People have been asking me what a typical day at the ashram would be. So I thought I would try to describe it for you.
The Child Haven Ashram (home) sits on a small hill over looking a winding river in the valley below, with low rolling hills all around. It is just a 10 minute walk from a small rural village called Savarsai, with about 100-200 people. We live in the countryside but we are right on top of a busy (crazy) highway. The trucks, and rickshaws, motorcycles and ox carts going along horns honking and passing willy-nilly, sometimes passing 3 cars abreast.
I haven't been able to go down to the river yet as they say I should have a child take me there and the children's day's are very full. There are 34 children here and they start their day at 5:00am with wash up and then group prayers and exercises. The highschool kids catch the bus at 6:00 am the other children have fresh hot soy milk then and on to homework. The Primary English school children head off on the bus around 8:00 am and we walk the village children down the highway at 10:00. Most children spend their days barefoot and all Indians remove their shoes when entering a building.
We have a cook, a woman who washes the clothes and a matron who lives and sleeps with the girls..(she is 24 and has just started.) Talk about a full time job!! All staff gets one day off a week and we can choose which day we want. I took Tuesday off and went to a near by town Pen, (40,000 maybe) to shop and have lunch in a restaurant. It was market day and the city is full of life and acitivies from all directions. After lunch (1;00 or so) it is rest time until about 4:00pm. Then by 5:30 all the children have come back from their various schools and it is time for some homework and then 6:00 pm prayers, and exercise and yoga en mass. I hope to able to join in some but for now we sit at the front of the class and watch. 7:00-8:00 pm if homework and practice English. Dinner is at 8:00 pm then bed at 9:00. I usually play with the two young puppies they just adopted here during the down times and catch up on my reading and my yoga in the evenings. It is full but very relaxed. I hope to be allowed to help with the cooking preparation soon and maybe the washing but for now they tell me they are fine.
Tomorrow I will spend the day seeing a few things in the area, the leprocy colony and not sure what else.
I had hoped to upload some picture to go with this blog but I am having technical dificulties. Next time, Until then, stay welll, and I would love to hear from you.
Hugs and Namaste,
Beth
About Me
- Beth
- After nearly 30 years working as a teacher in a day care centre, I am taking a 4 month break and heading to India to explore a totally different and vibrant culture. I am looking forward to shaking the cobwebs out and learning how another culture looks at the world.
6 comments:
Oh wow Mom..u painted such a nice picture of where you are and what your doing..I almost felt like I was there with you. (I would like to hear more about the leprosy colony).
I told some of your stories and adventures to the children, parents and staff at the daycare. Everyone is thinking about you and missing you..every minute of every day. I love you and will write you again soon :) xoxoxoox
Hey Beth! Well, you really got into the swing of things very quickly, didn't you? A day off already - and a couple of trips. It sounds like there's a pretty strict routine at the ashram, tho. I wonder how often something unusual happens that knocks everything off it's schedule? Do you hear news from away?
L.
Little Elizabeth says have a good nap, Beth. Enjoy your sleeptime says Altan. Right now it is dark and you will be in bed soon. (Erika) Zachary says thank you for giving the food money to take to India.
Lily says that today is her birthday and she is 3 years old! We are well here and managing fine at the daycare. We miss you but hope that you are having a good experience. Love and hugs from all of us at Sunflower.
Hi Beth,
You certainly make it sound interesting and I'm anxious to hear more about the leper colony - amazing that it's still an issue in 2010.
I've just booked flights for Erin and Steve to join us in Florida. Erin and Jordyn will be here from Feb 7-Mar 13 while Steve is working at the Olympics. Steve will come from Mar 5-Mar 13 - looking forward to spending time with the baby.
I bet you'll become very attached to some of the children there.
Take care
Love Sandi
Hi Beth! Had a ski in the Phillipe sector of the Gatineau Park today, and thought about you. Hope that you had a good day. L.
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