BACK TO SCHOOL….

Thursday 19th January

This is the morning Amargit and other ladies do volunteer English teaching at a public school. I had taken over pencils, scissors, stencils, books etc and was keen for the children to get use of them. Amargit recommended selling the books at a fundraising day in order to buy shoes for the children. We arrived at a very rundown school building (one classroom). We started the class off with songs and a short reminder on Good Manners. Then the class was split up and Amargit and I worked with 8. They are so enthusiastic and delighted to receive a simple pencil. Getting attention from a redheaded white “Miss” proved to be quite an event as they crowded around me wanting to shake hands. The teachers are working with few resources….even the ´blackboard´ needs painting. A humbling experience and over too soon.
Time for a quick lunch, final packing and my pickup by Indian Panorama for my 10 day guided trip. Excellent first impressions from Tour Manager who came to present me to my driver, Shwami. One and a half hours to get out of Bangalore´s madly busy roads and heading for Mysore, 150 kilometers south. Passed through main coconut and sugar cane areas. And another town full of painted wooded rocking horses.
At last Mysore and highly regarded Hotel Pai Vista with European facilities. The driver took me an hours drive to view a 10 minute light/music/water display at Brindavan Gardens. Thousands go nightly to view this. To me it seemed an awful long trip to see it.
Back at hotel and dinner in the Jungle Restaurant complete with waiters wearing pith helmets. The only thing missing were the tigers! Starter, main veg curry and large beer came to around 7 euros....not bad for hotel prices.