Exploring Old Delhi

Exciting times - we have been finding our way around Old Delhi... Apparently we are in food central. Paratha Wala Galli was discovered... such an explosion of flavours it would be hard to even imagine. It was a little like Enid Blyton Magic Faraway Tree - think of a flavour... any flavour, and it appears encased in featherlight paratha. We got just a little bit overenthusiastic at this gastronomic profusion, and ended up eating more than enough for three each :) It was SO worth it though... We also discovered that the famous Karim's (of kababs fame) is just across from our hotel - successful group excursion :) And an epic costume shop was unearthed in Kinari Bazaar in Old Delhi, it apparently stocks *everything* from policemen's hats to Mother Teresa costumes to Trestle-style full face masks. An enormous costume / props bag was acquired for the final show!

We did do things other than explore Old Delhi :) We've been working really hard, actually. Some of our kids' homes are located right across at the other end of Delhi. This involves early morning starts, navigating crowded metros (btw, yaay for ladies compartments), and expending lots and lots of energy leading groups of excitable kids... in a mostly unfamiliar language. The way to succeed, we were told, is to make sure our energy is at a level higher than the kids' energy... yup, quite an ask! We do feel a bit crushed and crumpled at the end of the day as we wend our way back, energy spent. But it's all completely worth it to see the kids' sheer delight just for us to be spending time with them, and to see them soaking up the new exercises, songs, and games we introduce, like little sponges.

Each home has its own challenges - kids at one need to develop confidence, kids at another need to learn focus and discipline... and with each, our teams face new and varied challenges. Sometimes we feel the elation that comes from connecting with the kids, sometimes we feel the exhaustion and disappointment of failing to make headway with the kids. And so we learn what it's like to be a volunteer... challenging at times, and utterly exhausting and frustrating at others, but a lot of the time, rewarding.

This weekend we have a new activity - giant puppet making with Kathkatha! We bought lots of exciting shiny fabrics to create giant puppets out of baskets and umbrellas... excitement forecast :)