a walk...

here are some images from one of my walks last week, mostly within 5 minutes of our door... i often find myself awestruck... in disbelief that we actually live here.. so much to learn, see and explore

expect the unexpected

Well, I thought that it was my turn to write a blog, and give all of you avid readers a different perspective on life here in India. We have been here for about 3 weeks and we are settling in quite nicely, I have already gotten a couple of shirts made at the tailors and found the best place to have coffee in town. Once in a while we get a little tease, and a small portion of blue sky will become visible and the dense fog will lift enough that we realize the amazing view. This picture below was taken on my way up to school, I have about a 15 minute walk uphill every morning, the only traffic that I face are the students walking slowly up to school. (some of them take about 45 minutes to walk up the mountain).


I did survive the first couple days of teaching and I am well into my second week. The classroom is starting to feel more natural, except for the fact that monkeys peer into my windows from time to time and stare at the apples set-up in the still-life. (I lost 2 apples to a monkey last week that entered my room through an open window!)

This is my first day of school outfit, notice the umbrella you can't go anywhere without one in monsoon time.

This is Casey with some of his boys (not all 30 could fit in the picture), it was Independence Day so they are all dressed up in their Indian wear. India celebrated 60 years of Freedom! All the students had a day off of school, there was a flag raising ceremony in the morning, a special lunch and a free afternoon.

I think one of my favourite things about India is the way that they decorate for celebrations. This is a floor design for Independence Day made out of glitter and powder paint.

These are clay cups that they served chai in at the Independence Day lunch, after you are done with your tea cups you get to smash it. (it's environmentally friendly!) I didn't have the heart to smash mine, instead I think I will start a mug collection.

These are pants from one of the boys in the dorm, he wore them for Independence Day. Actually they look quite good on, there is a drawstring for the waist that gets pulled tight.

Okay, that's all for now...I have to get ready for a full day of teaching tomorrow.

adjusting...

well, another week has passed. things are slowly starting to feel more normal, but from what we've been told, this two week "normal" time will drastically change when the kids start arriving in the next couple of days. so much for the quiet dorm and free time, but everyone seems pretty excited to get going.

a patchwork of houses in mussoorie

chris had her birthday this last week, along with catherine, a fellow woodstocker. we had some people over and she was thoroughly spoiled... i don't know if she's had "happy birthday" sung to her this many times before

the birthday girls with their indian garb

just below us here is the village where most of the local laundry gets done... it's pretty crazy to see huge sacks of laundry piled on little scooters flying down the hills. and we're not sure how things dry as it's usually raining, but we are getting used to damp clothes and sheets.

i was able to go exploring a bit this afternoon with some friends to a place called "flag hill". the rain let up again and we were treated to some amazing views. when the monsoons pass you can supposedly see the snow peaks of the high himalayas to the north... i can't wait. but it was a very cool place, and hopefully i'll be able to bring my boys up here camping soon!