Hi all,

We are currently in Mandore, just north of Jodhpur having survived our first brush with Indian food poisoning. From Delhi we traveled to Udaipur which was exactly how you would imagine an Indian city on a lake to look like (see photo album). We took it easy here as were still recovering but we visited the fort and a beautiful haveli (the Indian equivalent of a stately home). We also went to one of the many bars which screen the film 'Octop**** every single night (at 7pm). It was filmed here which was good fun to watch but I wouldn't recommend the film other than that. It doesn't seem to have a script just a series of puns and innuendos. Also, on arrival in India an Indian secret agent plays the James Bond theme tune on a recorder and then James Bond knows that he is the guy to meet. My question is: how does James Bond know he has a theme tune?

After Udaipur we had a bumpy ride to Jodhpur another big Indian city with a fort. The fort was stunning and was made better by the free audio guide for foreigners narrated by Richard Wilson putting on an Indian accent (or was it Charles the Christmas Monkey putting on an Indian accent?). Jodhpur is made up of ridiculously narrow streets which are grazed by cattle which makes for an interesting rickshaw drive.

Last week we organised to come to Mandore, just north of Jodhpur to volunteer at a school for a week. We started on Monday and it has been a good and trying experience. We get there at about 9.30am although school doesn't start until 10.45am. Luckily most of the pupils also get there then so we play games with them until school starts. The volunteer project is painting the school as well as teaching and playing and so we have been painting the outside of the school in the Indian/Irish flag colours. We have done two teaching sessions so far which have been fairly disastrous. We did one together which was quite short and then yesterday I had a class for over an hour by myself which was one of the longest hours of my life. The children are of such different abilities that it is hard to know what to do with them or how to do it. I have been teaching them body parts and 'head, shoulders, knees and toes'. I did feel a bit better today when one child spontaneously performed it for me while we were playing 'what's the time Mr. Wolf' (or 'Mr. Tiger' as they call it here). But the painting is going well and playing the games is great fun. There are some fantastic children and they do enjoy testing their English by talking to us. I would definitely like to keep some of them. The school is very rural, in the middle of nowhere and it would be interesting to know what the children go on to do. Today (Wednesday) was non uniform day as they wear their uniform Mon and Tues, wash it on a Weds and then wear it Thurs and Fri. If we ever get fast internet again we will upload all the lovely pictures.

We'll leave here on Sunday to head further into the desert. Unfortunately the cricket world cup game we wanted to see (England v India) has been moved because the stadium is not ready so we won't be able to go anymore. Don't worry, we've got tickets to a match that nearly rivals seeing the host nation take on your country, South Africa v. Ireland. Grandma, I might need you to post me some Irish flags, don't worry if not I'll just hold the Indian one sideways.

Lots of love and keep in touch. xx