2011-jam-packed

Family renion 


On our last tedious, sleep deprived leg back up to Mussoorie, we decided to stop at Dehradun to purchase a few necessities like motorcycle helmets and groceries. We had been in the helmet store about ten minutes and tried on every design and colour when out of no where two white 'foreigners' enter the store. Funnily enough, they were not foreigners at all, but Ben's parents, Chris and John. We couldn't believe our eyes! They had sneakily intercepted our travel arrangements, thanks to the local taxi companies lack of privacy policy, and had managed to surprise us upon our return home. Although we knew we would be seeing them that very week, it was still amazing to see them in person without even the smallest email to organise a meeting time or place, this interception is truly an Indian phenomena. We had a lovely lunch in Dehradun  with Ben's parents, Aunty Heather and older brother Josh. It was very nice to see some familiar faces after almost 6 weeks of traveling basically alone.

They very next day we started back at work, straight into it. The anticlimatic change to our weekly schedule was padded with evening visits to Rokeby, the near by hotel and restaurant dinners. Although it was still very cold, we managed to make the most of the hotel's facilities and enjoyed an evening spa at sunset. 

Staff Retreat

Ben organised activities for a staff retreat which was held at the Hanifl centre. It was a fantastic morning filled with team building exercises that brought people from different departments together and helped bring about some positive energy into the new semester. John, Chris and Josh were able to sideline the action and got some great photos of the day. Unfortunately for Ben, this day signified the first of many days of sickness, and he was bedridden for about a week, fortunately Josh was also unwell, so both brothers managed to keep each other entertained at home while I worked. Ben was even feeling a little better one morning and took Josh out to look at some near by snowy mountains.

 Ben in the midst of a group "sit"

Emerald being carried down a human chain

Road Trip

One of the highlights from the family visiting was a long drive out to the Yamana river and to Herbetpur hospital, one of the work places of Ben's grandfather (Ray) when he was working as a surgeon in India. John, Heather and Chris were able to fill us in on the small details and how they remembered the slightest details of various buildings and the people who occupied them. We also met some of the impertinent people that worked alongside Ray which was very surreal. Having read part of Ray's biography it brought to light some of the memories that are captured.

John happy to be in India

A brief break on the bridge

Heather at Kempty falls - shocked at the transformation

A photo from Ben and Josh's hike

Snow

After the family departed, Ben and I were left with a very busy few weeks of work, and to make matters worse we were freezing morning to night. We were lucky enough to have snow fall a few times, which for me was a first, actually seeing snow falling was quite special. It was quite amazing watching the impact of frozen water on the student's happiness and behaviour, snow fights and screaming graced every morning, lunch break, tea break and after school times. 

 Our house after the snow

Quarter break

 As quarter break officially falls this week and we have to work, we decided to take ours a week early to enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation. We headed out on Thursday morning, cruising the winding roads on the bike, stopping occassionaly to stretch our legs, or take a few photos. We headed to Tehri direction and ended up half way between Kanatal and Dhanolti. We stayed at a rather unique guesthouse, named Krishna's geust house - note the spelling. It was located above a tea shop and adjacent to three tea shops (dabas). We were blessed with the company of the village's youth who kept us entertained with smiles ear to ear. I was treated with a very nice lunch at the local 5* resort, Kanatal - which was quite stunning, it was a big contrast to the tea stall we were staying at. We indulged in creamy dahl and spicy mixed veg, it was a real treat. We even had a tour of the resort, but decided it was a little out of our price range (9,000 rs per night vs 250 rs at Krishna's).

Stretching the legs on the way 

 Adorable village kids

 Delicious food at Kanatal

Looking out from Suhkundar Devi temple

Saree shopping in Chamba, a cute town on the way to Tehri damn - first Saree purchase, note the helmet

Up and Coming

This week I am leaving for a recruitment trip to Vietnam and Bangkok. Ben is also busy and will be taking a group of senior students out on a 4 day hike, along with some fellow staff wanting to improve their fitness for bunderpunch expedition in June.