Day 4 - Fri., February 26, 2015
Friday, 10:00 pm - We popped our last balloon moments ago. It’s been a pretty inflated day, starting at the Lal Ghat where travel agent Aditya Trivedi (“Mr. A”) happily reunited with the students. He attended a celebration at the school a few years ago and has been closely involved with Educate for Life since its inception.
Then up the hill to the City Palace. Numerous folks were happy to pose with the students. A smartly uniformed palace guard insisted the children pose standing: “I cannot sit down on duty.” A honeymooning couple who, moments before were adorned in ceremonial dress and being professionally photographed, stripped off their costumes and gathered the kids around them. Our tour guide Vijay ushered everyone into the museum and proceeded to elaborate on the history of the Raj and describe the myriad poetical, decorative paintings of military might (were those really elephants?) adorning the stone walls.
Then down the hill to the Lotus Café, culinary icon of Bhattiyani Chouhatta. Lunch was a tad slow so we watched—no...we were imprisoned by—Hindi cartoons on TV. Their first time in front of the boob tube, we were told. When the thali arrived we pulled the plug and…Presto!...the tube was history.
Then up the hill to the City Palace. Numerous folks were happy to pose with the students. A smartly uniformed palace guard insisted the children pose standing: “I cannot sit down on duty.” A honeymooning couple who, moments before were adorned in ceremonial dress and being professionally photographed, stripped off their costumes and gathered the kids around them. Our tour guide Vijay ushered everyone into the museum and proceeded to elaborate on the history of the Raj and describe the myriad poetical, decorative paintings of military might (were those really elephants?) adorning the stone walls.
Then down the hill to the Lotus Café, culinary icon of Bhattiyani Chouhatta. Lunch was a tad slow so we watched—no...we were imprisoned by—Hindi cartoons on TV. Their first time in front of the boob tube, we were told. When the thali arrived we pulled the plug and…Presto!...the tube was history.
Back up the hill (we got our exercise today) to artist Lala's studio. His wealth of experience working with children had them quickly creating modern interpretations of traditional Rajasthani wall art. Paper prep, colour mixing, and basic brush technique, and…Bingo! Two hours later, seven ceremonial elephants were marching through artistic grass in front of a stylish sunset.
Then a few steps back down the hill (we love our neighbourhood) to our apartment at the Silver Moon Haveli. The farewell party on the roof culminated with the kids twisting and sculpting balloons. “Awesome!” That pump we’d picked up for the soccer ball sure came in handy.
This remarkable week may now be over, but awesome friendships have only just begun.
Then a few steps back down the hill (we love our neighbourhood) to our apartment at the Silver Moon Haveli. The farewell party on the roof culminated with the kids twisting and sculpting balloons. “Awesome!” That pump we’d picked up for the soccer ball sure came in handy.
This remarkable week may now be over, but awesome friendships have only just begun.