Played more badminton with the kids before assembly. I felt a little more comfortable with the format today but still don't feel as though I have a handle on what I should be teaching as they will be taking exams next week. The students guide me. They tell me which subject and page. We read, I write on the board, I ask them for words in Hindi. At break, the girls ask me to bring out the nail polish, bindi's and earrings. Before I know it, I am bindied, painted and earringed - sadly with no nail polish remover. Class V only has six students so it allows more time for the individual. I really wish I had more time with them, but after next week they will probably be gone. Thursday is a big market day in Chartisgart (I will have to revise this spelling), so Bhola and I are off again to do some shopping. We end up taking Siddarth's motorcycle which at first seems like a fun but five minutes into the ride I was thinking "what was I thinking"!;) The roads are dirt and rocky, rutted and steep at times. Regardless, Bhola is an excellent driver and we arrive safely. The market is packed. It's been very interesting to see three different markets in three consecutive days. City, village, and town. The faces here are a little more reluctant to smile, but once they do they beam. I am such a tourist but at this point just have to be gentle with myself and allow it. I take pictures and videos of everything. The man making tea with five different bubbling pots. The little shop stalls with a backdrop of brilliant mustard plants. The man with a monkey sitting on his head. The painted markings on the buildings that say the area is polio free. The serious baby in the shiny fluffy red suit with dark black eyeliner. ... and so much more. We go to leave and the bike won't start. Bhola leaves me in front of one of his friends shops. I start to get a little nervous, but then realize there is nothing to be done. I have some more tea and listen to the hindi music from the adjoining stall. The bike is fixed after a few minutes and we are back to the project. Siddarth tells me about the Gotra's in Indian society. A Gotra is kind of like your lineage. A woman must marry out of her Gotra, etc... He then shares a little about his. Tracing it back what could be thousands of years. And I thought my Grandmothers genealogy back to Charlemagne was impressive;) I try to help Sumun wash the dishes but am a little slow and clumsy. I really enjoy pumping the water though. It's the little things. Their are two wells on the project or ashram. The one we use for the kitchen pumps out warm water and is quite lovely at night. Off to bed, very tired as usual, but excited for the next day with the kids.
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