Thursday May 10, 2012: Panighata, Darjeeling

Toy train

Kanchenjunga from the road into Darjeeling

St. Joseph's North Point

Nicki in the young boys dorm

With handshakes, hugs and waving hands we said our farewells to Sr. Salina, Sr. Loyola, Sr. Banisha, Lily and our cook, Bellandina. We had presented them with Maple Syrup, books donated by the Aldrovandi family, Les' 25 Questions series and various teaching and play items. Along with Sr. Sabrina, we drove north in two jeeps. The route took us into the Himalayan foothills through Castleton and then Kurseong in a series of hairpin bends. Because the clouds were low, our views were restricted. What we did see was spectacular -- terraced tea plantations, dense forest, fern-covered cliffs and white orchids growing on trees. We also passed a Tazo Tea plantation. Sr. Sabrina told us that there was increasing corporate takeovers of tea plantations. Tazo and Starbucks were among the most active.

We stopped for a break just above Kurseong. By now we were on Highway 55, the main Siliguri-Darjeeling Road. The tracks for the Toy Train follow the road all the way to Darjeeling. We weren't climbing as much now--our road gradually climbed up the side of a long ridge that led to Ghoom. Here we passed a large Buddhist monastery. One of the diesel engines for the Toy Train was in the station. As we drove into the outskirts of Darjeeling, we caught our first glimpse of Kanchenjunga. We were also treated to the original steam Toy Train puffing along the road, heading towards Ghoom.

Darjeeling is a large town that hangs on the side of a steep hill, that plunges over a 1000 metres. Houses are built on top of each other. Roads tend to contour around the ridge. Traffic is a nightmare for drivers and pedestrians. There are a series of well-respected schools here. Perhaps the most-respected is St. Joseph's North Point (see also their school website)where the younger women will be staying. We were greeted by Fr. Shanti. He is a new principal, recently succeeding Fr. Kinley. Fr. Kinley is a legendary figure who was at one time a member of the Bhutanese royal family. He converted to Christianity and later was told by Mother Teresa that he had a vocation to the priesthood. He joined the Jesuits and before too long, became Principal at his alma mater, North Point.

The North Point Group were given a tour of the school including the dorms. Our rooms here are on the lower area facing north. They are dug into a cliff, making things a bit damp. There is, however, a magnificent view of Kanchenjunga from the front. Nicki and Michelle are to teach here while Jackie, Sarah and Natalie will be at St. Michael's.

Jan, Jane and Les were driven to Loreto Convent. it was established in 1847 but it has numerous additions. Mother Teresa stayed here and taught in the Loreto schools in the 1940's and early 1950's before she received her call to work more directly with poor while on the Toy Train. Sr. Teresa welcomed us to Loreto. After being here for decades, she has been called to Rome to serve as secretary to the Loreto Sisters. We were also warmly welcomed by Sr. Geraldine, Principal of Loreto School and Sister Elizabeth, principal of St. Teresa's school. Sr. Catherine who will be celebrating 60 years as a Loreto Sister in a couple of weeks showed us to our rooms. We have rooms on the upper floor of the convent.

The North Point group had reunited with the rest of the group at Loreto Convent for a treat. The Loreto Convent school was putting on a performance of "Thank You for the Music", a school version of Mamma Mia. The dancing and the choir were particularly excellent.

We gathered for a debrief of our week at Panighata. Despite the challenges (heat, mosquitoes, confusion over teaching expectations, huge classes) it was also very rewarding. The group recommended that the experience recur in future years but it was also thought that twinning teachers would be more beneficial than dropping into different classes.

The North Point group was shown how to negotiate the taxi shuttle service that operates between the Loreto gates and North Point gates. It costs 60 rupees for the trip ($1.20)

At North Point, the younger children sang songs to the volunteers and talked with them in small groups. This bed-time routine was a delightful experience.