A slip in the mud, $30 posting $4 worth of nik naks (ok, we've exaggerated but you get the gist!) and possibly our first hint of Delhi Belly. What a way to to spend our last day in India! Thankfully that was all over by 10.30am. After patching up Jen (thanks Jo Jo for the first aid kit!x) we spent the rest of our morning in the peaceful, tranquil Memorial Museum of Mahatma Ghandi learning more about this great man and his love of peace and freedom. Once again textiles raised it's woven head as we learned about Ghandi's championing of the artisans and his belief in the power and politics of making- primarily focusing on cloth.
"But what," we hear you cry " have you two been up to all week?" Well, apart form searching tirelessly high and low to find a working internet, lots! As we said last time, we came to meet the group that is Manzil. This is an after school project for young people, providing creative education unlike what you get in the state school system here. There's music, computer, english, craft, art, math and dance classes, and one heck of a lot of fun to be had! On Tuesday evening, after being led up some dark steps to a top floor flat we found a small room crammmed with 16 young people sitting cross-legged, all laughing. We squashed into the back of this class and learnt a thing or two about english grammar from the French teacher and her keen students. Luckily that time we weren't ask to contribute too much! Before finding out fully about Manzil's philosophy and programme we could just feel the essence of it from simply walking into that room- contagious fun, encouragement abounding and an all encompassing family atmosphere. In a word- happiness!
After class we spent the rest of the evening meeting Ravi, the founder of Manzil, at his home in the market, discussing philosophy, learning and creativity, all the while being serenaded by his mother on sitar- we felt a little bit like The Beatles! Ravi shared Manzil's (which means destination/destiny in Hindi) story which all began with him helping one little boy who asked for a maths class. Manzil now provides for 150 enthusiastic students, has 7/8 staff and around 20 volunteers. Remarkably it was only 2 months ago that Manzil moved out of the home that Ravi shares with his mother and sister into a dedicated space. Wow! Thank you to everyone at Manzil for letting us hang out with you, gatecrash classes and eat lunch- you're amazing!
Also while in Delhi, a surprise highlight has been stumbling upon a nationwide mela (festival) for artisan-based NGOs at the Craft Museum. We had an amazing opportunity to meet, chat with and buy from craftspeople from all over India. We learnt so much and unlike the static museum displays, locked behind glass cabinets, this felt like a live museum, where we could really engage with people and their work.
We're leaving India with busy minds, full notebooks and heavy suitcases and on top of all that new friends and tonne of crackin' memories! What a joy it's been! Next stop Kathmandu...
"But what," we hear you cry " have you two been up to all week?" Well, apart form searching tirelessly high and low to find a working internet, lots! As we said last time, we came to meet the group that is Manzil. This is an after school project for young people, providing creative education unlike what you get in the state school system here. There's music, computer, english, craft, art, math and dance classes, and one heck of a lot of fun to be had! On Tuesday evening, after being led up some dark steps to a top floor flat we found a small room crammmed with 16 young people sitting cross-legged, all laughing. We squashed into the back of this class and learnt a thing or two about english grammar from the French teacher and her keen students. Luckily that time we weren't ask to contribute too much! Before finding out fully about Manzil's philosophy and programme we could just feel the essence of it from simply walking into that room- contagious fun, encouragement abounding and an all encompassing family atmosphere. In a word- happiness!
After class we spent the rest of the evening meeting Ravi, the founder of Manzil, at his home in the market, discussing philosophy, learning and creativity, all the while being serenaded by his mother on sitar- we felt a little bit like The Beatles! Ravi shared Manzil's (which means destination/destiny in Hindi) story which all began with him helping one little boy who asked for a maths class. Manzil now provides for 150 enthusiastic students, has 7/8 staff and around 20 volunteers. Remarkably it was only 2 months ago that Manzil moved out of the home that Ravi shares with his mother and sister into a dedicated space. Wow! Thank you to everyone at Manzil for letting us hang out with you, gatecrash classes and eat lunch- you're amazing!
Also while in Delhi, a surprise highlight has been stumbling upon a nationwide mela (festival) for artisan-based NGOs at the Craft Museum. We had an amazing opportunity to meet, chat with and buy from craftspeople from all over India. We learnt so much and unlike the static museum displays, locked behind glass cabinets, this felt like a live museum, where we could really engage with people and their work.
We're leaving India with busy minds, full notebooks and heavy suitcases and on top of all that new friends and tonne of crackin' memories! What a joy it's been! Next stop Kathmandu...
Great reading of the adventurous duo again! Goodbye India hello Nepal! Keep going guys...hope Delhi Belly a thing of the past now, Jen...and it doesn't spread, Lyns. I'm so made up I managed to catch the phone call, too! Hard to believe two weeks tomorrow it's back in Blighty. Keep learnin', lovin' and livin'! Love you loads xxxx
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