Final Days…

Indeed! 6 days left. Well, it’s been fun. Fun because last weekend I went to Amritsar by bus and had a dip in the holy pool that surrounds the Golden Temple. Why was that fun? Because tradition means that men go in their underwear. I am glad Annike – a new friend of mine – convinced me to go actually. Aside from the peace that surrounds the temple and the free community kitchen, on the bus ride there the views were phenomenal. I woke up at about 7am, and past my new sleeping friends were flat plains with a few trees that met the mist at the horizon – like they went on forever – in a gorgeous mix of pale green and pale grey.

We also caught the border guard parade at the Pakistani border, which was quite something. It’s like a competition to see which guards from which country can stomp towards the border with the most ferocity. There are seats on both sides, too, which are packed with cheering crowds spurring on their ‘warriors’ (guards, but they may as well have been).

A challenge it has also been. 75% of my students in the second slum I teach at were missing by the end, due mostly to exams. Can you imagine trying to teach with that? It felt almost pointless sometimes. I am glad I came though. The students that do come – and almost all of the students in my other slum came continuously – have made pleasing progress, and it feels good to know that I taught them something so important to them.

I know I’ve said this before, but I definitely feel like I have learned a lot here, and about so many different things; decision-making, teaching, cultures, clarity, people, learning, and happiness to name but a few.

I must say, I’m upset about something though. I was going to pretend I’d been sent to hospital for April Fool’s Day because I’d fallen two stories from my balcony but I completely forgot. Terrible…J It would have been a great way to get back at Freddy (Asha founder), who, on the way to a dinner one night, told me all about this beautiful woman we were picking up, made me go and get her from her apartment, only for me to discover I was actually picking up a man. “You’re meant to be a woman” I believe is my quote of the year. Something like that anyway.

I’m so glad I came here. I’ve learned to go with my gut more when it comes to decisions (I’m faster now!), know that I need – and love – peace and quiet, and have realized that lack of appreciation can really kill your happiness, even if you have the world.

On that note, I shall leave you. Many thanks to all who sponsored me – you have done a good thing.

Warm and final regards,
Jon