End of Week One

It's been a great first week at Dream a Dream. So much to learn and see and have already started to work on the key aspects of my project here. Some of my highlights this week was the visit to the slum area, the afternoon spent at an orphanage and the warmth of the welcome I have received by everyone working at Dream a Dream. They share a hugely ambitious vision for a more equitable and fair society and do some really great things towards delivering on their dream. But the task is huge and I have only seen the tip of the iceberg. For those of you who have visited India, you will know that this is a complex country full of contradictions. But this is also a fast-growing economy and there is real optimism in the air.

I grabbed an hour this morning (Saturday) to visit the City Market. Like most Indian markets, what strikes you is the noise, the hussle and bustle, the colours, the commercialism, the smells (good and bad!) and the friendly people - many of whom are eking out a living selling a few items artistically displayed to maximise appeal.

Now that I have been here a week, I feel I am well into the groove of Indian life. I do what most Indians do when crossing the road...i.e. look for a small gap in the traffic and stride out holding my hand out. Invariably, traffic stops or slows down and all is fine. Though there have been one or two scary moments!! The traffic is so heavy that cars, bikes, buses and rickshaws don't go that fast so stopping or slowing down is relatively straight-forward. Well, that's my theory!!

I have had a great meeting with Vishal today and will be seeing him again for another meeting at 5pm. Tomorrow I hope to go to Bangalore Palace and the Botanical Gardens where, fingers crossed, I will be able to escape the continuous traffic noise and the pollution.

Many of you have asked for more photos so here is a selection (above) of the orphanage, the endearingly named "Cholera Cafe" where we get our lunch during the week, and the market.....

Keep your comments on my blog entries coming. It's good to hear from you. And apologies for not emailing you....am having problems with sending emails other than via webmail which is fiddly and time-consuming. Till the next time......