Florence Clark From UK
I rolled into Bolpor station after a tediously fueled 24 hour stint of travelling, Beginning at 4am,
followed by a 9 hour plane journey!, a painful six hour stop-over in Mumbai, a 2 hour flight to Kolkata!, a
45 minute car journey to Bishnu's house, where we ate and chatted until our 4 O'clock train ride!, which
was interesting.. as I was looking forward to the the trains in India, however I was slightly bewildered by
all the hustle and bustle.. being sleep deprived didn't help... So im looking forward to getting the train
another time.. when I can appreciate it with open eyes, our 4 O'clock train was casually cancelled... So
we caught another train at twenty past, however it was a slow one... So that was another three hours to
add to my commute, I was So tired on the train So I just clonked out for the majority of it, It was exciting
stepping off the train, as it was where I was staying it was rather busy, and outside we were greeted by
eager taxi drivers readily available to take you, we stopped off to buy some whisky! Cigarettes weren't
necessary as we had already bought out 200 pack! in Kolkata..which sadly... was very exciting... I
revelled in the idea that i could get 10 packs of cigarettes for the price of two at home, I still find it
something of a novelty.. and it always puts a cheeky grin on my face.
As we arrived at the apartment the terracotta walls and balconys reminded me of a little spanish villa,
however this is not Spain .. but India, Mala had prepared some food and I soon settled in, retiring early
about 12 O'clock. The apartment is very nice.. airy and clean, and pretty views from the balcony.
The next day, we rode on Bishnus moped to school, as it was a saturday.. its not meant to be open, but
So the children could meet me.. they were there waiting. The children are great, and always have
smiles on their faces. My favourite part is arriving at school, and seeing them toddling along merrily
over the fields on their way to school.
1/3/2009
I have been in Shankiniketan for ten days now, and have settled in quite well, the bike ride to school..is
getting easier.. I dont have to stop at the hill anymore and drag my bike up it. Still i often dont look
forward to the ride.. but when im on the way.. I dont know what I was moaning about, the ride is actually
very enjoyable.. and I make little markers in my head... which is..maybe..three quarters of the way...half
way.. nearly there... In the week days I get up about 20 past nine..but grab a cheeky ten minutes more..
So half past, and then I either walk.. or cycle into town.. setting little targets for myself, either to
photocopy some worksheets for school, buy a necklace, get some cream, I dont like to do it all in once,
plus it gives me a little target to occupy myself for the next day. Im kicking myself because I have a
rubbish selection of books, at home they seemed So appealing..yet here now, rather dull. School is
going very well, and I have given the yellow group writing books and pens.. and have started to set
them homework.. which weirdly they enjoy.. however some are So keen.. they just go off target and
start writing sentences after sentence, Il often mark these at night.. or in the morning.. which i really
enjoy also! and we have written their names on their books in some brightly coloured foam stickers
which was great fun.
8/3/2009
The weeks pass So quickly, and already another week has gone by, almost unnoticed! Mala and I have
started to take a shortcut to school! although first time I was nearly a gonner, we cross a tiny rickety
bridge which.. looks like its just created from yellow grass... and the river below at that sudden drop
doesnt look too inviting, especially when theres two of you on the 10 metre long bridge... along with
two hardly fragile bikes.. and a couple of bags.. il take my chances while I can.
Schools going swimmingly! apart from I had to converscate a bunch of pretty flowers from a few kids, as
it was distracting their concentration, i felt rather mean.. but they didn't seem to complain. I also left the
alphabet stickers at school one day.. only to return on thursday... and the whole school.. had decided to
wear the letters as Bindis on their foreheads.... wasnt what they were intended for.. but they looked
pretty good if its any consolation.
Ive turned into quite a bookworm this week, and have completed 2 books in five days! which im quite
proud of.. and I have been concentracting on the Ol' Sun-tan.. or lack of really, im working on it, in some
lights it looks pretty good, yet.. in the harsh sunlight.. I stick out like a pair of pants in a sock drawer.
Also this week! I have been putting great efforts into making a little scrap book! So far I have spent
approx 4 hours just on the front cover! and im extremely proud of my time-consuming efforts.
Mala took me to her house today, where her mother and sisters live, I quite enjoyed myself... I had my
hair brushed... given flowers.. and taken to the park for a stroll! lovely, and Im quite excited because i
got some really nice photos!
Au Revoir!
19/3/2009
This weekend, I had a change of scenery and went off to Kolkata for the weekend, The train ride was
interesting... the berths of the trains are quite cosy, one would say, especially if greedy people like to
sit crossed legged!!! and I didnt even get to read my book because there was so much going on,
people passing through.. begging.. selling cucombers... even lighters... and I had my first night out..
which was very exciting, Bishnus son was kind enough to take me out, even though I learnt he takes
everyone out...but still the same! I was glad of spending time with someone I could talk to, besides
myself... *not that I do that often* anyway.. i digress......
This week! Ive decided to liven up my routine! Im not getting very far with the Ol'Sun tan, its a hopeless
cause, but i still persist.. Its almost a form of torture actually.. sitting up on the roof..in that heat... with
no pool.. or sea.. actually, its more of a sauna.. and ive never really liked Saunas.. but I have decided to
kickstart the whole fitness routine, besides my cycling... which im getting use to.. Im going for little
night time jogs! I have done three on the trot this week!! I hate going...but.. when im running, I quite
enjoy it... (Britney Spears makes me run faster) and even though I come back like a drenched beetroot
.. its for the best... although, with no exageration, Im finding it painful to walk, I ran about a hour ago...
and I actually have a limp in my step.. (so.. I shall very much look forward to the morning)
Schools going nicely... I keep stealing the little kids for cuddles... a little boy was crying today because
he hurt his nose, so I picked him up.. and he nearly fell asleep on me, ahhhhhh, anyway.
laters aligators.
I rolled into Bolpor station after a tediously fueled 24 hour stint of travelling, Beginning at 4am,
followed by a 9 hour plane journey!, a painful six hour stop-over in Mumbai, a 2 hour flight to Kolkata!, a
45 minute car journey to Bishnu's house, where we ate and chatted until our 4 O'clock train ride!, which
was interesting.. as I was looking forward to the the trains in India, however I was slightly bewildered by
all the hustle and bustle.. being sleep deprived didn't help... So im looking forward to getting the train
another time.. when I can appreciate it with open eyes, our 4 O'clock train was casually cancelled... So
we caught another train at twenty past, however it was a slow one... So that was another three hours to
add to my commute, I was So tired on the train So I just clonked out for the majority of it, It was exciting
stepping off the train, as it was where I was staying it was rather busy, and outside we were greeted by
eager taxi drivers readily available to take you, we stopped off to buy some whisky! Cigarettes weren't
necessary as we had already bought out 200 pack! in Kolkata..which sadly... was very exciting... I
revelled in the idea that i could get 10 packs of cigarettes for the price of two at home, I still find it
something of a novelty.. and it always puts a cheeky grin on my face.
As we arrived at the apartment the terracotta walls and balconys reminded me of a little spanish villa,
however this is not Spain .. but India, Mala had prepared some food and I soon settled in, retiring early
about 12 O'clock. The apartment is very nice.. airy and clean, and pretty views from the balcony.
The next day, we rode on Bishnus moped to school, as it was a saturday.. its not meant to be open, but
So the children could meet me.. they were there waiting. The children are great, and always have
smiles on their faces. My favourite part is arriving at school, and seeing them toddling along merrily
over the fields on their way to school.
1/3/2009
I have been in Shankiniketan for ten days now, and have settled in quite well, the bike ride to school..is
getting easier.. I dont have to stop at the hill anymore and drag my bike up it. Still i often dont look
forward to the ride.. but when im on the way.. I dont know what I was moaning about, the ride is actually
very enjoyable.. and I make little markers in my head... which is..maybe..three quarters of the way...half
way.. nearly there... In the week days I get up about 20 past nine..but grab a cheeky ten minutes more..
So half past, and then I either walk.. or cycle into town.. setting little targets for myself, either to
photocopy some worksheets for school, buy a necklace, get some cream, I dont like to do it all in once,
plus it gives me a little target to occupy myself for the next day. Im kicking myself because I have a
rubbish selection of books, at home they seemed So appealing..yet here now, rather dull. School is
going very well, and I have given the yellow group writing books and pens.. and have started to set
them homework.. which weirdly they enjoy.. however some are So keen.. they just go off target and
start writing sentences after sentence, Il often mark these at night.. or in the morning.. which i really
enjoy also! and we have written their names on their books in some brightly coloured foam stickers
which was great fun.
8/3/2009
The weeks pass So quickly, and already another week has gone by, almost unnoticed! Mala and I have
started to take a shortcut to school! although first time I was nearly a gonner, we cross a tiny rickety
bridge which.. looks like its just created from yellow grass... and the river below at that sudden drop
doesnt look too inviting, especially when theres two of you on the 10 metre long bridge... along with
two hardly fragile bikes.. and a couple of bags.. il take my chances while I can.
Schools going swimmingly! apart from I had to converscate a bunch of pretty flowers from a few kids, as
it was distracting their concentration, i felt rather mean.. but they didn't seem to complain. I also left the
alphabet stickers at school one day.. only to return on thursday... and the whole school.. had decided to
wear the letters as Bindis on their foreheads.... wasnt what they were intended for.. but they looked
pretty good if its any consolation.
Ive turned into quite a bookworm this week, and have completed 2 books in five days! which im quite
proud of.. and I have been concentracting on the Ol' Sun-tan.. or lack of really, im working on it, in some
lights it looks pretty good, yet.. in the harsh sunlight.. I stick out like a pair of pants in a sock drawer.
Also this week! I have been putting great efforts into making a little scrap book! So far I have spent
approx 4 hours just on the front cover! and im extremely proud of my time-consuming efforts.
Mala took me to her house today, where her mother and sisters live, I quite enjoyed myself... I had my
hair brushed... given flowers.. and taken to the park for a stroll! lovely, and Im quite excited because i
got some really nice photos!
Au Revoir!
19/3/2009
This weekend, I had a change of scenery and went off to Kolkata for the weekend, The train ride was
interesting... the berths of the trains are quite cosy, one would say, especially if greedy people like to
sit crossed legged!!! and I didnt even get to read my book because there was so much going on,
people passing through.. begging.. selling cucombers... even lighters... and I had my first night out..
which was very exciting, Bishnus son was kind enough to take me out, even though I learnt he takes
everyone out...but still the same! I was glad of spending time with someone I could talk to, besides
myself... *not that I do that often* anyway.. i digress......
This week! Ive decided to liven up my routine! Im not getting very far with the Ol'Sun tan, its a hopeless
cause, but i still persist.. Its almost a form of torture actually.. sitting up on the roof..in that heat... with
no pool.. or sea.. actually, its more of a sauna.. and ive never really liked Saunas.. but I have decided to
kickstart the whole fitness routine, besides my cycling... which im getting use to.. Im going for little
night time jogs! I have done three on the trot this week!! I hate going...but.. when im running, I quite
enjoy it... (Britney Spears makes me run faster) and even though I come back like a drenched beetroot
.. its for the best... although, with no exageration, Im finding it painful to walk, I ran about a hour ago...
and I actually have a limp in my step.. (so.. I shall very much look forward to the morning)
Schools going nicely... I keep stealing the little kids for cuddles... a little boy was crying today because
he hurt his nose, so I picked him up.. and he nearly fell asleep on me, ahhhhhh, anyway.
laters aligators.
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