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.