UPDATE!!

shot of our evening camel journey in Pushkar

It has been forever since our last post. Sincerest apologies!
We encountered computer crashes and lack of time and technology at the camp and everywhere else we've been. Just wanted to say we are alive and well! Its only been 2 weeks but so much has happened its tough to know where to begin...

We went on a couple weekend trips to Jaipur, and a sleepy hippie mountainside town, Pushkar, completed our volunteering at the camp and in the slum school, have seen the Taj Mahal and now the Golden Temple in Amritsar, our current stop.

Pushkar was amazing! It was such a nice break from the hectic hussle and bustle of city life. The fact there was no rickshaws and you could get around on foot was blissful. It was such a peaceful, quiet and serene atmosphere, with lots of tourists and plenty of em hippies. The merch was super cheap and we climbed a mountain and went on an evening camel ride where we rode back into town under the moonlight.

We also finished our volunteering at the camp where for the last two weeks we taught in the slums at a makeshift school in the center. Kids would drop in everyday and we taught them the rudimentaries of the english language, math and played games with them. I can probably say it was the most amazing and rewarding experience of my life. We taught kids from the ages of 2 to 14, who would show up and just soak up as much as they could. They have nothing these kids. Some better off than others of course, but you had kids in rags, children bringing in their naked baby brother, their pet goat, etc. The people there live in huts made of sticks and tarps and held together with twine or plastic bags. Its hard to put into words the magitude of feeling one goes through being there. But there is also a sense of pride amongst them. They are happy and smiling and doing their best to get by. Their houses were all swept and tidy. There is alot more to say about our experiences there and I assure you, we will.
slum school group photo

In the end our time at the camp was well worth the experience and we made some good friends and travel partners as well. Our last week at the camp, 3 new volunteers showed up (from UK, Australia and Belgium). All girls naturally. It was like a week spent in silence for me, being the only dude amongst 6 chicks, but i must say, if anything, I learnt alot... Our friend Bhavani (aka Bini) is with us now in Amritsar and making the journey to Varanasi as well. She is a total blast to travel with and such great company.

We've now seen the Taj Mahal and the Golden Temple here in Amritsar which will have to be discussed in greater detail soon, and went through a 3 hour hell trying to catch a train in Delhi. Never go to Delhi. We make our way to the Holy City of Varanasi now to catch the end of the Diwali festival, a sort of Hindu Christmas, as descibed by Bini. Just wanted to update everyone that all is well and we will now continue regular posting. So long!

Ps Happy thanksgiving Canada


chillin

One Week in India

So for the last two days now we have been in Sikar to begin our teaching! Unfortunately we haven't been able to post any pictures or videos yet but we do have some amazing ones. I am dying to show you some Music in the Park, Indian snake charming and the traffic. The traffic is still one thing I cannot get over. It is unreal, bumper to bumper, on the horn constantly, all over the road, cows pigs dogs camels everywhere. It is unreal and true chaos but so exciting and intriguing. But for now we'd just like to update you on some of our goings ons as of late.

Our stay in Jaipur was busy and hectic without a moment to relax and only now have we been able to reflect. But upon our arrival there from Delhi on thursday night, we were greeted at the train station by a rickshaw driver who promised us he was not out to get us. That this wasn't Delhi or Agra. He shall be known as the Great Alibaba. He took us all around, knew perfect english and was just a really dope guy. We plan on heading back to Jaipur this weekend to visit him as he has invited us for dinner at his home with his family and his wife (whom he does not like) and hopefully show us a night on the town. He is a Muslim, but part of the "New-Generation" of Muslims, as he told us he likes to drink and smoke, particularly from the top of the hill near the Tiger Gate at the mosque.

We also met our volunteer co-ordinator Vinod, who is the strangesssst man I have ever met and thought Michael Jackson was from Ukraine.

Anyways, we have a party to attend to... One of the other volunteers, Cor (his name), described by cass as a "stringbean, beanpole lanky franky weirdo Dutchman" um...its his birthday tonight and there's a party with cake and Kingfisher and delish food and dancing and a singer has been hired! haha. Expect pictures and videos soon and we'll share some more about our whacky time in Jaipur (including this crazy Folk Fest-meets-themepark-meets India thing we attended). Oh and the kids here and at the school are unbelievably cute and bright and it should bring for an interesting six weeks. okkk seeeyaaa