I wish I had paid more attention at school in English and especially in creative writing because I would love to be able to describe some of the sights and smells here.
Where I walk up the road and I mean walk up the road because there is no path, I go past one place and it smells so rancid it makes me heave. There is often rubbish dumped there, not a huge amount, and a few dogs and the ground is kind of that dusty, dry, uneven mud. It smells of farm yard and human waste mixed with rotting food and sort of acidy.
It's gross and I seem to be the only one with a need to cover my mouth although I have partly learned to hold my breath at that point! I guess i could walk on the other side of the road but that means negotiating the cow and fresh cow pooh that is often there. Its not the regal one although I think it may have colored horns-I'll check next time.
Went to Daisy today. They were running very late which was absolutely fine because I get to talk to the children and just be part of whats going on. They always say good morning miss. I think it could be night time and they would still say the same! Lots of them were interested to look at my bracelets which are not as many as I usually wear or anything special. I left a lot at home because I knew I would be going to some poorer areas and I just didn't feel comfortable with it. Someone also told me that it may be the case that anything shiny and dangly might be pulled off of you. I can't see that being the case given the people I have met and where I have been.
Mind you I have to say, the gold on some of the women here does not seem to be lacking. I think people must spend a fortune on it that is far beyond what they actually have. Its the gold for the weddings that is often so expensive. One lady told me that the reason for the baby girl killings is that parents know that one day she will get married and it will just be an expense that they could never afford. Not sure if I have discussed or mentioned this before now?
I knew this went on or had gone on in China but I never realized that it is here too. For the families that have a little more money they can go for a scan and then decide of its a girl to have a termination. Some girls born in the poor areas here are left with a long umbilical cord after birth so that it gets infected and they die! I just look at some of the girls now in the school and I am glad that their parents decided to keep them. But I also wonder if it was a difficult choice to make, what did they think when she was born?
There had been the usual power cut today both at our place and Daisy but earlier than expected so that made cooking lunch for 50 children rather difficult. Imagine cooking rice and various other bits and pieces which I have to say looked rather tasty for all those children and then serving it to them to eat with their hands. The children are age 3 to 5. It's kind of organized chaos swarming first to wash their hands at the single basin, although one at a time. And yes a single wash basin for all of those children!
The children really are rather good and wait to be served at the table in their metal bowls with matching cup and then they clear up their places of any spilled food , take their plate and cup to the washing up bowl and then go and wash their hands. I was really rather impressed. They teachers are also so good with them.
Today there was also a birthday and the cake at Daisy is done first! So we sang happy birthday to the little girl who is 4, I forget her name and really wanted to remember because its lovely, and then all the children sat down for cake. Apparently its just too much for them to have to wait for cake after dinner!!
I sat with some of the children and not far from the birthday girl. She is obviously a bright young spark as she seemed to be the only one to remember my name and pronounce it correctly; that's my first name, not my last name! She was dressed in a beautiful top and skirt, green and gold and red with little bells on the back and bangles to match. She looked like a little princess.
The birthday girl especially stood out because all of the children were given uniforms this week. They have two sets each. Girls have a little brown dress and yellow shirt/blouse. In fact they look rather like the original Brownie uniforms. Boys have a pair of grey shorts and a light blue shirt.
They all have shoes and for some its the first time they have ever worn shoes.I think I spent maybe a good half an hour tying laces. Some of the parents have never worn shoes themselves with laces so its kind of hard for them to teach their children. I saw some very interesting attempts. But its again one of those stop, pause and think moments. Shoes and laces where we come from, well where I come from are just normal but here they are really not part of the furniture.
There were a lot of flies today so they have had to call the pest man. Imagine if we had to deal with this plus the power cut and that's just a part of everyday life here! Going back tomorrow as everything was all a bit hectic and late but Megha, that's one of the teachers is going to give me a call in the morning just in case things are not running so smoothly again.
But in all honesty its fine and I told her that they are doing the most amazing job working with the children-hope she took it on board because I mean it sincerely. This is the link to the organization that has started up the schools, aptly called starting point! http://startingpointindia.com/
Still not resolved the entire holiday /card issue. Today I had a stop put on my American bank card as I had transferred funds from my UK account to pay for the holiday. I tried to pay and couldn't! I will be so relieved when its all paid and sorted. I feel like I have exhausted many hours on this now and I never want to go to that travel agent again! Fingers crossed it will just be one more time.
I keep going back to this feeling bad situation like with the bags because here I am moaning about not being able to sort a holiday and just look at so many of the people around here and their lives. It's this horrible kind of dilemma-excited about the holiday but then there's this huge reality check when I think about where I have been today and what I have seen, oh and smelt!!
Today's picture is of the children but pre uniform. I will get a new one to show you.
And while I remember, its funny here, not funny ha ha, because everyone stares at you. But usually if you smile or say namaste, not sure if that is spelt correctly, then people seem to be fine. Lots of the children you see say hello and want to talk to you or ask you how you are. Their enthusiasm is quite heart warming.
Oh and people asked to have their picture taken with us when we were at Mysore at the weekend. You could also see people just taking photos of us too. Its a little odd and uncomfortable but I guess we are doing the same so fairs, fair! Closet thing I'm ever going to get to being like a celebrity!!!:)
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