Last weekend in Delhi was surprisingly one of the nicest, for all the shops, markets, restaurants and peacefully lying on the ground in the central park in Connaught Place. The night we spend in trainee house, which was empty. My flight was at night and I took a rickshaw to the airport by myself with the  entire luggage and was a bit scared, as you never know what the drivers come up with having a foreigner aboard. Everything went well and I waited only couple of hours until the bus retrieved passengers and took us to the plane. The plane was only half-full, with no lively Indians walking around as it was when going there. Helsinki was coloured yellow, red and wet, and I thought I would remember this for a long time. I could not be happier seeing Finland in its autumn colours and fresh smell. The bus left from the airport towards Heinola and Jyväskylä. How tired I was, I slept on the bus which I haven't been able to do ever before.

Everybody at home was waiting for me and I had good chicken meal and slept 11 hours. Today we went to see my flat in Kortepohja E-building and it was clean and better than my last one. My computer is there and more staff will be delivered by Sunday.

I can't write my thoughts down yet but in couple of weeks they will surely be clear and I start realizing many things about the trip and working back there. Indian sweets are still in the fridge and whenever I feel like having a taste of India it is very close to experience that. Colours, fabrics, food, spices (smells...) I miss those already! My life from now on will be more spiced in many ways!

There is something in Manali that I cannot get enough. New trainees asked me to join them on their trip to Manali and after a slight hesitation –not because of the company but the uncomfortable bus ride – I decided to join them. There were girls from the Netherlands, Mendi and Janneke, German boys David and Martin and John from UK.

Accommodation was arranged by the same hotel as we had last time, though we were very happy to choose that, only breakfast let us down for waiting an hour, very hungry and tired we finally got food, one by one. Weather permitting us to take a long walk, we directed to other side of the town where the hot tubs are and some nice shops, not to forget World Peace Café with a stunning view. As I was supposed to know the way through Manali, we lost it somehow and walked some extra miles for to see where local low caste live. It was not like slums in cities but like in countryside farm; modest houses and shelters, animals living closely with people and people working outside. I guess it was the first time for the new trainees to witness poverty in India, as their expressions varied from amazed to desperate. People in small towns in Himalayas have an advantage over the people in big cities, where people are trapped and dependent on others contribution. Regardless of the poverty, people look happy and children play, dogs look quite healthy and life seem to be calm.

On Sunday, we walked around the town and ended up in old Manali, which we missed on last trip. For the atmosphere, it was relaxing, beautiful old town, where the streets were narrow and restaurants were outside. We ate at a restaurant where served very good Indian food and the prices were not bad. The toilets were unfortunately horrid but it is as a rule in India. Rarely do you find clean and non-smelly toilets.

Going back home to Finland is oncoming, sooner than I expected. So much have happened since new people have arrived and incidents in the house have heated up being tense among people. One Chinese girl had to leave, which rather was a relief for many of us. Not all the personalities get along despite the effort we make. Clashing with different characters was inevitable. Some people are searching for a better flat to live in, though it is difficult to find someone who would rent a flat for foreigners for couple of months. Turkish guy Saltuk and German Tobias are unhappy with the house and want to move out. Actually if I were to spend more than three months I would do the same, winter season is going to be very cold, and no heating is provided. It is very understandable for trying to find something better.

For the last weekend in Chandigarh I was thrown a party in our house. We went to eat out and after gathered our backyard to taste some liquor and snacks. Typically, there was a power cut and there we sat in completely darkness only one candle to lighten the room. AIESEC came to check and it was something worse which needed an electrician, but not until next day. So, it was hot and dark and I decided to go to sleep early. Sweating the night through and going to work next morning very tired was not my plan but everything can happen here. I have learned not to be upset because these things happen and you just need to get accustomed to them. 

Before I leave India we are going to Delhi for two days with Sally. I look forward to exploring the capital and its markets and spend my last salary on sweets, clothes and shoes. Happy! I arrive in Helsinki at 8 am if there are no delays.

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Matkakertomus

Haridwar ja Rishikesh ovat noin 6 h ajomatkan paassa Chandigarhista. Matkaan lahtivat uudet harkkarit John Englannista, Janneke Hollannista seka toiset hollantilaiset Marleen ja Joris seka mina. Uudet harkkarit olivat autuaan tietamattomia Intian hengellisesta elamasta ennen matkaa, heidan nahtyaan vain palan Chandigarhia siihen mennessa.Mutta tamakin asia tuli korjattua kertaheitolla, silla Haridwarissa ei voi olla osallistumatta seremonioihin.

Haridwar on pyha kaupunki, josta Ganges-joki saa alkunsa. Illalla hindut kokoontuivat joen rannalle yhteiseen seremoniaan, jossa he mm. laskivat kukkaseppeleen ja kunttilan joen vietavaksi. Paiva oli todella kuuma, aurinko porotti heltiamatta ja me joimmekin vetta litratolkulla hikoillen. Ylhaalla vuoren paalla sijaitsee temppeli jonne menimme hissilla ja joka on samanlainen kuin laskettelukeskuksissa. Nakoala kattaa koko kaupungin seka ylhaalta huipulta nakee mista joki alkaa ja minne se virtaa ohitettuaan kaupungin ja haviten horisonttiin. Jattilaispatsas vartioi jokea, jonka naimme paremmin menesamme bussilla Rishikeshiin. Ylhaalla temppelissa saimme merkin otsaan ja veimme pienen lahjan temppeliin. Vakea oli tietenkin paljon ja jono temppeliin ja pois kulki hitaasti. Kavelimme rappuset alas vuorelta ja laskeuduimme keskustaan aivan hotellimme viereen. Keskusta on melko pieni, yksi todella vilkas katu, joka on pitka ja taynna pikkukauppoja seka 'dhapoja'. Loysimme tasokkaan ravintolan, jossa soimme kahdesti. 'Dhapat' ovat nimittain hygienialtaan heikompia vaikkakin halvempia, joten aika harvoin tulee niissa syotya. Kaupunki  on, kuten voitte arvata, likainen ja haju on paikoitellen kamala, osittain avoimien jatevesiputkien ansiosta.

Nukuttuamme  hyvin yon lahdimme aamulla Rishikeshiin, joka on Haridwarin kupeessa, pieni,kaunis kaupunki. Se onkin aivan erilainen kuin Haridwar, ei halinaa eika uskonnollisia menoja, jotka aina keraavat ihmisia paljon samaan paikkaan. Kaupungista nakee ensimmaisia Himalajan vuoria ja joen yli on rakennettu riippusilta, josta myos moottoripyorat kulkivat. Joen molemmin puolin kulkee kavelytie, josta on kauniit maisemat vuorille. Soimme aamupalan German bakeryssa, aivan riippusillan kupeessa ja kuljeskelimme kaupunkia ristiin rastiin. Ennen lahtoamme menimme rickshaw kyydilla ylakaupungille jossa on hotelli seka ravintola, jossa taytimme mahamme. Iltapaivalla suutasimme taas kohti Haridwaria ja otimme bussin kohti Chandigarhia. Saavuimme kotiin aikaisin ennen kymmenta. Matkalla sattui hauska juttu pysahdyttyamme huoltoasemalle. Siella vessat olivat tietenkin likaiset ja haisevat, joten paatimme tyttoporukalla lahtea hoitamaan asiamme puskien taakse. No, pimea kun oli en nahnyt mihin astun ja huomasinkin uppoavani liejuun polviani myoten. Heh, naurettiin aika lailla ja vaihdoin sitten housut nopeasti ja kuivasin pyyhkeeseen jalkani. Onneksi se oli vain mutaa, eika mitaan haisevampaa:)

Valitettavasti  Haridwar ja Rishikesh kuvat deletoin vahingossa kamerastani, ennen niiden kopiointia. Tyhma paa...:)

The bus to Manali travels for hours on end, from 23 to 9. We had a sleeper bus with double beds, I and Marlene and boys, Joris, Torben and Steven. It came obvious that we were ripped off as we paid much more for the tickets than other trainees week earlier. That was annoying. So, we reached Manali at 9 in the morning with a little sleep in a bumpy bus ride but what saved the weekend was the clear weather. It was not raining at all although it was predicted bad weather in the forecast for that weekend. There was a roadblock to Manali on that week and due to that, we hesitated  travelling there.

Straight away, we booked hotel rooms in old Manali, which were cheaper than ever (rs.100/person) and had breakfast at the same place. It is off-season in Himalayas as it is monsoon, raining a lot so there were only few tourists around and hotels were almost empty. 

After compulsory shopping tour, we visited two temples, one with a nice hot spring where men bathe, and where Torben had to go also. We watched them trying to swim in the very hot water. Other temple was the other side of the town where we took a rickshaw. The place was very beautiful with spacious yards and locals selling souvenirs. There was all kind of attractions for tourists e.g. white angora rabbits to hold in your arms and riding a Jak. It cost a little but was worth it definitely.

On Sunday, we had a jeep ride to the mountain road, which goes to Leh. Leh-Manali highway crosses some of the highest mountains passes in the world, including Rohtand La, and it is only open between June and mid-September when the snow is cleared from the road. We stopped 4000m high, where air was so thin that it makes you dizzy. The high altitudes and oxygen-rarefied air make travels experience mountain sickness. The road is according the information I got, the second highest motorable road in the world.

Up there we wore all clothes we had and it was freezing cold. Leh is a small town north from Manali. Leh would be worth visiting but because of my lack of time and less effort going there I must skip it, unfortunately. However, it is said to be the most beautiful town in Himalayas, the route there is the hardest for road to be narrow, and condition is bad. We were stuck on that road to Rohtang La and waited an hour because of mudslide blocked the road after the rain and thus big trucks going to Leh with heavy loads of stuff were not able to go through it. Passing by cars on narrow rocky road was scary as we were very high up in the mountains. The view was amazing and we had a chance to see very beautiful landscapes after the clouds vanished for a while. Luckily, it wasn't raining because then the view would have been misty without even a glimpse of the mountains.

At the end, we had dinner in Chinese restaurant and headed to the bus station. It was a great trip and slept too little. I bought some clothes, a bag and shawls, as they were cheaper than in Chandigarh. In addition, we had a very tasteful experience in one of the rastaurants, which had very good food served beautifully, and with good customer service. Prices were around rs.200-300 (4-5e) which is expensive in Indian standards. The best thing what happened was when we wanted to taste dessert before ordering any, we had a slice of it to taste which was enough for everyone to have a share. Still, we ordered more dessert as the food was delicious. We showed our gratitude when leaving and complimented on the food.

After Manali there were days off since no children had to go to school, it was brothers' day. I had time to recharge my batteries (sleep), do some laundry and recover from the weekend.

Valokuvia

Aika on mennyt nopeasti, joko matkustellessa viikonloppuisin tai toissa. Intia on maana hyvin erilainen, eika siihen voi oikeastaan varautua. Jotenkin siita alkaa vaan pitamaan, kaikista asioista ei tosin voi pitaa mutta voi elaa niiden kanssa. En enaa paivittain pohdi Intiassa esiintyvia ongelmia vaan yritan olla positiivinen ja loytaa hyvia asioita. Monta kertaa ole ajatellut istuessani koulubussissa lasten seassa, etta tama on hullun hommaa, kuitenkin lapset on niin viattomia, etta huomaan hymyilevani. Olen taalla vain lyhyen ajanjakson, josta taytyy ottaa kaikki irti, vaikka se olisikin hullun hommaa.

Koulussa pidin Suomi-projektin, jonka jalkeen olen tuuraillut opettajia, joskus koko paivan joskus on paivia jolloin istun vaan koneella. Suomi-projektin toteutin vanhimpien oppilaiden (5lk.) kanssa. Nuorimmat lapset joita olen opettanut ovat olleet 6v, ja heidan kanssaan harjoitellaan tavujen lukemista ja kirjoittamista. Aika hauskaa ja mielenkiintoista, vaikka en aina ymmarra mita lapset puhuvat, koska nuorempien lasten englanti on viela kovin huonoa. He tosin ymmartavat kaiken mita sanon, jos vaan haluavat totella:) Seuraava projektini tulee olemaan kompostoinnin ja kierratyksen opettamista, koska Intiassa niita ei harrasteta ollenkaan. Tarkoituksena on rakentaa kompostointikuoppa koulun takapihlle ja kompostoida koulun ruuantahteet ym. lehdet ja havainnoida hajoamisen nopeutta. Luokassa suoritettavat tehtavat kuuluvat tietenkin opintosuunnitelmaan. Tarkoituksena on vahentaa jatetta kaatopaikoilla seka lisata tietoisuutta jateongelmista. Koulussa siis asiat melko kohdallaan, mita nyt informaatio ei aina kulje. En tiennyt etta heilla on 2 pv vapaa keskella viikkoa itsenaisyyden kunniaksi mutta huomasin se kun koulubussi ei tullut. Etta nain.:)

Meidan kampassa on talla hetkella alakerrassa 6 ihmista ja ylakerrassa samoin, jaamme keittion ja olkkarin. Kiinalaisia on melkein puolet. Alakerrassa on kiinalainen Anna, joka on mun kamppis, Ghanasta Sally, Steven Hollannista, ja kiinalaiset tytot pikkuhuoneessa. Ylakerrassa Jan Saksasta, Halina Puolasta, Torben Saksasta, ja Mayor Nigeriasta, ja kaksi kiinalaista poikaa. Toisella sektorilla asuu monta kiinalsista tyttoa seka hollantilainen Joris. Ympari Chandigarhia asuu joukko harkkareita ja he ovat majoittuneet tyonantajan tarjoamiin asuntoihin, jotka ovat laadukkaampia kuin aiesecin tarjoamat kampat. Meidan kamppa on siis huono ja parannusta ei ole kuulemma luvassa. Siis oikea selviytymisleiri Intiassa mutta kokemushan se tamakin.

Olemme matkustelleet vaihtelevalla porukalla, jarjestaneet bileita, kayneet elokuvissa katsomassa uusimman Harry Potterin (eng.), pelanneet golfia, kayneet vesi- ja huvipuistossa (josta voisin kirjoittaa enemmankin...) ja kukin meista on ollut kipeana, vatsatautia ja/tai kuumetta. Elama on tosiaan varikasta Intiassa, kaikkea voi tapahtua.

Kun Jaspreet lahti sain hanen pyoransa ja olen ajellut ympari Chandigarhia lahinna viereisilla sektoreilla, hullusta liikenteesta huolimatta. Se on pelottavaa mutta mahdollista selvitya hengissa. Melu on kamala ja se lika mika liikenteesta lahtee. Jos Intialaiset keskittyisivat ajamiseen eika torven huudattamiseen tai nopeisiin kaannoksin, se voisi olla jopa miellyttavaa ja turvallista. Niin ja kun suojateita ei juurikaan ole eika jalkakaytavia, pyorailijat ja jalankulkijat ovat ahtaalla ja liikenteen armoilla. Kavin eilen parturissa leikkauttamassa hiukseni ja se maksoi n. 2,5e. Tulos on hieman erikoinen mutta lyhyemmat hiukset sain kuitenkin ja sehan oli tarkoitus. Hiukset kasvaa, ettei huolta:)

Tosiaan harjoitteluni on jo puolivalissa ja aika kay lyhyeen. Osa ihmisista on jo lahtenyt kotiin ja uusia tulee koko ajan. Intiassa on tosiaa paljon harkkareita ja edustus on monipuolista, Jos vaan saan asiat jarjestettya, jaan harjoitteluni lopuksi pariksi viikoksi matkustelemaan. Lokakuussa olisikin ihanteelista matkustella Goan ja Keralan alueella seka Mumbai olisi nahtava ehdottomasti. Jos asiat menee kuitenkin liian hankalaksi, saavun Suomeen sovittuna paivava, eli 1.10.

On Friday, we decided to travel to Shimla, which is quite close to Chandigarh to the north. The decision about travelling was made in an hour and had not planned anything beforehand. We aimed to visit Agra but there seemed only few people interested in going there and frankly, I was not very keen on spending a weekend in a crowded place as last weekend in Amritsar had pushed to my limits. Bus to Shimla takes normally 4 hrs but we faced up difficulties and delayed 2 hrs because of traffic jams. Sitting in a hot, crowded bus was not pleasant, though I had the best seat behind the driver by a window.

On the way, we called many hotels to ask a spare room but as we were arriving very late at night, hotels were not ready for accommodating us. Finally, we got one, which was more expensive but it had to do at that point. Due to that we learned to bring India lonely planet -book always with us, the other travelling books had misleading information and some of the phone numbers were not valid.

Next morning we woke up at 10, took a shower and headed to the shopping mall in Shimla for breakfast. Torben, Stephen and I had more company coming later as Marleen and Joris joined us on the Saturday evening. During the first day, the three of us visited Jashu Temple up in the hills climbing for 40 minutes. The temple itself was not amazing but the view was worth seeing and herd of monkeys. Actually, there were signs to beware of monkeys and we witnessed monkeys' aggressive behaviour towards us, since they don't like photographing or staring in the eyes. We landed down safely from the slippery steps after rain and the lovely atmosphere and small shops of the town fascinated us. We were lucky to visit Shimla a time of sale everything was cheaper. We were tempted by the restaurant where we were in the morning and went there eat again. I must say I have never tasted as good Indian food as I did there it was delicious. We ordered deluxe thali with different breads and chai, of course. I enjoyed every mouthful and Torben said I looked extremely happy while eating.:) So, I draw the conclusion that Indian food in Chandigarh had been only average compared to real, well done food. The food doesn't have to be hot, but it can be spicy. It is often impossibly hot and salty to eat and that has no purpose concerning the taste. On the contrary, when successfully mixing the spices, the food gets its incredible flavour and melts in your mouth. The restaurant is recommended in Lonely Planet though, and by me :)

On Sunday it was raining all day, nevertheless, we started walking to the museum but I gave up and turned back as my umbrella could not hold pouring rain anymore. I was very wet when reaching YMCA again. The others continued the sightseeing tour. In Shimla there are no rickshaws and it would be impossible to drive on the narrow hill roads. What a great trip, the Himalayas have captured me totally and are going to fascinate even more when visiting Manali in two weeks.

Photos of Amritsar in Facebook

Last weekend we spent two days in Amritsar visiting the beautiful Golden Temple and shopping the crowded and noisy streets of the city. The bus was full of people where we sat close to each other, sweating and trying to manage the five-hour journey. It was uncomfortable I must say. A man beside me groped me and I was upset and angry because of that. Well, in Amritsar people are not that used to white people than in Chandigarh and I was expecting that to happen eventually.

Soon as we got there, we visited the Golden Temple. You have to cover your head and take off shoes to enter the area. Temple is very clean, which is striking compared to the city. It was very pleasant to see the fish swimming in the lake that surrounds the Temple. Men were bathing and just sitting peacefully, inside the Temple we joined a couple of ceremonies where people played music or prayed in silence. I was very popular among people as many wanted to get a picture with me, later on I was tired of  photographing and refused any more photos. However, people were very friendly and willing to talk to us all the time.

The night we spend in the Temple's dormitory, which had free accommodation and food. Though it was very crowded people sleeping on the ground, queuing to the food and toilets smelt awful. Our intension was to experience how all the pilgrims coming to worship stayed there and lived. We got one room with three beds for five, one fan in the ceiling and a lot of noise. Unluckily we could not find showers for women, so washing face had to do. None of us slept that night.

Next day we did some shopping, as there were many nice shoe shops, had something to eat and three of us left home in the afternoon because of the heat and lack of sleep. I left as well. We visited before leaving a garden that reminded of the time of British colony in India and the battle against the exploitation.

Pictures in facebook

So, we went to camel safari in Rajasthan, town called Bikaner, which is desert, dry and windy all year around. The nights are little cooler but still not enough. We booked a whole package of camel safari including foods, jeeps, accommodation for a couple of hours rest with showers. It cost 40e per person for the whole weekend. The journey took 11 hrs by train, so two nights to there and back we slept in the train. There were beds in the train in three layers; you had to climb to the top and middle beds, which were closer to the fan. Unfortunately, I got flu from the fan and all the open windows, therefore during the journey I was feeling unwell most of the time and had painkillers and tissues, as my nose kept running.

The lodges were very nice, a\c, showers, where we changed clothes and they offered Indian food of course. A jeep took us to the desert and the camels were waiting for us. I got a big male camel wearing a necklace on him. He was cute and very interested in the next camel beside him, which appeared to be a female camel. We rode camels a couple of hours until our legs were sore. It was not direct sunlight though, which was comfortable at that part.

In the desert, we waited for the workers to prepare our dinner and sure, we were hungry. We had time to play Frisbee and lay in the sun. We had 8 boxes water with us, and it was needed! I could not drink enough warm water and luckily, we got some tee, chai, which tastes very good, sweet, spicy milk tee. I love it!

The night was the most uncomfortable I had ever had in my life. We had two tents but they were too hot to sleep in, outside the wind flew the sand in to your ears, eyes and under clothes. We decided with Anna to lay the blankets between two tents, which was actually the best place to sleep, as the tents were barriers against the sandy wind. Though none of us slept well that night, the stars looked amazing in the desert at night.

Next morning we woke up at six, had some breakfast and I was not able to ride a camel again as my flu got worse. I lay in the carriage with a girl who had been sick during the whole trip and one Indian who had had enough camels for the rest of his life. As we got back to the lodge, we were dirty, sweat, all over sand and legs felt like spaghetti. We had a meal and a shower and all of us slept until the rickshaw horned in front of the lodge to get us to the train station.

There was some time for shopping in Bikaner and we went to restaurant for a snack and ice cream. There were many tourists there but still I was stared from the locals. It got even worse in the train when I tried to sleep. I tried to hide behind my shawls to them leave me alone. On the upper bed, I was safe from the indians but as we got back to Chandigarh I chose the lower bed and had to face up Indians. There was sold some indian food in the train, which was quite good and cheap. Back to Chandigarh it was raining and after a debate with a rickshaw driver we got one, one auto rickshaw there were 9 people in it. I had to sit next to the driver and it was raining inside of course. I felt sick as ever!

At home we slept a while, people left for work, I called my boss that I was sick and stayed happily in my bed. Anna left me her laptop, from which I stared the episodes of Friends all day. So nice.

So, now I have seen the desert in India and frankly would not do it again. I am looking forward to other trips coming, however the most important thing is my work, as that is the reason I am here. Sometimes people tend to forget that while travelling and having parties.

Pictures from the trip are still in my camera and I cannot get them transferred to the computer. "This is India", the saying we use all the time when things are not going smoothly :)

Menimme viime viikonloppuna Dharamsalaan, joka sijaitsee himalajan vuoristossa kuuden tunnin ajomatkan paasta Chadigarhista. Vuokrasimme harkkareiden (12) kesken kaksi jeeppia kuskeineen seka talon, jossa oli nelja makuuhuonetta ja keittio seka parveke. Saavuimme yolla Dharamsalaan ja aamun valjetessa eteemme aukeni ihanat vuoret ja raikas vuoristoilma. Saa oli todella kaunis, viileampi ja helpompi hengittaa. Nukuin kuin tukki koko yon, vaikka meita oli samassa sangyssa nelja ihmista.

Kamerastani yllattaen akku tyhjeni, joten kuvat ovat Annan ottamia.

Lauantai aamuna lahdimme vaeltamaan vuorille paamaarana vesiputous, jonne kestaa kavellen noin kaksi tuntia. Aluksi tie oli hyva, vuoristoon paastyamme polku kapeni kiviseksi ja liukkaaksi. Matkan teko ei ollut kovin nopeaa ja valilla jopa istuen etenimme kivisella polulla. Viimeinen pudotus alas laaksoon vesiputouksille oli vaikein ja laskeuduimme persuuksillamme ottaen tukea puista ja oksista. Paasimmekin vilvoittelemaan pitouksen jaakylmaan veteen ja ottamaan aurinkoa kallioilla. Siella olikin muita turisteja ja munkkeja loikoilemassa.

Iltapaivalla menimme Drahamsalaan tankkaamaan vatsamme ja katsomaan Dalai Laman asumusta. Munkit kasasivat silla hetkella kaikenlaisesta ruuasta poytaa, jossa oli leipaa ja hedelmia ja tarkoituksena rakentaa varmaan jonkinlainen ruokapyramidi. Hyvin kiehtovaa ja ihmisia oli paikalla tungokseen asti. Kiertelimme kaupoissa ostoksilla, loysin huivin ja paidan seka herkuttelimme suklaa kakulla. Jalkoja kototti jo aika paljon neljan tunnin patikoimisen jalkeen ja shoppaillessa.

Munkkeja kokoamassa ruokapyramidia.

Kuva meista, Anna, mina, Steven ja Jaspreet

Korukaupassa uusi huivi harteilla. Hopea oli kiinnostavinta mutta en talla kertaa ostanut mitaan, vaikka myyja oli erittain taitava myymaan.

Orpo lehman poikanen talomme edustalla (siis vasikka). Suloinen otus, jota me paijattiin mennen tullen.Yleensakin elaimet olivat hyvakuntoisia Drahamsalassa, ei iho-ongelmia ja jotkut olivat jopa lihavia. Joillakin koirista oli panta kaulassa, joten ne olivat kotikoiria. Elaimet ja ihmiset nayttivat voivan siella hyvin ja se onkin varmaan todella hyva paikka asua. Dharamsala on hyvin kaunis ja puhdas paikka. Huvittelinkin ajatuksella, etta jos loytaisin harjoittelupaikan seilta, voisin jaada sinne asumaan.

Mina, Steven ja Anna Dalai Lamaa moikaamassa:)

Jeeppi lahti takaisin iltapaivalla neljan aikaan ja kavimme syomassa sita ennen Dharamsalassa, viimeisen kerran. Reitti oli eri kuin mita olimme tulleet ja emme nahneet juuri ollenkaan vuoristoa. Pysahdyimme eraalle "huoltopaikalle", jossa oli kamala vessa, haju oli aika hirvea ja puhtauskin sita itseaan. Taytyihan siita kuva ottaa, ja kylla, vessa oli meidan kaytossa.

I feel sometimes even happy, just doing laundry or cleaning. That is weird but it is easier when you're occupied with chores not thinking too much. I could easily say that I hate this country and its people and I couldn't take a minute of it anymore. Still I find some joy in misery, aching, hunger, thirsty and heat which is even more overwhelming in time of monsoon. I am not feeling too well; my body is fighting against the harsh environment by having nausea, headache and lack of appetite. However, I am not worried about my health because it is manageable to stay alive here and there are always good hospitals around you if needed.

At the first day at work almost fainted because of the heat while walking home from the bus stop. I was drawn a map of the route but coming backwards I somehow lost the way and could not know where I was. The sectors close to as where we live are quite posh in Indian terms, so I thought I am in the right way. Shit, I was going totally to the wrong direction and wandered until the main road between sectors showed up and I finally gave in with sweating and aching feet. I took a rickshaw, which took me home. Not until on the corner of our house, I realized I really am home. All the houses, roads and roundabouts look the same to me. I cannot read a map that is nothing new, so I will never voluntarily travel alone.

The school is very nice and air-conditioned, clean with toilet paper in the toilets. Children are very young starting from foundation year 1 to key stage 5. Youngest are age of 2,5 to the oldest 9 years old. The British School is adding one class every year as the school was built here in Mohali only last year. There are other British Schools in India though; two of them are now near Chandigarh. I am taking a schoolbus with children to the school. The journey takes an hour collecting children from their homes. Children are mainly boys and the youngest ones have to be carried to the bus where they usually fall asleep again. They look adorable!

We are planning to travel to Dharamsala next weekend with a group of ten trainees. We will rent a jeep and a driver and hotel rooms, it will cost approx. 40e per person, which is not much for a weekend off. The journey takes 5 hours by car and by bus, it's up to 10 hrs. I am so excited. They say it is a very beautiful place located between mountains with an astonishing view. Link to Dharamsala site: www.123himachal.com