Zest for learning
January 14th, 2008
Wow. Working with the children is by far absolutely so rewarding. I actually get to teach these little kids for three hours every am about the environment. Their zest for learning is out of this world. It motivates me to want to learn and retain more when I get back to Eckerd because I don’t even remember half the stuff we are trying to teach them. They call us auntie and uncle. Sooo cute.
In the afternoon I go to a rehabilitation house for kids 10 to 18 who were addicted to industrial glue and jump the trains. They are also incredible. At first I didn’t want to go there but I love them so much. I want to give so much to them.
I can’t believe how much I can communicate with the little English they know. In the evening I’m so tired I can’t even think and I’ve been passing out mad early the second we get home. The food so far has been so freaking delish. Today we went to the Ganges River on a tour, our tour guide rocks. And we went through this festival. Later on I went back with 4 other people and these mystics asked us to sit with them….out of this world. They were completely dusty and naked, it was such a sweet experience.
Overall, everything has been great, and minus the smog and pollution I love it. I buy fruit almost every morning and have delicious pomegranate. I’ve had to buy some Indian tops so I can fit in and not be so obvious. Every time we stop, a crowd forms around us, its insane. So many people have never seen a white person before. They have no idea that we are American so we say we’re from Canada or Iceland. Hmm… well, I have another free day tomorrow, and then the 14th we take the kids to the botanical gardens for a picnic, and then the 17th we take an overnight trip on a train, and then we come back and fly to Darjeeling, and then we come back again (to Calcutta) and then fly home.
Felicity Keeley ‘09
