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Florian's Blog
- Saturday, 25th of August
We got up really early at 7 30 and met Bishnu to plant some trees for the children. Unfortunately it was to
hot so we could not help to plant the trees. So we went to a tea shop and had good Bengali breakfast and
some good tea. Afterwards Ben and I wanted to sleep but there was no electricity so we were not able to
sleep. In the afternoon we went to the market and I bought some souvenirs for my family and for my
friends. Then we had our dinner and went to bed.
- Sunday, 26th of August
We slept till 1 o clock and were relaxing the hole day. We met the teacher which Bishnu organized for the
Shantal women. She teaches them sewing so they can make their own bags and stuff and so they can get
some extra money because they really need it. In the afternoon we discovered Shantiniketan and Bolpur.
- Monday, 27th of August
Today we went to school and the elder girls gave us some beautiful flowers. I did my lesson but the
children were not so concentrated like always, but they are just children so sometimes they just want to
play. In the evening I was very exhausted and very tired because riding the bike to school and play football
is very exhausting but it is a good exercise for your body.
- Tuesday, 28th of August
I woke up with a huge stomach ache. I felt like vomiting and I was really tired. So I slept again till 12
o'clock. Then I went to Bishnu and he told me that I don't have to go to school if i am feeling very sick. So I
slept again and Bishnu was taking good care for me. I am sorry for Benjamin that he had to teach both
groups. He gave me warm tea and some medicine and in the evening I felt much better and I started to eat
a bit. Then I decided to stay at Bishnus appartement because he has an generator and there is always
electricity. I watched TV and on this Bengali music channel I saw the french guy we met on Friday singing a
song from Rabindrah Tagore. He must be really famous in India.
- Wednesday, 29th of August
After a good sleep I woke up at 9 o'clock. I felt really hungry and so I ate some good toasts. I felt way better
but a bit dizzy so I decided to stay at Bishnu's appartement and so I watched Television and relaxed the
whole day. In the evening Ben came over for dinner and he brought me a wrist band which he got from the
children. It's really nice. So at evening I didn't feel dizzy at all and so I slept at our appartement.
- Thursday, 30th of August
So after my disease I am finally cured. So today I was able to go to the school again and I was very
exciting to see the children again and to do my lesson. When I came to school they all were very happy to
see me again and I told them that I've been sick so I couldn't come the last two days. Today the children
were amazing they were really excited to learn so I did the time with them and some new bodyparts. Then
I let them draw some frogs, goats, butterflies.... . In the evening I phoned my dad because he had his
birthday and I couldn't be there to see him but he was really excited to hear from me.
- Friday, 31th of August
Everyday now is very sunny. Today we had some good Bengali breakfast at Bishnu's appartement. And so
we went to school and I played football with the children which is very exhausting for me because I begin to
sweat very easily. The children have an amazing endurance and they are so good at playing football. I
made a relaxed lesson and let them draw the sea, some fish, the sky ... . Then i was very suprised when I
explained them the time and they picked it up so good and were able to use it in the dialogues I prepare
for them. In the evening we went early to bed because we have to get up tomorrow at 4 o' clock because
we go by Bus to Bishnupur.
- Saturday, 1st of September
"Oh my god it's way to early to get up" this were my first thought when we woke up at 4 o'clock. The driver
came to pick us up and we were really looking forward to sleep in the bus. So when the bus drove we knew
we wouldn't sleep on this 5 hour journey because the bus jumps all the time on the road and the horn is so
loud. But it was a nice experience driving with the bus. So we met two Indian girls who were studying
english in Shantiniketan. We had a good conversation and after one hour the left the bus. So i plugged in
my Ipod and heard some good music and saw all the landscape and the sun was shining it was a beautiful
experience. Then suddenly the bus broke down with a huge bang. So we went out and they told us that
this bus can't drive anymore. Luckily another bus came and picked us up. Inside we met a beautiful and
nice Indian girl who brought us to the Tourist lodge in Bishnupur. We were so lucky when we saw our
room. It was huge, two fans one AC and an attached bathroom. So after one hour of relaxing somebody
knocked at our door. It was a guide which the tourist lodge organized to show us all the temples in
Bishnupur. So we went by Rickshaw and saw all the temples and went to a museum. It was a nice
afternoon. In the evening we went out and I got to Internet cafe. I was overwhelmed because the Internet
was faster than in Austria what was really suprising. So after good dinner we went to bed at 10 o' clock.
- Sunday, 2nd of September
We slept till 9 o'clock and checked out from the tourist lodge to have some breakfast. Luckily we met our
guide from yesterday and he showed us a place were we had huge Bengali breakfast. Afterwards there
was still time left and met the girl named Sampe how brought us yesterday to the tourist lodge. So we had
a nice conversation and got on the bus. This time bus journey was a bit annoying but I was able to sleep a
bit inside the bus. At 5 o' clock we arrived in Shantiniketan took a Rickhaw and then went for dinner. We
were so tired of riding with that bus. So we went to sleep.
- Monday, 3rd of September
Today the last week starts in Shantiniketan. I have really mixed feelings of leaving this place, because we
have to leave the children but I have never been so long and so far away from good old Austria and so I
miss my family and all of my friends. So today we did a revision of all the things i taught the children. Some
really know a lot but you have to bring everyone to the same niveau. So after school we went to the tea
shop and had some good tea had nice conversations.
- Tuesday, 4th of September
We had some breakfast and I went to the Internet cafe to get some refill for my cell phone. The shop
keeper told me that I am his best customer because I always want the refill. So after school we saw for the
first time monkeys in India. They were great. I mean they sat on the street just like humans. Then some
shopkeeper gave them some bread and they ate with their hands. They were so big it was really a great
experience to see those monkeys. When you come to India you see so many different animals all the time.
In the evening Ben and I made some pictures of the frog who was in our room and the lizards which are
everywhere.
- Wednesday, 5th of September
The Day started with heavy rainshowers. We went to school and I played with my group football as
everyday. After 20 minutes Bishnu came with two girls from Darjeling. They will now teach the children on
every Wednesday Hindi. The children will know then 4 languages the tribe language, Bengali, Hindi and
English.
- Thursday, 6th of September
Today we had some good Bengali breakfast afterwards we went to Andrea to say goodbye. Then we went
to school. It was raining cats and dogs and we pulled off our shirts that we don"t catch a cold. So we
weren't able to play on the field so I let the children draw and played Silent post.
- Friday, 7th of September
and it's very big so the next volunteers can be really happy to get it. Then we said goodbye to Bishnu
because he went to Kolkatta to pick up the new volunteers. So we went to school and played the last time.
After the lesson we distributed some sweets to the children and told them that this was our last day. The
elder girls of my group didn't want to look at me because then they would start to cry. It was very emotional
but on Monday there will be some new volunteers. I hope you liked my Blog, if there are any questions
about the volunteer work, be free to mail me. Namaste...
florian_hofer@inode.at
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