Ranchi

I’m finally here at last, didn’t take long only 18hrs on express train shaken up like a maraca on a bunk bed. Got to say Deepshikha the NGO I will be working for have made me very welcome and are very helpful in settling me in. My flat is lovely, lots of space, two rooms not using at mo, extra bedroom and Indian style toilet ? why when there is a perfectly good westernised one I will never understand, but that doors being kept locked. I have put some photos up hopefully shows my amazing bed sheets, I bought four different ones to brighten up the place and am getting curtains made.

Obviously might get some extra furniture as I go along but I’ve just been getting the essentials so far. I visited the school I will be working in on my first day, so met the kids, parents and all the staff as they were holding a fancy dress show to increase the children’s confidence and encourage families to take an active role in their child’s life. This might sound a simple thing but some families actually think having a disability lowers you in status some children don’t get fed as much as their brothers and sisters others have no active social life or role. So what Deepshikha are doing seems to really help, just need to do my part as well I hope. I also visited the outpatient clinic briefly today before I went shopping so many faces to remember but I can’t believe they are all volunteers, it’s great to see. Had my first ride on the back of a motorbike through crazy traffic plus offered no helmet, I looked at the drivers one and decided I was better off without. Thankfully I only get a pushbike but I am still nervous about the roads will just have to take my time.

Its 37 degrees and climbing now apparently can get up to 50 and I only have two fans I don’t know yet how I will cope. A friend I met today has invited me to hers when it gets hot she has a/c, she also said if it gets bad I can stay with her for awhile we’ll see. Had a night last night with the killer mosquitoes, tucked away under the net and watched them all die. I had to sweep them all up this morning. Today bought two plugs in repellents and a killer spray the one you leave the house for ½ hour after use and your eyes still sting but looking forward to a better night. Moths are also a problem here so before all my nice new linen gets chewed up I need to get some of grannies old moth balls. The scenery is my views from my apartment.

Got my first day on my own tomorrow so plan to venture out into town and see what’s available locally, start work officially on Monday but they will plan an induction for me they say. I think my Hindi will have to improve too but that’s a good thing. I know it sounds sad but after 4 weeks of eating out some particularly hot curries it was great to cook tonight on my own stove pasta and vegetables simple but nice. P.S I have added a photo of my first elephant, saw this walking up the road in Delhi near Lodi Gardens.