Home from home

Giles and I are fortunate enough to have travelled quite a lot, but nowhere has ever felt quite like home as here. Perhaps it's our role as volunteers and our living quarters being within a real Indian home that sees us integrate so naturally, but then again it could simply be the people. Sure, 'india-itis' has kicked in at work on more than just a handful of times, and today is another example of their inability to plan and communicate... Gandhi's birthday and of course a day off work which we only discovered yesterday afternoon via the kids!

However, frustration aside the warmth and generosity extends beyond the family unit within which we are ensconced. Cries of 'hello sir, hello miss' from the town's children and 'namaste' from the elders are frequent. The staff in Snacks bar are enjoying our regular custom and now remember the usual 1 black and 1 white tea along with a cheeky milk biscuit. Served with a smile, and not an ounce of resentment for our perceived western wealth.

People out here want for so little. Take today as an example. A national holiday and yet there's a feeling of calm in the town. The children are entertaining themselves with old toys and a good imagination, parents are allowed to relax... There are no obscene trips to Thorpe park, no cries for souvenirs and no over-charging for burgers and ice cream. It's bliss.

Tomorrow is Nikesh's birthday. He's not a son, just a lad who lives here. He's been taken in as his parents can't afford to give him a good education. Nevertheless our house mother, Suchita, is going to make the 2-hour return journey to Kalimpong today to buy him a cake and a simple gift. We too are contributing, and the planned pack of colouring pencils for just 20 rupees will go a long way to making his month!

We can learn a lot from these people; they're warm, loving and content. When we joke of them visiting England they understand and accept that it's just not ever going to happen, and yet the acceptance of the reverse in us being here is welcomed, not resented. Giles' comment on Sunday evening as we returned from our weekend in Darjeeling still rings in my ears: 'I feel as if if we've just come home' - worlds away from life as we know it but every bit as rich, warm and loving... Even after just over 2 weeks of being here...

Pictures:

Snacks bar, and all its treats; home; Nikesh (centre) getting involved in science.