Hi all,

Sorry there's been no updates for a few weeks!! I've been super busy and i'm settling into Indian life very well. India is an incredible country, it's crazy but I love it!! Everyone at Sangam (the guide centre where i'm living) is lovely and i've made some great friends. I love taking rickshaws even though they can be quite scary, traveling is like a game of dogems and it's vital to have a good horn- everyone uses them all the time!!

Sangam is next to a mosque which is kinda cool but none of us are fans of the 6am call to pray!! the other 5 times a day is fine though sometimes the callers are better than others though!! Opposite us is an illegal slum so their houses are made from tents and tin. Just down the road is a legal slum so they have some government funding and basic water works e.t.c. The neighbourhood is really friendly and has a real community feel about it.

A belated happy new year to you all!! I spent mine at an Indian theme part which was super fun although i had just arived in Pune after 2 days travelling!!! anyhoo there was this huge rave and fireworks so we danced and partied with the locals it was really quite specail and a brilliant start to the year and my time in India. We also had mehandi and cultural performances!! It was a really great night!! :D

So the last two weeks i've been taking part in an event at Sangam. we learnt loads about indian culture and did lots of shopping and exploring. We have all brought saris and punjabi suits! :D One night we had dinner with a local indian family which was really fun. One of my highlights has to be a guide and scout ralley which we went to. There were 10,000 guides and scouts camping!!! It was just amazing, we had so much fun and met the organiser and he presented us with these super cool neckers. No badges though!! :P The next day we were walking through the streets of Pune and the kids from the camp- at least 2000 were on a parade- they were all dressed up and dancing. They not only recognised us (to be fair it wasn't difficult since there are no tourists in the area we live!) but invited us to join the front of the parade, we would have loved to but were going in the opposite direction.

Today we visited all the community partners, it's been really exciting and we start work tomorrow!! I can't wait to see what the next few weeks and months will bring, it will be very challanging but i'm really looking forward to it! Adri and I will be working alot in one of the creches with 0-3 year olds!!!! So any hints/tips on games or crafts would be much appreciated since most my experience is working with 10-14year olds but it's cool hopefully i will be helping to set up a health and hygiene project for most of the children in the centre which will be incredible!! The teachers and founders of the charitys are such amazing people, they are so inspiring as they work so hard and the kids just love them- i am excited to work with them more.

I'm sure you will be impressed that everyday I have been getting up at 7am for yoga!! It's early!! but we all really enjoy it and Kity the teacher is just fabulous! :)

We have done so many fantastic things i could sit and tell you about them all day, however tea is soon and i am going to try and put some pictures up. This might have been done earlier however the internet is touch and go and there have been some technical issues but all seems to be sorted now!!

Thank you for all the lovely messages- I love to hear from you.

All my love Charlotte xxx. :)