So my journey of a life time began on Tuesday 16th March 2010. After a direct long hall 9 hour flight, reached Delhi India. Jumped onto a bus for another 8 hour journey straight to Jaipur. On arrival met, Mr and Mrs Kunal of Jaipur Lal Kohti, who would become my host family for the next 3 days. They had an amazing big house, size of a mini mansion! Met the Idex gang - India Development Foreign Exchange. Rajeev Bhaya and Anand Bhaya are well cool!

Jaipur, the city of PINK, RAJPUTS, FORTS and RICH TEXTILES & GOLD. What a phenomenal place. However it is full of people sic- placed on the streets, begging or living on the roads, round - about's, parks, ANYWHERE where it is possible to lay their bodies to rest. They lay their lymph in the burning raise of the sun with no energy to do anything but gawp into a world of emptiness, a world with no future ambitions or hopes. I feel for these people especially the kids, they have no life no, they have no meaning to their lives, only that of poverty, ill treatment and begging to survive. Well, this is only one perspective of the people/lifestyle , and that's my perspective. At the same time I also see the people of India, Rajasthan as being very content, spiritual and happy with what very little they DO have. I am envious too, the people out here have absolutely nothing but yet they are kind, sweet and content. One day I hope that I too can be and feel like this.

There are many stray dogs and cows roaming around the streets and roads. I love the free spirited nature of the India and its people. The food here is amazing, loving it! - Gutted that I still haven't been able to find clean pani puri to eat!

So back to the trip I went to Amber Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan. A former Rajput Fort before it was taken over by The Mughal's - was an amazing fort to see! Educational, and great to finally get connected with my roots and ancestors (Rajputs). Next few days consisted of presentations about the poverty, women suppression, child labour, education literacy and economic rates of India, at the IDEX office. Got to explore Jaipur in my spare time, saw Pink City, Bila Ji Mandir (Temple) which was beautiful, and Ganesh Ji Mandir. Ran out of time and only got to see City Palace from the outside - looked grand! Fit for any king or Queen.

Sleeper Train - What an Experience!

Left Jaipur on Friday 19th March for a 16 hour train journey to go to the deep heart of the Thar Desert, Dabla Village, Jaislamer by Sleeper Train! This form of travel was an experience to say the least! I was in Seat 29 Coach B2 IN Second Class. My bunk was wedged in the middle of two other P2 Volunteers - one above me and the other below me. On this amazing journey we managed to see JERRY the Mouse and friends eating the roaches. It was quite a surreal to go from inner city Jaipur to a deserted Desert known as Golden City.

If this journey didn't give me a true insight in to the public transport of India. The next 20 mins journey to camp did. There were 46 vols including 5 team members from IDEX cramped into a small mini bus for about 25 people. Cramped sardines an a hot metal tin is the only way to describe this! Was funny at the same time as hot.

Camp

So we reached camp on Saturday 20th at midday, the sun was at its peak and the temperature must have been about 40 degrees. Boy did I burn and melt! Not really use to this intensity of the sun, trying to climatise. Feel more like a fish out of water at the moment. The camp manger and team are really nice. They are all super surprised that a British Asian/Indian can speak and understand the Hindi and Punjabi Language. I now feel as though I am representing and under pressure to perform well. Its quite funny they have all befriended me and I am now like a novelty to them (in a good way). I hope my Hindi will improve out here!:)

The camp is buzzing, everyone seems to be getting on with each other - guess we are all stll on the Honey Moon period phrase! We have been split up into a Girls wing and a Boys wing. I am in room G2 - with cool roomies. The boys got the wing with the fans init - NO FAIR! Our first night was hard, the heat in our room was thick and intense felt like being in a sauna.

Monday 22nd March, today we picked our projects. I got Jodha Public Gov School in the village of Jodha, where I will be teaching a mixed class of boys and girls from ages 6- 13 English and Maths, doing street plays and women empowerment too hopefully.

Went to the markets to buy some salwar kames, didn't find anything nice. May try again over the weekend.Also saw our schools yesterday. Just chilling out on camp today (24/3/10) national holiday here. May attempt to wash my clothes by hand, if I can be bothered and if there is enough water. Water is limited in the whole of the Rajasthan state and power cuts are the norm. Need to think about how I can utilize water for my washing without wasting it. Can not waist water like I do back in UK. Makes me feel really bad! Other than that all is well, having a blast and being exposed to amazing experiences.

Shall try to update next week and upload pics! - -Internet connection out here is terrible. Will try to update as often as I can. Please leave comments etc.

Namaste from now

Gita D