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Thu 29th January 2009

school in Kutch

Okay, second try.

Since our three day journey we have had a leisurely but eventful time here in Kutch. The major drama was over the day after we arrived when we set off early to a school in Nagor a village just outside Bhuj. The Rushy Mead school set up by the Rushy Mead foundation after the earthquake with funding from the Rushy Mead school, in Leicester where Tansy's dad worked gave us a very warm welcome. As it was just the children they showed us round and practiced their English on us until we could be met by a teacher who spoke very little English. Our Kutch/Gujarati extending to hello, thank you, what is your name and how much? we were directed to the heads office to wait until we were excellently hosted by the principle as she rushed round organising the earthquake anniversary/republic day ceremony. We were then lead out to sit pride of place next to the village head and even presented gifts which we later discovered were small statues of Genesh, so much for packing light.

The ceremony was a mix of performance and games that was much better than the dry speeches in a foreign language that I had been dreading. We got musical chairs by the infants, yoga and sack racing as well as some sort of wrestling tag in two teams, tug of war and a hopping race that involved picking up a banana in your mouth. There was also a play commemorating the Mumbai incident that at first interpretation thought it as saying kill all the terrorists families but was actually saying to think about the victims families not always talking of war.

After the ceremony, a sweet sugar coated pastry and some awkward sitting we were invited to eat thali at one of the trustees house. The sweet daal that seems staple of all Gujarati thali was very well received and we were well hosted although eating on our own was a little awkward. The food even included something which could have been called pudding although I think it was customary to eat it with the meal.

Back to Bhuj for a lye down!

Since then we have explored Bhuj and the sea side town of Mandvi with a boat ride across the estuary. We even got to go in the hall of mirrors in the Ania Mhal. We are heading out this evening to go over night to Ahmadabad to stay on a farm for a month.

by Ben - get rss

name Ben's Grandma

Great to hear of all your adventures. Looking forward to seeing some more of the lovely photos. You obviously had a lovely Christmas. Love and good wishes for the return journey. Grandma.

name Tansy's Gran!

What perfect timing! Did you know you would be there for the celebrations before you left home? I've just been listening to your interview on Radio Leicester, Tansy. Beth downloaded it on BBC ! player. Excellent! In Friday's Mercury Mel did a column about how the Nepalese can teach us a thing or 2 about "independence"! Have a lovely rest - (some hopes!) at the farm.

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