Here's a makeshift, airy-fairy explanation of what on earth I'll be doing for the next 10weeks.
On Tuesday night at 10pm GMT I will flying from London Heathrow to Dehli where I will be met by IDEX (an indian organisation set up/run by Platform 2). From Dehli we make out way to Jaipur where we will be placed in a homestay with 2-3 other volunteers to get a feel for the indian lifestyle. After 2 nights, 3 days, we set off again for Jaisalmer, a 13hour sleeper train ride away that I have been told will utilise my handy pack of dettol wipes.
From Jaisalmer we tuktuk/taxi/rickshaw the 2 kilometres to Dabla where we spend the remainder of the 10weeks in an encampment, sharing a room with 5/6 other girlies where we are allowed the privelege of 1 western style flushing toilet & a big cold tap. Hurrah!
In the day we have morning and afternoon placements, mornings are mostly manual working on community facilities, renovating a playground and building a school and nursery. Obviously, being the last group to go I think we'll be afforded the nicer jobs of painting and decorating. one can hope. I'm looking forward to the afternoons where I could be anywhere including womens empowerment and education, teaching english and maths to primary and nursery children, teaching sports, or mums and babies health clinics (just let me at those cuties!).
Our weekends are our own when we will be allowed to go into Jaisalmer, or explore other parts (I've had a recommendation to visit the fort at Jodhpur). We have been promised a Camel safari with sleeping under the stars of the Rajasthan desert and an elephant ride to an ancient temple. Score!
On the 21st I make the journey in reverse, flying from Dehli back to London just in time for Christmas with my friends, family, and beautiful boyfriend. Who I will miss like nothing I have ever missed before. I have however been promised regular correspondance in the form of pre-written letters to be packed prior to my departure and opened at the appropriate time. There had better be lots of kisses in my birthday card.
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