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Well day started off with a bit of a cough. I am either slightly allergic to something or I pick up very small coughs etc from the children. Got on school bus and sat next to a kid and gradually as bus journey wore on he seemed to get closer and closer to me. I had once moved up to let someone sit down but they stayed standing up so I moved back to original position. He was panting next to me. Lovely kid but not something I want first thing in the morning.
I went in the Baby Clinic this morning. There weren't many kids in so had a bit of a chat to staff and then listened to them speaking Bengali. Kids that were in seemed alot quieter than normal and not screaming their heads off as much. Then had a very long break. Too long to be honest I get a bit bored at break times so I sat outside for a bit then moved inside.
When volunteering in the school there was an assembly so helped wheel some kids in and then sat next to principal and the other volunteer. The principal explained what was going on. It was a past pupils birthday and to celebrate it the family were putting on an assembly to dance and sing for the children. The past pupil sat and watched while his sister danced and sang. She was a great dancer and also artist. For one dance she drew what she was dancing about in between dancing. His mum also danced one song and her and another family member did a couple of speeches. Then it was kids lunchtime which I find an awkward time as don't want to be in way and don't really know what I am doing. I ended up getting water bottles etc from peoples bags and removing some trays from the wheelchairs when they had finished eating.
I helped out again this afternoon with the nursery for disadvantaged children. Found it very hard today as theres a new teacher for group of kids and I think there are a couple of children who are showing bullying behaviour. Some kept teasing the other kids. However, difficult to tell when you can't tell children off in their own language or understand what they are saying. I don't think the teachers' english is as good as the other teacher. She doesn't explain what she is doing. A plastic bag also ended up going into the fan so that didn't sound too good. One kid returned from toilet carrying his pants so presume he had an accident. When he came back he also had another accident with a touch of diarrhoea. I've also had a kid pinching me this afternoon. I know she is a kid who is craving attention for her misbehavior so I just ignored her.
Then had the kid that yesterday I had helped overcome her fear of slide. She was curious today about me possibly cause of my white skin so kept touching me. She got hold of my long dress and was about to blow her nose on it. She was reaching up to touch me and I wasn't sure where. I definitely didn't want her going near my ears. I ended up letting my hair down so she could see that. She also went for my chin. She still kept fiddling with me and then luckily I had my shirt on over my dress as she decided to look down my shirt!
I am also going to have to do some sewing. When I discovered the mouse I think he was enjoying having a nibble of my dress as I have got a little hole in it! Don't think it is just natural wear as I only got the dress just before I came. It looks more like a nibble!
Going to go and have a shower when get back to homestay as feeling a bit dirty. The pavement is beginning to look good outside the internet cafe.
- comments
Sylvia Brookes oh dear what a time you are having and dealing with everything in a positive manner. We are back from belgium now and had a great time xxx
Suzanne Glad you had a great time in Belgium Sylvia. Another what a busy afternoon. This morning thought I might have missed bus but it was late too so I was ok. Last night I backed up my photos. Sorry they are still not on facebook or offexploring. Was uploading them to offexploring but was taking too long so uploaded to snapfish instead. There were some very cute babies today in the baby clinic. Played a little with them but mainly just observed. It was funny as one of the therapists had just been showing this little boy how to comb the hair on a scarecrow doll. This new baby came in and he went over to comb her hair. Then he tried to kiss her as he had been kissing scarecrow doll. Was very funny to watch. Then the two of them were watching this little electronic dog till the boy broke it. She then tried to comb his hair and was also clapping. She was also moving her tongue around her mouth. Then went into schools and didn't really do alot just watched and helped a very small bit during the lunchtime period by undoing trays, opening bags etc. Today I've also been seeing wing commander at the institute about getting bus to tourist office this afternoon to book a sight seeing bus for tomorrow. I've now got some Bengali words from the principal so that is good. I got the 259 bus to Farlie Place so I could then try and find the tourism centre. The bus was extremely crowded so for a long time couldn't sit down. Then when did it was over a gear-lever. I've had good practice of that from the land rover. Only thing was I think I was sitting over the engine too as it was hot to sit on and vibrated. When I arrived I then had to find the GPO (General Post Office) and then from there the tourist centre. It was a bit like looking for a needle in haystack. GPO was massive and nearly everyone knew where it was. It was just who to ask as needed someone whos English was good and who wasn't too involved in what they were doing. I left institute at 2:15 and eventually found the tourist office about 4:10. Kept being sent to different places in GPO and in end I think a street person who bagged up the mail directed me. His directions weren't very clear or I am not sure if he even knew how to get there so I didn't get there. I asked in HSBC bank, couriers office, GPO, already asked elsewhere to get to GPO. It was a matter of elimination really and exploring each street close to GPO that I ended up there. I've now booked a trip leaving at 8:15 tomorrow to go round the city sights but going to get a taxi to tourist centre tomorrow. On Sunday I think I am going to Ranu (Co-ordinators house) for dinner, going tenpin bowling and doing any tourist sites that I don't see on my tour.
Suzanne Oh a bird has also decided to poo on me this afternoon. Think its just in hair so looking forward to washing it.
christine collier Hi Suzanne chris again just realised i only seem to get time to write sundays!! weve just got back from 3 days in york staying with friends excellent hosts but they didnt order very good weather!! absolutely pickled down all the time we were there so curtailed our journeys out a bit. went into york centre sat evening saw vikings, grease lookalikes, virgins!! i dont think so! the stag and hen parties are notorious and great for people watching so passed the evening along very well, have kept up with your blog and you do seem to be more relaxed about things than you were at first,loved the kid trying to blow her nose on your dress, she probably had no sleeves!!! with regards to the bird poo its supposed to be lucky! i dont know who for either you or the bird. love keeping update with your gaunts still envy you especially as sat at computer listening to gale force winds and rain lashing on windows. keep well and keep safe will write soon (prob sunday!!) all our love and thinking of you chris & steve xx
Suzanne Ellis This is the link for seeing photographs. http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/snapfishuk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5431607006/a=94679499_94679499/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfishuk/. Sorry haven't had chance to do a blog update. Maybe tomorrow but doubt it as going to Birla Planetarium tomorrow after work.
iain and alice Hi Suz, Brilliant reading your blogs, you are having a very interesting time of it and are so adventurous. Iain and I are just back from Paris and had a good time, Hotel had good toilets etc etc and we were just round corner from Louis Vuitton bag shop which is where you probably got your new bag!!! We are going to see your Mum and Dad on 8th Sept. and it will be strange that you are not at home. We will give lazer a cuddle for you. Enjoy all your adventures and keep writing your journal for your book "Travels with Suzanne" Goodnight Suz Alice
Suzanne Hi Chris Thanks for message. Sorry I've took so much time to write back. Been busy sightseeing and volunteering last few days so haven't got on internet as much. When I have been on I've had to upload all my photographs. Glad you've had a good time in York. Shame about the weather. Yep I'm ok. Move on to Delhi Saturday which I am a bit nervous about as got to get used to a new city and new people again. Nope I'm not sure either. Well we've had monsoon here. First week it rained nearly all week. All my love too. Take care Suzanne xxx
Suzanne Sorry for lack of blog entries. Been very busy since Thursday sightseeing and volunteering. I'm not going to get a chance to do one today either as got to do a load of printing off computer for moving to Delhi. Today is another holiday here but think I'm going sightseeing again. Muslim holiday. Every week I've had a day off for a festival or celebration. May get a blog entry before I leave Kolkata but not sure.
Sylvia Brookes Hi Suz I read with great interest everythig that you are doing and getting up to. You are surely to be admired I think I would have run away by now but you are doing so well. Back to warrington now and how I do miss the family and Belgium. Still life here is good can't complain.It has been very dull here of late but tonight as usual 6pm the sun decides to come out. Zumba in the morning with new teacher who is very good then aqua on Friday. Keep up the good work hun really admire you. Take care love sylvia xx
Suzanne Hi Iain and Alice, Thank you very much for the money you sent me. I bought pyjamas with it which have been very useful and also put the rest of the money towards my Sunderban trip. Glad you had a good time in Paris. Sounds nice. I'm missing hot showers. Wish I could see you too. Will be strange for me not being there too. Yep please give laser a nice cuddle and it will be nice for my parents too you being there. Enjoy time with parents. Suzanne
Suzanne Hi Sylvia, Thanks for your message. The odd time I feel like doing that but am enjoying myself the majority of time. Bit hard travelling alone. Sorry to hear you are missing family and Belgium but glad life is good in Warrington. Yep typical want it in day not at night the sun. Busy with exercises. I must admit I will be so unfit when get back. Take care too. Love from Suzanne xxx