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Published: September 11th 2009
On to Bangalore...
first for those of you that want to see Cecilia's side of our many travel stories here blog is here:
http://uaglobaladventures.blogspot.com/
At the Pune and Bangalore airports, I was indeed forced to swallow my words about never checking a bag in India. Bags we were able to check on the way to India we were not able to check in from Pune to Bangalore. So I was forced to part with a bag that I wondered when I would see again.
Kingfisher is the name of a popular beer and the airline we flew for this leg. The crew all wear disctintive red outfits and red shoes! The interesting connection to our story is that the owner of both the airline and the beer, Vijay Mallya also founded the Mallya Aditi School in Bangalore, where have had GYLI participants, and were shared a wonderful meeting with the assistant principal of the school.
We started at Canadian International School. This was a wonderful IB school we great facilities and a very focused principal who wants to make literacy her main legacy at the school.
I then facilitated a workshop at Bangelore International school
for their entire teaching staff of 65 individuals. They were such a great group!! So open and ready to jump into anything. It was a real treat to see Aruna again, after she had attended our ISL program in Costa Rica in 2008. It was a treat to work with a faculty who all believe so deeply in their school, and are willing to engage so completely in this kind of program.
Our hotel in Bangalore was the Villa Patipotti--a 19th century historic site that made you feel like you were in the middle of all the movies and newreels we have see of Ghandi. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast both days we were there on the gravel patio, with the horns and screeches of the street as lovely ambiance. When we got back to the hotel the staff was into a game of cricket. I took the opportunity to watch and learn a bit more about the game.
Through my friend Vishwas, we got to meet Vinay and his wife Navita, who have recently given birth to 5-month old twins. They are both leaders for NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School)--which does lots of outdoor climbing and trekking
programs all over the world. Navita also works for DrumJam--a group that offers drumming circles for corporate and school groups. It was wonderful to meet them and discuss all the ways that outdoor education and experiential programs work in India. I immediately felt comfortable with both of them, and I am sure that our work together is just beginning.
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Ward
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we're listening!
Matt, don't want you to feel no one is reading! I'm realizing what an array of international and independent schools there are in India. It sounds as if you are making great personal connections with people, always your strength. Don't forget to pick up mementos for Joan and your kids. Ward