Friday: I ended up in tears as one of the lads got hold of my hair and took two handfuls, but otherwise a normal day. I found one of the kids epilepsy tablet on the floor and another eating paint. In the afternoon, the teachers decided it appropriate to put on music, give a couple of puzzles and leave the kids to it. I had to walk away and so used the laptop to get on with what I had to do. In the evening, I finished Hemingways "for whom the bells toll" about the Spanish civil war- it was very enjoyable! Starting Archer's prison diaries next.
Saturday: I walked in and gave my final workshop which went down like a lead balloon! I showed them the exercises I have been doing, but the problems for most of the kids are not physical so it is much more about the behaviour management and enabling independence that I covered the last 2 weeks- I think they expect some magical cures, but it takes hard work, dedication and time. They were falling asleep! I informed them of my report and said that I appreciated the challenges but that I'd made these observations and produced these possible solutions and even listed 28 simple activities/lessons they could run with the kids instead of them sitting there everyday with the same puzzles/toys. I didn't go through it but they were all rolling their eyes and making comments in Tamil. So I left them to it and they actually sat and did some planning for a couple of hours- so maybe something sunk in! Later I passed on the stuff I did to the manager who read the whole report and was much more interested and going to take it to the team. He has got some tyres but is waiting for the guy to source an old car shell before they transport it all to the project. Plus, the space has had part of the fence removed as they've started constructing a bio-energy tank (?)! So I doubt it will be before I leave, which is frustrating but I have come to appreciate nothing in India happens fast! I will buy more toys and bits because that can be used to stimulate the kids and then be moved to the space when/if it's ready. But I do wish I'd never started- I had real plans and really didn't think any of it would be too difficult, but everything here is complicated and slow! The Indians are so not well connected on the internet yet either, so I couldn't just sort out things by myself by using good old google. And I don't think the staff really share my passion or appreciate the potential of this area, so my enthusiasm has become a bit deflated. I had lunch at the project then come back and chilled. On reflection, I appreciate that who am I to come into their project and essentially tell them they're rubbish at their job, but I was just trying to make their life easier and improve things for everyone. Why do I feel this need to improve everything I get involved in and not just accept it?? I ate chocolate ice cream and watched a film with Anette.
Sunday: me and Anette left early to bus to Pondicherry and then on to Auroville, which is an international community established in 1968 with the aim of living in peace and unity while on a mission for sustainable living and self discovery- a hippy town essentially but a rather successful and well known one. So we visited the visitors centre, watched a short film about it and visited the Matrimandir (a huge golden dome building they use for concentration)- but you're not allowed in, just in the gardens. It killed a couple of hours, but all seems a bit pretentious to me. We bused back to Pondicherry and enjoyed a wood fired pizza; the guy did ask if we were sure we each wanted a medium pizza and probably thought 'bloody greedy westerners' as we both ate the whole things. It was even better than the dominoes! We stopped at the supermarket and headed back, but I got off the bus at a few local villages on the way for a nosy, while Anette come back. I got a few more toys, watermelon and very squashed on the bus! Two young lads wondered into the house today, so gonna have to start being more cautious about locking up when we're in. Finished Archer's Belmarsh stint, so on to book 2; he strikes me as rather arrogant and pompous but it's interesting to read about his experience and it highlights the many flaws of our CJS.
Monday: so today I literally got a handful of s*** in my face after one of the boys pooed himself and one of the girls put her hand in it and then whacked me in the face as I tried to stop her! Nice! Unfortunately nothing else has changed- no lessons plans, so lots of sitting around doing nothing for the pupils, while I ran around after them and was challenging the bad behaviour that stems from their boredom..... My foot wounds had swelled and when I popped them they oozed pus, so they must still be fighting infection. A chilled evening, remaking the pass the parcel! A man was meant to be visiting about some toys- he makes wooden stuff that would last, but unsurprisingly he didn't show up.
Tuesday: the usual incompetence, but I can see how much some of the children enjoy me being there when they get excited to see me and want to sit with me or achieve something they couldn't do before. I have built up good relationships with lots of them. I guess this is what's made it worthwhile! Me and Anette have had a lot of time to put the world to rights in the evening, as there isn't much else to do- dodge mice (I've decided they are too small for rats) and see what meal you can invent from the limited local market selection. As I write this in bed, awaiting return of power so I can read, I heard a rustling and shone my phone to find a mouse amongst my clothes and stuff on the floor beside my bed! It was in no hurry to move as I illuminated it, but I opened the door and hope it's gone! Lord Archer thinks he had it rough in prison having to drink tap water instead of Evian- the bloke should live here for a month!
Wednesday: penultimate day (not that I'm counting or anything). The school van transported the bits I'd bought to the project last night, as I thought it would be nice for me to see them using the stuff for a couple of days. The plan is now to visit the wooden toy man Thursday night and spend the rest of the money. It was a better day- a few more sessions vaguely resembling something like teaching and I was able to whip something out of the office from my supply for those who needed stimulation which they enjoyed! No power and the water run out again in our house. This was an issue as I blocked the hole in the ground (toilet), but as we had no water I couldn't flush it through which was a tad embarrassing! We watched another film as luckily Annette had battery on her laptop and there isn't much else to do in the dark.
Thursday: still no power or water! You suddenly appreciate how often you turn the tap on! The last day was a success- the main teacher asked me to read through some student reports and plans for the future, which was promising and I added a bit and corrected the grammar/spelling before they were printed. In the afternoon, with the help of the social work students translating and supervising, we had a little leaving party! I'd got loads of biscuits and we had music and all the toys and the pass the parcel finally got opened! I said my farewells- it's been bloody tough and frustrating but it was sad to say bye to some of the kids and residents who were very endearing! And it is the challenges in life that we learn the most from and I definitely will take a lot away from this experience! I then went with the manager and main teacher to this toy shop in Pondicherry- we got a small rocking horse and lots of wooden pieces such as puzzles, a clock face, alphabet pieces, etc. Hopefully, these bits will last and be of educational and fun use and, at least, add some variation to the bits they always get from the cupboard!
They were continuing shopping so I got a bus back to the village- praying there would be water and power, while never ceasing to be amazed by how many people they can fit on a bus! We had power after an electrician had come and replaced the frazzled wire that had supplied the house, but no water until about 8.30 when they come to fix the pump- so nice to have a wash and be able to clear the 'toilet' for Anette before I leave.
Friday: the staff had given me instructions on how to get to the airport in Chennai and said I needed to allow 4 hours, I decided to give it 6 hours after my experiences with Indian transport. So I left at 9am after saying farewell to Anette- a perfect housemate for the 2 weeks! I knew I had to get 3 buses and the names of the places to change and it all went unusually smoothly; people were very helpful, the buses were not overcrowded and it cost a total of £1! I took a lunch break and had a tasty fried dosa (pancake thing) with sauce, but still arrived at the airport at 1pm for a flight at 5pm, so I waited around as it was too early to check- I'm only in the domestic terminal but it's small and the first time I've been able to take water through security for a while. I must admit that I'm feeling far more positive and excited about exploring the rest of India after my month at the project; I think I appreciate the joys of travelling again after working for a while.
A good flight, although it took 2 hours 40 minutes which gives you some idea of the size of the country as you can fly almost anywhere in Europe in less time. But I did get a good meal included, they even gave you metal cutlery which I don't think I've ever had on a flight before! No safety announcements either. I finished Archers Wayland days, but decided not to bother with the final book as his prison routine is getting a bit monotonous- hoping the hostel has a book exchange! I debated getting the metro but it was ready 8.15 and required 3 trains, while the taxi was less than £6 through the recommended prepaid taxi rank- not bad for a 1.5 hour drive or so I thought...........
The taxi driver started telling me how dangerous the area of my hostel was and why was I staying there?! I had read that the taxi drivers will make up lies to take you elsewhere for commission. So I told him I'd booked it and was going there! But then after an hour or so he stopped at some random place and was like "I can't take you any further. Your place is too dangerous", I told him I'd paid to go to my hostel so he had to take me there and not dump in the middle of nowhere! We were arguing and a guy on the side of the road come over and got 20 rupees from the driver and told me not to worry he'd get one of his drivers to take me. He invited me into his office to wait for the driver which was a tourist agent and, to be honest, I was just relieved that I wasn't being left on the road. But then he was asking where I was going and had put together this package for me including a flight to Leh (where I want to go next), Delhi tour and trip to Agra. It was late, I was still angry about the taxi and overwhelmed by all the information he was giving me. So they said they'd do all this for £320 and it seemed fair enough and an easy option. I gave them about £60 deposit and a driver come to pick me up. But I was thinking about it and realised I'm such an idiot- the first taxi driver was working with them and dropping me there was all planned!! He was on his phone and had quickly come off, asking if I could speak Hindi as I was working here- when I said 'no', he was back on the phone obviously setting it up! I suddenly remembered the warnings about these agents charging you so much and scamming you. Then the driver didn't know where the hostel was! It was 10.30pm by now and I demanded he took me back to the office and phoned them to say not to book the flight! They were angry, so I knew I'd have a fight on my hands! At the office I demanded my money back, they told me I'd need to pay a cancellation fee. But I said they hadn't done anything yet! A big argument and I kept hold of the receipt they'd given me with their details and said I'd go to the police! Eventually he gave me all my money if I gave him back the receipt! I still needed to get to the hostel and found a tuk-tuk outside. I'm sure the guy was pissed but he'd seen my argument and assured me he'd get me to the hostel even though he couldn't read, so couldn't understand the address! After he asked a lot of people we made it and he even said it was free, but I gave him 100R's- £1.20. I was tired and angry when I finally checked in at 11.30! Cross I fell for it in the first place and proud I sorted it in the end. Not a good start for Delhi! But my experiences from around the world tell me that taxi drivers are the scum of the travellers world! They will rip you off and cheat you and hassle you, no matter where you are in the world! Nice to see a toilet and have air con!
Saturday: I booked my own flight to Leh for 17th! It would take 3 days by bus and I just haven't got time- it cost £96, which isn't too bad.