It Been a long Time

Well I did go to India but somehow lost my steam writing about it . Even know as hear about the problems with the forthcoming Delhi games I can see and smell it all.
We are getting through the winter here I think I really like this season as it gives one an excuse to do more indoor activities. This will end with daylight saving on Saturday.
Have been getting my summer garden underway have planted out some of my lavenders the big busy ones that I love so heres hoping the wind will not blow them out of the ground.

We are preparing for Alex and Brookes' visit and of course our darling Heidi Still wondering if she will fit into the cot!

Lambs are all well and bouncing about we are about to dock them and attend to the boys!
Vege garden has been refenced and a berry house built so we should at least get some berries this summer. I am thinking about smoothies as I write this and that reminds me of the beautiful Mango Lassis'I had in India and I have planted a lime tree so I can make Fresh Lime Soda's if the summer ever comes.

Kolkata

Still very hot 35++ U believe . What beuracracy even my passport is required for Internet cafe All these details swirling about in cyberspace along with warehouses of paper !!
Still Unwell
Tottering off for tea and toast

Dreaming of a Wringer

Managed to get an excercise rythm going while wringing the washing should help with granny flaps and abs. Laying it out on the roof i decided was too unsafe for me
Still very hot Went to Flurry's and had cafe meal for a change I am rather over chick peas. Having an early night tonight bushed !

Kolkata

Meredith and I went to Khalighat Temple to day where we were given a guided tour and shaken dow for a donation Today I have said Hail Mary's and made prayers to Khali and Shiva It is some sort of holy day for them I have forgotten what we threw flower at statues made wishes along with a large number of the faithful. The floors were awash with mud and water and stuff how more people don't fall over I will never know.
Managed to get a fresh lime soda to day but what I would not give for a cold chardy.

I sent some clothes off to the laundry here am reduced to one set and improvisation with a worn out sarong. Now as I walk the streets ans see women washing their clothes in the street I am wondering if my now tattered rags were done there!

Hotel is very nice but a tad quiet will move to Fairlawn on Monday which will be closer for me. There are 3 boys working here I have not seen any other guests and it is handy to the tube
The tube is amazing and cheap i think I have said before easier to get on than off!
It will be an early night for me tonight.

Volunteer day one at Mother Teresa's

Quite an experience the day was supposed to start at 6am with mass with the sisters (not compulsory) then breakfast and be ready to start work at 8am. Unfortunately I could not make it to the mass as I could not get out of the hotel so early hopefullyy when I move Monday I will be able to go.
I have been assigned to Kahlighat the first house that was established by Mother Teresa. As there is a bus and taxi strike today we got taken in the ambulance a biggish mini van with driver 4 sisters and 14 volunteers we stopped and picked up a couple more sisters who said the rosary all the way this however did not help with the traffic which is pretty wild here - we knocked into a motor bike fortunately no damage or harmm then we picked up a chap at the bus stop rolling in agony so now he is lying on one of the bench seats and off we go.

Once we all got out it was aprons and hand washing then off to work.
Wash the breakfast dishes big stone sinks are set into the ground and it works like a chain gang. They are all metal all plastic so there is a lot of water and noise and laughter.
Next the washing all done by hand and feet one sister the size of a 5year old kept telling us wringing was a two man job (what about spin dry)!! This is done in big concrete tubs there is water everywhere
Next the patients I guess that is what they are a few have dressings done in a sort of sterile manner. It is all very interesting for me to note their teqniques . My job was the cleaning teeth round amazing how good some of their teeth are .
We got a break for morning tea and a biscuit then back for serving lunch rice and some sort of curry I guess. Some appeared to have huge appetites for such small people. About 3 had to be fed there were at least 60 women and probably the same on the other side for men. Meal was followed by hand washing and of course the dishes. I learned a new technique for drying the mugs two at a time .
And then we were let out - more of the same tomorrow

Leaving Dargeeling

Will depart this afternoon for the train station at NJP tha will take about 4 hours then overnight to kolkata .
The town is closing tomorrow again so there is nothing to buy or eat only the chemist shops can open and they sell a wide range of goods. The soldiers all left yesterday but no doubt they will be back tomorrow all clutching rifles and large flogging sticks
Education is important here all the children dress in uniforms immaculate hair all tidy and accompanied mainly by an adult.
People carry huge loads strapped to their foreheads mostly men but some women too
Have lost my camera so have no photos of the early part of this journey but hopefully Meredith will have a record.
Suitcase is ful of dirty clothing as it is impossible to get anything dry here.
Food has been great though we did have a ghastly meal and after looking at the market I am back on the vego diet.
Meredith has done well putting up with me
We are in internet cafe loud rollicking music

Trip to Dargeeling

Five am start then 4 hours by car to the airport at Delhi The country side in the mornings is always interesting woman in their colourful clothing going about their business washing collecting water for their families etc.
Finally got to airport flew to Bagdogra only to be told that Dargeeling was closed because of political unrest but we foud a new best friend Sam who agreed to take us the 56kms up the mountain we were told to say nothing if we were stopped !! Which we weren't
Beautiful country side flora much like NZ winding road but Sam was a good driver so we survived.
ooked into Classic Guest House where we were able to get food all the shops and cafes are still closed It is all about the Ghurkas and everytime thay get upset the police close everthing down Lucky Sam knew that we would get food here and we could get a bed.
Much colder here had a big duvet on very hard to get anything dry and I don't have much in the way of warm clothing. The staff are helpful and the food tasty. Our room looks over the mountains and I think we can see Everest if the clod clears . It rained all night heavy monsoon rain . Plan is to stay her til Thursday then get the overnight train to Kolkata. Sam assured us he can get us down to the railway. .

station. Looks like I might get a walk in before the rain starts again. Can't quite get the hang of this computer . Mere and I are amusing ourselves watching football and tennis playing last card reading and dreaming about unhealthy food and booze.