Tuesday June 5 Delhi to Doha

By 1.20 am we were on our way to the airport. Check-in was straight forward. We've had lots of practice, this was the eleventh of thirteen flights for this trip. We landed in Doha and checked into the plush accommodations. After breakfast at the hotel we ventured out into the city centre.

Qatar is perhaps the wealthiest country in the world on a GDP per capita ranking. That certainly showed with the impressive array of innovative architectural designs of the skyscrapers. We were dropped off at the huge city centre mall. The mall features many western outlets and an ice skating rink. About a quarter of the men wore the long white robes called thowbs with white guettras held in place with a burnoose. About a quarter of the women wore black abayas.

 In the evening we walked out into the old Souk (Souq Waqif). There were collections of various stores. One area specialized in kitchen ware, another perfumes, and another pets. After a delicious meal, we returned to the hotel to ready ourselves for the final flights home.

Monday, June 4, Delhi and Agra

Taj Mahal

Sarah, Nicki and Natalie

Les

Levitatin' Les

Today started with another 4:15am wake up call. This time we were on our way to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal. Our route took us from the impressive administrative centre of India in New Delhi along a major highway (NH2) through some poorer areas and litter strewn verges. Four hours later, we met up with our guide, Shubham Pandey (shubhboy.13@gmail.com) He gave us a thorough tour of the Taj Mahal and was particularly adept at taking trick photos.

After the tour we were led through some persistent young sellers of souvenirs to a restaurant and then to a workshop where they made inlaid plates and other earthenware using the precious stones. This was an extension of the architectural details of the Taj Mahal. The last place was a jeweller who showed us star of India and other types of sapphires and rubies.

Our return drive featured a dust storm, a fallen tree that taken down a power line, the India Gate, Parliament Buildings and a minor collision (no injuries).  Our last meal together in India was followed by an early night.  Another early morning alarm, this time 12:15am to get our 4:50 flight to Doha.

Saturday, June 2-Chitwan to Kathmandu Sunday, June 3-Kathmandu (Everest flight), Delhi

Confluence of the Narayani and Seti Rivers

Panorama Himalayas

Everest and Lhotse (right) taken from the cockpit of our Agni Airlines flight

The first part of our seven hour road journey took us along the spectacular river gorge that we had passed along on our way to Chitwan from Pokhara a couple of days previously. At Mugling our path took us towards Kathmandu along the Prithvi highway. Sadly, a fatal accident delayed us for nearly an hour. We finally arrived in Kathmandu at 2pm. We all met up again in the Thamel area to compare notes and share a rather expensive Thai meal.

An early morning Agni Airlines flight on Sunday took us alongside the Himalayas. We had magnificent views of Everest and many of the other higher peaks. The mountains in the early morning light above the clouds were a spectacular sight. We had a good view of the south face of Everest and Lhotse. There was even a distant view to the east of Kachenjanga. The pilot invited us each to the cockpit for better views. This is a Youtube video of another flight.

Friday, June 1, Sauraha, Chitwan National Park

One-horned Rhino

Les and elephant. Les is on the right.

Sarah and Michelle (from South Africa) having fun

Birds taken from the dugout canoe

Crocodile

Spotted Deer

Young elephant at the breeding centre

An early morning elephant ride took us through grassland and wetland habitat in hopes of seeing a one-horned rhino. It is an endangered species and there are only 503 of them in Chitwan,  so luck would have to be on our side. It was.  We came upon a family of three wallowing in a mud hole. Because we were on elephants, we were able to approach to within five metres of them.

Upon returning to our base, we came across elephants being washed in the river. Sarah volunteered to help. This consisted of getting on the elephants back while the mahout (driver) instructed the elephant to spray water back over its head on to the passengers. It’s hard to tell who had more fun, the elephant or the riders.  A couple of days earlier Nicki and Natalie had enjoyed the same experience. In fact almost all the sites that Sarah and Les visited, Nicki and Natalie had also seen.

Afternoon activities started with a dugout canoe ride. Our guide was an excellent ornithologist and naturalist. He pointed out several species included the roller bird, egret, grey headed fish hawk and several kingfishers. The highlight was three sightings of crocodiles that were basking or laying in wait for prey along the river banks. After getting out of the canoe, we walked into the Sel forest where we came upon other beautiful bird species including the Hoopoe.  We also came across a large herd of spotted deer that was quite spectacular. The last stop was the elephant breeding centre. There were quite a few young, including a pair of twins.

Thursday, May 31, Pokhara to Sauraha, Chitwan National Park

Annapurna Range

Last night’s rain did clear the air. From our hotel rooms, we could see the rising sunlight reflect off the snowy slopes of the Annapurna Range about 35 km away. These are beautiful and magnificent mountains.

Today’s drive was going to take us from Pokhara to Chitwan National Park. The drive was amazingly beautiful. For the most part, we followed a series of river gorges until we reached the lowlands near Chitwan. In the river valleys there were green rice paddies with women in red sarongs weeding and thinning the crops. In the slopes and gravel areas, corn is grown. There are some hydro-electric stations on some of the rivers.

The temperature was 36 degrees with high humidity when we arrived at the Royal Park Hotel. The evening’s program was a two hour elephant ride. Each elephant had a driver and four passengers. Four of us were squeezed into this crate like box atop the elephant with the driver perched behind the poor elephants head. We rode off into the jungle in hope of seeing a Bengal Tiger. While we didn’t see them, we did see some beautiful birds including a peacocks. There were several monkey sightings as well as numerous deer.  The sedate pace and  the tranquil setting made up for any disappointment at not seeing tigers.

Wednesday, May 30, Pokhara

Early morning boat ride in Pokhara

International Peace Pagoda, Pokhara

Terraced fields from the International Peace Pagoda

Devis Falls

Lake Phewa at dawn by rowboat was the first stop on today’s agenda. We were supposed to see the mountains as the sun rose. Unfortunately there was a heavy haze which restricted both views. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful and tranquil morning. A flock of egrets wheeled around a roosting spot on the far shore. Fish plopped onto the surface in search of flies. Increasingly paler ridges of foothills disappeared into the western sky. The sun finally made a tentative appearance behind heavy cloud. The expedition finished with a brief expedition to a Hindu temple on an island across from the boat moorings.

After breakfast, we drove up an incredibly windy, steep, precipitous and stony road to the International Peace Pagoda. As Sarah remarked, such is the path to peace.  The final few hundred feet were climbed up a series of steps. This is one of many such pagodas around the world. The stupa features four statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha: Birth, Enlightenment, Teaching at Sarnath, and Paranivana. 

We stopped briefly at a Tibetan Refugee Camp that was quite similar to the one we visited in Darjeeling. It featured beautiful hand-woven carpets. The last stop was the Devi’s Falls. Pokhara sits on soft cretaceous rock and is prone to sink-holes. A tributary of the Seti River has carved a dramatic gorge and waterfall through the rock in the southern part of town. The falls were named after a woman who died after falling into the torrent. 

In the evening, there was a dramatic thunderstorm which hopefully would clear the air so we could see the Himalaya high peaks tomorrow, our last day in Pokhara.

Tuesday, May 29 Kathmandu and Pokhara

Leaving Kathmandu for Pokhara

Powder Puff or Calliandra haematocephala in the Hotel Barahai gardens

We caught a short 35 minute flight to Pokhara via Yeti Airlines. There were glimpses of the Annapurna Range just before we landed but that’s all we saw of the high peaks today. After checking in at the beautiful Hotel Barahi we were taken to the International Mountain Museum where there were interesting displays of mountain life, expeditions, and natural history. There was also a Buddhist prayer room.

In the afternoon we walked through the tourist part of Pokhara called Lakeside. Pokhara is beautifully set in the Himalayan foothills alongside Lake Phewa It is the second largest city in Nepal and is booming, largely because of tourism.


When Nicki and Natalie visited Pokhara they also were  led on a grimy but interesting exploration of the bat caves.

Monday, May 28 Kathmandu and Bhaktapur

Temple Bells above the Golden Gate at Durbar Square, Bhaktapur

Wood carving detail Bhaktapur

Three areas are on our schedule today: the old city of Bhaktapur, the Hindu temple at Pashupatinath, and the Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath. All three are part of the Kathmandhu Valley UNESCO World Heritage site. Bhaktapur is a city of 80 000 people about 13 km outside of Kathmandu. We walked from the tourist parking lot through red brick built houses. There were strands of garlic hanging from the upper floors. Wheat was laid out on blankets for drying.

Durbar Square is a focal point for interesting architecture. The intricacy of the wood carving is astounding. There is a golden gate that is also fascinating. The king of Bhaktapur lived  on this complex. There is a bathing pool with two huge pillars with Shiva’s snakes adorning the top. There are many Vishnavite temples in the area, some with erotic carvings. These are designed to illustrate the mutual male and female energy of the gods that is a significant part of tantric worship. There is a pottery square where you can see people firing pots. There are numerous Thanka workshops and shops. Also impressive is Taumadi Square which has a tall five-tiered temple, Siddi Laxmi temple.

Shiva shrines at Pashupatinah

Our second stop was the Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath. There were cremation ghats with a few burnings going on. The river is much smaller than the Ganges. There were cattle in the river below the ghat. Among the series of shrines to shiva were some sadhus. Apparently there are imposters here who are looking to make money from pictures with tourists. We walked by the main temple but were not allowed to go inside. Along this path were a number of beggars who were suffering from Hansen Disease (Leprosy).

The third stop was the huge stupa at Boudhanath. This is the sight that is featured in films such as Little Buddha and calendars. It is a vast circular dome designed as a mandala from above. Surrounding the stupa a dozens of prayer wheels. There are a few very large ones. The area is lined with souvenir shops, Thangka studios and restaurants. We ate lunch in a rooftop restaurant overlooking the stupa.  By late afternoon we returned to the Hotel Shangrila.

Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27, 2012

The group at Varanasi said farewell to the Sahi River Guest House and made our way to the airport. Despite having the longest security clearance we had experienced, we left for Kathmandu without difficulty. As the plane approached Nepal, we were able to see the mountains above the ground haze. Les and Sarah checked into the Shangri-la Hotel while Natalie and Nicki stayed closer to Thamel at the Hotel Silver Home. They explored Thamel before meeting up with Les and Sarah for Vietnamese food for dinner near the Shangri-La.  Natalie and Nicki are going to the same places and Les and Sarah and perhaps a bit more. Unless otherwise stated the rest of the blog will be written from Les’ and Sarah’s perspectives, at least until we meet to update the blog.

Sarah was ill, running a 103 degree fever with stomach pains. Visits by the house doctor and a trip to the clinic on Sunday gave her the correct medications. She layed low on Sunday. Les walked around the area in the afternoon. Kathmandu is calmer and more organized than Kolkata and Varanasi, at least to western eyes. Most people wear western-style clothing, most of traffic rules are obeyed and there’s less noise.  

Friday May 25, Varanasi, Sarnath, (Delhi)

Mulagandhakuti Vihara, Sarnath 

Prayer flags

This morning’s destination is Sarnath, the site of the Buddha’s first sermon in the Deer Park after his enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Here he talked about the nature of existence, the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path.

The Mulagandhakuti Vihara has wonderful frescoes depicting the life of the Buddha. Nearby, there is a 1500 old stupa marking the believed site of the first sermon. We had intended to visit a Deer Park and archeological museum, however, both were closed today.

We were taken to the magnificent Kagyu Tibetan monastery. Boy monks were playing before lessons. The temple itself has a wonderful series of mandalas, including the Dhammachackra.

It was time for Jan, Jackie, and Michelle to head off for Delhi. Before heading home on Sunday, they would be visiting the Taj Mahal on Saturday. We hugged our farewells and then went on our separate ways.

In the evening Sarah, Natalie, Nicki and Les ventured towards old Varanasi. The heat, crowds and noise were intense. We beat a retreat to Broadway restaurant for dinner.  It was time for us to pack up at our hotel in preparation for our next step of our journey.

Thursday May 24, Varanasi

Heading down the Ganges at 5:00 am

Orange fire from the burning ghats reflecting in the water. Jan and Michelle

Nicki on the Ganges

Aarthi

We wake before dawn to be taken down the river in a row boat. The early morning Ganges is the epitome of serenity. We see early morning bathers as well as those doing their morning ablutions. There are dozens of ghats—sets of steps running down to the water’s edge. They are usually associated with a temple, crematorium or a fort. We leave from Assi Ghat, the southernmost ghat. We also see people washing their clothes by slapping them against rocks on the riverside. Yogins practice their various stretches and strengthening techniques. Many pray in and beside the water.

A few of the ghats are prepared for cremations. There are stacks of logs and brush ready to be placed along the river. Bodies are placed on the logs and then amid prayers and chants. Then they are set on fire. After the site is reduced to ashes, they are placed into the Ganges. Devout Hindus believe that if they die and ashes placed in the Ganges, their sins are literally washed away. The Ganges (locally called Ganga) is a god who purifies. There is a quite beautiful story about how the Ganges River came down to earth from heaven.

After breakfast, a guide takes us to some of Varanasi’s significant temples. We are first taken to the new Golden Temple (new Vishwanath temple) on the campus of Banares Hindu University (BHU), the largest university campus in Asia. The temple has several shrines but most of the space is open area used for people to pray, talk, study or rest. There are wonderful sayings on the wall from the Bhagavad Gita, other parts of the Mahabharata, Ramayana, the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and the Dhammapada.

Our next stop is  the Monkey Temple, more properly known as the Sankat Mochan temple. It is dedicated to Hanuman, the brave monkey-god hero of the Ramayana. Here you can pray before an image of Hanuman for to relieve your troubles. Upon entering the grounds, you pass through an avenue where dozens of monkeys frolic among the trees and fences of the compound.

The third temple is dedicated to the writer of the Hindi version of the Ramayana, Tulsi, who lived here while compiling this text. The entire text is inscribed on the walls of the temple.

The fourth temple is in old Varanasi; it is the old Golden Temple or Kashi Viswinath Temple, so called because of the vast amounts of gold on its dome. It is, perhaps, the most sacred of all the Varanesi temples. There is a tremendous crush of worshippers in narrow, alley-like streets. The security is tight because of conflict between extreme Hindus and Muslims. The crowds and demand for our passports defeat us. We settle for a close view of the dome from some steps in the alley.

The 44 degree temperature makes venturing out this afternoon difficult. Nevertheless, Sarah and Jan explore the ghats and some of the market areas away from the river. They encounter silk merchants, cows swimming in the Ganges, kids playing Ludo, and snake charmers.

In the evening we take to the river again. We accidentally row over a corpse in the river. The poor want a Ganges burial, but can’t afford the cremation fees at the ghats, so they place the dead in the river. Some other people such as the most holy and pregnant women are also placed into the river without cremation. We glide past the funeral pyres as dusk settles and dozens of bats zip around our heads. We moor alongside dozens of other boats to watch a worship ritual. Five men use bells, smoke and fire in a highly symbollic ritual called Ganga aarathi.

Varanasi, once called Kashi and then Benares, is one of the oldest cities in the world. Some Hindus believe that the city was founded by Shiva as a peaceful place for him to pray. Shiva’s dance at the end of time will take place here.

Wednesday, May 23 Delhi, Varanasi

Ganges at Asi Ghat, Varanasi

The area near the Delhi Hotel in Karol Bargh is a curious mix. It has a few hotels, hospitals, and car suplly shops. Our return tothe airport was much more straightforward than yesterday's adventure. The airport featured shops such as WH Smith, Marks and Spensers and the Body Shop.

As the plane descended into Varanasi, the pilot told us that the ground temperature was 44 degrees. At the terminal we negotiated our way through a flurry of porters and drivers to our cabs into the city. It was very hot, congested and dusty. As has been the pattern, our drivers found the hotel after a few false turns and requests for directions. The entrance to the Sahi River Guest House is not auspicious: you go along the ghat, turn up an alley, then through a side alley, up a couple of flights of stairs to the lobby of the hotel. The Sahi River View Guest House does indeed have a beautiful view of the Ganges. We ate at a pizzeria east of the hotel to make plans for the next day.

Tuesday, May 22 Siliguri, Bagdogra, Delhi

After breakfast, we gathered for our last group reflection. Jane was staying here in Siliguri and would meet up with Jan, Michelle and Jackie on Sunday morning for their last flight home. At the gathering we expressed our gratitude for the wonderful learning experiences and shared some ideas for future trips. Mr. Aloke, Jane and Sr. Sabrina accompanied us to the airport where we said our goodbyes.

Delhi airport is very impressive--as good as any most of us had seen. We found our way to the pre-paid taxis and negotiated our price (350 rupees or $7) for each of the two cabs. The trip to the Hotel Metro Heights in Karol Bargh was an adventure. The heat in Delhi (41 degrees) was very challenging. even with the windows open the cabs (no A/C) felt like blast furnaces. The cab driver for Nicki, Jackie and Les drove 200 metres the wrong way on a divided highway to get to a propane gas filling station. We were asked to leave the cab while he refueled. With visions of the driver escaping with our luggage, we maneuvered into a position where we could block his way. Fortunately, our suspicions were unfounded.

Both drivers had difficulty finding the hotel and had to stop for directions several times. Our rooms were comfortable with A/C and good showers. We ate a rather insipid meal in the hotel restaurant. 

Monday, May 21 Darjeeling, Mirick, Siliguri

Chowrasta, Darjeeling

Looking up the Balason River valley

This morning was our last time to shop and say our farewells in Darjeeling. There was a heavy police presence because of an anticipated political protest. It was the second anniversary of a murder that had political overtones. many of the people of Darjeeling area are looking for more political autonomy. The government of West Bengal, which administers this area south to Kolkata is dominated by Bengalis whose culture, language and concerns are different from the Nepalis who are in the majority here. The separatist movement is looking for a separate jurisdiction called Gorkhaland. There were speakers in the area close to the assassination, but there was no trouble that we heard of.

We left in the early afternoon south to the Mary Ward Centre in Siliguri. Our two jeeps crawled through the Darjeeling traffic to Ghoum and then southwest towards Mirick. The winding road fell gently through groves of magnificent evergreens and tea plantations. Our views were obscured by low cloud, fog and then rain.

As we approached Mirick, we passed alongside the Nepalese border. The road wound down through tea plantations as the rain intensified. Mirick has one of the areas few lakes and a pink hospital! We had a short stop for tea here.

The final part of the road was a steeper drop to the plains. The clouds had lifted, giving us views up the Balason River valley. Our route took us very close to Panighata and then east beside the park we had visited two weeks earlier. By the time we arrived at the Mary Ward Centre it was dark. Sr. Monica and Sr. Sabrina were there to welcome us.

The Mary Ward Resource Centre is a relatively new facility devoted to helping the needy in the area. They promote safe migration to thwart human traffickers. Young women are particularly prone. They or their families will succumb to false offers of employment as nannies or family domestic help only to be sold into prostitution in various parts of Asia. The Centre also helps tea garden families and others break the cycle of poverty. Education is a major tool in their work.

Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20, Darjeeling, Ghoum, Kurseong

Buddha in Ghoum temple

Michelle and Natalie hiking

Map showing the ridge south from Darjeeling to Ghoom to Kurseong

Mr. Aloke picked us up at Loreto at 9am to start our track. Les and Jane were not able to join us. Today's trek took us through woodlands, villages and tea gardens southward from Ghoum. It was cloudy but rainless. After a lunch stop, we continued south through the scenic countryside. The jeep picked us up and took us to a nice hotel in Kurseong where there was even TV in our rooms -- such luxury!

Sunday's hike was more strenuous as we walked over steeper ground under sunny skies. Some of us had sunburns by time we finished the trek. On our way home, we visited a Buddhist monastery in Ghoum. They had a giant, imposing statue of  Maitreya Buddha. The hollow insides are said to contain thousands of pieces of paper on which are written the Om Mane Padme Om mantra. By the time we arrived back at Loreto Convent, we were exhausted. Nevertheless, Nicki went up intoi town to meet up with her friend Beth who was also travelling India. The rest of us had a quiet dinner with the sisters.

Friday, May 18 Darjeeling

Loreto Senior students marching before school

A grateful student saying goodbye to Sarah

Rangoli/Aplana

Creative Salads

Jan made the expedition down the steep paths to the porters’ houses with one of the social workers affiliated with Loreto Convent. Because of congested, steep narrow roads, many of the goods in Darjeeling are transported manually by these porters. Many of these are Nepali refugees who live in woeful conditions in a camp at the bottom of town.

In the afternoon Jan, Jane and Les went to St. Michael’s for a farewell special assembly. It was an opportunity for us to meet the students and for the school to formally say goodbye to Sarah, Jackie and Natalie. Nicki had also come down from North Point to join in. There were two competitions that were being held, a Rangoli/Aplana display and a Salad making Competition. There was an explanatory flyer about Rangoli:

Art gives birth to beauty and beauty gives pleasure. Rangoli is an art form. It goes back to the Aryans who used it on auspicious occasions and during prayer ceremonies. Rangoli is also mentioned in the Puranas and Ramayana.

It is believed that Rangoli brings prosperity to people and keeps them safe from harm. The dots in Rangoli represent seeds, which is a symbol of growth.

As we bid adieu to spring season, the season of colours and the king of seasons, we take great pride in drawing these designs.

We were presented with Thangkas, a friendship bracelet and a bag of gifts (tea, pen & key chain, hayden Hall woven bag, and another Darjeeling bracelet) Jane officially opened the competition and lit an  8-wicked candle. We then inspected all the Rangoli/Aplana designs. These were Mandala-like creations made from coloured sand and rice. Students stood by their creation as we visitors and judges inspected the works. Also being presented were wonderfully displayed salads.

Traffic is a real problem here in Darjeeling. Narrow roads, landslides, increased cars contribute to terrible congestion. Jane and Les took a shuttle cab from North Point to Loreto, about 2 km distant. Jan walked and arrived well before the others. Les and Jane eventually gave up on the cab and walked the last few hundred metres. 

The taxi shuttles are cheap transportation. They usually crowd six passengers into the seats. These aren’t wide vehicles: they are about the width of a compact car. Of the four sitting in the backseat, at least one person is squatting or on the edge of a seat. Numb bums are the order of the day. On the downhill stretch toNorth point, the engine is switched off for most of the way to save petrol. On some of the other longer haul taxis, we have seen many ride on top of the vehicles.

The group was finally reunited at Loreto Convent around 5pm. A quick shopping spree in the market was in order before 7pm dinner. It was Sr. Teresa’s birthday and she was appropriately celebrated.

Thursday, May 17 Darjeeling

Students at assembly at Loreto school

Darjeeling Mosque. We hear the call to prayer at 4am every day

It was Les and Jane’s turn to be ill today. Jane was throwing up during the night while Les’ chest cold laid him low. Jan went to mass for the second anniversary of Fr. Burns’ death. In the afternoon she ventured down the hill where she encountered people carrying water in large containers down to the stream. Upstream, there was garbage and other refuse in the water. This water was undoubtedly contaminated. Water is in short supply here because of the inadequate infrastructure. Darjeeling is on a ridge and there is no natural reservoir. We are told that there is water mafia that controls much of the water supply here. Fortunately this year has had a fair amount of rain, so there is no drought. Nevertheless, poorer people must trek down the hill to fill up on contaminated water and lug it back up the hill.

The North Point group were all invited for a steep walk down to visit the homes of several St. Michael’s students who live on a near by tea plantation. As they followed the students to their homes they learned that many of them walk for over two hours each way to go to school.  The hospitality of the students and their families was overwhelming. The students were so excited to have Canadian visitors in their homes and introduce them to their families. The girls were welcomed into the homes of eight students, and shared many cups of tea and Coca-Cola, as well as biscuits. They were also given copious amounts of tea leaves from each of the families.. We made it back to North Point barely in time for dinner after a packed, incredibly rewarding afternoon. 

Wednesday May 16, Darjeeling

Plants at Lloyd Botanical Gardens

Porter carrying a load up towards the market

Nurses with traditional uniform and cap in the medical area

By Wednesday, Nicki and Natalie were well enough to return to teaching. Sarah, on the other hand, tried  but her attempt bended with her decorating the inside of the staff room trash can with the contents of her stomach. She retreated to North Point but managed to make it to Glenary's for dinner with the whole group.

As for the Loreto group, Jan returned to Hayden Hall, Jane did some administrative work, and Les explored Lloyd's Botanical Gardens. In the market, there are a number of Buddhist and Hindu artifacts for sale in the market. There are singing bowls, dorjes or vajras,  and bells (ghantas). There are also hand-painted thangkas which are mandalas painted on cloth.

Both groups joined for dinner at Glenary's but Sarah felt ill again and was taken back to Loreto by her dad.

Tuesday, May 15, Darjeeling

Loreto Convent and azaleas

Busy market in Darjeeling

Nicki and Natalie had a rough night, throwing up and feeling feverish. They didn’t make it to class on Tuesday. Michelle seems to be recovering nicely and Sarah and Jackie are still healthy.  Jane is just about over her cough but Les is still fighting some sort of bronchial problem. 

Jan went to Hayden Hall today work with the young students in a daycare program. Hayden Hall serves the destitute of Darjeeling. She helped with their lessons but conditions here are challenging. Some of the youngest are not toilet trained and don’t wear diapers, so it gets messy. They have a cloth pinned to their shirts or around their necks that serves as handkerchief and bib.

Les and Jane visited North Point to have lunch with Fr. Santy and meet Michelle, Nicki and Natalie. Later Jane, Les and Fr. Santy had a discussion about the opportunities and challenges of having our group stationed at North Point. Jane and Les then visited with Nicki, Natalie and Michelle in their quarters.

In the afternoon, Jane and Les visited with Jackie at St. Michael’s They are having a great time teaching in the school—the atmosphere is so welcoming. Sr. Edel Rai, the principal, invited us back for  a concert on Friday.