Chocolate cake and ASHA!!
Big warning, don't have a birthday if you work in the Asha office or let anyone make you a chocolate cake - they have the messy tradition of smearing you with the cake - such lovely people with such a nasty habit!! We've been witness to this twice now! Just glad my birthday is in June ( oh dear, Ken's is in January!) In fact whilst talking about cake, whenever Ken and I arrive at the office before going to teach, they are all always eating! The Australian volunteers, who have just left, had baked delicious fudge cakes, millionaires shortbread and other tray bakes which have been enjoyed by all and then there's the delicious smells of curry lunch ...... and birthdays ..... It just goes on and on. The Australians have set the bar rather high but I am determined to master a bake of something in our microwave to keep their spirits up!
Today, Thursday is a national holiday to celebrate the festival of Dussehra. The festival recalls the story of when Ram killed Ravanna, the demon King in the story of Rama and Sita. The recitation of Ram's life story is called the Ramlila and begins at 6 am and continues until late at night. It's accompanied with lots of music and loud drumming. As we were leaving Etka Vihar last night we got caught up in a parade through the slum making its way to the Hindu Temple.
We have had a good time with our students - these are my lively Wednesday class:
We did some language work around 'shape' names and using shapes to make pictures. They loved it - for some of the younger ones it was a challenge as they don't get to do this sort of creative work - they were thrilled with their achievements, and so was I. These are just a few - some left early to go to be with family for this festive occasion.
Last Sunday, Sandeep, one of Ken's students, wanted to take us to some special places in Delhi. He came to church with us first and then we went to the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Delhi's biggest Sikh temple. We removed our shoes, covered our heads and wandered around the peaceful, cool courtyards. We went into the temple and heard the live devotional singing as worshippers sat. We saw large numbers of people waiting for a meal of rice, vegetable curry and chapattis which is served three times a day, free of charge - anyone can volunteer to help prepare, serve, clear plates etc. and many bring offerings of food. We met Sandeep's granny who was there helping to prepare vegetables.
Some people were enjoying the cooling, healing waters.
Sandeep has immense energy (he obviously thinks we have too) and then took us to see the famous Swaminarayan Akshardham. It is quite breathtaking in beauty epitomizing 10,000 years of Indian culture. It was built in 5 years, by 11,000 sadhus, volunteers and artisans taking 300 million man-hours to carve 300,000 stones to create the entire complex! It was finished and opened in 2005. If you are interested have a look at a YouTube clip. We weren't allowed to take cameras, mobiles, or bags in so no photos to share with you. Thank you, Sandeep, for a brilliant day.
We are really looking forward to Amanda and the youth team arriving tomorrow for a 10 day stay here in Delhi. They will be working in Jeevan Nagar slum, helping to renovate and paint the Asha centre as well as working with the children and students. We will meet up with them for some events and hopefully to watch some rugby together!
Off now to make the most of our extra free day!
Love and best wishes,
Heather and Ken x
Big warning, don't have a birthday if you work in the Asha office or let anyone make you a chocolate cake - they have the messy tradition of smearing you with the cake - such lovely people with such a nasty habit!! We've been witness to this twice now! Just glad my birthday is in June ( oh dear, Ken's is in January!) In fact whilst talking about cake, whenever Ken and I arrive at the office before going to teach, they are all always eating! The Australian volunteers, who have just left, had baked delicious fudge cakes, millionaires shortbread and other tray bakes which have been enjoyed by all and then there's the delicious smells of curry lunch ...... and birthdays ..... It just goes on and on. The Australians have set the bar rather high but I am determined to master a bake of something in our microwave to keep their spirits up!
Today, Thursday is a national holiday to celebrate the festival of Dussehra. The festival recalls the story of when Ram killed Ravanna, the demon King in the story of Rama and Sita. The recitation of Ram's life story is called the Ramlila and begins at 6 am and continues until late at night. It's accompanied with lots of music and loud drumming. As we were leaving Etka Vihar last night we got caught up in a parade through the slum making its way to the Hindu Temple.
We have had a good time with our students - these are my lively Wednesday class:
We did some language work around 'shape' names and using shapes to make pictures. They loved it - for some of the younger ones it was a challenge as they don't get to do this sort of creative work - they were thrilled with their achievements, and so was I. These are just a few - some left early to go to be with family for this festive occasion.
Last Sunday, Sandeep, one of Ken's students, wanted to take us to some special places in Delhi. He came to church with us first and then we went to the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Delhi's biggest Sikh temple. We removed our shoes, covered our heads and wandered around the peaceful, cool courtyards. We went into the temple and heard the live devotional singing as worshippers sat. We saw large numbers of people waiting for a meal of rice, vegetable curry and chapattis which is served three times a day, free of charge - anyone can volunteer to help prepare, serve, clear plates etc. and many bring offerings of food. We met Sandeep's granny who was there helping to prepare vegetables.
Some people were enjoying the cooling, healing waters.
Sandeep has immense energy (he obviously thinks we have too) and then took us to see the famous Swaminarayan Akshardham. It is quite breathtaking in beauty epitomizing 10,000 years of Indian culture. It was built in 5 years, by 11,000 sadhus, volunteers and artisans taking 300 million man-hours to carve 300,000 stones to create the entire complex! It was finished and opened in 2005. If you are interested have a look at a YouTube clip. We weren't allowed to take cameras, mobiles, or bags in so no photos to share with you. Thank you, Sandeep, for a brilliant day.
We are really looking forward to Amanda and the youth team arriving tomorrow for a 10 day stay here in Delhi. They will be working in Jeevan Nagar slum, helping to renovate and paint the Asha centre as well as working with the children and students. We will meet up with them for some events and hopefully to watch some rugby together!
Off now to make the most of our extra free day!
Love and best wishes,
Heather and Ken x
No comments:
Post a Comment