From Micelle Angelo to Zero, fun and the hospital, and no longer the newbiee

Life has been ticking over in this new found normality. I’m feeling more at ease with India and teaching. Three things to note:

• Teaching
• Hospital visit
• Two new arrivals,

Teaching

Year one school kids are hard work, some are seriously hyper, I’m tempted to slip them some Ketamin at times. There is a particular boy I’ve taken a dislike to, Chinural (not actually how its spelt or pronounced but its all I manage to get out when I’m shouting at him to stop whatever he’s doing). His nick-name between Laura and myself is Mr Grabby hands as he’s always snatching, and when he’s not doing that he’s fighting. Nothing we’ve tried so far seems to deter him from his mischief. I realize that it’s perhaps unfair to form a grudge against a 4-6 year old, so try not to show my contempt, but I must confess my heart sinks when he shows up for class. I do also have my favorites, bright unassuming kids, perhaps because they remind me of myself as a child. Poojar is exceptionally sweet with big brown eyes and a quiet manner. Rahul is very bright and spends him time helping teachers and his class mates. Rajsuta is cute, gappy teeth but a big smile. Gampak is naughty, but essentially desperate for attention. The past couple of lessons he’s been an angle to please me, I can’t help but like him for that.

The orphanage boys have made less of an impression. Perhaps because I’ve seen them less, or perhaps because Claire takes more of a lead. Two boys stand out however. Dinesh (nice but dim) and Pritvi Raj (frighteningly cleaver). I may have inspired a slight crush on me when I drew Pritvi’s portrait. It was drawing time and as usual Pritvi have found something to entertain himself with whilst the others were finishing their worksheets. Unfortunately Pritvi was so immersed in reading the syllabus (our book) that he missed the handing out of drawing books. They were all gone by the time he decided he wanted to draw. This resulted in a mild sulk and Pritvi is not a boy you want to leave unamused, so I offered to draw him whilst he drew me. The picture I drew wasn’t bad, if I do say so myself, but to Pritvi it was clearly the best drawing he’d ever seen, I was Micelle Angelo, and he spent the rest of the afternoon staring at me with awe. This idealization was short lived. The next day was spelling and Pritvi monopolized my attention by getting me to help him with his worksheet (he didn’t need help). It was soon apparent that Pritvi could spell elephant and I could not, and the spell was broken. Still nice whilst it lasted.

my orphanage class

Boys playing games at orphanage

Hospital visit

I’ve been having jip with my stomark since I arrived and was getting a bit fed up. Laura was going to the doctor and I decided I should try going along myself = error. Turns out doctors = hospital. Laura went first and was seen immediately. The doctor wanted to admit her, but after some protest let her leave with some tests and drugs. He was just about to see me when an emergency case was rushed in. A young woman had taken poison, the family were understandably upset and it was all hands on deck as the hospital was short staffed that day (due to yet another festival). We ended up waiting for an extra hour before another doctor was available. I did feel rather daft as I wasn’t even that sick. At any rate when the doctor did see me he agreed with me that it was most likely to do with change in diet but put me through a blood test, stool sample, and drugs just in case. Joy. The drugs were worth it though, I feel 100X better now.

The day ended much better than it started with a visit to the monsoon palace (the set of octopussy) to watch the beautiful sunset and then a dancing/puppet show in the evening.

The two new arrivals

I’m no longer the newbie, Lindsey and Anna arrived on Sunday. They had quiet a first day! They arrived in the morning and after settling in they came into town with us. On the public rickshaw they were introduced the Indian concept of private space – ie there is no such thing, 9 of us were rammed into the tiny cabin. I was just commenting to Anna that ‘it’s amazing that more traffic accidents don’t happen’ when low and behold there was some commotion and a woman was carried off the street unconscious. There was a puddle in the road, I hope it wasn’t blood. Once we got into town we found that most of the shops were closed including ‘bangle man’ and ‘jewelry lady’. A little deflated we decided to head to big bizarre (the supermarket). A 22 public rickshaw did a U turn and offered to take us there. The keenness of the young male driver to have one of us sit up the front should have rung alarm bells, but good natured and trusting Fiona obliged them with her company. When we got off she was furious, they had ‘copped a feel’. Bastards. I think it should be pointed out that not all Indian men are like this, there is a bit of a misconception that white women are whores here, but a lot of the guys are still very courteous, this was just on of those bastards who isn’t. I suppose you get them everywhere when you think about it. Anyway, we arrived at big bizarre and ease our minds by shopping, was nearly forgotten by the end of the day.

Looking ahead.

Today we head off to Ranthanbourg (probably not spelt right) on the quest to see tigers. After that we are heading to Agra to see the Taij – ee the excitement. I shall update with photos on my return.

P.S Than you Ben for the photo’s I’m about to steal.