A very early start this morning, 5.30 pick up by a car to take us back to Kathmandu to catch the bus to Bandipur. We arrived at Kathmandu and found our seats on the bus. We had a while to wait so had some nepali tea for breakfast. Eventually we set off and started the joyous journey, potholes and all. To be fair apart from the jolting, the journey wasn't too bad. I actually took the opportunity to watch a film en route to pass the time. We stopped at a service station (Nepali style) at about half way which was by the river and quite pretty.

Back on the bus and we eventually arrived at Dumbre, where we get off for the final part of the journey to Bandipur. Another micro bus and I am sure, a new world record in the national sardines competition. We had ten in the back including me (we were all wedged in and I temporarily lost feeling from the knee down in both my legs), three or four in the front, six hanging off the back and goodness knows how many on the roof. All good fun.

So eventually we arrived in Bandipur, much to my relief. The set up here is that we stay in a room in a family home but use the facilities and eat at the opposite guest house. I arrived at the guest house and had some tea and then met the other volunteers. There were four here in total but three were leaving on saturday. Federica is staying and will be my room mate too which is good as I will have company and someone who knows the ropes!

I spent the afternoon with Feddie and Rachel, explaining about the normal day/week timetable and the good and bad stuff of the placement. We help out at five different places, six days a week (not Saturdays) starting at 7.30 and finishing around 5.45 or 6pm. I got a quick tour of the village too although that didn't take long!

Since I was there in the afternoon I went along to the children's library to help out. It is basically a place where the local children can come to do drawing or playing for an hour or so after school and various children come each day. After this I treated myself to a hot shower! Bliss! Though due to the power cut, shaving my legs by torchlight was a new experience!

We had dinner at the restaurant, daal baaht again but for the first time I ate it with a knife and fork. Nice though. We then went for desert at a different place in the village with some more chatting before heading to bed.

Unfortunately, Saturday morning I woke up feeling not well at all and have suffered from some kind of bug or food poisoning or something. I spent all day in bed on Saturday (fortunately there were no duties anyway) but also most of Sunday so I have missed a day with the children. I managed to eat something sunday afternoon and was feeling better so I helped at the library again. I also managed a small dinner (roast chicken!) so after a good nights sleep I woke on Monday feeling fine. We did have a small earthquake though on Sunday morning just to change things slightly! Nothing damaged locally and not sure where the epicentre was but I will be happy if there isn't another one before I leave.

So, day one of the children! Up early and down to the learning centre to help the children with their homework. We actually ended up playing as they were wiring the centre for for electric lights but we did skipping with the months to help them learn. After this we had to walk back up the hill to the guest house for breakfast. Then the first teaching class.

We are teaching at a government school where basically the teachers don't really turn up so they rely on volunteers to teach the english. We have 3rd grade in the mornings for an hour (ranging from 8 to 10 years old) and the class are ok. We went through some stuff with them and tried to teach with games as well as just in the classroom. After this class we then go to the childcare centre which is kind of kindergarden age. Thank goodness for little kids. These are the ones I want to take home!! They just hang off you and want cuddles and are so cute! It is good for the soul!

After child care we have time for lunch so back to the village again and preparing for the 4th grade. 4th grade is for just over an hour, the kids are aged 9 to 11 and the most troublesome. We do pretty much the same as the thrid grade as they don't know it either and in some cases are worse than the third! I played bad cop today to try something different for Feddie which seemed to work for a bit and I got to use my teacher's voice!

After fourth grade we are then back to the village before the final part of the day and the children's library. Wow, a full day with the children and I am knackered! Same again tomorrow!