and now...the end is near...

I'm in my last month now. I can't believe how quickly it's going. School has finished now. We had the end of year show on saturday, it was great. I couldn't take any snaps as I was full on busy the whole time. But the school have made a dvd of the evening, so I should be bringin that home. Here are some photos of the rehearsals.

cute, eh?

This will be my last photo update, so I'm putting on quite a few snaps. There's a cricket tournament going on between the NFI churches at the moment. Good fun had by all. Why, oh why does everything revolve around cricket in India??

Last week, we went to a worship conference led by Lamar Boschman, it was amazing. This guy played called Benny Prasad. he's really famous in India, he was incredible. He has made this guitar with bongos in it, check it out.

Indians know how to make a noise. There was one worship song about waving flags, so all the hankies came out. I loved being part of such a celebration time. It felt very Indian and very special to me.

Here are some other photos I took. This is the road I have to cross every day to go to school. Sometimes it takes me ages, as it gets very busy. It's like trying to cross the A27 - but not as fast. The photo doesn't really show it, but there are 2 or 3 lanes of traffic either side, depending on how many lanes the drivers decide to make. I'm not sure anyone has heard of the Highway Code out here...

This is a shot of part of the slum.

These are my good friends Vivek and Sunita, and their girls. They live above the school. I spend lots of time with them, and feel really at home with them.

This is my good friend Smitha, she's a sweetie.

These are 2 girls who live in my building, and when they are bored, they come to my place. I hope I entertain them enough.

I'm going to catch a Mumbai train now, which is no small thing. Ask Alan Preston! I've never seen so many people in one carriage. Personal space is not always an option in Mumbai, what with the population being over 15 million! I'm spending the weekend out of town to visit some friends. I'm trying to spend time with everyone before I go. It still hasn't really sunk in I'll be home soon - but I will!

Happy birthday to me!

Yesterday was my birthday, and it proved to be a very special one, one I won't forget. I went to school, and all the children had made me cards. They all sang to me too, it was very touching, especially as I only have a few more weeks with them. Here, the children are holding some of the cards they made, and they gave me a calendar with photos of Indian flowers.

There was a cake made for me, I was so touched.

They all sang as I cut it.

I can't believe I only have about 6 weeks left at school. So it was really great to celebrate with all the staff and kids, we didn't do too much work that day! Oh, and I know my hair is quite different to how it was before I came out here!

We are the 3 teachers in Grace school. I am in the middle. Sarita is to my right, and Mariam is to my left (in green), she teaches the nursery children. I've been wanting to get a photo with all 3 of us with the kids.

These are the nursery children.

Here are some other photos I've been meaning to put on my blog. This is me with my class, they are so cute.

The older boy without the uniform is new, I give him personal tuition.

Jonthea did some sterling art and craft with the children.

This is one of my hang outs where I can shoot the breeze (is that the right expression?). It's right by the sea. I took Joe and Jonthea there.

I've got used to being here now, it's quite strange to think I'm coming home quite soon. It feels like I have 2 lives in a way, one here and one in UK. I will miss the people, sunshine, THE CHILDREN. I won't miss the mosquitos, the bulls in the road, or the cockroaches! Oh and the Indian timing! I hope my sense of timing has improved for being here, not got worse! Mostly, if someone (especially workmen - I mean for pc, TV, water filter etc) says he will come on Monday, that seems to be Hindi for Wednesday or maybe Thursday. I won't miss that!

Goa, baby!

Joe and Jonthea arrived in Mumbai on 12th Jan. We went to the NFI conference that weekend. It was lovely to see Terry and Wendy too.

Then we caught the overnight train to Goa. It was lovely! This was a great little shack restaurant we ate in quite alot. Although it was about 23c, I was cold in the evenings - I'm climatised now! Hence the blanket/towel the waitor gave me to keep warm!

The Arabian sea...

and lots of beautiful coconut trees.

A little idyllic bubble to remember now I'm back in crazy Mumbai!

My Indian Christmas

  My first Christmas in India. It's so lovely to be in the sunshine at this time of year. Church had a party on Christmas eve. Lots of dancing, fun and yummy food.

My Christmas sari.

School also had a Christmas party. This picture speaks for itself, I think.

I taught the older children some good ol' Christmas songs to perform at the party. They were superstars!

Christmas day, I spent with lots of people at the pastor's house. It was really nice and relaxed, everyone was in chill mode. Then on Boxing day, I went to stay with James and Angie in Nasik. Then we had Christmas all over again. So I feel like I've had 2 Christmases. Angie (who is English) made a traditional English Christmas dinner, and we had Christmas pudding too. It was a very special day, especially as Santa paid us a visit with his very cute helper!

Then in the evening, we had dinner on banana leaves, a south Indian tradition.

So that was my Indian Christmas, one I won't forget, although I missed all the atmosphere and festivities in England (and the people!). But I didn't miss the cold. I had a walk along the beach on the way home on Christmas day, and watched the sunset. The sun was actually a big orange ball, but I couldn't capture its magnificence on camera. But it's a nice shot, it just doesn't do justice to the stunning Indian sunsets I am blessed by.

Here's another cool shot I took, everyone is cricket crazy here!

4 MONTHS DOWN!

After four months of being here, I have finally got round to doing some sightseeing. So here are some snaps. This is a place called Pune.

This is the Gateway of India

Aaah, the beach...

Some of my friends... (this is Marianne, who some of you know)

This photo for me captures something of what I see everyday in India.

That's all folks. More soon xx