12 March. Thursday. Tika-ceremony at Shining Star Boarding School, PIZZA EVENING!

08.00 alarm
09.00 breakfast
9.45 Tika ceremony Shining Star Boarding School.

At 9.45 English time I was at school. ALL the children were gathered on the playground, doing the morning 'drilling'. The headmaster was there, a man brought in from the village (one of the schoolcommittee) and Kayshani stayed with me to make pictures.

The English teacher was speaking about me, I heard the name Rita Sanghita many times. I even had to keep a short speech, which I think I did not that bad.

I said that it was ME who wanted to thank everybody. For making me feel so welcome, to make me one of them! I also thanked the people of Elounda and the other 'sponsors', without them I would not be able to drop all those little drops in the ocean.

Then it was time to get the Tika, flowers and a present. When the headmaster gave me the Tika ALL the children applauded and cheered! The noise was enormous and of course it was tissue time for me again. You should have been there, to hear the crowd, to see the crowd! Tissue-time!!!!

After receiving all the blessings from all the teachers it was time for the children to start the classes and time for me to go.

When we arrived at H.E. with a Tika again from forehead till nose-tip, they joked again: where is the blue? Holi again?

After washing my face I went to the village to go the Internet to give you a few more days.

I got a great email from Mo & Adam: they are really thinking of joining me in Nepal in February! That means the first two groupmembers of the Februarygroup of 6!!

Think about it: you can be the one to join us, I promisse you: you won't
regret it. We are travelling together in a beautiful country, which is still
very affordable, you will see so many new places, meet so many wonderful people. (and visit the projects AND my/our kids). The flight to Kathmandu is not so expensive as the flights in Europe! A flight from Athens to Kathmandu will be around 600 Euro (all-in). I have to check the flights from England, but H.E. adviced me to also check out the prices
from England to New Delhi and then a flight with Buddha air from Delhi to Kathmandu. You can then even see the Taj Mahal, a MUST once in your life. I will be very happy to come and join you in New Delhi to visit the Taj Mahal together and then escort you to Kathmandu to start the 3 weeks program.

After I have finished all the days in Nepal, I will have more details and I will publish the 3 weeks program. Just keep it in mind! (and start to put 10 euro a week on the side as a saving program. I also put 10 Euro in my Nepal savingbox every friday, just 2 drinks less on one evening, or 3 packets of cigarettes a week!).

(was it really me, who wrote before that I was tired of fighting, to do everything on my own? Well, the fight is over. The Universe is with me, taking care of me, standing by my side. As long as I keep faith in the big U, everything is gonna be alright).

At 17.00 in my Gurtha to the home, PIZZA EVENING!!!
With all nicely dressed up children in line to the Lake View Garden Restaurant. A lovely place, the tables for us set up in the garden in a long line, in front of the podium where a dance/music group presented their program, especially for us!

The staff was well organized, good service. Without explanation they did not give every child its own pizza but all of them one piece, followed by more pieces as long as they could eat. (and they can eat a lot!). Finally they said that their 'pit was kushi' (happy stomach) and 'pukju' (enough), but when the banana pancakes came there was suddenly a lot of space in their happy, full bellies to add without any problem this yummie pancake.

After joining the dancegroup on the stage to dance together with them, time to walk the happy kids home.

When we arrived at H.E. Kayshani said that she would love to sleep outside one night. Well, sounds good to me. So, on my way to my hotel, telling the man at the reception I would be back in a sec., just came to collect my blanket, I was going to sleep on the roof. He smiled at me: Suba Rathri! When I really came down in my teddy bear pyama and a blanket under my arm, he realized I was serious (and officially declared crazy by the hotelowner I am afraid).

Gomaya helped us laying out some mats on the roof of H.E., made our beds and said good night, gniffling about those silly girls. Bodi, one of the rafting staff came to join us. It was a beautiful evening, one night after full moon.

When we left the home Sudeep handed back my taperecorder. Laying on the roof, under an almost full moon, we listened to Mongol singing and then Sudeep speaking to the people of Elounda to thank them. Fantastic, blocked throat again.

Around 03.00 I was getting cold, but Bodi gave me half of his blanket (thanks sweety). Woke up 07.00 in the morning, going down to the kitchen of H.E. to get a hot coffee, where the staff was also considering whether we completely 'lost' it or not.

Suba Rathri dear people and once again Dhanyabad from me and all the children!!!!

11 March. Wednesday. A pretty 'normal' day

Not a lot to mention today.
The usual program: some more shopping - Internet - all day electricity - homework (Bimal, nailing him on his chair again).

Dinner was different today: Asta thought that I don't want to eat Dal Bhat everyday, just because I eat smaller portions, that does not mean I don't like it.
So he cooked fried potatoes with vegies. And on request of Kayshani he also made yummie cheese-onion pies!
After dinner they all went to Laila's bar to play pool, but I was happy with the day as it was, did not need to add anything to it, so I went to my room, did some reading and fell asleep happy and peaceful.

Suba Rathri
Sanghita - Kushi Aga

10 March. Tuesday. HOLI- colourfestival

Being a warm beautiful day, it reminds me of yesterday afternoon. At the time I got out of the Internet it looked outside as if it was DOOM-DAY, end of the world, end of existence.
Could not see the other side of the sreet, because of an enormous sandstorm. Must have been at least 9 to 10 Beaufort. Everybody rushing to get the goods inside, closing their doors, barricading the windows, taking cover for flying dustbins, advertising boards or whatever that was not screwed solid and safe.
As sudden as the strong wind filled with sand came up, as sudden it calmed down after 2 hours, leaving the entire Lake-Side covered with fine, red sand.

So, a beautiful warm day, filled with sunshine and a clear blue sky. A perfect HOLI-day.

The ancient Hindu festival of Holi falls on late February or on early March. Allegedly named after the mythical demoness Holika, it is a day when the feast of colours is celebrated. The festival is of a week. However it's only the last day that is observed by all with colours. Phagu is another name for Holi where Phagu means the sacred red powder and Pune is the full moon day, on which the festival ends. People can be seen wandering through the streets either on foot or on some vehicle, with a variety of colours smeared over them.

Families and friends get together and celebrate the occasion with a lot of merry making. This spring time celebration is also an outburst of youthful exuberance in which throwing colours and water balloons (lolas) on passer- by is acceptable. But, the Indian community, that is, the Marwari class who have settled down in Nepal for centuries and the people of Terai celebrate it a day later with more pomp and ceremony

Dressed in old clothes to H.E. around 11.00 to pick up Kayshani. We are expected for 'breakfast' at C.W.A. at 12.00.Walking through the door I just get a glimpse from Kayshani, trying to get away from a full colourpowder attack.
On HOLI everybody has his/her pockets filled with small plastic bags filled with coloured powder. They throw the powder at you or being even more lucky if they get hold of you they cover your face with the powder wishing you Happy Holi.
After that, to be sure that the powder will stay, they chase you with waterguns, waterbottles or even sometimes with buckets of water, to make the 'mess' complete.
The H.E. staff was well prepared, enough colour ammunition and for sure enough watersupplies (gardenhose). They made sure that Kayshani and I were looking already very 'colourfull' before we went to the children.


Arriving at C.W.A. the kids were still clean, first breakfast, then Holi. We enjoyed a tasty Tharkari (vegetable curry) with homemade Roti and fresh cabbagesalad, sitting all at the tables outside in the garden for today.
After cleaning up the tables and the plates the fun could begin. Slowly everybody joined the throwing, the rubbing in, the waterballoons.

After a while we left the little ones at home and with the older boys we walked to Lake-Side, attacked on the way by others passing bye or hiding on the roof, armed with water balloons.

We passed by from the house of one of the teachers. She called us in the yard, holding a big tray with a pile of blue powder. She wished us Happy Holi, 'blessing' us with her blue powder and treating us on tasty roti's.
When Kamal asked her if we also could 'bless' her, she said Yes, but only on my forehead. Well, sorry Miss, but that is NOT possible on Holi with such a big pile of powder.


Happy Holi - smash - Happy Holi - blessing - Happy Holi.

Waterattack from the roof at 12.00 o'clock!


Outside the H.E. the staff was sitting on the little wall.
I joined them, sitting in the sunshine, trying to get my soaked t-shirt a little bit dry. Kayshani just gave it up, she was soaked from top to bottom.
At one point we all were totally red coloured, which made me start saying to the people passing by: I want yellow. A bit later: I want green and then, to finish the grafiti on my face: I want Blue!
Soon, everyone sitting on the wall was saying: we want blue!
At a certain point two clean, official looking men stopped in front of us. "We want to make a picture of you, we are from the local Newspaper. Nr. 2 took out his videocamera with microphone and interviewed Kayshani: the local Television channel!

They said we looked beautiful with all our colours (including blue) and that for foreigners we knew how to play Holi!

Around 17.00 getting tired of running, chasing, being chased, sitting in the sun, time to hit the shower in an attempt to get all those layers of color from our bodies, out our hair.

I simply took off all my clothes, standing in the bathtub, except my t-shirt, which I took of before. I decided to keep it the way it was, I am going to put it on my Nepali wall at home. People would pay a fortune for a t-shirt like that!

About 4 washes later the water started to look a bit more clear. When I took my jeans out of the bath I discovered that my 200 Rupees watch (2 Euro) was still in one of the pockets. And still working! Wow, a real waterproof watch!!
All cleaned up to H.E. for dinner. We could not eat much after the huge 'breakfast' with the children this afternoon.
My usual evening coffee and I went up to my room, relaxing, reliving, looking at the pictures on my camera, ready for a deep happy sleep.

Happy Holi, wishing you all a colourfull life!
Sanghita

9 March, Monday.

09.00 I was walking along Lake-Side to do some shopping for my present/souvenir list. Happy with the succesful shopping breakfast at ….. Perky Beans.

On my way to the Internet, where I was able to write 3 days on the website until it was time to run to the school as usual.

In the house I had a chat with our C.W. Artists, in which I told the boys about my dream with the wish if they could paint this for me. They were enthusiastic about it.

Helping again with homework. Next Monday the exams start and everyone is studying very hard.
My stomach was a bit upset (?), so at H.E. just a little bit Bath without the Dal this time. Maybe the lentils are to heavy for my stomach.

Sitting with Kayshani in the garden, she feels a bit better and looks much better, although she is still coughing. But she will be in shape for tomorrow’s festival Holi.

Pashpathi told me that from our money he bought a gasheater and a hot water system (working on gas) for when a mother was giving birth in the Bandipur hospital. The remains of the Rs 10.000 (1oo Euro) he left with Ramsaran, the manager in Bandipur, to buy a refill when the gastank would be empty.

Up to my room, where I did a bit of writing and reading by candlelight and to go to sleep at 23.00, also having an early night to be prepared for Holi!

Suba Rathri.

Sunday, 8 March. Confusion about a ‘date’

Awake at 08.00. That’s too early! Turn around one more time. Oops 11.00!
Sitting on the balcony to do some writing.
12.00 To the village.

When I was having my usual real coffee at Perky Beans with toast, a Dutch girl (also sitting there) almost jumped at me.
“You are from Holland?” (What, is it written on my forehead?). And even before I could answer, she started: "I am volunteer, but I am sick. I was anorexic before and now it started again. I feel shit, am all alone, don’t know what to do, don’t know where to go."
So, I layed down the newspaper I was trying to read, walked up to her (but didn’t sit down, want to do my own things), layed my hand on her shoulder and told her to to go to the OM Family.
To go to Sagar for a Reiki, a healing. For sure he could help her to calm down, give her back her selfconfidence. (Her answer: I did a Reiki at that and that place, but it didn’t do a thing).
Well, I said, so you went to the wrong place. Really, you should try Sagar.
And before she could start again I walked back to my table (sorry, my coffee is getting cold) and picked up the newspaper again.
After 10 minutes she got up, a deep sigh, thank you and there she went, into he opposite direction of Sagar. Okay, I tried, but my intuition was right: don’t take her on your shoulders, waist of energy. A few days later I saw her on the street, with another girl, who looked a bit desperate: leave me alone on her face. So, the Dutch girl found some one to cling on to, she did not really wanted help, she wanted company to complaint to about her life, someone who listened to her, but not to listen to what the other person said to her. Pfff, I made a nice escape there!

In the Nepali Times the weatherman reports that the temperature is rising: 28-30 C. Nice! Even the evenings are nice to sit outside, without 3 layers on.

To the Internet to send some emails and as usual I have to hurry to be in time outside the school.
The Euro keeps going up: 100.24 today (on 14 March it is 103.55 and still going up).

Arriving at the house Mongol hands over my taperecorder: he sang some songs on the minicasette.
Time for homework. I sat down with Bimal. He was reading his English, but being such a dreamer, he is not really looking at the text. Just trying to go over it as quick as possible. But not today mate: start at the beginning, read and speak, just as long as you’ve got it right! He is very capable of speaking correct English, he is just not concentrated/interested enough. Prefers to daydream, to go to his room to make drawings. I almost have to tie him down on his chair, until he realizes that today there is no escape, his ‘puppy-eyes’ are not working on me today.
So, finally he gives in and in the end he even starts to enjoy it, asks me to explain words he does not understand. Well, some progress made, at least for today!

When I was at 18.30 at H.E., they said I had to go to Mountain Villa, somebody was waiting there for me. I ran quickly up here, thinking it was Maria. But……. it was the Headmaster.
On the message I left in the office at school I wrote in Greek Alphabet Gia sou Maria mou, in which note I wrote I hoped we could meet for a coffee or dinner together, to talk about her experiences and with the invitation for the picnic and Pizza-evening. In the office of course they could not read that the message was ment to be for Maria (although I told that to the teacher on duty at that time) so they passed the message on ........ to the Principal!
And there he was, nervous, babbling about being busy, mentioning a few times ‘my wife’. Ohoh, he thought I was after a ‘date’ with him???
We had a tea together, talked a bit, and then he said he had to go. He left as if thunder and lightning was going to strike him.
But not after he first told me to be at the school Thursday morning at 9.45 English time! Meaning punctual. There it is: Tika-ceremony.

Back at H.E. everybody already finished dinner, which was fine with me.
Checking on Kayshani, she was feeling a bit better, still a rough cough though and I told her to stay also home tomorrow, to have energy and being free of her cold for Tuesday: Holi!

Up to my room, where I got mixed vegetable fried rice served on my balcony. Dinner by candle-light!
Writing in my diary until 23.00 and time to blow the candle and close my eyes.

Suba Rathri.