http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/en-EUMokoFeed10http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/39/2d89066be4207c1765381902f8f5ad_160x200.jpghttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/07/27/bye-bye-oz-4505522/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2008-07-27:/2008/07/27/bye-bye-oz-4505522/Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:22:23 +0200 <p>So after about seven months I've finally said goodbye to Australia! So so sad to leave but it had to be done, and now I'm in the beautiful country of NZ! So far the welcome hasn't been great, I'm in Auckland with huge storms and horrible rain, but I'm looking forward to exploring some more. </p> <p>Thought I'd just give you a little insight into my last month or so in Australia. I spent a few days in Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation, at the very northern end of the East Coast, soaking up the sunshine and relaxing...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/horse_riding/2690198" title="Horse riding"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/198/2690198_41b54c4ebc_s.jpg" alt="Horse riding" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/horses_on_beach/2690199" title="Horses on beach"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/199/2690199_c1206bd6dd_s.jpg" alt="Horses on beach" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Then I headed over to the West Coast and explored there a bit, there are much fewer travellers there than on the East Coast and it is so beautiful. We hired a camper van and drove down south from Perth, it was beautiful but so so cold! And sleeping in a van in freezing temperatures is definitely not an experience I'd like to repeat!</p> <p>How cool is the van?!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bundy_van/2690200" title="Bundy van"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/200/2690200_c40a9b2178_s.jpg" alt="Bundy van" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bundy_van/2690201" title="bundy van"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/201/2690201_91b22fa343_s.jpg" alt="bundy van" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/albany/2690202" title="Albany"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/202/2690202_fa54b39666_s.jpg" alt="Albany" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>So following the sunshine, I travelled from Perth to Broome by bus, a huge distance of 1047 miles, which took me roughly ten days. We were driving right through the outback so it was very remote. Not a place where you'd like to get a flat tyre!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/pinnacles/2690215" title="Pinnacles"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/215/2690215_f9627f5858_s.jpg" alt="Pinnacles" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/pinnacles/2690233" title="Pinnacles"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/233/2690233_0035cd1753_s.jpg" alt="Pinnacles" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>But I got to see so many cool things, including dolphins in a place called Monkey Mia which swim right up to the shore, </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/monkey_mia/2690217" title="Monkey Mia"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/217/2690217_40cbc35e3c_s.jpg" alt="Monkey Mia" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Some great sunsets...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/sunset/2690216" title="Sunset"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/216/2690216_e36d4be953_s.jpg" alt="Sunset" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/sunset_jump/2690219" title="Sunset jump"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/219/2690219_b38ff93654_s.jpg" alt="Sunset jump" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>And some beautiful natural scenery in the heart of the National Parks...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/waterfall/2690225" title="Waterfall"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/225/2690225_abb11de9c6_s.jpg" alt="Waterfall" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/gorge/2690224" title="Gorge"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/224/2690224_3cf995d3f0_s.jpg" alt="Gorge" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>It's been awesome travelling through Australia and I was sad to say goodbye to all the friends I'd made. Only 7 weeks left till I get home and I need to make the most of it, so I'm excited to explore New Zealand and Fiji and then live it up in NYC! Much love to everyone xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/07/27/bye-bye-oz-4505522/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/07/27/bye-bye-oz-4505522/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/06/13/the-wanderer-returns-4309136/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2008-06-13:/2008/06/13/the-wanderer-returns-4309136/Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:44:31 +0200 <p>Right, after a tantalising interlude of 125 days I've decided it's time for another installment...I know most of you will have lost interest by now (I definitely have) but I figured if only for one person, here's a blog for you Dad! In the hope that it will satisfy you, and you will stop requesting to be my friend on Facebook! There's way too much to catch up on in words, so here's a 'top ten' of my photos from the last few months...</p> <p><strong>10</strong><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/first_pint/2589120" title="First pint"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/120/2589120_4d6c0694e3_s.jpg" alt="First pint" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Let's start at the beginning, where all the trouble began...pulling my first pint. I'm ready and waiting for all the 'you're not old enough to serve alcohol' and 'how did you manage to see over the bar' jokes, so come on people, give it your best...</p> <p><strong>9</strong><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/tight_and_bright/2589117" title="Tight and Bright"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/117/2589117_0d00c062ed_s.jpg" alt="Tight and Bright" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>There's been heaps and heaps of dressing up - all in the name of 'hard work' obviously. The bar I was working in held loads of themed nights, and obviously I loved getting involved, especially when these sexy numbers were on offer! </p> <p><strong>8</strong><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/birthday/2589119" title="Birthday"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/119/2589119_be4ace77ff_s.jpg" alt="Birthday" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Although it was strange being away from home for my 19th Birthday, I got made a fuss of at work and had a brilliant night - standing up on stage so the whole bar could sing happy birthday to me (cringe...) complete with feather boa and fairy wand. </p> <p><strong>7</strong><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/scuba_diving/2589130" title="Scuba diving"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/130/2589130_789d8cc777_s.jpg" alt="Scuba diving" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Spent 3 days on a boat in the Whitsundays and after the initial seasickness had subsided, it was amazing. Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef was incredible. Had a bit of a panic the first time I went in, fat lot of use that 'PADI qualification' was to me! But once I got used to it again I couldn't get enough. </p> <p><strong>6</strong><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/australia_zoo/2589129" title="Australia Zoo"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/129/2589129_0f994c37c7_s.jpg" alt="Australia Zoo" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Great day out at 'Australia Zoo', which has now become virtually a shrine to Steve Irwin! Got to chill with the kangaroos, cuddle a kolala and see some awesomely massive crocs. </p> <p><strong>5 & 4</strong><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/lake_mckenzie/2589144" title="Lake McKenzie"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/144/2589144_2b00ab347a_s.jpg" alt="Lake McKenzie" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/whitehaven/2589147" title="Whitehaven"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/147/2589147_5921a3aa1c_s.jpg" alt="Whitehaven" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We've visited loads of amazing beaches, but the top 2 most beautiful places have got to be Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island and Whitehaven beach in the Whitsundays. They both had the whitest, purest sand I've ever seen in my life. The lake was amazing, absolutely massive and of course, being the athlete that I am (uh huh...) I took it on myself to swim across it and nearly died trying. Those gruelling Windsor Swimming Club training sessions definitely came in handy for once...</p> <p><strong>3</strong><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/scooteroo/2589145" title="Scooteroo"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/145/2589145_8130c4e978_s.jpg" alt="Scooteroo" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Had a pretty scary ride on a scooter with a top speed of 80km/h through the deserted roads of a little village called Agnes Water. Couldn't believe how fast it felt like I was going and how bloody cold it is! Definitely gonna get myself a nippy little scooter when I get home..</p> <p><strong>2</strong><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/sunset/2589156" title="Sunset"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/156/2589156_30c48c093a_s.jpg" alt="Sunset" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Watching the sun set whilst sailing on the Whitsundays was pretty awesome and really beautiful...</p> <p><strong>1</strong><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/skydive/2589157" title="Skydive"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/157/2589157_37f1235c89_s.jpg" alt="Skydive" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>The top photo has is definitely the skydive, jumping from a moving aeroplane at 14,000ft has got to be the most exhilarating thing I've done yet in my life (I'm waiting to do the bungee jump to compare...) and totally amazing. The DVD is hilarious, lots of swearing and flapping chins all over the place. </p> <p>I'm so lucky and I'm having the time of my life, meeting incredible people and seeing beautiful places everyday. I have a month or so left here in Australia before heading off to New Zealand for 6 weeks, Fiji for a week and then back home via NYC. I miss you all but am making the most of everything out here, and really looking forward to seeing everyone in September before I start uni. Love to everyone, always xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/06/13/the-wanderer-returns-4309136/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/06/13/the-wanderer-returns-4309136/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/02/08/living_it_up~3696338/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2008-02-08:/2008/02/08/living_it_up~3696338/Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:48:54 +0100 <p>Contrary to popular belief (thanks for starting that rumour, Dad!) I am not just drinking and partying out here. Well not ALL the time. </p> <p>Last week I went on a day trip to the Blue Mountains which was pretty cool, </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/blue_mountains/2327814" title="Blue Mountains"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/814/2327814_56ab738241_s.jpg" alt="Blue Mountains" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>(Admittedly hiking with a hangover is not the easiest thing, but the fresh air tends to help...)</p> <p>The Blue Mountains are about a 2 hour train journey out of Sydney and we got off in quite a tiny sleep little town called Katoomba and explored from there. We took in the views, went for a walk, went on the 'World's Steepest Railway, climbed up a waterfall...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/waterfall/2327821" title="Waterfall"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/821/2327821_3ff0dba3bc_s.jpg" alt="Waterfall" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/waterfall/2327820" title="Waterfall"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/820/2327820_0135157b93_s.jpg" alt="Waterfall" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I made a new friend...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/new_boyfriend/2327816" title="New boyfriend"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/816/2327816_accc7eb6b7_s.jpg" alt="New boyfriend" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Last weekend I spent at the beach in Manly, supposedly to get some sun but it ended up raining for 2 of the 3 days we were there!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/manly_beach/2327822" title="Manly beach"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/822/2327822_764d6ec200_s.jpg" alt="Manly beach" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I absolutely love it out here. I started work on Monday and worked from 7pm till 3am - the time went so quickly but I was definitely ready for bed when I finished. No such luck for me - once the place was all cleared I had to stay for obligatory 'initiation drinks' with the staff. Crazy times.</p> <p>Dad gets here next Friday which is pretty exciting, I'm sure you're all waiting with baited breath for the next 'guest presenter' slot! </p> <p>Love to everyone, thinking of you all xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/02/08/living_it_up~3696338/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/02/08/living_it_up~3696338/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/01/29/australia_day~3649396/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2008-01-29:/2008/01/29/australia_day~3649396/Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:25:34 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/australia_day/2308622" title="Australia Day"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/622/2308622_171bfa767d_s.jpg" alt="Australia Day" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>So this Saturday, 26th January, was Australia Day and it was such a great day. It's a reasonably big deal, these guys get a long weekend so the Aussies use it as an excuse to get very drunk. Obviously, we didn't conform to this trend and spent the weekend visiting cultural exhibitions and avoiding the drunken crowds...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/darling_harbour/2308618" title="Darling Harbour"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/618/2308618_95f5edfd65_s.jpg" alt="Darling Harbour" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/fireworks/2308619" title="Fireworks"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/619/2308619_ec2bcea33e_s.jpg" alt="Fireworks" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I spent the day down at the Rocks, with my new friend Mike, or not so new actually. I met him a few days ago when he sat down on the computer next to me in the hostel. I totally recognised him and kept staring, and it turns out that we went to school together at Eton End when we were like 5! What a crazy small world it is. So anyway, there was live music down at the Rocks, loads of people and street performers. It was such a nice atmosphere and a really beautiful day, we walked all around the Opera House and down through the Botanic Gardens. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/australia_day/2308616" title="Australia Day"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/616/2308616_c29a6e9016_s.jpg" alt="Australia Day" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>In the evening we all headed down to Darling Harbour to watch the fireworks, which were actually incredible. I had donned my festive gold and green 'Australia' t-shirt (the perfect way to indicate to the locals that you're a tourist!) and adopted my fantastic Aussie accent along with my alter ego name 'Kyyyyylie'. There were hundreds and thousands of people down there but I managed to grab a perfect view over the harbour. (People take pity on the midget girls). </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/australia_day/2308617" title="Australia Day"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/617/2308617_a2e8378aa6_s.jpg" alt="Australia Day" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>It was such a great weekend, topped off by a lazy Sunday on Bondi beach soaking up the rays...(just to make you REALLY jealous)</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bondi/2308623" title="Bondi"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/623/2308623_0bf42b925b_s.jpg" alt="Bondi" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I got down to serious business today job hunting, and managed to bag myself 2 jobs in one day! Sorted! The first, and far less appealing option, was to be one of those much hated people who work for charities and ask random people for money in the street. The pay would've been pretty good but the thought of being universally abhorred didn't really appeal so much. So then in comes the offer of a really classy job of being a bar girl in my hostel bar! Can you guess which one I chose? So I start work next week! </p> <p>I'm having such a fantastic time out here, there's so much to do and the lifestyle is amazing. Thinking of you all lots, wish I could just transfer you all over here and it'd be perfect. Loving you always </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/01/29/australia_day~3649396/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/01/29/australia_day~3649396/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/01/26/aussie_rules~3633712/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2008-01-26:/2008/01/26/aussie_rules~3633712/Sat, 26 Jan 2008 03:51:36 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/notitle/2301613" title=""><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/613/2301613_ac52f8efec_s.jpg" alt="" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Right, now this is the point when I'm going to have to start censoring my blog! I'm having such a fantastic time out here, travelling over here is understandably so much easier than in India. I'm staying in a great hostel which is really central in the city and have met loads of really nice people. I've been looking for work (well 'looking for work', as long as I hand out one CV per day then I don't feel so bad) and I did find somewhere to live, but then changed my mind and decided I want to stay for a bit longer in the hostel because it's so safe and sociable. </p> <p>This is just a really quick, rubbish post to let you know that I'm alive and well. It's Australia Day today so we're off to the Rocks to celebrate, I'll write again tomorrow when I've got more time, love you all xxx</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/notitle/2301614" title=""><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/614/2301614_d92fc5df0c_s.jpg" alt="" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/notitle/2301612" title=""><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/612/2301612_249fa1b354_s.jpg" alt="" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/01/26/aussie_rules~3633712/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/01/26/aussie_rules~3633712/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/01/17/doing_it_in_style~3591208/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2008-01-17:/2008/01/17/doing_it_in_style~3591208/Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:50:38 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/me_at_lotus/2282885" title="Me at Lotus"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/885/2282885_a310caed68_s.jpg" alt="Me at Lotus" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/mum_at_lotus/2282884" title="Mum at Lotus"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/884/2282884_1506a90ad9_s.jpg" alt="Mum at Lotus" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>So seeing India 'Mum's way' has been an experience in itself. After having warned her over and over again that she would be so very shocked when we arrived at Delhi International Airport, after having told her that she would DEFINITELY be accosted and mobbed by the masses, overwhelmed by the smell and the heat and that nothing, absolutely nothing, would be easy, I was so disappointed to find that it was exactly that...easy. We were met as soon as we picked up our luggage from the belt (4 suitcases for 2 people for 2 weeks, excessive? Definitely not.) which came out practically first, and then shepherded through a lovely VIP door into a beautiful VIP air conditioned car and driven immediately to our lovely VIP hotel. How disappointing! I couldn't wait for Mum to finally understand what I had been through when I arrived, how difficult everything is and how shocking. Her response to the arrival in Delhi was, 'Hannah, what is all the fuss about?' </p> <p>I was absolutely certain that if nothing else, then Delhi train station would definitely break her resolve and give her a taste of what India is really like. Once again, so disappointing! The posh car dropped us off practically outside the door to our compartment (no wading through the hoards of crazy people and searching desperately for the platform for us!) and we slouched into our executive chairs without so much as a dirty look. </p> <p>I think that the people of Delhi were more shocked than we were, seeing Mum walk through in her heels and her Miu Miu bag was definitely a first for them!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/mum_at_delhi_train/2282899" title="Mum at Delhi train"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/899/2282899_1f8e93dd82_s.jpg" alt="Mum at Delhi train" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Not that I'm complaining! I absolutely LOVED being looked after and that fact probably had a lot to do with how happy I was to be back in the country again! I'd missed the craziness so much, the colours and the noise and it was lovely to back, and seeing it all in comfort! </p> <p>The rest of the holiday was amazing, yoga everyday twice a day, reading hundreds of books and eating the healthiest food ever. What more could you ask for? And all in a beautiful restored Raja's palace overlooking the Himalayan mountains. Mum was also explicit in the fact that she wanted me to point out that we did do a few 'cultural' things during the time, which included a 3 hour trek to Kunjapuri Temple, watching the children of a local orphanage perform traditional Indian dance and a visit to the Lotus temple in Delhi. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/me_and_mum_trek/2282903" title="Me and Mum trek"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/903/2282903_1457d362f9_s.jpg" alt="Me and Mum trek" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/us_and_sushil/2282906" title="Us and Sushil"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/906/2282906_b689ddbd97_s.jpg" alt="Us and Sushil" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>So we got back to Delhi late last night and then early this morning I had to say a very sad and bleary eyed goodbye to Mum as I left to catch my train to Agra to finally, after having been in India for 3 months in total, see the Taj Mahal! </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/taj_mahal/2282917" title="Taj Mahal"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/917/2282917_2ac759b9d9_s.jpg" alt="Taj Mahal" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/me_at_taj/2282919" title="Me at Taj"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/919/2282919_bb04aec66a_s.jpg" alt="Me at Taj" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p>It truly is beautiful, more so than any pictures can show, and it was amazing to finally be there. It is the most touristy place, with good reason, that I have visited in India which was a little bizarre. I'm not used to seeing so many Westerners and having to compete so much for space to take a photo! Aside from that, it's a lovely space and beautiful whichever way you look at it. It was built by an Emperor in memory of his wife who died giving birth to their FOURTEENTH child, and took only 12 years to complete using 20,000 workers. Can you tell that I had a pretty enthusiastic guide?</p> <p>It's very strange without Mum, miss her already, but tomorrow I leave Delhi to fly to Mumbai and then onto Sydney, before finally arriving in Sydney on Saturday! I am really excited now, and can't wait to be in the sunshine. Love to everyone, xxxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/01/17/doing_it_in_style~3591208/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2008/01/17/doing_it_in_style~3591208/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/11/26/homecoming~3352745/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-11-26:/2007/11/26/homecoming~3352745/Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:49:42 +0100 <p>I'm coming home! So I guess I just can't stay away from you lot for any longer, I'm flying back in to London and spending a month at home to get well and see the people I love and then flying back out again after New Years to continue my travels. It may seem a little weak, but I know that it's the right thing to do, I am absolutely spent, I feel like I have reached a natural end to this part of my journey and can't possibly push myself any further. It has been the most incredible thing I have ever done but also the most draining, and my body needs a break, I have only just ventured out of my room after yet another bout of feeling horrible and every inch of me is telling me to go home. I havn't visited half the places that I wanted to in India but I guess that's always the way and I know that I will be back in the future to explore this country again. I can't wait to see you all and hear about everything that has happened while I've been away, love to everyone xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/11/26/homecoming~3352745/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/11/26/homecoming~3352745/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/11/18/welcome_to_paradise~3314323/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-11-18:/2007/11/18/welcome_to_paradise~3314323/Sun, 18 Nov 2007 13:01:49 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/mountain/2153491" title="Mountain"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/491/2153491_135de02dce_s.jpg" alt="Mountain" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We made it! 12 days later, complete with aching feet, new friends, throat infections and unbelievably smelly clothes, we've returned. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/me_and_dad/2153452" title="Me and Dad"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/452/2153452_67031adcd8_s.jpg" alt="Me and Dad" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>It was absolutely amazing, and I feel really deflated now that it's over. I am, however, incredibly pleased to be warm and clean again, and I was very nearly killed in my rush across the road to reach an internet cafe and connect with the civilised world again. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/me/2153455" title="Me"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/455/2153455_0c76a8570b_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dad/2153490" title="Dad"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/490/2153490_a40eb5fe27_s.jpg" alt="Dad" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p>Before this trip somebody asked me whereabouts in the country I would be trekking and I replied 'In Nepal.' I had left the fine details, in fact all the details, to Dad and so had absolutely no clue as to where we were going, for how long or who with. It turns out, for those of you who are interested, that we went to the 'Annapurna Region' and completed a twelve day trek on the inside of the mountains, with our highest point being the Annapurna South Base Camp at a height of 4,130m. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/base_camp/2153453" title="Base Camp"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/453/2153453_a1ee46a295_s.jpg" alt="Base Camp" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/mountain/2153454" title="Mountain"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/454/2153454_5cc37a44cc_s.jpg" alt="Mountain" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>It was absolutely bloody freezing at this altitude and for much of the climb up, and it became something of a challenge when it came to keeping warm at night, whilst still remaining absolutely stylish of course...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/me/2153320" title="Me"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/320/2153320_365eebc6de_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Aside from keeping warm, the other main challenge (well, to begin with) was attempting to keep clean. We were staying in little wooden huts with incredibly thin walls (so that the entire camp could hear my hacking cough at night) and a shared 'bathroom' between everyone. This consists of a smelly hole in the ground and, despite every lodge advertising 'Hott Showers', very often a bucket of tepid water between six. So you can imagine how excited we were to visit the hot springs at Jeenu, and despite being the only female there, and getting some fairly unimpressed looks, it was the cleanest I felt all week.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/hot_bath/2153413" title="Hot bath"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/413/2153413_ef40bbd3d5_s.jpg" alt="Hot bath" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/turban/2153451" title="Turban"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/451/2153451_bd46ab0ade_s.jpg" alt="Turban" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>It's just a shame that we then had to walk steeply uphill for 2 hours in the sweltering heat, thus making me just as smelly as before! </p> <p>Not only did we grapple with the cold and the dirt, but we also tried to embrace the local cuisine. Dal Baht is the standard food up in the mountains and consists of huge helpings of rice and a yellow lentil soup along with whatever vegetables happen to grow in that area. I could say that Dad succeeded in overcoming his fussiness and wholeheartedly embraced these foods. But that would be lying. Let's just say that the words 'Fried egg and chips' were uttered more than once. </p> <p>The beginning of the trek coincided with the festival of Diwali, and so along the route we were pleased to discover that we would be entertained by the singing and dancing of children celebrating. It wasn't quite so entertaining, however, when the same kids barred our path and refused to let us pass unless we gave them 'pennies' or 'sweeedddies'. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/kids/2153319" title="Kids"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/319/2153319_55a1671962_s.jpg" alt="Kids" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>At night we also enjoyed some local entertainment, with singing and dancing and drumming continuing until the wee hours of the morning. Or until 8 'o clock if we're being honest.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dancing/2153397" title="Dancing"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/397/2153397_34cdf0fd1d_s.jpg" alt="Dancing" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dancing/2153398" title="Dancing"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/398/2153398_4cbef971ae_s.jpg" alt="Dancing" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I wish more than anything that I could've captured the look on Dad's face as he was dragged up to dance, it was absolutely classic and the first time that I've ever seen him even attempt to dance!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dad/2153410" title="Dad"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/410/2153410_798b1e5f30_s.jpg" alt="Dad" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We walked through local villages and really got a feel for life up in the mountains. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/farming/2153497" title="Farming"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/497/2153497_a330e75076_s.jpg" alt="Farming" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/fields/2153277" title="Fields"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/277/2153277_f38070260c_s.jpg" alt="Fields" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We had many bridges to cross, and Rich, with your love of heights, this photo is for you...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/bridge/2153381" title="Bridge"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/381/2153381_c44effde34_s.jpg" alt="Bridge" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We saw the sun rise and set over the mountains most days and enjoyed breathtaking views over the whole range. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/sunrise/2153496" title="Sunrise"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/496/2153496_365a6177c2_s.jpg" alt="Sunrise" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>These views were made all the more spectacular by the fact that we had well and truly earned them, walking for around 6 hours a day, through the snow and hail and rain and sweltering heat.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/me_and_dad/2153494" title="Me and Dad"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/494/2153494_e01ad1eab0_s.jpg" alt="Me and Dad" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/prayer_flags/2153495" title="Prayer flags"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/495/2153495_dc73761131_s.jpg" alt="Prayer flags" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>So now we're back in Pokhara, staying in a beautiful lodge overlooking the lake. It's nice to be back around civilization but also quite overwhelming. Tomorrow we leave to go to Chitwan National Park for a few days, and hopefully see some wildlife. Love to everyone, xxx</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/lake/2153500" title="Lake"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/500/2153500_b6211c55cb_s.jpg" alt="Lake" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/11/18/welcome_to_paradise~3314323/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/11/18/welcome_to_paradise~3314323/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/11/06/the_odd_couple~3254286/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-11-06:/2007/11/06/the_odd_couple~3254286/Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:38:57 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dad_s_shop/2124314" title="Dad"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/314/2124314_be75078254_s.jpg" alt="Dad" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>So Hannah has graciously (kicking and screaming) allowed me to be a guest presenter on her blog. </p> <p>When I went on holiday with Rich a couple of years ago, we kept calling each other “Bro” in very loud voices so that people didn’t think that we were a couple. Likewise, Hannah keeps calling me “Dad” in an overly loud voice so that people don’t think that she is my child bride. Hence, we are of course, the odd couple.</p> <p>Anyway, we have both arrived in Katmandu in preparation for our trek, which begins on Wednesday. We met each other in the hotel lobby and it was a bit of a “moment”… to quote Richie from 100 years ago, I think I must have got something in my eye. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/me/2124381" title="Me"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/381/2124381_e48e03af0c_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dad/2124398" title="Dad"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/398/2124398_7face2f34a_s.jpg" alt="Dad" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I made the mistake of letting Hannah use my phone last night. This morning I woke up and it was saying that I had 16 messages waiting for me. For a moment, I thought that I was popular, only to remember that they would all be for Hannah (it would take about months to accumulate 16 messages in the normal course of events). Popularity, would of course have been a ludicrous notion. </p> <p>We had a massage last night, and we agreed that it was Wow it was Best Massage Ever! I have got a gammy toenail from my marathon so every time the girl went near my foot I was petrified that this toenail was going to come off in her hand. “Oh what’s this Mr. Russell? Oh it’s your toe nail!” Lovely thought.</p> <p>Hannah decided to book a facial for today, and in a moment of madness I agreed to join her. Get in touch with my feminine side, or something along those lines. First time I have even washed my face in 47 years. Anyway, the good news is that the lines on my face weren’t wrinkles after all… the bad news is that they are just layers of fat.</p> <p>Bizarrely my facial was about twice the price of Hannah’s. We all know that this is not down to head size as Hannah has a ridiculously large head. This will therefore remain a mystery, although I wonder if the newly-haggling daughter managed to secure herself a discount on the quiet.</p> <p>The place is just crazy mad during the day. It is non-stop noise. If New York is the city that never sleeps then Katmandu is the local junkie high on crack cocaine. We were walking along the pavement last night when a motorcycle rider who was also riding along the pavement beeped at us to move to the side.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dad_and_rickshaw/2124483" title="Dad and Rickshaw"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/483/2124483_04850b7e56_s.jpg" alt="Dad and Rickshaw" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Some of the signs are hilarious, but this one is my favourite. The “Fair Price Pashmina Shop”.. I was thinking of buying a fairly priced pashmina and was wondering where to go…hmm let me think about that. I keep chuckling about it, and Hannah keeps saying, “Look Dad it’s not that funny” so of course that just makes me laugh more.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/fair_price_pashmina_shop/2124360" title="Fair Price Pashmina Shop"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/360/2124360_8db103c068_s.jpg" alt="Fair Price Pashmina Shop" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I think that me being here has really had a beneficial effect. If she was getting homesick at all, I think that she may have had false romanticised memories about how nice her family is. I am performing her a great service and showing that her father, at least, is a real pain and therefore makes her appreciate her self imposed exile even more.</p> <p>I have to apologise about the standard of writing and the content. I know that you have all become used to Hannah’s brilliant writing and fantastic photos. From Hannah you get the Golden Temple, from me you get the Fairly Priced Pashmina Store. But I have been persuading Hannah that this entry is of value, if for no other reason that to make people realize just how good her blog is when she is writing it. I am here to make Hannah look good.</p> <p>Of course, I have seen a change in my little girl, albeit not in stature. But it is so funny to hear her taking charge in situations and haggling with taxi drivers. She has also been saying things like “60 rupees (about 50 pence) for an hour’s internet usage that’s a real rip off, it should only be 30 rupees”… </p> <p>I have to go now. (Need to buy a pashmina, probably one that is Fairly Priced)</p> <p>Not sure if Hannah will invite me to make another contribution. As I said, we are going trekking on Wednesday and then we go on a mini safari, so we could be off-line for the next couple of weeks.</p> <p>I would like to think that would be a huge groundswell of public opinion of support for the Guest Presenter, so that next time (?) I can start with the words “Back by popular demand…”</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/cool_dudes/2124454" title="Cool dudes "><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/454/2124454_c22e2f6d4c_s.jpg" alt="Cool dudes " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/new_friend/2124476" title="New friend "><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/476/2124476_8909356db4_s.jpg" alt="New friend " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/11/06/the_odd_couple~3254286/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/11/06/the_odd_couple~3254286/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/11/01/title~3229135/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-11-01:/2007/11/01/title~3229135/Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:29:07 +0100 <p>So I think it's a really great thing that I left Goa when I did, I was beginning to get a little sick of all the Westerners! As soon as I was on the road again I felt so much happier, sitting on the deserted train platform at Canacona, with the hundreds of midges literally devouring me alive. I also felt lucky to be alive after my clearly fairly drunk rickshaw driver had collected me from the hut, diven me completely haphazardly through pitch black roads, then veered off the main road onto a tiny dirt track, all the while my heart pounding and furiously trying to remember the emergency code for India. It turned out that the train station was along this dirt track, thank god. Just after we pulled up outside the station a big jeep full of armed police officers arrived and I was sure that they were there to rescue me from a crazy kidnap attempt...or not. It was a 'dry day' so no alcohol was supposed to be sold or consumed and they were checking that this law was being enforced. I laughed as my rickshaw driver tried very hard to look sensible and sober. </p> <p>There was, of course, a 2 hour delay for the train and so I sat on the platform, constantly being eaten by the mosquitos and wishing that I hadn't put the repellant at the bottom of my rucsac! There was, surprisingly, another single female traveller, a French lady called Carol, as well as a Dutchman and a Polish woman. It was strange to be travelling in the company of so many other Westerners.</p> <p>My bed on the train was next to Carol's so we struggled onto the train with our big rucsacs and snuggled down for the night, at half past 2 in the morning. The train was long but the views were amazing. It's completely bizarre how different the South is from the North. It's so green and lush, with hundreds and hundreds of miles of rivers and lakes and palm trees and fields. </p> <p>We arrived at around half 5 last night and shared a taxi from Ernakulam, where the train station and other transport links are, over to Fort Cochin, which is a peaceful, idyllic town on the other side of the harbour. I had booked my hotel on the sole basis that the bible, Lonely Planet, said that all the rooms had bathtubs! I was dreaming about that bath the entire train journey and I wasn't disappointed...! </p> <p>The town is so lovely. The people here are a million times more friendly than those in the north, they call out and say hello for no other reason than politeness and the hassle from shopkeepers is limited and easily dissauded. The houses are all painted different pastel colours, giving it a really happy feel and it seems somehow much more prosperous than other cities in the North. The harbour is pretty, with these Chinese Fishing Nets which are massive contraption hanging over the waters edge and requiring 5 men to operate one. </p> <p>After my bath I headed out to dinner with Carol, which was nice as most of the restaurants here are very pretty and serve great food. I spent the day today exploring, we visited an Art Gallery and found this cafe called 'TPot' which was in honour of old English Tea Rooms, with thousands of teapots lining the walls and the tables, and hundreds of different types of tea, so much better than in England! </p> <p>I wanted to go on a canoe today to have a tour of the backwater canals but found out that everyone is on strike so I was unable to, hopefully I will be able to do that tomorrow. It's so nice and peaceful here, with just the right ratio of tourists and locals, I could stay here for a while and just drink green tea!</p> <p>Love you all </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/11/01/title~3229135/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/11/01/title~3229135/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/29/goa_take_ii~3214140/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-10-29:/2007/10/29/goa_take_ii~3214140/Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:38:28 +0100 <p>Right then, I just realised that the tone of my last post made it sound as if I am thoroughly miserable in Goa, which, aside from the awful fact of having to spend long amounts of time with Tom, is completely inaccurate. So here are a few of the moments, which would be so much better described with photos, that I've loved...</p> <p>On one of the nights when Tom was here we were walking along the beach after dinner and there was this incredible thunderstorm, literally illuminating the entire sky as well as the nearby island. It wasn't raining and so we sat on the beach for about an hour just watching this amazingly powerful storm and, sorry to bring it up again, taking hundreds of photos capturing the lightning and us in the photos. It was one of those moments where everything seems surreal, it was really bizarre to watch this amazing force of nature and made me feel very little. Even more so than usual, before some clever clogs comes up with that one...</p> <p>Anyway, today and yesterday I went for a barefoot run along the length of the beach just as the sun was setting. It was postcard perfect, except for my sweaty self, and made me feel very lucky. I was running along, watching a mix of Indian youngsters and Westerners mixing together playing games of cricket and football. The Indians definitely favoured the cricket matches but there were a few of them sheepishly involved in the football...</p> <p>I've also had an Ayurvedic massage whilst I've been here. She absolutely drenched me in oil until I was literally slipping and sliding on the table. It made me laugh a lot which probably isn't the desired effect but once I'd overcome the funniness it turned out to be the most relaxing thing, just what I needed after all those strenuous days of lying on the beach! It was so bizarre because this girl turned out to also be 18, I was shocked that she was giving me a massage at this age and she was equally amused that I was travelling alone at my age, it's funny how things like that put life in perspective.</p> <p>Last night I ventured out to our favourite bar to watch the Liverpool v Arsenal football match. Anyone that knows me would realise that not only do I not really have any interest in the game but I also support neither team. But it reminded me of home, especially of Amber for her Liverpoolness, and I ended up making lots of friends who exposed my completely non existent knowledge of football. </p> <p>Tomorrow I'm catching a midnight sleeper train down to Cochin to spend a few days there before flying over to Kathmandu to meet Pops. I absolutely love it here, the atmosphere is perfect and it really is picture perfect, but I'm ready to move on and am looking forward to the change of scenery. </p> <p>Love to all xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/29/goa_take_ii~3214140/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/29/goa_take_ii~3214140/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/26/a_picture_speaks_a_thousand_words~3198419/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-10-26:/2007/10/26/a_picture_speaks_a_thousand_words~3198419/Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:42:21 +0200 <p>...Well I hope this isn't true because otherwise this blog is going to have to be mega long, to compensate for the hundreds of photos that I intended to upload of beautiful sunsets and chilled out beach life. That was before I got my camera stolen. Once again, there's no excuse, leaving a bag unattended on the beach at 2am to 'just pop in for a quick swim' really doesn't sound so clever. Oops...If it wasn't for the lovely lovely rickshaw wallah then Tom wouldn't have had any money to pay for his hour and a half cab to the airport, which incidentally, he had to catch about half an hour after this ill fated swim. This lovely man spent ages helping us search for everything, asking people, driving us back and forth and then he lent Tom the equivalent of twenty squids, which, over here, is an obsene amount of money. It's so frustrating and representative of this country, you see the worst and the best of people out here. What really pisses me off is that they took little meaningful things, like photos and notes and charms from my wallet and the hundreds and hundreds of beautiful photos that I'd taken, if only they'd left the memory card! </p> <p>Anyway, aside from that, we've had an incredible week. It's so beautiful here, and the beach is relatively quiet and undeveloped, the bars are pretty chilled but there are so many Westerners here. It was such a shock to see so many white (or red for the sunburnt British) faces in one places and the first time I wore little shorts and a sleeveless top felt totally bizarre. I'm staying now in a beautiful little hut, literally right on the beach, you can hear the ocean when you're led on the bed and can watch the beach from the little hammock. I love this life! I'm staying here for a few more days to chill out and do some reading, gathering the strength to begin travelling again and head down to Kerala. </p> <p>Love as always, xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/26/a_picture_speaks_a_thousand_words~3198419/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/26/a_picture_speaks_a_thousand_words~3198419/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/18/last_day_at_school~3156687/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-10-18:/2007/10/18/last_day_at_school~3156687/Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:36:49 +0200 <p>So today was my last day at Subodh. I am so gutted to be leaving, I have had the most fun over the past 4 weeks here and have absolutely fallen in love with the kids. Teaching them on my own this week has been tough, but I am so glad that Karnika made me, I've grown even closer to the classes and really felt like I was in charge, teaching them and learning a lot from them as well. </p> <p>I took so many photos today, they go absolutely crazy the moment you get the camera out so it was pretty difficult to keep them under control. A couple of teachers came into my classroom to find out what all the racket was about, they literally jump on top of one another to get to the camera and they are not shy at all! </p> <p>These are my Grade V (probably about 9-10 years old) students, one of Karnika's classes...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072430" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/430/2072430_a0aaa0085f_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072431" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/431/2072431_a480316579_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072432" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/432/2072432_24488f639c_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072437" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/437/2072437_4bd373e7f0_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>These are Grade VIII, my favourite class. They're older, so a little less rowdy, and pretty good at English so we can communicate well. I will really miss this bunch...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072438" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/438/2072438_e1754ddb25_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072439" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/439/2072439_ff34047afc_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072639" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/639/2072639_0b4da0263d_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072651" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/651/2072651_1fda134faa_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072640" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/640/2072640_ab2a204eb0_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>And of course, Jaswant, who I doubly sad to leave, especially as he was making really great progress...bless him. Maybe he'll still be here when I come back, which I fully intend to do.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072641" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/641/2072641_c89d272eb6_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>So today there was also a celebration in honour of the fact that Navrata, a 9 day fasting period, was coming to an end. The kids put on a great show, with every class performing a poem, a song, a prayer or a dance. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072642" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/642/2072642_11009fa30b_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072643" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/643/2072643_0fe737f035_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072653" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/653/2072653_388dd2cd96_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072656" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/656/2072656_b806123fb2_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>The finale was a dance by the older years and it was so great. (In the third photo it looks like the boy is levitating but he's actually just thrown himself on the ground, flat out, in an act of desperation so convincing that I thought he might break his nose...)</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072657" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/657/2072657_38c881c79e_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072658" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/658/2072658_81ccf76d47_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072659" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/659/2072659_9f772ea1fb_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072660" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/660/2072660_275a791640_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I got a ton of cards from all the kids, not quite sure how I'm gonna fit them in my rucsac now, but I will treasure them forever. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072662" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/662/2072662_77bdde27b6_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I gave out some sweets at recess today and they were so grateful, it made me just wanna stay and sort them all out and bring them sweets everyday.</p> <p>This card in particular made me laugh, just to clarify, I never actually taught this girl, so it is not a testament to my teaching skills...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/school/2072661" title="School"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/661/2072661_26b7ec2aeb_s.jpg" alt="School" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/18/last_day_at_school~3156687/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/18/last_day_at_school~3156687/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/16/fake_gappy_i_don_t_think_so~3144780/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-10-16:/2007/10/16/fake_gappy_i_don_t_think_so~3144780/Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:29:02 +0200 <p>So yesterday was one of the longest and most tiring days of my life, ever. I boarded the train at Amritsar at 2pm on Sunday afternoon. It was a sleeper train so once again we had cute little beds and it made me laugh. Steph and I were in a compartment with 5 members of a family and this one Sikh boy, probably a little older than me. We played Bullshit (or we could call it 'Cheat' for all you oldies...) with him for a few hours and he turned out to be the most incredibly educated and interesting person. He knew much more about English and American politics and social issues than I did (I know, i know, it's hardly difficult) and had such an interesting perspective on a lot of things. The time passed so quickly when I was talking to him and encounters like that really reinforce my reasons for taking a gap year, I love meeting such interesting people and listening to their opinions, I wouldn't have missed out on that conversation for the world. </p> <p>He asked me why people travel, what motivates people to travel hundreds and hundreds of miles to see, for example, the Golden Temple in Amritsar or just to leave their home country for no tangible reason. This made me think so much, why am I halfway round the world when everyone and everything I love is back in England? He couldn't understand this Western obsession with travel and was pretty persistent in his interrogations. I mumbled something about beauty being a motivating factor in my decision to travel to Amritsar, but thinking back on it now I think it has more to do with curiosity, an interest in things that are really too big and too complicated for me to ever understand. </p> <p>Anyway, back to my status as a genuine gappy. Once again the issue of food was a problem whilst travelling. We had packed a few packets of biscuits which were quickly devoured but hunger soon set in and it was difficult to resist buying some food from the station, as unhygienic and downright gross as it looked. I snuggled up in my bed but it was difficult to get any sleep with people coming and going constantly and another lovely smell.</p> <p>The train was delayed so I arrived back at Jaipur station after having been travelling for nearly 23 hours. And NO FOOD. I had just enough time to shower and stuff some lunch down my throat before rickshawing over to school and teaching Karnika's classes for 3 hours. </p> <p>I was SO NERVOUS. SO SO SO NERVOUS. The thought of teaching those classes, 35/40 kids ranging from 8 to 13 in each of the three classes, was probably another factor in my lack of sleep as I tossed and turned imagining all the horrible circumstances. Thank god it wasn't so bad. It wasn't great but it wasn't terrible either, all of the classes got their work done and then one class proceeded to interrogate me about my knowledge of cricket (thank god you told me the name 'Tendulkar' Dad) and the capital cities of the world (I told them that Stockholm was the capital of Switzerland, oops...). Finally I had to teach Ishtikar, the really naughty half of the naughty two which was a true test of my patience. Jaswant wasn't even there to give me a bit of relief and make me feel like I was achieving something.</p> <p>Two new guest arrived at the guesthous yesterday, a brother and sister from France. The accent made me so happy and I tried to use some of my forgotten French, to their amusement. I had another crazy philosophical chat with them late into the night, which was yet another moment of confirmation, so by the time I crawled into bed it was nearly 2am and I was done, totally spent. I taught the classes again today and realised how much I will miss them all. I'm not ready to leave yet, I just feel like I've settled in and am growing really attached to the school and the kids. I will really miss it. </p> <p>Love to all </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/16/fake_gappy_i_don_t_think_so~3144780/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/16/fake_gappy_i_don_t_think_so~3144780/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/14/amristar~3132548/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-10-14:/2007/10/14/amristar~3132548/Sun, 14 Oct 2007 08:08:16 +0200 <p>Thursday night was Jenny's last night so, of course, we got a little dressed up and returned to the best restaurant ever and stuffed our faces...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059388" title="Me and Jenny"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/388/2059388_48ea88fc7b_s.jpg" alt="Me and Jenny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059389" title="Me, Stephanie and Jenny"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/389/2059389_3bee287815_s.jpg" alt="Me, Stephanie and Jenny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p>The new volunteer, Stephanie, is also from the US, vaguely near to the part of the OC where Jenny was from...So we said our goodbyes to Jenny, it seemed weird that she was leaving after having been there for 3 months and the whole time that I'd been there. Stephanie and I changed into comfier clothes and headed off to the train station to catch our 11pm train...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059391" title="Jaipur Train"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/391/2059391_beba4f0c47_s.jpg" alt="Jaipur Train" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059392" title="Train station"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/392/2059392_d6d3d7526d_s.jpg" alt="Train station" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p>As always, we got plenty of prolonged stares but there was such a huge variety of people at the train station that I could've stayed and people-watched for hours...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059393" title="Me"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/393/2059393_a09cd4233a_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059396" title="Train station"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/396/2059396_c595248c8d_s.jpg" alt="Train station" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>So then the train arrived and we settled down for the next 5 hours. It was my first time on a sleeper train and I found it so funny, looking down from my top bunk at all the people just lying asleep in their little spaces, snoring, coughing, tossing and turning. I felt like I was invading the privacy of all these people but for the first time in ages, I slept well...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059397" title="Sleeper"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/397/2059397_ec78b814b7_s.jpg" alt="Sleeper" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059398" title="Stephanie"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/398/2059398_8a3f89ff1a_s.jpg" alt="Stephanie" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We arrived in Delhi at about 5am, expecting to have to rush to change train stations to catch our connecting train to Amritsar. However, the train was delayed by at least 2 hours, so we sat on the platform and watched the sun come up and the world go by, taking in the mixed smell of piss and chai and ciappatti. Even when the train finally arrived the journey didn't go smoothly, we were stationary for over an hour with absolutely no explanation, in the middle of nowhere. It went from being freezing cold with the AC blaring out to absolutely unbearably hot as the AC was obviously switched off whilst we were stopped. It's a country of polar opposites, there's no middle ground... </p> <p>Anyhow, we finally arrived at Amristar about 5pm. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059400" title="Train station"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/400/2059400_4aa6d7b236_s.jpg" alt="Train station" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059401" title="Train station"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/401/2059401_387b7980a2_s.jpg" alt="Train station" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We were driven from the train station in an auto by a driver, probably about my age, who is currently studying for a degree in political science. It made me think a lot about life out here, and how much of a struggle it is, but it gave me hope. </p> <p>So we arrived at the Golden Temple and asked one of the guards (complete with orange turbans and swords) if we could stay there. We were immediately shown to a dorm room reserved for foreigners, which turned out to be full, so we were given a private room right next door. This is all completely free. The building is big and white and marble, the beds are hard but clean and the place is absolutely packed. Locals sleep on the floor, entire families, including the young and elderly, are curled up on colourful blankets, still dressed in their even more colourful saris and turbans. Every space is occupied but the people seem happy and content to be resting, completely free of charge, so close to their Temple.</p> <p>So we'd travelled for over 16 hours and we hadn't eaten anything except for the biscuits that we'd bought, it's too risky to brave the food sold at the stations. So then we headed over to the communal kitchens, where thousands and thousands of people are fed each day, 24 hours a day, completely free. It was amazing to sit down, on the floor, with hundreds of pilgrims and families, as men come round and dish out unlimited dahl, rice and ciapatti. </p> <p>It seemed that the delay of our train actually worked in our favour, as we crossed over the road from our dorms to the temple, the sun was just beginning to set and it was an absolutely stunning view.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059402" title="Golden temple"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/402/2059402_c2c3d463f9_s.jpg" alt="Golden temple" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059418" title="Sunset"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/418/2059418_14026618b9_s.jpg" alt="Sunset" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059419" title="Sunset"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/419/2059419_f0606c90f6_s.jpg" alt="Sunset" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059420" title="Me"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/420/2059420_3d8e82557c_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We wandered around the big pool of water which surrounds the temple and then crossed over a bridge walkway to get inside. It's actually a pretty small area so very few people can fit inside, it was beautiful and there is a continuous chanting from the Guru Granth Sahib which is projected on speakers around the whole compound. </p> <p>It's so bizarre that for a religion that has a sword as one of their main decorativ elements, they are so peaceful and seem quietly proud. I feel really safe with the guards and all the men wandering around in turbans and swords, like they are there to protect everyone. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059426" title="Sikh"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/426/2059426_aaec62574d_s.jpg" alt="Sikh" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059445" title="Guard"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/445/2059445_7dbb5d7966_s.jpg" alt="Guard" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Yesterday morning we were up again at 5am to watch the sunrise. Seeing colour flood into the high white walled area was beautiful, and the place was buzzing. Everyone seemed to be up, and we witnessed a ceremony where they get the Guru Granth Sahib out and begin the chanting for the day. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059440" title="Me and Stephanie"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/440/2059440_b07e39d890_s.jpg" alt="Me and Stephanie" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059444" title="Temple"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/444/2059444_844e87bc8a_s.jpg" alt="Temple" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We spent the afternoon wandering the crazy bazaars and buying bindis...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059452" title="Bazaars"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/452/2059452_37a195e292_s.jpg" alt="Bazaars" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059453" title="Bazaars"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/453/2059453_65bf13f437_s.jpg" alt="Bazaars" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059454" title="Food seller"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/454/2059454_6e178f578a_s.jpg" alt="Food seller" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>In the evening we went to Attari, to watch the closing of the border ceremony between Pakistan and India. It a complete spectacle and the crowds love it, they were all dancing in the streets, cheering and screaming. It was pretty cool...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059462" title="Border"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/462/2059462_ba04b880c1_s.jpg" alt="Border" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059463" title="Border"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/463/2059463_71b16866ce_s.jpg" alt="Border" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059464" title="Me "><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/464/2059464_7e76c89550_s.jpg" alt="Me " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059470" title="Soldier"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/470/2059470_d3c01f2eca_s.jpg" alt="Soldier" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059472" title="Sunset "><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/472/2059472_c66831a678_s.jpg" alt="Sunset " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059473" title="Me"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/473/2059473_280b6d90bb_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>And I fianlly got the welcome that I'd been waiting for, if only a little belated...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2059481" title="Welcome"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/481/2059481_c672bffcf3_s.jpg" alt="Welcome" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/14/amristar~3132548/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/14/amristar~3132548/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/11/hannah_ma_am~3118933/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-10-11:/2007/10/11/hannah_ma_am~3118933/Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:27:22 +0200 <p>It's been a crazy few days since I got back from Varanasi. School has been really tough, the kids are naughty and I think the majority has ADHD! The teachers seem to think that I am experienced enough to control them, on my own, and so keep leaving me with classes of 35/40 kids for up to an hour. By the end of it they are pulling each others hair, scrabbling on the floor and hitting each other with their satchels. It's insane...They are the kids of rickshaw wallahs, barbers, street sweepers, and cleaners, it's pretty sad at the end of the day as you see hundreds of rickshaws pulling up outside to collect their kids. These men probably drive me around, and some day their kids will too. </p> <p>We went to Karnika's again for dinner on Tuesday, and had some fun dressing up in Saris...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2051802" title="Me"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/802/2051802_2b20ac75d7_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2048198" title="Me and Jenny"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/198/2048198_7f6bf31700_s.jpg" alt="Me and Jenny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2051810" title="Me and Jenny"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/810/2051810_12703d144a_s.jpg" alt="Me and Jenny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2051811" title="Me and Jenny"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/811/2051811_689144347b_s.jpg" alt="Me and Jenny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>The dinner was lovely, until Karnika dropped the bombshell that she was going away for a week and therefore I would be teaching her classes after the weekend! ALL ON MY OWN. This fills me with dread and fear, these kids are NAUGHTY! It should be an experience at least, I guess...</p> <p>I'm leaving for Amritsar tonight, we have a holiday on Friday so I'm taking advantage of the long weekend. It's a lot of travelling there and back, so should be pretty tiring, but I'm excited....</p> <p>Love to all </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/11/hannah_ma_am~3118933/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/11/hannah_ma_am~3118933/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/08/more_varanasi_photos~3104047/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-10-08:/2007/10/08/more_varanasi_photos~3104047/Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:35:25 +0200 <p>Chillin' with ma homies...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2043416" title="My homeboys"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/416/2043416_7f6b009d62_s.jpg" alt="My homeboys" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2043417" title="My homeboys"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/417/2043417_c611fc3b0c_s.jpg" alt="My homeboys" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2043418" title="My homeboys"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/418/2043418_5b5cc6fbca_s.jpg" alt="My homeboys" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Lovely lotus...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2043424" title="Jenny and Lotus"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/424/2043424_0cd5d9a744_s.jpg" alt="Jenny and Lotus" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2043425" title="Me"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/425/2043425_9afb19e297_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Livin' it up (fake gappy...)</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2043426" title="Me"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/426/2043426_fd60e54182_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2043427" title="Jenny"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/427/2043427_30e8d461d4_s.jpg" alt="Jenny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2043428" title="Me and Jenny"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/428/2043428_666cc1d715_s.jpg" alt="Me and Jenny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2043429" title="Me and Jenny"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/429/2043429_1ecd81d1c4_s.jpg" alt="Me and Jenny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/08/more_varanasi_photos~3104047/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/08/more_varanasi_photos~3104047/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/08/back_to_jaipur~3101026/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-10-08:/2007/10/08/back_to_jaipur~3101026/Mon, 08 Oct 2007 06:06:48 +0200 <p>Flying in India is great. The airpors are small and it only takes a few minutes to check in, everything leaves relatively on time and we had no hassle as we didn't check in any luggage, it's all great....until you miss a flight.</p> <p>There is no excuse, it was sheer stupidity. We arrived safely from Varanasi in Delhi, and had a 3 hour wait until our connecting flight to Jaipur. So we settled down with our Lonely Planets and read about all the exciting place we'd visit on our upcoming travelling. And we read. And read. And read. And Jenny asked me if we should go up and check if we were boarding because our flight hadn't been read out, and I said nahhh, it's obviously just delayed. And so we read, and read. And she asked me again, and I was said nahhhh. And then finally we wandered over only to discover that our plane had taken off without us. Ooops....</p> <p>4 hours, 6000 rupees and a worried taxi ride later, we were finally home. I feel a bit silly now. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/08/back_to_jaipur~3101026/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/08/back_to_jaipur~3101026/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/06/burning_is_learning~3093436/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-10-06:/2007/10/06/burning_is_learning~3093436/Sat, 06 Oct 2007 13:08:20 +0200 <p>Varanasi is the holiest city in India. It sits on the edge of the River Ganges, which is dirty and smelly, and it is beautiful and calm and distressing and crazy. </p> <p>We arrived yesterday after a ridiculously civilized journey over. I felt like a complete fraud gappy as I boarded nice air conditioned planes and waited in spacious lounges. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036504" title="Me"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/504/2036504_28b99059e9_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036491" title="Car"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/491/2036491_03d52a45a8_s.jpg" alt="Car" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We had an hours drive from the airport, through the greenest scenery I have seen yet in India, until we reached the hub of the city, which is crazy.</p> <p>We are staying in Assi Ghat, one of the most Northern ghats but it is really lively and interesting. Our guest house is like a big, rambling old house and we have a beautiful view over the river. </p> <p>Late yesterday afternoon we went for a walk along the ghats to explore a little and take everything in. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036503" title="Me"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/503/2036503_bfcbf02d5f_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036493" title="Me and Jenny"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/493/2036493_26873e4ce1_s.jpg" alt="Me and Jenny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036523" title="ME"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/523/2036523_8da6b63d1b_s.jpg" alt="ME" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>There are hundreds of battered fishing boats lining the ghats and people of all descriptions come to the waters edge to do so many different things, it's crazy. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036524" title="Boats"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/524/2036524_4b553d20b0_s.jpg" alt="Boats" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036525" title="Fishermen"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/525/2036525_2795245b6d_s.jpg" alt="Fishermen" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036527" title="Ghat"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/527/2036527_f468358913_s.jpg" alt="Ghat" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Along our walk we met this pot smoking yogi, Blackman Nuga Baba, or something along those lines, and had a little chat with him. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036531" title="Nuga Baba"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/531/2036531_275c4f9d13_s.jpg" alt="Nuga Baba" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>He's obviously something of a dwindling celeb because he got out these faded and torn newspaper articles which looked about a hundred years old with photos of him in various different postions and with loads of grubby looking Westerners (like me...). </p> <p>Anyway, he gave us a little show and was very keen that we take photos as he steadied himself into each new position, 'Now take...now take...NOW TAKE!' He commanded. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036532" title="Nuga Baba"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/532/2036532_ef68a1405f_s.jpg" alt="Nuga Baba" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036533" title="Nuga Baba"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/533/2036533_e10440d23d_s.jpg" alt="Nuga Baba" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>His robes weren't really that effective so after a while, and after he exposed a little bit more than was really necessary, we managed to escape...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036534" title="Me"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/534/2036534_0819eb1da0_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We found a brilliant restaurant called the Lotus Lounge which was obviously a complete travellers paradise as there wasn't a single Indian in there except for the owner. It had a beautiful view over the river and there were tons of cushions that you could just lounge around on. It felt so luxurious and it was such an oasis where you could just watch the craziness down below. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036547" title="Lotus Lounge"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/547/2036547_64bc7601b3_s.jpg" alt="Lotus Lounge" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036555" title="Lotus Lounge"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/555/2036555_f1420c6104_s.jpg" alt="Lotus Lounge" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We had intended to return home pretty early and get a good night's sleep in preparation for the 5am boat ride the next day. However....a few droplets of rain soon turned into an entire monsoon and the travellers mob transferred into the relative shelter of a straw roof. The rain was really heavy but it was so amazing to watch a storm whilst sheltering under this pretty flimsy roof drinking chai tea. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036573" title="Lotus Lounge"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/573/2036573_13f50390fe_s.jpg" alt="Lotus Lounge" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036549" title="Lotus Lounge"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/549/2036549_dd2bac4f80_s.jpg" alt="Lotus Lounge" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>After about 2 hours of this we decided to try and brave the weather to trek home. It was a long walk so we (stupidly) had to navigate through the dark, dirty and slightly eerie back allies of the city to try and find a main road to catch a rickshaw. This was a mission in itself but the real challenge was for the rickshaw wallah who then had to pedal us through water that was literally covering the bicycle and threatening the spill over onto our seats. It was insane and really a little creepy as we cycled through this pitch black city lit only by candles (the electricity is really unreliable here, even by Indian standards.)</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036576" title="Journey home"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/576/2036576_3e200376fb_s.jpg" alt="Journey home" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036577" title="Rickshaw"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/577/2036577_efc6934752_s.jpg" alt="Rickshaw" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Finally we got home, and exhausted as I was, I absolutely couldn't sleep, which was so frustrating as I counted down the few remaining hours till I had to get up and go on this boat. I managed to snatch a few hours before 4.30am when I groggily (but surprisingly chirpily, considering it's me and early mornings) made my way down to Assi ghat. </p> <p>I sat and watched the holy men coming down to the waters edge to bathe, the fire ceremonies and the chanting. It was still pitch black and it was one of the most beautiful things ever. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036599" title="Morning ghat"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/599/2036599_9155310a16_s.jpg" alt="Morning ghat" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036550" title="Morning puja"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/550/2036550_3b98b6b47a_s.jpg" alt="Morning puja" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036592" title="Flower seller "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/592/2036592_cfa1f3a754_s.jpg" alt="Flower seller " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036615" title="Morning puja"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/615/2036615_95d8a00c78_s.jpg" alt="Morning puja" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>This photo is my favourite...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036600" title="Yellow man"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/600/2036600_f679558df7_s.jpg" alt="Yellow man" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Then I went in a rowing boat and rowed for nearly an hour and a half along the ghats, </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036593" title="Me"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/593/2036593_d04a356442_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036601" title="Boats"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/601/2036601_6505c8e0f4_s.jpg" alt="Boats" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036602" title="Boatman"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/602/2036602_3065e1410e_s.jpg" alt="Boatman" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Watching all the different ceremonies and different groups of people. There are different ghats for different regions of India, so for example, the people from South India all came to one specific ghat to bathe and they were all rowdy and colourful. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036609" title="Ghats "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/609/2036609_313f7fcdad_s.jpg" alt="Ghats " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036610" title="Ghats "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/610/2036610_3379946f69_s.jpg" alt="Ghats " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036611" title="Ghats"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/611/2036611_551f97877f_s.jpg" alt="Ghats" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I watched the sunrise, which was incredible...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036608" title="Sunrise "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/608/2036608_e67947eefd_s.jpg" alt="Sunrise " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2036594" title="Sunrise"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/594/2036594_9ca1bc9cf8_s.jpg" alt="Sunrise" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p>After about an hour and a half we reached Manikarnika Ghat which is the main burning ghat and this was incredibly shocking. I wasn't allowed to take photos but I wouldn't really have wanted to as it was really graphic and would've been incredibly disrespectful. </p> <p>This guy met me off the boat and kind of assumed that I wanted a guide, his opening line was "Welcome to the 24 hour burning ghat." Like it was a 24hr McDonalds or something! "We have already burned 45 bodies this morning!" Bear in mind that it's only 6.30am...</p> <p>So then he guided me round this site, popping in handy catchphrases like "Remember, young one, Burning is Learning..." and "Cremation is Education". It made me laugh so much.</p> <p>It was pretty explicit, as you actually see the fires burning the skin on corpses. I was looking at what I thought was a piece of wood for ages until I realised that it had a foot and toes and was actually the charred and bubbling skin of a human leg. </p> <p>He took me into this house where all the old people from around the city who have no relatives are rounded up and brought here to die. They are given food and water and a place to sleep and then when they die they are given the ultimate honour, cremation by the River Ganges. This, of course, is funded by donations from tourists like me! </p> <p>It's been amazing and exhausting, and I'm definitely coming back here... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/06/burning_is_learning~3093436/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/06/burning_is_learning~3093436/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/01/monkeying_around~3065790/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-10-01:/2007/10/01/monkeying_around~3065790/Mon, 01 Oct 2007 07:23:26 +0200 <p>2 posts so close together...I'm getting obsessed!</p> <p>So yesterday afternoon, Hemlata, her two sisters, Jenny and I all set off for a trip to the Monkey Temple. I didn't really know a lot about it but it was Hemlata's idea so I just kind of went with the flow. Hemlata had to sneak out of the house in disguise as she's forbidden from hanging around with the volunteers, which made me a little sad...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021522" title="Hemlata"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/522/2021522_69dfaaa1a8_s.jpg" alt="Hemlata" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I figured the 'temple' would be a bit of a gimmick, like a monkey shaped temple with loads of monkeys in cages around the room. How wrong I was...</p> <p>So firstly it took us a while to get there, in relative terms. Most places in Jaipur are within a ten minute auto rickshaw drive, but this was about 20 minutes out of the city (with 5 of us crammed into the back of a 2 person rickshaw) where we reached some big gates and turned off the main road onto an even more rickety and run down track leading up the side of a mountain. </p> <p>Basically it was like a massive compound where hundreds and thousands of monkeys just roam freely around, along with peacocks, goats and cows. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021529" title="Monkey temple"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/529/2021529_0006565982_s.jpg" alt="Monkey temple" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We bought some monkey food and they swarm around you...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021524" title="Monkey food"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/524/2021524_7a7924fb75_s.jpg" alt="Monkey food" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021533" title="Ugly monkey "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/533/2021533_3e6b862a8e_s.jpg" alt="Ugly monkey " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p>It's actually veeeerrry scary because they're so used to humans and sometimes they grab bags and shoes and sunglasses...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021530" title="Me and monkeys"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/530/2021530_b73a36e8d2_s.jpg" alt="Me and monkeys" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021532" title="Jenny and monkey "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/532/2021532_3c3875d83a_s.jpg" alt="Jenny and monkey " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p>The place was actually pretty beautiful, set in the mountains with loads of pools and buildings that had obviously been so ornate but now...well they're covered in monkey shit and very smelly...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021535" title="Temple and the mountains "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/535/2021535_89d819be93_s.jpg" alt="Temple and the mountains " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021534" title="Me "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/534/2021534_803e46153d_s.jpg" alt="Me " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I didn't really like the monkeys, they made me pretty nervous...but I tried to make some friends...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021536" title="Me"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/536/2021536_1397344731_s.jpg" alt="Me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>So then we started to walk up the mountain (wearing TOTALLY the wrong footwear, I wish someone had warned me...) towards this other temple, the Sun Temple. On the way we saw some pretty awesome things, the views were amazing and there were tons of priests and hermit like men, who obviously live up here, tending to goats and cows.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021539" title="Yellow lady"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/539/2021539_8114792a24_s.jpg" alt="Yellow lady" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021541" title="Priest"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/541/2021541_e62a1dddcd_s.jpg" alt="Priest" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021543" title="Priest"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/543/2021543_5e0ad968b1_s.jpg" alt="Priest" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021544" title="Old man"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/544/2021544_f3588fab44_s.jpg" alt="Old man" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>The sun was just starting to set as we reached the temple and it was absolutely beautiful...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021545" title="Sun temple"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/545/2021545_9f8de64f6a_s.jpg" alt="Sun temple" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021546" title="Sun temple"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/546/2021546_45fd0f7521_s.jpg" alt="Sun temple" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>You had to ring a bell as you entered and remove your shoes (I was a bit dubious about this but the monkeys didn't climb this high...)</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021548" title="Sun Temple"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/548/2021548_21d1c0d729_s.jpg" alt="Sun Temple" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>The views over the city were absolutely incredible, it was breathtaking...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021547" title="Sun temple"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/547/2021547_17432922ae_s.jpg" alt="Sun temple" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2021563" title="Sun Temple"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/563/2021563_a877fecabe_s.jpg" alt="Sun Temple" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>SUCH a good trip, I absolutely loved it...</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/01/monkeying_around~3065790/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/10/01/monkeying_around~3065790/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/30/karnika_s_rana_s_and_dinner~3061291/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-09-30:/2007/09/30/karnika_s_rana_s_and_dinner~3061291/Sun, 30 Sep 2007 10:26:29 +0200 <p>Okay so the last few days have been pretty hectic once again, but it's been really great, it's gonna be a mammouth essay once again so just skip to the good bits...</p> <p>On Friday night we went to dinner at Karnika's. She's the co-ordinator of the project and a teacher at my school. It was so nice to get a little dressed up and meet some of the other volunteers in Jaipur. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018941" title="Me and Jenny "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/941/2018941_25d52e2636_s.jpg" alt="Me and Jenny " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018940" title="Me and Jenny"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/940/2018940_8c0fe8d900_s.jpg" alt="Me and Jenny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Karnika also made me feel really great because she told me that after I left school on Friday afternoon Jaswant and Ishtika were running around looking for me and she thinks what I'm doing is really helping them in their other classes, they've started to interact more and be a litttttle bit less naughty! </p> <p>This is me and Karnika, she's so cute!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018942" title="Me and Karnika"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/942/2018942_6e05ae3e63_s.jpg" alt="Me and Karnika" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Karnika's family is fairly wealthy in the context of India but she was telling us how they live so simply and try not to hoard material possessions, instead they value 'biiiig bank balances and property and gold.' It's such a different mentality...</p> <p>The next day Jenny and I paid another visit to Rana's, supposedly to collect my blue-grey silk lengha which I'd ordered last week but ended up getting a bit carried away trying on more saris...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018948" title="Blue sari"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/948/2018948_788e2a7ca2_s.jpg" alt="Blue sari" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018949" title="Purple sari "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/949/2018949_2b5933a84e_s.jpg" alt="Purple sari " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018950" title="Pink sari"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/950/2018950_3787fb6840_s.jpg" alt="Pink sari" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>(I got the pink one...) </p> <p>I tried to look like a meek, demure traditional Rajasthani girl but I kind of look like a crazed, demented devil child...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018973" title="Purple Sari"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/973/2018973_92eb40339d_s.jpg" alt="Purple Sari" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>We also had some fun with Hari...who is still pestering me to teach him English, but other than that, is such a laugh...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018959" title="Jenny and Hari"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/959/2018959_79123b8204_s.jpg" alt="Jenny and Hari" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018960" title="Hari"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/960/2018960_9eac114975_s.jpg" alt="Hari" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018961" title="Me and Hari"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/961/2018961_6eabd128e8_s.jpg" alt="Me and Hari" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>So then after an exhaustttting day choosing fabrics and colours and saris, we decided that we should actually put some of these pretty dresses to use and go out for dinner (again?!? What party animals!...)</p> <p>There was a slight hitch in the plan as all the women of the family were out and so getting dressed in complicated saris became a bit of an event.</p> <p>Babu tried to help us...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018974" title="Babu in a sari "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/974/2018974_ac257874dd_s.jpg" alt="Babu in a sari " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Kavita tried...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018975" title="Kavita dressing me"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/975/2018975_e9efb123d9_s.jpg" alt="Kavita dressing me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018976" title="Kavita dressing me"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/976/2018976_6fb93f796f_s.jpg" alt="Kavita dressing me" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018977" title="Kavita dressing me "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/977/2018977_2d4da81760_s.jpg" alt="Kavita dressing me " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>And by the time we looked half decent, we were exhausted...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018987" title="Me and Jenny"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/987/2018987_48b11d7728_s.jpg" alt="Me and Jenny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018988" title="Me in silver"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/988/2018988_58e27adef3_s.jpg" alt="Me in silver" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018989" title="Me and Jenny"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/989/2018989_ea283555b1_s.jpg" alt="Me and Jenny" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>But just about managed to drag ourselves into a rickshaw to an ITALIAN RESTUARANT!!!!! It was like being in heaven as I tucked into asparagus, ciabatta and ristotto...Not so skinny skinny anymore!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2018999" title="Jenny eating "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/999/2018999_58dbea597e_s.jpg" alt="Jenny eating " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2019000" title="Me eating "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/000/2019000_26ca1668aa_s.jpg" alt="Me eating " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>So then today I paid 2 pounds and went and sat by the pool in a really nice hotel for a few hours. We're going to visit the Monkey Temple in a bit so there should be some interesting photos from that...!</p> <p>Love you all </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/30/karnika_s_rana_s_and_dinner~3061291/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/30/karnika_s_rana_s_and_dinner~3061291/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/27/chubby_chubby_skinny_skinny~3048812/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-09-27:/2007/09/27/chubby_chubby_skinny_skinny~3048812/Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:37:56 +0200 <p>I think I'm becoming a little addicted to this blogging thing, it's become my after dinner ritual to come and spend 2 hours uploading 3 photos and writing about my crazy days, I love it.</p> <p>So this morning as I was getting ready for work, just rushing around in some little shorts and a vest, Hemlata (the daughter-in-law of the family who own the guest house) is looking at me pretty funny. Then she turns to me and says, 'You used to be a little nice chubby chubby face, now in only 2 days you so skinny skinny. It no nice.' She gives me a disapproving glare and walks off. This was the funniest moment and I had no idea how to respond, I guess it shows how the Indians value a different body image!</p> <p>I've been feeling a lot better today, probably due to the hundreds of pills that I'm taking, and am starting to really love my time at the school. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2011840" title="My kids"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/840/2011840_101f428881_s.jpg" alt="My kids" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2011849" title="The girls"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/849/2011849_c153de33e0_s.jpg" alt="The girls" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Most of the kids are so excited to learn, and work really hard. Today they were even teaching me a little Hindi (when I got dumped alone with 30 of them staring at me, it seemed easier to just along with it!) </p> <p>My 'naughty boy' Jaswant (you have to kind of say 'Just one) is really coming along and it's so satisfying. If he works hard then I take a picture of him, he loves it and points at the screen in awe of himself. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2011898" title="Jaswant"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/898/2011898_a0c22d040e_s.jpg" alt="Jaswant" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2011904" title="Jaswant"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/904/2011904_84c3ad0557_s.jpg" alt="Jaswant" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2011908" title="Jaswant"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/908/2011908_1f661b8bbd_s.jpg" alt="Jaswant" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>He's so cute...</p> <p>Not much else to report today, am beginning to really love this city and the craziness, although things still shock me so much. Missing home and everyone lots, but excited for all the things to come. Love you all xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/27/chubby_chubby_skinny_skinny~3048812/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/27/chubby_chubby_skinny_skinny~3048812/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/26/my_dear_dear_celia~3043624/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-09-26:/2007/09/26/my_dear_dear_celia~3043624/Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:43:05 +0200 <p>Last night on the way home Jenny and I made some new friends...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2008750" title="2 Cows"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/750/2008750_9ff5b9ff56_s.jpg" alt="2 Cows" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2008752" title="3 Cows"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/752/2008752_e2c100e355_s.jpg" alt="3 Cows" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Photos like this remind me of drunken nights out, stumbling home. Except I havn't even seen alcohol in 8 days and these photos were taken at the respectable hour of 10pm! </p> <p>So then this morning I was just wandering around MI Road, which is one of the busiest areas in New Jaipur, posting some letters and buying a new book, minding my own business. Obviously, being in India, this doesn't mean that you don't get hassled, so when a man approached me asking where I got my 'beautiful dress' from I totally ignored him. Problem solved. But obviously not, this guy is pretty persistent, insisting that I tell him where this 'rare and amazing salwar kameez' is from. I snap and tell him that it's a cheap, mass produced thing from the supermarket next door to me, Big Bazaar. This does nothing to kill his enthusiasm as he asks my name, my country, etc etc. Eventually he ground me down and I started talking to him, thinking he was gonna try and sell me something. But no, once again, I was wrong. He asked me to help him write a letter in English. Totally taken aback I guess I must have agreed and so then I find myself shepherded into the nearest coffee shop, Barista.</p> <p>I assumed it would be some kind of legal letter or something professional, but once again I was wrong. The first words he dictated were 'Mr dear, dear Celia' and so pretty soon I found myself scribing this man's eternal love for some English speaking woman overseas. I literally had to bite back the laughter as I was writing the exact sentences that I would totally take the piss out of 'Our two hearts are one, I cannot live without you my beautiful princess, each day apart is like a day I am slowly dying...' You get the picture? So two and a half pages later, I get up to escape, but he drags me back...this guy is good. So then he gives me his card and it turns out he's some jewellery guy and if I give him some English grammar lessons then I get 'vaaaarry vaaaarry good price'. Entertainment for the day!</p> <p>Okay so then I went to school and battled with these two naughty kids. I ended up teaching them separately so they couldn't play off one another. I made a lot of progress with one and it was so satisfying, by the end of the lesson he could identify and spell red, green and yellow as well as say 'My name is Jaswant' and write his name. Ishtikar, on the other hand, has NO clue. He just repeats everything that I say in this incoherent mumble and finds it impossible to pick up anything. Its a challenge at least...</p> <p>So by this point, I'm exhausted, I havn't slept and I havn't eaten. I pretty much collapse on the bed when I get home and then Babu decides to take me to the doctors because I'm sick and coughing my guts up. This was an experience in itself...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2008754" title="Doctors "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/754/2008754_d4c3644034_s.jpg" alt="Doctors " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2008755" title="Babu and me at the doctors"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/755/2008755_d5e7cc707c_s.jpg" alt="Babu and me at the doctors" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>The 'surgery' was basically a backyard with a canopy erected. I felt awful because I jumped straight to the front of the queue. But not that awful. I'm now on about 8 different medecines to combat everything possible, I feel a little brighter already. </p> <p>I also took some pictures of the area around where I live, so you can kind of get the picture what it's like...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2008753" title="My street"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/753/2008753_006b42899f_s.jpg" alt="My street" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2008756" title="More of my street"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/756/2008756_77fec4510c_s.jpg" alt="More of my street" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Not a lot else to report, except....I found some DARK CHOCOLATE!!! A packet of Bournville that probably went off months ago hidden away in the corner of the market. Happy time...</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/26/my_dear_dear_celia~3043624/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/26/my_dear_dear_celia~3043624/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/25/delhi_belly_jaipur_style~3037727/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-09-25:/2007/09/25/delhi_belly_jaipur_style~3037727/Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:04:27 +0200 <p>Okay so, yesterday I started feeling a little queasy in the morning and by about lunchtime I had full blown nasty belly. I kind of collapsed on my bed for a bit before attempting to make it into school and then having to explain to the driver that I actually wanted to return home using some kind of massive hand gestures whilst resisting throwing up. All very exciting. I spent the rest of the day sleeping and reading my most treasured item of the moment...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2005838" title="Indian Vogue (on my cute bedcover)"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/838/2005838_a431b6e806_s.jpg" alt="Indian Vogue (on my cute bedcover)" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>RACH IT'S THE FIRST EVER ISSUE OF INDIAN VOGUE...BEAUTIFUL!!!</p> <p>So then today I woke up feeling much brighter, but still a little queasy and I've discovered it's best not to eat anything except bananas. </p> <p>So then today I made it into my school, Subodh Public School. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2005850" title="Rickshaw"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/850/2005850_7af0616435_s.jpg" alt="Rickshaw" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2005840" title="Prayer time"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/840/2005840_2574db7aa1_s.jpg" alt="Prayer time" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2005842" title="The playground"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/842/2005842_74feb576ce_s.jpg" alt="The playground" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>It was so weird, when I asked the rickshaw driver to take me to this place, expecting to have to make massive hand gestures and give some kind of directions, he just smiled and said, 'Yes, Karnika ma'am, Karnika ma'am.' Karnika is the name of the lady who co-ordinates the project and teaches at the school, totally a superwoman and so inspiring. This guy must either have been taught by her or know of her, it made me realise that her influence must actually be pretty far reaching and that's so encouraging. </p> <p>Karnika gets me to read with the older kids for the first few hours before recess and then after that I have been given a pretty big challenge. There's these two kids, Istikar and Jaswant, who are really disruptive and naughty so basically I've been dumped with them to prevent them from holding the rest of the class back. One of them is pretty smart and knows some stuff but the other one clearly struggles with even the most basic things, like recognising a letter of the alphabet. They are also both hyperactive and so easily distracted. I'm making them both some workbooks so that we can try and have some sort of structure but a lot of today was spent running around the main hall. At least they're not distracting the others!</p> <p>Also Jenny and I are working on this project to educate some of the older kids about the world around them to give them some kind of perspective. We've chosen like eight countries and we're making big, visually interesting fact boards about each one so they can match stuff up and recognise different cultures. It's funny how easily entertained I can be, this stuff is really exciting!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2005852" title="Working hard"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/852/2005852_a10a847e14_s.jpg" alt="Working hard" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I'm hoping that this stuff will actually be useful to the kids and the school, at first I thought I was just going to be in the way and not make that much difference but maybe these things will help. </p> <p>This guy is called Babu, and he's like one of the servants at the house, he's so funny and is always singing, it totally brightens my day. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=2005851" title="Babu"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/851/2005851_99937d2859_s.jpg" alt="Babu" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I'm gonna try and get some good nights' sleep because I'm still not really getting any, I hope that if I rest a bit then I'll be well enough to go to Varanasi this weekend, it's like the holiest city in India but it's supposed to be very shocking. I'll keep you posted...love to all xxx</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/25/delhi_belly_jaipur_style~3037727/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/25/delhi_belly_jaipur_style~3037727/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/23/hawa_mahal_and_sweeties~3027316/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-09-23:/2007/09/23/hawa_mahal_and_sweeties~3027316/Sun, 23 Sep 2007 16:38:44 +0200 <p>Last night we went out for a little treat to this swish coffee shop just down the road called 'Mr Beans'. It's so funny because they have all this Western music playing and it's obviously the place to be seen, everyone is too cool for school and as scruffy travellers it took us a while to get a piece of cake. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1998966" title="Mr Beans"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/966/1998966_6d64e043c2_s.jpg" alt="Mr Beans" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>On the way back we saw a dead dog, just dumped in the middle of road. It totally shocked me and I couldn't stop staring, I was so upset, it just seemed so cruel and unfair.</p> <p>Okay so once again I couldn't sleep last night which is incredibly frustrating, but I've worked out that it has something to do with not having a sheet to cover me. No one in India really uses a cover sheet because it's so hot so I improvised and used my towel, which was nice and wet still. I think it helped a little...I bought a beautiful new turquoise sheet today, but more on that later...</p> <p>So this morning I did a little sight seeing, at the Hawa Mahal which is the famous monument in Jaipur. It's a big red thing that was built by one of the Maharajas I think to preserve the women's modesty and allow them to look to the outside without being seen, through these little windows. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1998997" title="Window peephole"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/997/1998997_ad9e8b75f0_s.jpg" alt="Window peephole" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>The building itself is pretty dilapidated, and is undergoing some restoration work I think, </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1999005" title="Hawa Mahal outside"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/005/1999005_1f6d461e66_s.jpg" alt="Hawa Mahal outside" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>but there is a really nice courtyard inside where I sat and people watched for a while and if you climb to the top then the views of the city and to the street below are pretty impressive...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1998999" title="Hawa Mahal view"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/999/1998999_708ac259b0_s.jpg" alt="Hawa Mahal view" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1999000" title="Hawa Mahal balcony"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/000/1999000_706cb73cba_s.jpg" alt="Hawa Mahal balcony" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>As you climb the winding staircase thing to reach the top there is tons of graffiti, obviously written by Indian and Western tourists alike, I was considering writing 'Hanna woz ere' but a group of security guards were following me up...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1998998" title="Hawa Mahal graffiti"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/998/1998998_9a4a990096_s.jpg" alt="Hawa Mahal graffiti" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>After this I did a little more shopping in a place called Bari Choppper, buying myself a beautiful turquoise sheet/bed cover thing and also a pink wall hanging/rug which I'm not quite sure what I'm gonna do with but I absolutely couldn't resist it.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1999006" title="Colourful rug"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/006/1999006_9967ec00ef_s.jpg" alt="Colourful rug" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1999001" title="Bari Chopper"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/001/1999001_7376cfe0fb_s.jpg" alt="Bari Chopper" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1999002" title="Street jewellery"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/002/1999002_42254080bf_s.jpg" alt="Street jewellery" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I went home for lunch and then ventured out again with Jenny to this incredible stationary shop. Anyone that knows me will understand how excited I got as I was wondering through rows and rows of journals, and paper and photo albums. Heaven...I bought some presents and a beautiful leather bound photo album to fill when I get back, as well as some really nice writing paper and envelopes, if I ever get round to doing some snail mail communication. </p> <p>Next door to the stationary shop is a really cute sweet shop selling all these amazing Indian sweets, I tried a few and they're so different to ours but actually really tasty, just a little sickly after a while. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1999008" title="Sweet shop"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/008/1999008_ecebb4b6f9_s.jpg" alt="Sweet shop" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1999007" title="More sweets"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/007/1999007_93202bb54a_s.jpg" alt="More sweets" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>It's pretty boring here at night, it's too dangerous to really venture out anywhere other than the internet cafe, not that there's much of a raving night life. I write in my journal and read a lot after dark, it's so weird because the day time is so crazy and such an overload and then the nights are so laid back and long. I'm reading this book called 'Holy Cow' written by this Australian lady about her experiences living and travelling in India. It's so interesting and funny, and there's so much I can relate to, which is comforting.</p> <p>Love to all, another day at the school tomorrow, I will try and take some photos of the school and the kids. xxx</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/23/hawa_mahal_and_sweeties~3027316/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/23/hawa_mahal_and_sweeties~3027316/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/22/more_jaipur~3021937/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-09-22:/2007/09/22/more_jaipur~3021937/Sat, 22 Sep 2007 12:43:25 +0200 <p>Okay, it seems like age since I last posted, so it's probably gonna be one of those marathon essays where you should just skim through and look at the pictures or the vaguely interesting bits, here goes...</p> <p>I am staying at a guesthouse in Jaipur, basically the family (Mum, Granddad, Son, Wife, and servants) all live downstairs and then there are a few rooms upstairs as well as a communal kitchen. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995296" title="The Guesthouse"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/296/1995296_c30d11a522_s.jpg" alt="The Guesthouse" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>It's all pretty nice although yesterday morning I was greeted by two friendly mice or rats who took quite a good look at me and then took their time in scurring behind the fridge. Jenny and I are sharing a room which is nice, </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995295" title="Guesthouse Room"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/295/1995295_741a117be6_s.jpg" alt="Guesthouse Room" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Yesterday I went to the school where I will be working. The whole project in Jaipur is called Akshar, Jenny is working at a branch in the slums and there are 4 other branches across the city, including mine. I went with Karnika, who is a teacher there, and just helped out with some reading for the first hour or so. The kids are cute, they are all so intrigued by Westerners and I think they've realised what an advantage they have over me, not speaking Hindi! After the first hour I was called out of the classroom to another class because the teacher had to go off somewhere and so with a hurried, unclear description of what the class was meant to be doing, I was left to watch over a class of 30 or so Indian 8/9 year olds! OH MY GOD. All chaos breaks loose...I can't even describe how intimidating it is to have these children all babbling at you in Hindi and not understand a single word. I would've had trouble controlling a group of 30 English speaking students. It's crazy, but exhilerating.</p> <p>At the end of the day they get an hour to play outside and so, once again, I was left with a group to look after. I got lumped with the boys while the other teacher got to sit with the nice, gentle girls. I had to come up with inventive ways to entertain 30 boys with one ball and without letting them kill each other. Their favourite game was when two boys stood next to each other, I kicked the ball and they just literally raced each other to the ball and brought it back, so easily pleased! This satisfied them for half an hour or so but then after that it kind of degenerated into every single boy running after the ball when I kicked it, trampling on top of each other, kicking, pulling, tugging and taking forever to return. </p> <p>There was this moment when I was stood outside and the sun was just starting to go down but it was still warm and then it started to rain just a little and I had a 'Wow-I-can't-believe-I'm-actually-here' moment. Lovely...</p> <p>Today has also been a really good day. I havn't been sleeping at all at night so it was good to get a bit of a lie in. We were up and out of the house by 11am (impressive I think...) and got down to some serious stuff...shopping. We went to this place called Rani's and spent over 3 hours there, the fabrics were just so amazing and bright...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995370" title="Colourful fabric "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/370/1995370_0569be8c4c_s.jpg" alt="Colourful fabric " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995371" title="More colours "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/371/1995371_0cf0a79382_s.jpg" alt="More colours " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I need some traditional Indian dress for travelling and to attract less unwanted attention (yes, that is how I justified spending this money...)</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995364" title="Saree Shopping "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/364/1995364_2643da1fd2_s.jpg" alt="Saree Shopping " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>This is Jenny, I blame her...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995365" title="Jenny "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/365/1995365_f21eea014a_s.jpg" alt="Jenny " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>The guy was so funny, Hari, and he already knows Jenny (who has been in there so many times). He promised to give me 'veeeaaarrry big discount' in return for teaching him better English. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995369" title="Hari"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/369/1995369_beaf1779e2_s.jpg" alt="Hari" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I'm going back on Wednesday to collect a salwar kameez (like a crop top thing with scarves and a skirt) so we'll see how that turns out! It's all handmade fabrics, real silk and then they make it your exact measurements...talk about service. </p> <p>They have mini shrines everywhere in this country, in the cars, in the shops, in the restaurants, everywhere. This is a shrine to Ganesh, the elephant God, which was in the shop...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995372" title="Ganesh"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/372/1995372_ca7ab59c8b_s.jpg" alt="Ganesh" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I've been travelling mainly by foot or rickshaw since I've been here but the variety of vehicles (if you can call them that!) on the road is brilliant. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995394" title="Me and Jenny on a rickshaw "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/394/1995394_ba73d73a4f_s.jpg" alt="Me and Jenny on a rickshaw " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Even when you're walking somewhere it's best to walk on the sandy bit at the side of the road rather than the actual pavement, which is considered to be a public urinal! Cows take priority and they just wander freely around, everyone has such respect for them...They're not, however, the only bizarre animals which frequent to highways...</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995388" title="Donkey"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/388/1995388_0630e87fcf_s.jpg" alt="Donkey" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995391" title="Camel "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/391/1995391_3ef38e2977_s.jpg" alt="Camel " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Also, I think that the majority of Indian drivers must be blind, because they rely so completely on their horns to tell where it's safe to go and alert other drivers of their presence. It's absolutely crazy and the noise is insane. This photo makes me laugh a lot, I don't know if you can see, but it says 'Horn Please'. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995386" title="Horn Please"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/386/1995386_d18b7bca70_s.jpg" alt="Horn Please" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Also, it seems totally normal and acceptable for everything that we do in the house to be done outside in the street. I went for a walk and just saw this woman, ironing by the side of the road. Made me think of you, Nana!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995396" title="Nanny "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/396/1995396_13fb71d3ce_s.jpg" alt="Nanny " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Finally, I have someone very very special to introduce to you. I know that you were all very sad when I left Butch behind at the crazy Delhi house but now, I am proud to present....BRUNO!</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1995263" title="Bruno"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/263/1995263_ce9beaa7f9_s.jpg" alt="Bruno" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>See, he's even cuter than Butch!</p> <p>Love to you all xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/22/more_jaipur~3021937/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/22/more_jaipur~3021937/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/20/jaipur~3012404/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-09-20:/2007/09/20/jaipur~3012404/Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:30:56 +0200 <p>Okay, I boarded the 6.10am train from New Delhi station this morning, after having only 2 hours sleep and having to wake up at 4.30am! You can imagine what a happy bunny I was! </p> <p>As I was coming out of Delhi on the train there was about ten to fifteen minutes of various types of slums, based almost on the pathway of the train. It was the first time that the pure poverty of this country actually hit me, before I had kind of managed to cut myself off ('Ice Queen...'). I guess this area must be where the rickshaw drivers and their families, along with other menial professions, live and sleep because there were tons of empty rickshaws. I suddenly realised what a hard life these people live. If they don't earn a few pennies then they don't eat, it no longer seems so annoying when they try and scam you out of an extra 50p! Men, women and children were sleeping on the rubble of a disused track, literally about 2 metres from where my train track was, most of them using the actual rail as a 'pillow'. A dirty water source nearby which they must use to drink and wash from, it was literally green and waste was floating everywhere. A few lucky ones were sleeping on abandoned, falling to pieces beds, no mattresses, just the springs, occassionally with a sheet spread on top. The whole slum was awake at 6.30am, and I bet many had already left to begin their days work and some had probably only just come in. It really broke my heart and had me thinking for the whole 4 hour train journey.</p> <p>Well...not the whole 4 hour journey because I was sat next to this really friendly Indian man who insisted on telling me the exact merits of his country, complete with development statistics and the like. I assured him that I was already aware of the beauty and growing power, but it took nearly 2 hours for him to be convinced! </p> <p>I am so much happier here in Jaipur. The project co-ordinator, Karnika, met me at the train station and she is amazing. Really incredible. She is one of those people who listens to everyones problems, makes everyone feel loved and safe and simultaneously solves the problems of the world. She is involved in so many different community projects around Jaipur that I have no idea how she has time to breathe, but I feel really confident under her and I begin working with her tomorrow.</p> <p>My roommate is called Jenny and she is also lovely. She has been here for 2 months already and so is brilliant at showing me around and telling me the best places to shop! She has been working with slum children and learning Hindi and sounds as if she has really got into the project. </p> <p>I start work tomorrow at 12.30am for the afternoon so I will come back in the morning and upload some more photos. I really feel happy here and intend to spend at least 3-4 weeks out here. Keep the comments coming, I love them and they make me day to hear from all of you....xxxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/20/jaipur~3012404/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/20/jaipur~3012404/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/19/thank_you_again~3004231/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-09-19:/2007/09/19/thank_you_again~3004231/Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:28:34 +0200 <p>Hey guys, </p> <p>Thank you all so much for your nice messages, there is no need to be worried! I'm fine and it was just a little blip in my plans. I'm transferring to a different project in Jaipur, there are other volunteers there (there are none in Delhi) and the co-ordinator sounds genuinely lovely and welcoming. She's already said that she'll be my foster mum! (Sorry Mum) Her daughters are 18, 19 and 20!</p> <p>Anyway, not much to report as yet, just been chilling out in Delhi for a few days. I went to see a friend of Tom's Mum who was absolutely lovely and has an amazing house, it was so nice to just get out of the city and feel safe. I get the 6am train from New Delhi to Jaipur tomorrow, so wish me luck, everyone has said that trains in India are an experience on their own! I slept for 14 hours last night in preparation for my early morning tomorrow!</p> <p>Lots of love as always xxx </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/19/thank_you_again~3004231/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/19/thank_you_again~3004231/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/18/false_start~2998289/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-09-18:/2007/09/18/false_start~2998289/Tue, 18 Sep 2007 09:10:58 +0200 <p>Last night I had a nasty experience with a rickshaw driver and some dark backalleys as well as a heated, tearful (on my part) and stonyfaced (on their part), encounter with my hosts. This resulted in my leaving the house and checking into a hotel. Unfortunately I cannot continue my work at the school unless I am staying with this family and relations are, I think, irreparable now. </p> <p>This is a shame but I think, and my instincts are confirming this, that I need to get out of Delhi. It is an intimidating place and I think it was a little ambitious to come here alone, as a young single female. I think I now know the difference between independence and being in danger! </p> <p>I'm planning to start my travels as soon as possible and see some more of the country before settling down anywhere. </p> <p>Love you all </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/18/false_start~2998289/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/18/false_start~2998289/#commentshttp://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/17/toilet_time~2993132/tag:gappybob.blog.co.uk,2007-09-17:/2007/09/17/toilet_time~2993132/Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:27:52 +0200 <p>God, yet another weird day! This time a little less crazy (only slightly) but much much more bizarre. </p> <p>I barely slept again last night due to the time difference so lay awake getting more than a little emotional listening to my 'Homesick' playlist. What a loser... </p> <p>Anyway, this morning I woke up and Sunil drove me to the school, called the Sulabh Public School. Let me fill you in a little bit on the background. Basically, this dude called Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak came up with this concept back in the sixties that to abolish scavangers (a class of people who used to manually clear away the shit from toilets and who were shunned and abused) it was necessary to provide sanitation for the entire country. So he came up with this concept of toilet which is cheap, easy to make and has loads of useful bi-products. (Google him Emma, bet you'd find the science stuff interesting...) Anyway, he called this concept 'Sulabh' which literally means 'Easy' but they have now extended to a whole concept of practical solutions to everyday inconveniences and hardships in India. </p> <p>Basically, the school that I'm working out is a part of this Social improvement scheme. It's set in really nice grounds (all the gardens are fertilised by the waste from the site, ha!) and has a scientific centre, a vocational training centre, the school which I'll be working in and wait for it....a TOILET MUSEUM. Yes this guy has got a bit of an obsession and so there's an entire museum devoted to the history of toilets, which I had like a 2 hour tour around today...surprising how interested you can become in something like that, worrying? </p> <p>Anyway, I was met by Anita the principal and this Dr Pathuk guy himself, who seems very nice and everyone at the place is totally in awe of him. I arrived today on a festival day so everything was all up in the air and crazy. I attended the morning prayer meeting, thinking that I could slide in at the back and remain unseen. NO SUCH LUCK. I have to stand on the stage in front of 200 or so people (the students weren't there yet) along with the principal, most senior teachers and Dr Pathuk. After some singing and a speech by Dr Pathuk he invites ME to say some words. Because I've had those prepared all along, definitely. So I had to walk over to this bloody podium where the microphone was like a zillion times too tall and mumble a few words. They all clapped out of pity, bless. </p> <p>Also might I add that I felt like a bloody celebrity with the papazarri following me everywhere because there was this photographer who obviously determined to capture every moment of the sweaty white girl's arrival and so I had a camera shoved in my face like every second. </p> <p>Anyway, then I went a enjoyed the festival in a boiling hot tent. The kids were there and all staring so much at me, but they all looked really nice and sweet. They range from 5 years old to 16 years but I think I'll mainly be helping the 10 to 15 year olds. The festival was to celebrate the God of Machines so they had this random sewing machine kind of in the middle of the prayer area which really made me giggle. I was sat next to Dr Pathuk and treared a but like his special guest, I had all these blessings and this holy red string tied round my wrist as well as garlands of flowers round my neck. Felt rather spoilt. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1980673" title="Me again "><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/673/1980673_48153dce59_s.jpg" alt="Me again " vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Anyway, I'm going to some traditional indian dance show tonight with the family. Still don't think they've really warmed to me but at least now I'll have the school as a refuge. This city is soul destroying, I really can't see myself staying for the whole 3 months but I guess we'll take it a day at a time.</p> <p>Faith, this is for you, my favourite member of the family...Butch.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1980672" title="Butch"><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/672/1980672_71fc623481_s.jpg" alt="Butch" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/17/toilet_time~2993132/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://gappybob.blog.co.uk/2007/09/17/toilet_time~2993132/#comments