Amrita & The Flashing Temple

Over the last week or so, Amrita's celebrity has continued.

 

I left my last blog set to visit a different school, where my friend Raj has placed 30 students - 18 orphans and 12 from very poor families. Immediately after I arrived, I felt like I was surrounded by paparazzi as the head teacher started taking a million photos of me receiving flowers and scarves from the little children, some of whom had been rescued from a life of glue sniffing on the streets to get an education. My friend formed an agreement to get them all through school at reduced cost, and now they are doing so well and have homes too.

 

The school was SO cute and the kids were so well behaved - much smaller classes than mine and not quite the same atmosphere of mayhem! I gave a donation of materials and presented all the teachers with resources, which were much appreciated  (some largely thanks to those of you who have sent stuff). Back at my own school outside the city, my fan club increased throughout the week, with kids knocking at my door and wanting to hold my hand - and on numerous occasions I've been asked for my autograph! Among the adults, I feel like I have minders - "What are you doing? Where were you last night? It's not safe to be out at night!".

 

The culmination of my celebrity took place over my birthday celebrations. Like the Queen, I decided to have more than one day's festivities - in fact, to have as many as possible (I expect to have some belated parties when I get back to the UK too ;-) ). On Friday night, I went for an awesome dinner with Raj and his wife Mita, where we drank wine and sang to Bonjovi (oh the nostalgia) and ate gorgeous Indian food (they are Indian Buddhists). I felt like a teenager again, ringing the school to say I was going to be back at 10pm (! I definitely won't miss having curfews!).

 

Then it was time for my final full day in school (Saturday). Throughout the morning as I was packing my belongings, kids knocked on my door asking me for supplies and saying, "Miss, please come to class soon!". After lunch and witnessing some arguments as the kids plotted something (kids are all the same in this respect!), I was duly summoned to the younger ones' homework classroom. I was greeted by a very enthusiastic rendition of Happy Birthday To You, in a room decorated with balloons and homemade decorations. The festivities continued as I took the children to downstairs and taught them the Hokey Cokey. The girls wowed me with Nepali dance demonstrations, while the boys played a highly intense game of Snap.

 

That evening was the highlight of the school's social calendar - Amrita's Birthday Party. I had prearranged to give the hostel children the night off homework, and has prepared some games for us to play. The kids sat in two circles, and we played pass the parcel with Nepali music, forfeits and prizes. This was greeted with enormous enthusiasm, and before long most of the school staff were in the room watching or joining in. Playing musical statues with everyone joining in has to be one of the most hilarious experiences I've had here - imagine tiny kids, teenagers and grown adults jumping around and dancing enthusiastically in Nepali/Indian style, then attempting to stand still for ages...

 

After this, I presented the children with one gift each (top marks to Caroline and Margs for your koalas and Aussie pencils!). I also received an array of interesting and highly amusing presents and cards. As you'd expect, I got a fair few handmade cards, which were all very sweet, and some bought ones too (some wishing me a Happy New Year, some Happy Dashain etc!). I received an 'I love you' card from three of the older boys, which played Fur Elise, a green and silver wind chime, plenty of fake (and some real) flowers, notebooks, pens and models saying 'Best Teacher' (woohoo!). I have two contenders for most hideous present. Don't get me wrong - I was immensely flattered and touched that the kids had gone to such an effort, and after so long volunteering I really did feel appreciated.

 

But two gifts really deserve special mention. Firstly, I was the lucky recipient of a windmill with teddy bears going round in a Ferris Wheel - I kid you not. Secondly, I received a flashing plastic temple, which plays Fur Elise. Truly kitsch - my Dad will love it ;-) So what's with the Fur Elise theme? Do these kids know that when I was younger, I used to play that particular Beethoven classic over and over again, must to the frustration of my parents? I also used to have a pink plastic comb that I used to use in school, must to the frustration of my teachers. See a theme here?! Who will I frustrate with my latest acquisitions...? Who knows when they'll turn up - watch out at Christmas and on your birthday!

 

By my actual birthday (July 1st), it was time to say goodbye to everyone at the school. Staff gave me presents - notebooks, books, jewellery etc. I certainly didn't need to worry that I would feel alone on the day. I visited all the classes I had taught to say goodbye - I've never had Happy Birthday sung to me so many times! After changing out of my sari for the last time here and eating one last 'tiffin', I got a taxi into town. A short while later, the lovely Holly turned up, all the way from Madrid, to celebrate with me in Kathmandu. Some steak and cocktails were consumed, and we're off to Tibet tomorrow. May the fun continue!