Tuesday 19th September

Firstly, the last week has been gloriously overcast and we've had more rain than I ever thought I'd see here. The heat and sun of the first few days gave me a new appreciation for grey British weather, and that's what we're being treated to at the moment.

The first three days of this week we have no classes due to the mid-semester exams. The students in the Hostel have been working even harder than usual - largely because they have several hours of study time a day set aside where they are watched over. We have, however, been continuing with the social work projects - this afternoon we are going to the SKCV girls' streetchildren's home, probably to do some English teaching. We were supposed to be there yesterday but embarassingly couldn't find it (despite having been there before). After an hour or so wandering around a residential area near the College we returned, defeated. It was a really interesting walk at least - there's always a bizarre contrast between three-story luxury villas and tiny palm-frond shacks. And cows everywhere, of course. All the streets are lined with people selling fruit, sweets and hot food from push-carts.

We haven't tried any streetfood yet due to a combination of wariness and being completely over-fed by the kindly (but forceful) 'Aunties' at the College kitchen. Telugu borrows many English words and 'Auntie' is used as a term of respect for elders. Listening to Telugu is rather like hearing people speak Welsh or Gaelic, with the odd English phrase thrown in, often with the speaker completely unaware that they're using foreign words. We were offered 'chai' yesterday since the kitchen ladies thought we wouldn't understand the Telugu word, 'tea'.

Yesterday afternoon we spent a couple of sadly unfruitful hours at the school for mentally handicapped children. Despite the colourful impression I'd got a couple of weeks ago, the atmosphere yesterday was one of complete lethargy. I'm not sure if the teachers were just having an 'off' day, or if my first visit seemed more positive due to the speed with which we were shown around and the curiousity we sparked among the children. We arrived expecting at least to be able to help with some basic English teaching or to assist with whatever lessons were going on, but apparently there were no lessons. The children are divided into groups of about eight according to ability/level of handicap, and each group sits on the floor around a table with a teacher. Yesterday they were basically sitting vegetating while the teachers chatted amongst themselves. It was just really odd. One boy in particular was brighter than the others in his class and was able to recognise letters and spell out words from his English book, but the teacher just appeared completely disinterested, even when we tried ourselves to engage the children with flashcards. Obviously, resources are limited, but so apparently was any motivation or desire to teach. It was an interesting experience, in an unfortunate sort of way.

We went shopping at the weekend for sarees to wear to the two weddings which are taking place this weekend. After much pondering and bargaining we managed to make our purchases; pictures will follow once we've actually managed to work out how to tie them. The social work teacher who took us out, Lavinia, has promised to give us a crash course so hopefully we won't be at a complete loss. The ceremonies will be secular (being, as they are, weddings of members of the Atheist Centre) and so won't have the same level of pomp as a religious wedding, but with around 2000 guests from all over the world expected (the family has quite a lot of links) it should be interesting anyway.

To make up for the staid weddings, however, we've been invited to one of the student's houses for a Hindu festival which is taking place next week. She lives around 5 hours away by bus, near the beach, and her father and grandfather apparently speak excellent English and are keen to practice it on some native speakers..! It'll be great to see a different part of the region and the chance to experience a Hindu festival 'from within' is one we're not likely to get again. Apart from anything else, we get on very well with the girl and it should be good to see around her home town.

Yesterday we had tea in the kitchens with some of the workers. The Indian version is made with milk as opposed to water, as much sugar as tea, and is served - thankfully - in small cups. None of the workers speak any English but luckily the Social Work teacher Lavinia (who also stays in the Hostel) was there so she was able to translate. They're lovely people and are always grateful of outside company since they're kept cooped up for most of the month. Having gradually found out more about the circumstances they live in, I've realised I was rather rash in my original description of the Sisters. I shouldn't say too much, partly since it could cause trouble, and partly because it'd just sound melodramatic, but first impressions aren't always accurate. We've been hearing (and seeing) many things which suggest not everyone is as entirely imbued with the spirit of selflessness and charity as might appear. Anyway, perhaps more on that later - I suspect something will break before the end of the year.

Hopefully the photographs have been uploaded successfully - sorry for the tiny size; I will try and find out how it's possible to make them bigger.