We have had a busy and enjoyable week of teaching - the children in Heather's groups are 'full of beans' - a joy to be with but she is wishing she had more Hindi at hand and is having to learn some fast! However, she managed the story of the Rainbow Fish with the help of some puppets and lots of acting! Everyone seemed to understand and enjoy it, asking for it again!! The 'Bus' this week was also interesting, as half way through the lesson, the air con decided to have a rest, and it got hotter and hotter. Heather decided to see it as a 'health moment' and enjoyed the free sauna and facial!!
Here are some pictures from Ekta Vihar slum we took today on our way to where we teach.
This is where we teach.
We are beginning to get out and about now and discover this area of Delhi. On Sunday we had a "real" Indian evening out. We went to Chhatarpur, which is just round the corner from us. We'd met a man on the Metro the other week when we went to Dilli Haat market, who'd said we should go to the Chatarpur Mandir (temple). The temple area is huge. It's the second largest Hindu temple complex in India. It's on both sides of a very busy road. In fact so busy, that there were stewards directing the traffic. On one side is a huge statue of the Monkey God, Hanuman, standing 30 metres tall; the statue was very impressive lit up in the evening darkness (see photo). When we tried to cross the road to the main temple (we're learning that if you don't risk it, you don't get across), the stewards just stopped all the traffic for us! We wandered around the temple area, looking at the various shrines within the complex. There were lots of Indians out all over Chhatarpur and in the temple areas; a lot! The man from the Metro had told us it was quiet here and he was right. However, we were beginning to get hungry, so we popped into a little restaurant, called Aggarwal and enjoyed a Thali and Paneer Dosa together. There wasn't any sign of foreigners or tourists (apart from us). Not an expensive night out - £3.50 tip included! Then a tuk-tuk ride home for coffee and bed. An evening that felt a little daring and fun. There were no dire consequences the following morning!
Oh, another tip, specifically about Delhi and Connaught Place, in the very centre of New Delhi. We went there a couple of Sundays ago. We travelled there on the metro, getting off at Rajiv Chowk metro station, which is actually in CP. As soon as we arrived we were advised by a very friendly local to avoid certain places in CP; he ended up showing us to a Government tourist office, where we could get a free map of Delhi. Well, that's what he said. They told us about some trips we could take, but we didn't book anything. However, when we came out of the office someone said to us that it's a private office, so we're not sure if it was a Government office or not. We began to realise that there are lots of friendly people around who insist on helping you to go here or there. This very quickly becomes very annoying! It's difficult to know who is trying to help and who's on commission for some eating place or travel office. Perhaps, it's best to accept advice if you ask for it and not if it's volunteered by strangers, as you walk down the street. Following that we got the metro to Chandni Chowk and the Red Fort, which was great and very educational - There was a museum about Gandhi and the movement for independence.
Now why the heading - 'Up the next floor'? over to Heather, she will tell you.
We had such a funny experience trying to buy some material to be made into the trousers needed to complete a salwar kameez suit that I have - its a long story as to why I can't use the original trousers - one day I'll tell you if you're interested - all you need to know is that when you buy a salwar kameez suit at the market, you can't try anything on, and it comes with dress, trousers and scarf - all matching. I chose a lovely one for the Indian wedding but when I got it home, found the trousers were really not my style - I needed to be 6ft tall, and skinny skinny - So, I had to abandon that outfit but had the idea of finding some matching material and getting a pair of trousers made. I was given some great advice from the ladies in the ASHA office who sent us off to Lajpat Nagar by tuk tuk to an amazing market where there are thousands of material shops and one recommended in particular. From the outside it looked quite small. Inside we asked for what we needed and were told "up the next floor" - so we climbed up to the next floor - asked again and were told "up the next floor" - went up again - asked for the material and again, "up the next floor" - by now Ken was expiring and I couldn't believe there were any more floors, but there were! So up and up we went. Eventually, just before the roof, we were shown the material we needed!! Hallelujah!! Now I'm hoping a friendly tailor who works opposite our flat in a little shopping complex will work miracles and a pair of trousers will emerge. Next Sunday I should be able to collect them!! Exciting.
Next week Amanda and team will arrive in Delhi - how exciting. We hope all your plans are going well and that the suitcases are packed! We look forward to meeting up with you all.
We are enjoying all your emails, what's apps and messages - thanks so much, we love getting your news too.
Lots of love,
Heather and Ken x
No comments:
Post a Comment