Final Night in India

Well, final night.  11:07 pm local time.  Today has again been packed, mostly at the last minute.   It was intended to be a free day for sightseeing and last minute spending, not likely when you put Asha and India in the timetable!   This morning we were asked to present a Computer to one if the College Students (funded by the monies raised), great privlege, preceded by a visit to Ektar Vihar Slum to be welcomed.  All went well, particularly as the Police Commissioner also sent three armed policemen to ensure it did!  Julie met up with Reena, who was delighted to see all of us.

Lunch time brought an invitation from Freddy for Dick, Julie, Sue and I to attend a Reception in the evening at the New Zealand High Commisson, along with Kiran and two College Students.  The High Commissioner had arranged a sale of Art by two Indian Artists (who had based their pictures on a recent visit to New Zealand), with part of the proceeds going to Asha.  His wife has been teaching English with Asha for about 18 months.  A great evening, and a privilege.

The afternoon saw a trip to Old Delhi.  The Asha Jeep was parked in the underground carpark.  Not just any car park, an Old Delhi Car Park.  Most of the cars looked as if they had been there for years, and all the roadways had cars double parked, nose to tail, in them, blocking in all aother cars.  Thankfully it all went well, and we did eventually emerge.

Roger, Lorraine, Stuart and Pauline have all returned from the far reaches of the jungle with excited tales of Tigers, Deer, Elephants etc etc, determined to make a return trip. 

Freddy reports Louis as alive and well, thoroughly enjoying every minute of being with the long term volunteers.

Ian and Frances survived their train trip, full of tales of the Indian Railways.  Will they make a return trip in the future…………..

Dick and I both have reports to write when we get back, reviewing the areas we looked at this week, and Kiran would like mine in a format to present to the Home Minister for India, better check the spelling carefully.

Well, signing off for the evening, getting a bit sleepy.

Nigel.