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.