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Published: March 29th 2009
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This was a truly memorable experience. The morning lessons went as per usual, although I could see that the children were trying to hide things from me. Then the governing council committee for schools in my area came in to see me and ask if I was happy the way the renovations were going. Am I that important? Then the chairman put a kata (scarf) around my neck and shook my hand while his minions - about 6 of them took photos. Yes, I guess I am that important!!! Sorry, I don’t have photos of this.
Then at lunch time the staff had prepared a feast. A wonderful fish curry, a potato dish, salad, rice and dhal, followed by a delicious desert the name of which I can’t remember. Then back into the classroom where the whole school sang a “Beverley” song and gave me gifts and more traditional katas. The staff also gave me gifts and said wonderful things about me that truly made me feel quite embarrassed and overwhelmed. I really didn’t do that much, but a little goes a long way in this country. I left there with tears in my eyes and wonderful memories.
I feel so
good about what has been done with so little money at this school. Renovations underway, children all in new warm jumpers and Binay in a good English Medium school. Wow! My job is done, on to the next one………………..
The post office.
I simply have to relay my experience at the post office today.
I had small gifts to send to Toby, Lauren and Lex and proceeded to the post office. I thought that I would be able to buy three padded envelopes, pay the money and be on my way in no time, but no!
I was send to a corner of the post office where a man prepares the parcels. First he folds up the gifts good and tight, then cuts of a length of material, a bit like bandage stuff and wraps everything up. Then with a large curved needle he sews everything in. After that he lights a candle and melts sealing wax which is then dobbed on the stitching here and there and the post office seal is pressed on. A customs declaration form is then sewn on to the parcel and also sealed. Then he writes using a large red
texta “Registered Airmail” and I have to put the address on the front and mine on the back. This of course had to be done three times which took approximately an hour. A little longer than necessary because I wrote the wrong address on one of the parcels so he kindly stitched a piece of fabric over the wrong address so that I could write the correct one!!! Then off to the counter where everything is weighed and registered and hopefully sent.
I so wish that I had photos to show you but I didn’t have my camera. Please look out for these parcels my darling children, they are little works of art.
This will probably be my last blog from Darjeeling. The next will be from Haridwar and I will be able to let you know what experiences I had on the two trains getting there.
Bye for now.
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Pauline
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What a memorable experience. I hope the rest of your travels in India continue to give you so much joy. Keep up the good work!