I am thoroughly enjoying the busy-ness of a primary classroom. Since my arrival on May 5, my entire focus has been cleaning the classroom, planning appropriate lessons, and being "on" for the children. This type of focus has its rewards, but there are drawbacks, too.
By the end of this week I was feeling a bit blue, knowing that members of my immediate family were all together in Guelph preparing for moving day. I was also feeling isolated as a new person in the building. It was time to reach out to others to explain my sadness. This resulted in an invitation for a drink and a home made meal at the home of a very hospitable family from Australia.
All was well until I said yes to the second Budweiser...resulting in a wobbly evening walk back to the flat and a booming headache in the morning. Amazingly, I spent most of the day in bed, running back and forth to the lieu, drinking water to hydrate, and finally able to be vertical at 3:00 in the afternoon.
I compiled a list to things to do, and the main item of business is to reach out via blog email to friends and family. So I am sending my greetings to you. All is well. I am safe and sound and learning about Indian culture in the best way possible, first hand experience.
The village where I am living is very quiet during my morning walks to the school, and the temperatures are moderate. If you can look beyond the garbage in the streets, the broken sidewalks, the occasional scurrying rat, and the people begging for their living, you see a country that is developing quickly.
I pass a walking park, where hundreds of people gather each morning and evening for exercise. Further on is a huge cricket field, where at 6 am, the game is already well underway.
There are many dogs of all shapes and sizes roaming the streets, but not to fear them if they have a section of their ear cut out. That means that they have been neutered or spayed and have had their rabies shots.
People travel mostly by foot, motorcyle and auto (which is basically a three wheeled motorcycle with room for two or three passengers). I also pass two bus stops from which people commute further in to the city, the Chairmans Resort, where I spent my first night, and many different shops which sell thousands of items made in India.
Items to purchase range in price from a just a few to thousands of rupees and I have learned that you have to divide the price by 50 inorder to come close to the US or Canadian dollar. I recently purchased 72 daily aspirins for 13 rupees, which works out to pennies. On the other hand, my speedo bathing suit, purchased because I am swimming with the class on Mondays, cost 2 500 rupees, and a fishing trip in June for the two of us (my husband is arriving in just over a week!) was a mere 27 000 rupees.
One of my favourite aspects of he school, is that there is a canteen where the children and staff can get daily breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon snacks. The cook is amazing and the food is mostly Indian. It has been a good introduction to the culture. Surprisingly I have discovered that I do indeed like spicy food.
My blues are dissipating. I am smiling as I write this final paragraph because I now realize that I have a wonderful opportunity to stretch, grow, and share some interesting experiences with you. Also, I just received a Skype call from my best friend in Canada, my husband. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I look forward to his arrival here. I just hope that he will find enough to do to keep himself occupied while I continue to do what I love until the end of June. Then we will take two weeks for touring before heading back ot Canada for our grandson's first birthday. I am looking forward, but also enjoying the moment.
Until next time,
Bee Rich
 |
| Teachers Desk |
 |
| Student Love Notes |
All was well until I said yes to the second Budweiser...resulting in a wobbly evening walk back to the flat and a booming headache in the morning. Amazingly, I spent most of the day in bed, running back and forth to the lieu, drinking water to hydrate, and finally able to be vertical at 3:00 in the afternoon.
I compiled a list to things to do, and the main item of business is to reach out via blog email to friends and family. So I am sending my greetings to you. All is well. I am safe and sound and learning about Indian culture in the best way possible, first hand experience.
The village where I am living is very quiet during my morning walks to the school, and the temperatures are moderate. If you can look beyond the garbage in the streets, the broken sidewalks, the occasional scurrying rat, and the people begging for their living, you see a country that is developing quickly.
 |
| A Typical Shop |
I pass a walking park, where hundreds of people gather each morning and evening for exercise. Further on is a huge cricket field, where at 6 am, the game is already well underway.
There are many dogs of all shapes and sizes roaming the streets, but not to fear them if they have a section of their ear cut out. That means that they have been neutered or spayed and have had their rabies shots.
People travel mostly by foot, motorcyle and auto (which is basically a three wheeled motorcycle with room for two or three passengers). I also pass two bus stops from which people commute further in to the city, the Chairmans Resort, where I spent my first night, and many different shops which sell thousands of items made in India.
 |
| Auto Rickshaw, owned by one of our security guards |
Items to purchase range in price from a just a few to thousands of rupees and I have learned that you have to divide the price by 50 inorder to come close to the US or Canadian dollar. I recently purchased 72 daily aspirins for 13 rupees, which works out to pennies. On the other hand, my speedo bathing suit, purchased because I am swimming with the class on Mondays, cost 2 500 rupees, and a fishing trip in June for the two of us (my husband is arriving in just over a week!) was a mere 27 000 rupees.
 |
| Entrance of the School |
 |
| These Cuties are found on either side of the entrance. |
One of my favourite aspects of he school, is that there is a canteen where the children and staff can get daily breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon snacks. The cook is amazing and the food is mostly Indian. It has been a good introduction to the culture. Surprisingly I have discovered that I do indeed like spicy food.
 |
| Sign location on the outside of the PE storage building |
Until next time,
Bee Rich
 |
| There is a police station between the flat and school. |
