Day 10 (Thursday March 20)

Final day – not quite sure how it got here so quickly.

Our final morning of yoga. I’m really going to have to work at reintegrating it back into my life. My time here has made me fully comprehend just how much I (and my body) enjoyed it.

The morning we went to say goodbye to the community. The farewell was bittersweet. The kids sang the alphabet together and offered words of appreciation and shared their experiences. They ended with the school song “Never Walk Alone”. Admittedly, I think the boys felt a little choked.

The afternoon was filled with action planning and then a surprise performance by some musicians. These particular ones usually perform in the temple only and only dance when moved by the spirit of god. On this day, they were moved to dance and even encouraged the boys to join in.

Then at dinner, we had a wonderful performance by a flute/sitar player and tabla player. They accompanied our street food style dinner. I found myself humming along to many of the songs.

Andrew, Jo, and Bupsa had arranged with Chef KK to have sugar cane brought in for the boys. They sat there chomping away trying to get at the juicy reward.

The evening included discussing reintegration and reverse culture shock and suggestions for dealing with it (which I know after my last service trip I’ll definitely need as I don’t think I readjusted well that time).

We ended the night with our final group activity – warm fuzzies! Not easy getting boys to discuss “feelings ” (they joke that it’s a bad word) but it is necessary and healthy.

We have a big day ahead of us. Keep us in your thoughts.

Day 11 (Friday March 21) and Day 12 (Saturday March 22)

We start our final day super early at 6am (and it will be a very long one at that) and head back into Udaipur.

Our first stop of the day is the City Palace which was built concurrently with the establishment of the Udaipur city by Maharan Udai Singh II, in 1559 and his successor Maharanas over a period of the next 300 years. It is considered the largest royal complex in Rajasthan and is replete with history. Founding of the city and building of the palace complex can not be looked in isolation as the Maharanas lived and administered their kingdom from this palace.

After a tour of the majestic palace, we walk  to Udaipur’s old city market.  It is a mixture of chaos and insanity, with cars honking, people walking everywhere, vendors yelling at you to come in and view their wares.

Only an hour in the market, where everyone acquires something special for their loved ones, before lunch and then we zip off to the airport.  We send off our luggage (hoping that it will end up in Toronto when we arrive there) and await our flight to Dehli.

In Dehli, we have some waiting.  9 hours of it to be precise.  I will not go into details of our extended stay and the security guards and challenges we faced. But boarding that plane to Brussels was a relief. From Brussels, we head home to Toronto.  Swift entry back into the country, luggage grabbed off the carousel, and the boys head into the arms of parents awaiting them.  After a 30 hour journey home, I expect they can’t wait for a hot shower, a warm meal and a comfy bed.

What an experience that was!  My brain is still trying to digest it all…until the next time.

Day 9 ( Wednesday March 19)

The great Kumbhalgarh fort which was built during 15th century by Maharana Kumbha. Enlarged during 19th century, this fort is also the birth place of Maharana Pratap, the great king and warrior of Mewar. This almost invincible fort is the highest and most formidable in the state of Rajasthan. Even the mighty mughal couldn’t capture it alone and it took the combined armies of Delhi, Amber and Marwar to breach its defences. Standing majestically on 1180m high ridge and representing the past glory of the Rajput rulers, the Fort also provides a panoramic view of the countryside from the top. Thirteen mountain peaks of the Aravali range protect this impregnable fortress. Seven huge and imposing gates stand like sentinels at the approaches and seven ramparts, one being folded within another with crenulated walls strengthened by rounded bastions and immense watch towers, make this an impregnable mountain fortress. It’s serpentine 15 kilometres long wall is thick and broad enough for eight horses to ride abreast. This wall is second longest only to the ‘Great Wall of China’. This grand fort also has 360 temples within the walls.

Today Dehli belly finally got the better of me and I had to sit out the final build since I wasn’t much use to anybody as the cramps had me curled in a fetal position for most of the afternoon and night.

Tomorrow is our final full day here in India.

Day 7 (Monday March 17)

To the western world, today marks St. Patrick’s day; however, here in India, especially here in the north, it marks Holi, a festival also known as the festival of colours and the festival of love.

The legend of Holi originates from “Holika”, the evil sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu. The King Hiranyakashipu had earned a power that made him virtually indestructible. The special powers blinded him, he grew arrogant, felt he was God, and demanded that everyone worship only him. His own son, Prahlada however, disagreed. He was and remained devoted to the god Vishnu. This infuriated the King. He subjected Prahlada to cruel punishments, none of which affected the boy or his resolve to do what he thought was right. Finally, Holika – Prahlada’s evil aunt – tricked him into sitting on a pyre with her. Holika was wearing a shawl that made her immune to injury from fire, while Prahlada was not. As the fire roared, the cloak flew from Holika and encased Prahlada. Holika burned, Prahlada survived. Vishnu appeared and killed Hiranyakashipu. The bonfire is a reminder of the symbolic victory of good over evil, of Prahlada over Hiranyakashipu, of fire that burned Holika. The day after Holika bonfire is celebrated as Holi. The morning of Holi is a free-for-all carnival of colours, where everyone plays, chases and colours each other with dry powder and water. Anyone and everyone is fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children and elders. The frolic and fight with colours occurs in the open streets, open parks, outside temples and buildings.

A morning of yoga led into some competitive cricket playing. Some who had never even heard of the game, let alone played it, were great at it. Excellent bowlers and batters (thanks Blue Jays) and they are working on their fielding skills. Bupsa was giving them lessons by whipping a ball into the air. In the glaring sunlight, it was hard to see the tiny ball as it quickly fell back to the ground.

The afternoon brought with it some lessons in leadership qualities and deciphering which qualities we each possess and what we need to work on, and what others who work with us should know about us.

Samosa making with Chef KK brought some listening skills to light for the boys but in the end, they looked ok and turned out to be edible. As for my own samosa making skills – these were punjabi style samosas but I think my mum would be proud of my ability to follow instructions and basically know how to make them. One boy even said “Ms. Remtulla, you’re an excellent samosa maker. You must have been at it awhile”. (Oh, if only he knew!!)

Ingredients

Chef KK mixing it up

Boys cooking

My turn

Then came our explanation of Holi. The story was acted out by the facilitators but just as that ended, we got pelted by colour. The war began. The boys ran everywhere. No one was safe. My face got hit, my ear even. But we just laughed and threw more colour. Everyone was a fair target. Lots of music and dancing and then a surprisingly cold shower from the hose just added to the beautiful chaos of the event.

Zen Coby

The aftermath

We ended the day playing team games. This time, I was to be the psychiatrist (since I didn’t play the other night). What a frustrating game! I much prefer playing Mafia.

Day 8 (Tuesday March 18)

Yoga then dig. Break rocks. Mix cement. Shovel dirt. Lay cement.

Repeat.

Today’s pleasure-filled moment was so simple and sweet. A sugar cane was shared between group members. I broke off pieces and taught them how to enjoy the sweet nectar of the celery.

Return to base camp tired and sweaty but saddened that tomorrow is our final opportunity to build.

Day 6 (Sunday March 16)

Today was a regular start to the day. We started with morning yoga and breakfast and into our building clothes.

The drive to the build site has become routine now and many of us have landmarks that keep us sane in the long 45 minute drive.

We tackle both the trench digging and cementing. We battle rocks bigger than I am. It is hard work and each swing of the pick axe brings either a ding that we’ve hit more rock or the sweet release of earth as the rock is released from it’s fixed spot and has been knocked out. Such enormous victory comes from those moments.

Our afternoon is a hike. It is my favourite part of the day. Just the ability to walk, to feel the earth beneath my feet, to breathe in air (not dust from the work site or car air) but fresh outdoor air. The trees are dry, so is the ground. But the beauty of the land does not escape me.

In the distance is a palace/fortress which I believe we will be visiting next week. I’ll fill you in more then.

The evening brings with it an activity to try and teach the boys about teamwork and ensuring that everyone gets the most out of each experience. It is also meant to teach them that not everything is a competition and that sometimes working together benefits everyone more. I do hope they understood the lesson, as it is not an easy one to learn.

Day 5 (Saturday March 15)

It’s Saturday. How strange. School still goes on here today.

We start our morning with a woman in the community. She lives in a mud, cow dung and rock hut. She has 7 children. 15 people sleep in this one room house that serves as living room, kitchen and bedroom. Every day, she and her daughters go to the well for water. They fill the containers and carry two on their heads and one in each hand.

Our task, carry one 5L clay pot of water from the well to her home. Balance is key to not spilling the precious water. Speed must play a factor as we are definitely not fast but they are. They also carry at least 8x as much water as we did. What an experience!

We also sat in her home and the boys got to ask her questions about her life and that of her family. It is a world so different from ours – no running water, no electricity, no comforts of home.

For me, I can’t imagine being married at the age of 17, never leaving a village or going to school. Carrying buckets of water, not being able to have a job outside of caring for my husband and children. I am blessed that I can do what I do.

Our afternoon was spent digging. I’m beginning to think there is no treasure. Just more rocks!!!

Day 4 (Friday March 14)

After yoga, we build. We build all day. We make great headway. The trenches are deeper, the boys are spirited and motivating each other. There are cheers when giant rocks are removed. After an entire day of physical labour, we are all sweaty, tired but satisfied. We have made fantastic progress.

If I haven’t already mentioned, I will take a moment to introduce our famous Chef KK. Krishna Kapur, the King of the Kitchen, has been feeding our bodies so that we can do the work we need to. He is humble and sincere about his work and the quality of food he produces. However, he knows the love that must go in to feeding people and he has tons of it to share as it spreads quickly from his eyes to his genuine smile. Thanks for all that you do.

Day 3 (Thursday March 13)

Yoga again. It really helps the stiff muscles. After the winter we’ve had, physical activity hasn’t been at a premium so my body (and I’m sure everyone else’s) is getting used to the physical labour.

Today is a little different. The Caldwell family who has supported the building of the centre and school is here for the opening ceremony. Today, the students will move from the old school to the completed rooms of the one we are working on.

We again arrive to the beat of drums, dhols and much happiness. Children are excited and even parents from the community have come for the puja (prayer and blessing of the new school). Everyone is trying to sit still and contain the excitement as the speeches and presentations happen.

Holding hands as we move to the new school

Sitting in the crowd

Dhols and drums

Beauty of new friendships

And then it’s time – the teachers and students bless the classrooms with the pundit, smash a coconut, cut the ribbon and bowl each other over to claim their new room. The teaching begins.

RUN!

While the community celebrates, and the children learn, we set back to work.

Our afternoon involves some Bollywood dancing led by Titanium Dance Crew members. From there, tie dying, block painting and henna. The boys get to experience it all and are really good sports about it.

During dinner, we are entertained by local talent. Ladies dancing, with bells, swords and pots galore. The crowd is wowed and in awe, amazed by the sheer beauty, speed and talent that we see before us. What an end to a wonderfully magical day!

Day 2 (Wednesday March 12)

Our day starts with a yoga session. It will soon become habit. It is a great moment of the day to stretch and relax. To be honest, it’s nothing like western moksha yoga, it’s more stretching and preparing for the day. It also gives me a chance to not talk to anyone in the morning before I’m fully aware and awake.

We went to the community of Bagad today where we will be working. Before we begin though, we are welcomed to the community. There is a lot of dancing, clapping and flowers. We sat down on the porch of the school. A pundit was waiting for us so that he could bless our arrival and work. Three of the UCC boys (Andrew, Hadyn, and Coby) alongside two of the school boys went through the ritual of blessing the school and it’s new visitors. School girls sang and tied coloured threads for blessing around our wrists (to stay on until they fall off naturally).

Puja ceremony

Blessings

 

The boys then got to teach some of the younger classes some of the songs they’d learned. “Head and shoulders, knees and toes”, “Teddy bear, Teddy bear” and “1, 2 – what to do?”

Head and shoulders, knees and toes

After lunch, we set to learning how to build. Building 101 was a little different when you only have pick axes, shovels and buckets. No jack hammers, bulldozers or cement mixers around. We all learned how to mix cement (4 parts rocks, 4 parts sand, 1 part cement). We were taught how to mix it and evenly spread it on the floor. We were also shown the boundaries for the foundation for the room we would be helping to dig (think excavate). We all donned our hard hats and steel toe boot covers. Wearing gloves, we hauled over the necessary equipment and began to work. Not a bad start for day one of building. I’m sure we’ll be at it again in a few hours.