September 6

I woke up at 4am and felt like my stomach was having a rollercoaster ride. I flipped my body over and the uneasy feeling stopped.

Once I woke up at 7.30 and took a shower, I tried to wake Anine as well.

But she had absolutely serious problems. I didn't feel well either. So I

went to the prayer alone.

There he was the school priest, dressed in white bearing a red spot on his forehead. He started by cleaning his body: mouth, hands and ears. So did

I. There was a really old man next to the fireplace as well. throughout

the ceremony he would sing holly mantras and pour a mix of spices into the fire. The procedure was overwhelming, yet, I couldn't read Sanskrit nor

sing that well.

Afterwards, he gave me a handful of sweet rice, God's food.

At 10 we were supposed to represent our mission in the very same school.

no previous volunteers have ever worked there, hence it should have been

an ice-breaking experience.

Once again, Anine was feeling sick, but I didn't want to postpone it.

Afterwards, I would only have to represent our countries, and I knew

Norway quite well.

And here I was, standing in front of a 150 uniformed students crowd. They

finished a drum march and headmaster told them an inspiring speech. The

Indian national anthem has begun but by then Modestas was rather melting,

I felt my soul and consciousness leaving the body. It was too late to

retreat, but I told the headmaster I felt sick. He responded angrily:

"Please!", apparently the anthem was more important. Sickness took an upper hand and I grabbed my backpack and rushed down the stairs. My sight

narrowed and went green. I started stumbling over my feet and wonder how

could I have reached my bed. I collapsed in it and did not move for at

least an hour.

Me and Anine were down to nothing, we could barely afford wasting energy on speaking and agreed to sleep, drink water, and wait for Ankit to come from work, so we could call him in and ask for help. We called him at 1500, and were asked to wait for the evening.

Then Panki came with a doctor and he told us to rest and drink water and

some Oral rehydratation salts. So I wrapped myself into the bed cover

sweated a lot and fught that stomach infection ;D

No sooner than 2000 I felt better, jumped into thermies and got some

fruits from a shop. Later, called the Love of my live and never felt that

happy to have somebody loving me so much!

All in all, we spent the whole day in our beds and will have to catch up

with the project.

September 5

We had an honour to participate in Ankit grandfather’s funeral ceremony. We came over at 12, being slightly late, because the ceremony has apparently began. After a few minutes of hesitation we came inside and sat in the corner. After a moment Ankit moved us towards the door of a room, as it turned out later, where the body was placed!

Chaivala served us the most amazing beverage ever, it tasted like a mix of rosewater, salt, sugar, pepper and stardust.

Ankit's father was crowned as a new leader/king of their tribe, so Ankit

had to carry around a white shawl which was touched by every person in the ceremony. By doing so, family members accepted him as a new leader.

Another interesting fact, majority of family lived in Kullu, though it had more that a 1000 members. People are really family bonded in this part of

India.

Finally, the long awaited lunch followed. We washed our hands and were

taken to a huge room decorated with yellow and red shawls. In the front of the chamber men were sited, women - next to the entrance. We sat with

women. Actually, there were no chairs, nor dishes or tools. All we had

were three-leaves-well-sewn-together and a mat below our bums.

There were 2 people serving all guests. Firstly, they would pour rice on

our leaves with their hands. Then some tasty vegetable/bean/potato mix

would follow. Now, I would mix rice and hot meal together with my right

hand and put it on my first three fingers whilst letting the thumb thrust

it into my mouth. God, we had so much fun! Food was tasty:) In total, I

had no less than 6 "updates" to my "plate" and was the last person to

leave!

Having eaten so much, we met a headmaster of a school adjacent to Ankit's

house. He promised to check if Bashing orphanage has enough school tools.

Also, the school priest gave us Sandhaya- Agnihotra book, with holy Vedas

and mantras. He kindly invited us to come tomorrow morning for a prayer.

We didn't do much for the rest of that day.

September 4

Morning

Our morning routine usually starts at 1000, though I always try to wake up earlier. Earlier, to take a cold shower, turn on the water boiler so Anine could take a warm one, turn on the kettle so we could have hot water for our breakfast - Chadbury's Bourn vita ++ (malt based powder) for me and Quaker's (religious affilation again) oat meal for Anine. I tried latter on several occasions, it still tastes like a horse meal.

Now listen, we like writing letters/blogs in the morning, so we couldreflect upon the past day. Besides it gets so hot and humid outside, that we do not leave our room until 12(3)00 and start planning our sessions. Otherwise we could do it in the room, but the possibility of having Ankit's wireless is too tempting.

Important notice, the abovementioned routine is only a few days old!

Still, since the early morning we arebeing awaken by the construction workers/loud streets but ears get used to that easily and we fall asleep again. Sad moments occur, once we remember hw much help our students need, instead of a morning prayer, I try to sketch a plan for today's class. Those early thoughts are always productive.

2nd visit to Bashing

This time we planned to review the ABC, put up some colourful letters on a string and hang it on the ceiling, so they could remember how towrite capital/lower case letters. It was obvious from the last time, that young ones couldn't write properly. Also, we planned to put 2 sheets with numbers from 0 to 20 and their spelling, so by this time they could introduce themselves with their name and age. For that purpose we planned to teach them some formal meeting vocabulary (Good afternoon./What is Your name?/My name is./See You soon). Finally the colours would follow. We would hang the sheets with 10 basic colors on the ceiling as well and ask them to remember it for the next time.

Unfortunatelly, we haven't remembered all of their names, I was ashamed by this fact and for the next day I will do so eagerly. Yet, the session went good, it was easy to get their attention. After the first 40 minutes we went outside to play some physical games for 20 minutes and came back for 30 more minutes for a final, colors session.

What really touched my heart was a little boy Nanakchand, 8. He had waterish wounds on his hands and none of the other boys dared to touch him throughout the games. So it was me, Anine and Sarla who held him and we still had fun. Apparantly, there will be a British volunteer doctors visitng them next month. Maybe they even leave a first aid kit there. Which is in desperate need. The ridiculity of this situation sums up in a fact, that's next month will the majority of them will be seing a doctor for a first time. It breakes my heart and tenses up the mind. We ough to help them.

Back to the classes, there were two obvious groups of students. The ones who managed our class material easily and ones (youngsters) who did not get it too much. So for the next time we have to find a way for maximizing teaching by either splitting them in a group, asking the elder ones help to teach young ones, or splitting a group throughout the session into two and assigning tasks of varied difficulty.

In general session went well, as kids were smiling by the end of it. On our way back with a pick up truck which we have hich hiked from Bashing we had some hard feelings as well. We should replan our sessions, so that advanced one could step further.

Straight after we had another fantastic dinner. This time we had vegetable balls and mantra smth (cheese swimming in a sour milk) and potatoes and asparagus beans with onions and 4 chapatis in total.

It has just started raining, so love of my live listen to Let it Rain by Eric Clapton, which I happened to be listening now.

Back to yesterday I saw my sweetheart again and will surely meet her today. I wish she was here as well, as Indiahas enough beauty for more than 1 person :) This evening we had a push up and sit up and leg press session with Anine, we promised each opther to exercise before going to sleep and keep in shape.

I fell asleep easily and was waiting for a lunch at Ankit's place, which commemorate his father's death anniversary. We were kindly invited.

From Ankit to Bashing

So, on the morning of 2nd September we finally met Ankit. His family's one of the oldest in Kullu, its history stretching back for centuries. His family shares a huge mansion with his brother Panki and his family as well, their parients, and some causins. Family units are perceived differently in their culture. Majority f everyday decisions are made by the family quorum, including partners for their sons. It makes sense, because as long as all family lives together they undisputedly pick the best wife from a different family. Women rarely leave the domestic environment which consists of child care, cooking (God, they're good at it!) and crafts. Men bring money for the family.

Ankit, is a special kind of guy, who owns a tourism business (drafting, camping on the local mountains), works in his own tourism college, runs several charity projects. It seems as if he can barely find enough time to sleep!

Back to our business, ankit offered us some Chai with a splash of milk of course! And explained that the first priority now - finding a shelter over our heads. So all three of us went around the clumsy, colorful and jammed streets of Kullu and bargained with sever "room owners". One of the possiilities was to accomodate in a beautiful but tiny hotel room for 9,000 rupees a month. However, we had another option which turned out to be cheaper, 5,500, yet slightly mouldy and dusty.

Our master, that's how we call him now, rented us a room with 2 windows on the first floor of his house. He has a big family, and a big belly which makes him look rather comic. We would see him and his wife every evening instructing us how to lock the doors properly and use as little electricity aspossible :)

Preparing for living.

First thing we did with our room - removing a huge and mouldy dust carpet. We could immideately feel the difference. Then, me and Anine unscrewed the bed and separated it into two pieces and placed them each in the corners. Hard cleaning timesfollowed, althuogh basic tools for that were scarse ;D Finally we managed to mop it properly, wind the bed covers and the place was ready to live in.

Bashing orphanage.

It is the poorest orphanage in Kullu, in orderto get there you shuld take a bus ride for 20 minutes towards Manali (people say itsthe most beautiful place on Earth). there are 12 boys and only 1 girl residing there. They're housed in a two-room, two-floor house. On the first one, there is a blackboard, on the second one they should be sleeping.

As we have leared by now, their ages range from 7 to 15. I will never forget, when we first met them, and they started touching our feet in a respectful way and saying "namaste" and "Hello, my name is.." Right from the beginning we felt that this place should be our priority, as so they knew so little English and the orphanage was run by two local volunteers. One of them, Sarla, 21, has been working there for 5 years for free. She's an amazing woman. Bashing orphanage is the last resort of freedom, pure feelings and human dedication in this planet. In fact, every smile of those beautiful children warm your heart to heavens.

We talked with Sarla andother lady about the time schedule, and agreed to come to Bashing at least times a week for two ours each day and a few more on Sundays.

Cleaning the bathroom.

Our bathroom looked like a sad place to live in. Dark, mouldy, dusty and chocking with stains of all kinds. So, me and Anine went to the "western kind of shopping mall" and got some "chemistry". It took us as long as 2 hours to wipe off all this dirt. The other day our master's wife paid us a visit and was warmly surprisded to see our bathroom renewed.

It was certainly a happy evening to us, as we went to eat in one of three recommended places. We had chapatis with Do (beans) and lady fingers which Hindi name I'm not aware of. Most importantly, I was adviced not to try any meat for at least 2 weeks, or even better - no meat at all. It may sound strange, but this country is basically vegetarian. They have enough protein from beans, asparagus, soya and many others which I'm yet to taste. Now we have a water boiler, so hard boiled eggs will spice up the menu.

Just before midninght we started planning our first classin Bashing. Frm th eprevious volunteers we knew that managing 13 children who've limited social experinces will be difficult. We agreed to take up strict roles in the beginning, and continue with rewards if necessary. We'd start with an ABC and some numbers. We predicted that younger kids might not be able to master the alphabet or write their name and age.

Afterwards, when the lights went off, and it was our first night, we talked about our beloved ones. tears would follow. It was difficult to accept the separation and loneliness. I have missed Alex down to my bone marrow. After knowing her so well I feel "hounted" by our experiences all the time. Even more, it seems that as I am experiencing challenges and happy moments in India, my beloved one feels them as well. When I find myself surrounded by beautul, altruistic and spiritual people, I want her to feel my positive emotions. I know how much she would love it here! These six months will fly as fast as a mountain falcon. We'll be THERE again, FOREVER.

At some point I wished Anine good night, Sov God, and fell asleep myself. I fell asleep, Alex fell asleep and Kullu fell asleep, all three in my heart at the same time. "Beautiful" I thought.

September 3rd

We woke up slowly that day. I was the first one, at around 10. I turned on the water boiler for Anine, as she takes showers in the morning and I do it with a cld water in the evening ;D We hadn't had a kettle by then, so for breakfast we ate an infamous Lithuanian blood chocolate bars. Fr the same reason we had been buying water from the shops, as we couldnt boil it. Inadvertedly we used up too much of it the previous day, so the morning felt like hangover. After breakfast, we went to ankit's place whereas his brother Panki would take us to Kaljeli where a drug addiction centre was.

We met a few of them, and they seemed really happy people. Drug addiction is quite unusual in India, as so many people are spiritual and avoid spoiling their lives. And as the head of the center explained, addicts are treated with traditional medicine and meditation and lots of patience. As for us, he adviced to focus on quality and mental games, which we could do for 2 hours each Thursday. This is going to be a serious task and hard preparation should follow.

Afterwards we went to Kayeli orpahange. It has a way more resources compared to Bashing, and children were moderately fluent in English. The head of orphanage, a happy middle aged Indian woman with a red spot on her head, asked us to concentrate on a skit comedy act. The theme - Female children equality. And the stakes are really high, as she emphasized that last year the previous volunteers helped the children to win a second place prize. Apparently we are expected to do even more! ;)

So, after these two institutions I was overwhelmed by the vast range of activities we shall take up in the following months. And yet, there were only 3 visited and at least 2 more remaining, including a blind school.

Panki drove us home, and being late for 2 hours we rushed towards the Bashing orphanage. it would be our first class with those 13 little angels.

So we took a local colorful Tata bus (these buses are cultural phenomena themselves and I will have a separate post for them). there were more than enough people inside, and I could barely breathe. Next to us there was a lady with a young baby, brestfeeding it. The bus was inexorelably crowed and I pondered how could she cope with the baby. In less than 20 minutes our bus stopped but we were slightly unsure where to leave so we opted for anther stop. It was only then when we saw the orphanage being passed by our bus! So, we had to walk for 10 minutes in an extraordinary green mountain valley until we reached Bashing.

Children saw us from a distance and accumulate by the age of a fence marking orphanage territory. They were smiling humainly and waving hands at us. A few more "Namaste" and "Bring us to your teacher" and we met Sarla. She was surprised to see us that late, but still gathered all kids into the classroom.

And here we were, two greenhorns, standing in front of 14 people hoping to fulfill their expectations. We startedwith a general introduction and alphabet folowed. The difference in their knowledge was staggering, usually the elders knowing the basic aEnglish and youngsters could barely write their names. After an hour or so, we let them loose outside to play Mingle Mingle. Unfortunately they hurt each other often, and tears were common. honest and unselfish tears.

After 15 mins or so we got them back into the class, asked them each to write their names and ages, and draw auto-portrait, so we could remember theirnames easily. Beforehand we'd bought sketch pens, and this really attracted their interest, unfortunately, by the end of the session we had take them back with our selves, otherwise it would get consumed in no time ;D

finally, we asked each kid to stand with its name and portrait, so we could take apicture. Picture taking made them extremely happy. We concluded our visit by a polite "namaste" and my heart was happy. I hope their hearts were as happy as ours. I gave Anine the biggest hug ever and stepped into the night (by 19.00 its absolutely dark) to catch a bus. We were sweaty, exhausted and satisfied. I wanted to hold Your hand and let You feel that beauty.

Kettle

Later atnight we set off to getch a kettle as gas stove seemed too complicated and unecessary. We found a nice one for 800 rupees, of course not without Panki's help. LAter that evening we boiled noodles, water and Chai.

It was one of the best days of my life.

Falling asleep

For the second night in a row I have relinguished myself of tears and feelings. We talked about the College and love and what makes us so happy here in Kullu. So, today we got to know new orphanage and an addicition center, got a kettle, fresh water resources and most importantly got inspired by Bashing.

Trip to Ankit's house

This time I'm writing, I'm sitting in my in Kullu. Our journey to Kullu wasn't that easy easy though.

On the morning of August 31st I left mymother crying alone and left for the airport. Driving with my father felt awkward, at thosemoments silence suits us the best.

Listen, he calmly waited for meto check in at Riga airport and just before the security check burt into tears as well. I wish we had spent more time and we less afraid of each other. Fear.

I had to change flights in Munchen. Why would th rest of the world have to follow British "Munich" instead?! Bravarian capital was ludacris, luxerious and well on its feet. One could smell self confidence and power in the air, see it in the archtecure or BMW's design. This city though only for 7 hours made my feel small.

Delhi, on the other hand, shined a limeligh upon me. I flew there with Lufthansa AirBus 360 - one of the biggest planes on earth. The flight itself was beautiful: comfy seats, free dinner, breakfast, wine and Jegger meister (as if it was real bargain). then at 7 local Delhi time which is GMT+5.30 I met Anine in the airport. She was dressed in a red cllege sweater, a red riding hood, I thought. Wedrank tea and decided how to spend the rest of our day until the bus to Kullu arrives.

firstly, we took a cab for 300 rupees from the airport to Delhi. The cab lacked everything :) Driver told us its been 35 years old, which made me feel confindent abuot this british car - if it had 35 years to break apart and didn't do so, then it should last forever! Driving. It was different. Every truck and some cars in Delhi hav an inviting message on their trunks "Blow the horn". Unsurprisingly everyone does so. It seems that's the way traffic worksin India. One has to make shure that a carin front of him is aware of his presence. Hence you blow the horn and make a fast manouvre. No traffic accidents of injured people - a controlled chaos, surely it is!

the city is preparing for the Commonwealth games. It's dirty, rough and scary. No one should expect to find India's miracles there. We trusted our luggage to a guy on the street, he said he would keep an eye on it for 8 hours. After a few minutes we realized it wasn't such a good idea even though he worked for our bus company. but pulling the luggage on robust streets and agressive traffic would make our life radiculous, so we got a rickshaw. usually there would barely be enough space for two people on the back seat, but we managed to bring our heavy backpacks and 50kg of luggage as well. My left leg was sticking out and I would get adrenaline kicks every time a car or motorcycle overtook us :)

People persistently wanted to make friends with us :) Firstly, by bringing us to a "fine India restaurant, which make you stomach very very happi". So we went to one of them with a red furniture and walls and mcdonald's typeof Indian food pictures. Food was tasty and had to many flavours for my tongue to distinguish of. We stayed there for 6 hours. The guys didn'd like that and tried to cook us up, literally, by turning of the AC. We struggled at 35C but stayed there until more guest came and the magic air conditioning was on again.

After the last monsoon shower (people told us that the monsoon was leving the country), we went towards the bus station. did i just say a bus station? What I meant is a simple street side. We knew our bus company name and adress and even more, yet the bus got delayed by 2 hours and we'd been storing our luggage in 4 diffrenet buses until the driver (after a few minutes call to his boss) would kick us out and ask to go to the other side of the street. So we went. And on and on.

Then we finally got seated and had to pay extra for a luggage boy, who would kindly take an eye on our stuff for 40 rupees :) Apparently these extras apply only to the tourists! Besides, the trip is long enough for someone to borrow our stuff.

By the time we reached Kullu, I'd been seated for 14 hours:) We certainly had a few stops to get flame-cooked corns. The roadsides do not sleep in India. This country doesnt sleep at all. Once the bus comes to a halt, salesmen with chips, coke and corns rush in. They give You extra attention for a fair skin.

We met an interesting German woman. She is famousback home for her sculptures and her husband Sebastian is a leading mahematician. She is really proud of herself and herchildren. German proud :)Every european visiting India has its own expectations. Young gangs of rich British kids look for pot or hashish, Germans take pictures and behave. Everyone is fascinated by the country.

Soon we'll reach Kullu, but first we drive on a narrow road alongside the kullu Valley. It subjects us to the most astonishing panorama I have ever seen: decidous trees, humangus slopes and whitewater bustling Kullu river. Due to its geographical exclusion, the valley has preserved the most diverse and unique Indian culture one could expect to find. I'm anxious to experience it!

Listen, on the road sides a gang of monkeys greeted us. I have never seen so many monkeys in my whole life :)

We have finally reached Kullu. at least that's what the luggage boy told us. We stepped outside - a rush of warm, humid, almost suffocating air hit our throats. This is it, we've left the comfort shell of a fine Volvo bus and had to fin our way to Ankit's house. He is our coordinator and should introduce us to the schools and orphanages. The rest will be upn our shoulders.

I had lots of ideas in my head at the moment, but all of a sudden we found ourselves surrounded by those cute little children from Kullu. they we tuching our clothes and playing with the luggage handle :) They were pure beauties and smileys. A taxi driver asked us where shall we go and we called Ankit. He started bargaining for us. Apparently the bus has dropped us 15 km short of our final destination. So we went with a taxi. The city of a 100 thousand seemed really stretched out alongside the road. The traffic intensed, we knew it wasthe centre and after a left hand turn we got to Ankit's gates.

A cow crossed our way and I touched its head. What a local beautie, these Indain cows are a way more couragious and agile compared to Lithuanian comrades which I happen to see every day.

Departure

Tomorrow not only marks the last day of summer '10 but also, a beginning of a beautiful adventure. Since the last Christmas I was dreaming about departing from Riga airport, having a snack in Munich and then sleeping in for 7 hours until we reach Delhi.

Indira Gandhi, both the name of the most controversial Indian figure and an airport in Delhi. Here I should meet Anine, a smart Norwegian fellow, at 0730 and hopefully venture into the city for some hours before departing towards Kullu. I am afraid to proclaim any untrue facts or impressions about this place, as I've never been there before! I read that at a time it was thought to be "the edge of the world". This was confirmed by Google Earth, it seems like Himalayan mountains "roof" the Indian peninsula and Kullu happened to be just below that hypothetical roof. Expected altitude - 2,000 m, surprisingly enough, I've never been that high in my life.

Now listen:

Lithuania is flat and people are square. Those who aren't square come in different shapes and flavors. My parents make living in an orthodox way - plant farming. Every autumn they implant some wheat seeds into the fertile soil beforehand making it even better by fertilizers. Then, wheat fall asleep as if they'd forgotten how to grow, get covered in snow and wait for the spring. More fertilizers follow and in August their stems are cut and valuable seeds separated.

How will the be there? Who will order me when to sleep, speak, listen and rest. I got too used to that lately, most likely I'll be on my own. I hope that Anine with her Norwegian expertise at travelling and communicating will help me! After all, I sworn to myself to tell truth, never mischief or bi-polarize others' feelings.

We'll work in the schools and orphanages in Kullu province. At the moment I expect us to work in a school for the blind in Kullu. Ankit, who's helped me so much to get the visa by..being quick, should host us in his hotel. Endless meadows open up to herd the sheep of imagination! How will it look like? Is the city green/red/grey/brown in color?

Probably the most difficult and easiest aspect is teaching. I'd definitely love it. I like teaching so do my students. So far I had some experience with Norwegian school camp Leirskule students. I've got myself into trouble on sever occasions and that taught me much. Communication is the key!

We'll teach the First Aid. As much as our little and curious students will be eager to know and even more.

Furthermore, there is she, the love of my life. She'll miss me and I dare to say it now - so will I, even more. You see, our relationship is like a stormy lake and as S&G would put it, I want to build a "bridge over troubled water". She's just called me and wished all the best. Alex is my best friend, a soul mate.

There are so many ambivalent feelings at the moment, defining them precisely wouldn't clear my mind for sure, I should better stop for now. Lets sleep and wonder what does the future hold for me.

Mode (^ ^)