Day 2

Today all three of us took a cold shower and we went with Fiona to the fair and then to visit one of the orphanages. It is an all boys orphanage at Kaleyli just outside Bhuntar. We got to meet the family which was in charge and talked with them about when it suited them that we could come and what sorts of stuff we wanted to do with the boys, and what requests they had. On Sundays and every second Saturday we can come and teach the boys how to use the computer. The orphanage was donated one by some electronics company, it is quite fancy actually! During the weekdays we can do what we feel like as long as it is after 16.30. We were thinking of continuing the English teaching that’s been going on, have some activities and teach them some basic first aid skills.
After having tea with the family (Indian tea is really good by the way!), we played football with the boys. That was really fun, but after a while we realized we had to start a new game. Some of them lose interest because it is usually the same who has the ball. We played Dodge ball and that was a major hit. The boys were polite always calling us ma’am (but that was probably because they didn’t remember our names…), and including us in the game even though we were the ones arranging it. I am really looking forward to working there.
During the evening we were invited to eat with the family Fiona is staying with. They practically live next door, and it seems they always have contact with the volunteers who stay here. The family consisted of mother, father, oldest daughter who is 20 (Her name is Djoti, but I am unsure of how to spell it, as with all the girls), Neesha who is 18, Pretti (16), and Asta (3). All the girls, except Asta, are sewing ladies and they make the most beautiful saris, trousers and shirts. It was cool to eat Indian food made by an Indian family. We had chipati, vegetables, rice and some sort of sour cream. At first we were a bit sceptic at what to do as we were 1. sitting on the bed, 2. didn’t have a knife or a fork (but we did have a spoon in the bowl of sour cream) and 3. none of the others had their food. Apparently it is Indian tradition for the guests to eat firsts. But then Fiona joined us and we just copied her. You just use the chipati (bread) as your cutlery. And we could use the spoon as well. It was really good we got tea afterwards.
The Girls in the family loves playing card games, so we played for 1-2 hours and it was a lot of fun. They seem to be really close, and the family is such a lovely one. We came back around 22.30, so I read a bit in my book before going to bed. My Sister’s Keeper is really good and nice to read when one is in India so that not everything one does has something to do with India.