This last week I've been mostly just hanging out in Kolkata, working with mum and dad at Freeset, and waiting for Hannah to arrive. On Sunday Sara, Fiona, Katie and myself went to the botanical gardens for a picnic with a bunch of other people our age who are working over here and know mum and dad. We provided much entertainment playing frisbee and even more when an over throw landed it in the river. The recovery of the frisbee proved to be an enjoyable challenge taken on by a policeman who promptly collared some young lad to wade into the river to try and fish it out. The gardens are home to Asia's largest Banyan tree which has a canopy over 70 metres wide and still growing. This one tree is actually like a small wood, with mad ariel roots which drop down at right angles to the branches and back into the ground. Very cool.
Other than that I've spent a couple of days at the project and worked in the nursery, or worked upstairs with the ladies making bags. Since Christmas the nature of the nursery has changed and rather than just having pre-school aged children, there are now 4 young babies as well. This is proving to be quite a challenge in terms of accomadation, liasing with the mothers, addressing matters of primary health care and basic hygiene, whilst still trying to keep all the older kids occupied. My mum is beginning to tear her hair out! Life upstairs at the project is a little calmer, and certainly more focused, just a matter of attempting to follow instructions when you have no common language. Much mime is employed.
The last couple of days have pretty much been non-stop conversation with the lovely Miss Bywaters, inadvertantly resulting in a few late nights. But hey it has been 10 months since I've seen the girl. It's great to have her here and to be heading off with her later tonight. We have booked all manner of trains to get across this country starting with the 2 nights and a day long trek to Jodhpur the 'Blue city' in Rajasthan. You'll hear from me again when we're there.
No comments:
Post a Comment