Vanakkam! Hello!

Early Friday morning, I arrived in India. The sounds, sights and smells filled my sleep deprived senses. I am staying at an orphanage in Kasam, Vellore. A safe, secure environment, where tropical trees shade the grounds. Dogs sunbathe in the soil and monkeys sit high in the trees and on rooftops. Children bombard me whenever they get a chance, asking on repeat.. “What is my name?”

I'll discuss the orphanage in more detail another time.

Monkeys climb across my bedroom window in the morning. Cattle moan as they walk the roads. The air is hot, but not yet unbearable.

I've played badminton with the girls.
Table tennis with the boys...”Wahay Lucy, you're so good!” It's been a while, perhaps I'm not that bad!

I'm given bitter, unripe mango to eat with chilli powder. Ooo WOW! . I'm sure I look suitable for a haribo tantastic advert.

When I lay in bed, I hear the dawn and dusk chorus of many birds, including the famous cawing crow. Crickets clicking, children playing, bells ringing early in the morning. Guns go BANG! to scare the monkeys away.

This weekend I have had the chance to get settled. From tomorrow I will start visiting the schools, and piecing together a timetable. I was feeling a little nervous to start the workshops. But today brightened my spirits. I pulled out an adult colouring book (a present from a friend 2 summers ago). I had intended to show two younger children I was sitting with. Then suddenly a swarm of children surrounded me, all wanting to colour. I feel more confident, that whatever workshops and projects I plan, the children will fully enjoy them. If colouring can bring so much joy, wait for the real messy art fun!

 

Some colouring in from this morning.

Excuse the poor photo of a photo... camera cable issues!

 

Puppy hunting