji slum bright and early, at 9am, receiving the usual warm-hearted welcome. We finished drawing pictures for all the rooms off the landing, which included Winnie the Pooh, Cars, Elmer the Elephant, Hungry Caterpillar and other storybook characters. Progress is going well and we started painting the walls too. Today was Valentine s Day, which is certainly celebrated differently in India to back home. Love seems to be universal and unconditional between friends and not only partners.

5 There was much excitement in the craft sessions with all the girls, making masks, fairies, nail painting and decorating key rings. We left the slums at 1pm and visited the India Gate-all the tourists (mainly Indian) seemed more interested in taking photos and videos of us as opposed to the monuments! We felt somewhat like celebrities! We then hurried over to the Central Cottage Emporium to buy gifts and crafts (you re gonna like them!). After that we went for afternoon tea at the 5 star Imperial Hotel. There was a stark contrast between the streets right outside and the grandeur within. We all had a really enjoyable day and cannot wait to get back to our new friends at Kalkaji, but onwards to the Taj Mahal. ( rents and friends hope you are all well and and we all send our love!) Namaste, Jill, Aisling, Ellie and Cedar

6 Day 5 - Sunday 15 th Kalkaji s resource centre was closed today so we turned into real tourists for the day and visited the Taj Mahal. The visit was magical for everyone, despite the 5.30 start! We caught up with our sleep on the Taj Express train during the 4 hour journey.

7 When we finally got to the Taj under the care of our tour guide, Naveem, it was nothing like what we expected. Not only is it one of the Seven Wonders of the World, he told us proudly, it s No.1! It is impossible to comprehend the sheer size and beauty of the whole site from photos. We went to the Trident Hotel in Agra for lunch. We had a huge buffet of gorgeous Indian and Chinese food. After our meal we sat outside in the hotel garden beside the pool for little relaxation before our next history session, soaking up a few rays! Agra fort is a huge sandstone complex with countless beautiful buildings, each decorated in the preferred style of the ruler who commissioned it. We spent a couple

8 of hours in Costa coffee and Pizza Hut, and then headed to the train station for our journey home. Although tiring and odd at times to be in such different surroundings from the resource centre, a good day was had by all. Day 6 - Monday 16 th Back to Kalkaji today, it felt like we d been away for days so there was a real buzz in the taxi as we fought our way through the crazy Delhi traffic. Painting continued at the centre. The Winnie the Pooh room is almost finished, and Elmer the elephant looks brilliant. Five people visited the lanes this morning and five in the afternoon. That was a real experience. Everyone enjoyed saying hello to us as we passed through. It was such an insight into real life here in Kalkaji. In one lady s home we were offered chai. She had insisted we come, making the chai with her most expensive leaves and so grateful for our company. It s amazing how willing they are to accept us into their lives for the short time we re here, to see how happy they are in the circumstances in which they live. The sense of community is so inspiring - we saw one elderly lady who had not had enough money to pay for her husband s funeral, and so the whole community had joined together to give enough money for the funeral and more it is through their generosity that she is surviving day by day, and they would do the same for any of them.

9 The visit brought a sense of reality both about how these people live, and about the difference which ASHA has made in their lives. Today leaves us feeling encouraged and with plenty to think about. Day 7 - Tuesday 18 th With only 3 days till the official inauguration of the centre with Dr Kiran, painting continued today, with 2 rooms close to completion.

10 For those who didn t manage to get on a lane visit yesterday, today was their opportunity to do so. Some of the team took art and craft sessions, making multicoloured masks. The highlight of the day had to be the big dance off in the courtyard, where the girls showed off their best Bollywood, whilst our girls gave them a taste of Irish dancing which they actually loved! We then managed to learn the Hindi for the much loved banana dance, think we all agreed it sounded much better in Hindi than it did English! After all the excitement of

11 the dancing, the painting was tidied up, leaving the Finding Nemo room looking incredible. After a long day at Kalkaji, we headed to Dilli Haat, a big open air market selling crafts from all around India, for a spot of shopping. The whole team revelled in bartering for everything, although it has to be said the girls faired better than the guys! Day 8 - Wednesday 18 th Namaste! It was another nine o clock start for the merry bunch at the Legend Inn. We set off to Kalkaji, wary of the workload ahead. It was now the infamous Wednesday which Ruth had so frequently and emphatically warned us about- the day of stress! Our fast approaching deadline meant that we had to spend the morning painting our chupples off (chupples is, according to Ruth, the Hindi word for flip-flops). We finished the Winnie the Pooh themed room, as well as the Cars and Under the Sea room. After lots of pizza and Limca, we continued painting not only the walls, but faces also. We even proved with Neil s oh so soft head that teachers really do have eyes in the back of their heads! Yashoda, Gayatri, Monika and some of the other girls then asked us if we would like some henna done. Of course, all of the girls were excited. Much to the kids surprise, the boys were also enthusiastic. Luke can t wait for the first day back at school to show off his new I love Ruthie Dawg henna tattoo!

12 We all let our henna dry while sitting in the afternoon sun. For the first time we were able to relax and truly enjoy the company of our much loved Indian pals. As per the norm, dancing followed with music and we all learned some more Indian clapping games. We re now writing this report in our room getting ready to paint the town red tonight. Chinese is on the menu but before that we ll be preparing something special to perform at Friday s inauguration. So we must take our leave for a warm-up. Over and out. The three musketeers (Christina, Rebecca and Morgan)

13 Day 10 - Friday 20th Friday morning started off as every other. However, there was a real sense that our trip had finally come to the end. The inauguration was to be held in the centre during the afternoon, so the morning was dedicated to hurriedly practising our showcase of western culture-we had decided upon Mr Blue Sky and a group dance to keep on Moving. The girls choir members also decided to sing an Irish piece, Oft in the Stilly Night. Around noon we arrived at the centre which had been spruced up and decorated with many garlands for the occasion. The girls proceeded to change into their saris, assisted by some of the staff at the centre, while the boys had their best Indian dress on. Doctor Kieran arrived and the rooms we had painted were officially opened by Neil and her cutting the ribbon. There were speeches held and then performances prepared by the people of Kalkaji. These included Bollywood-style dances and a song. We then gave our wondrous performances, as things wound up. We showed our appreciation by giving small gifts to Soni and the staff of the resource centre for their continuous good work and hospitality while we were there. It was touching to see their emotion to how much our visit had meant. Everyone became emotional at this point realising this was our last time at the centre. Saying goodbye to all who had gathered for the inauguration including those friends we had made during our time was difficult. A strange mix of emotions and feelings came across everyone as we waded through the crowds to the bus. The bus journey away from the Centre was the quietest of the whole trip. From one extreme to another we headed straight from the inauguration to the British High Commission. Here we were hosted by the Deputy Commissioner s wife for afternoon tea. This tranquil environment was a stark contrast from the rest of Delhi. Everyone felt a bit out of place coming so soon from Kalkaji. Saturday began with a lie in and a late breakfast followed by packing. Lord Rana popped round to the hotel for a wee chat with us. After this there was little planned for the day until we had to make our way to the airport where we sit now on a cold white floor holding our treasured elephants tight awaiting departure