India Monday

First day of teaching, and we're already shattered!

After waking up from a great sleep (sans interruption from thunderstorms), we got up at the unspeakable hour of quarter past six, for leaving the hotel at seven fifteen, to get on the bouncy Bus Bonanza.

Despite yesterday's monkey business, none of these featured today. Instead, we were blessed with..... The goat market! Forget the anger and slowing of vehicles this brings, if you go to one place in India, let it be the goat market! (not really). 

Upon arrival, we were greeted with a breakfast of savoury doughnuts (mixed opinions on these) and the chai (a sweet, spiced tea drink). By this time, the kids were already arriving, pouring out of the three buses used to ferry them to and from the school. When they noticed us, their faces lit up in elation- It made us feel instantly welcome! 

By the time we were in our classes, they were nearly full of the children- chattering, smiling and just generally excited to see us. The lessons were spiffing, with (barely) organised chaos. Although the children were a bit rowdy, to say the least, they seemed to be a success. we got a few less kiddies than we expected, but the inferior numbers were easily overwhelmed by their insatiable enthusiasm! They tried (and failed miserably) to teach us some Telugu. 

after lessons were finished, we went  to the barren, but homely upstairs, giving us a brief reprieve from the children. Then we adjourned for the 'Hannah and Mikey Show'. Mikey was a DonLad, entertaining the children with chants, songs, Mexican waves and the... unforgettable game, 'Junk in the Trunk' ( a game from in it to win it). 

after the raucous antics ended, we went off to the first activity. We did superhero mask making-more like superhero mask MAYHEM! after the initial cutting of masks, the glue and paint came out, and the mess ensued. by the end,l was (and still am) covered in shiny glitter. 

after that, we retreated back up the rickety stairs to our sanctuary of calm. We had not one, not two, not three... but FOUR different types of curry (veg:meat ratio: 3:1). 

Then activity number two started. this was the outside one, and it was H-O-T. the sun beat down on us so hard, I honestly thought i was going to melt into a pile of human-coloured sludge! we were playing frisbee, and the initially simple pass-around-the ring soon became a flurry of psychedelic discs flitting through a circle of serious-faced,determined teenagers. This was war. 

Having finished our marathon of physical of activity,we marched to the cramped hall, where it was round two of 'The Hannah and Mikey show'.After much chanting and screaming,There was a 20 minute burst of free play. This was where the energy fuelled tiny rockets known as children were let loose to do as they wished. 

After this brief slice of pandemonial fun, we were dragged away upstairs to let the kids catch the bus, down the muddy post-cyclone roads. Now most of the kids were gone (stragglers remained to study for exams), we began to prepare our resources for tomorrow. Then we hopped aboard the bus to take us home, to the Subhodaya Residence.

All in all, a hard, tiring day,but nothing could beat seeing the smiles on the elated kids' faces at the end of the day. Looking forward to the oncoming excitement.

Over and out.

~Jevhan, Ollie and Charlie.

P.S, Shout out to the wallace mother for a happy B'day!
P.P.S Tom gets credit for DonLAD

P.P.P.S everyone's fit and healthy

P.P.P.P.S We mostly want all parents to reply!