Friday. A day the kids love, as they get half the day off!!
So it was the usual routine of get up, tea, breakfast, get the kids ready for school, then see who's around for the day (in this case, half a day). There were 3 extras left behind today, and their taxi came to take them to the hospital, along with Shanti didi. Ayog returned with a gorgeous new bright blue cast on his leg. He now runs a lot less and is very protective over the cast!! The other two, Bimula and Manshara, I didn't see any differences so I guessed it was a checkup on their legs. After those three got back and before the others got back from school, it was bath time. Upstairs on the roof with one of the house ladies pouring a bucket of water over their heads. Freezing cold water. Ayog and Kumar went first. They stripped down to their pants and sat on the side of the blocked off bit of the roof where the tap is. They moaned and shouted that the water was too cold, but no notice was taken!! Then it was Parmisha's turn. Being an 11 year old, she was beginning to get self conscious about her body, and would only take off her clothes once the boys had left, and even then she tried to cover up as much as she could. She's a sweet one. After her bath, I helped her get dressed and she kept telling me to feel her "silky hair yes?". And indeed, after using soap as a shampoo, her hair was very soft.
When the others got back from school it was lunch. It was yoghurt, banana, and wierd dry flat rice things that looked crunchy but really weren't. All mixed together, it was nice. But when I had run out of banana to eat it tasted quite bland and a bit wierd, but I happily ate it all!! Oh, and Brian Sir was back for the afternoon (the volunteer who was staying here but left a few days ago). All the kids were very happy to see him.
At 3.30ish I think, they held a meeting. Apparently this happens every Friday afternoon, where everyone gathers in the physio room, and sits in a big circle. This is an opportunity for the kids to say if they have any problems, or thank anyone, or anything like that. This meeting though, was to discuss what is going to happen at Tihar. Normally, the kids go round Thamel to hotels and restaurants performing a dance they've learnt, and I heard it raises quite a good amount of money for DNC!! So I've been dragged into dancing, as I'm the only volunteer who will be there, although is quite like to be the photographer instead!! (After a failure at learning to dance when I was younger, I've never felt dancing had been my forte...). The dance teachers coming tomorrow to teach everyone a dance, or at least the ones who are able to dance. I told the kids I didn't know how to dance, but they all loved my wierd head side-to-side thing I can do, and they all had a go, but all failed. Only ever found one person I've ever met who can slightly do it, and I can't even remember who!! (Sorry to that person if you're reading this)
After the meeting, I read 3 books to Ayog who seems to LOVE stories!! He kept asking me to read more and more and more stories, saying "one last one" after every book. I think with his new cast he's turned into a little darling, instead of a cheeky devil like Kumar (they are a nightmare!!).
It was then time for physio, and I took Sabina and Parmisha down to see the physio. Ayog hopped behind, occasionally grabbing my hand to help him walk, and wanted me to play football with him. I got him to sit down on the floor and play pass instead. A much better game for someone with a broken (I think) leg!!
A few more games and helping with homework, then it was time for supper!! Then the usual more games or homework then me disappearing upstairs to bed!!