Halfway, halfway.

I've had such an interesting week, ups and downs like a rollercoaster. Not been feeling well, again, so I can only assume that's made me slightly more emotional, but work on wednesday really got to me. It was fascinating seeing the mums and babies clinic, just a local woman administering the ennoculations - but she used clean needles and she was as gentle as possible. There were no children in that day so we just sat and watched, but towards the end a younger girl, maybe 8-9yrs old came in for some drugs. Her mum/aunt/sister was with her, and was being very rough with her considering she was obviously ill - following them out of the door I saw her being beaten around the face with such force. It made me sick to see, but we have been warned with great sincerity not to interfere. I hated it, going back to work on monday will be awkward. At least i'll have my friends there. Lanie watched a little boy being beaten unconscious by the headteacher in Dabla school last week, it's one of the things I just wish I could change.

So yes, not such a brilliant week at work, but the weekend was a welcome pick me up (with some exceptions!) 4am wake up to grab a tuktuk into Jaisalmer, 7hrs on a hideously cramped coach to Bikaner where we went to visit the rat temple. Hundreds upon hundreds of rats, one for every holy person thought to have died. We removed our shoes, for this was holy ground, and stepped into the chaos of worship, offerings, and rats. They weren't that bad, one bumped into Rochelle's foot, and they're not timid, but nobody got bitten. It was getting home that was a nightmare! There's no such thing as a return ticket in India and up till now we have been lucky getting enough seats home, not this time. No seats on the bus till 5am! No way. So 2 1/2hrs of stress, and driving all over Bikaner finally secured the 16 of us 10 beds on the sleeper train home. My goodness, you cannot imagine the kind of cold we lay in on that train. It must have been less than 10degrees, no blankets. It was the kind of cold that makes you forget what it's like to be warm. But worth it, and we were all in it together!

Camp has never felt more like home.

So, halfway, actually nearly 4weeks left. My sweets got robbed out of the post (grrr) but I have my work gloves now so no more sifting through broken glass etc. I got my first christmas card from home, Clare sent me a pudding which the Indians thought was bizarre. Hopefully George and Ami are sending me goodies... It takes about 12 days for things to arrive, so if you're thinking of making my day in about 2 weeks - send me something soon!

Don't expect christmas cards from me this year :) no time, not a chance. Presents are on the way though don't you worry. Missing home, missing George. See you all soooooon. xx