Mixed emotions on the drive to my placement this morning. A few of the group had shared their feelings of sadness about today being the last day of the program. For me it's a combination of disbelief that this time has come and some sadness. The boys were their usual enthusiastic selves upon my arrival, their warm smiles and eyes beaming back at me. Today we made paper lanterns in preparation for Diwali - the Festival of Lights, one of India's most prominent festivals...a bit like Christmas for us. The children told me it's all about the food, in particular sweets and deep-fried items of yumminess and of course firecrackers. However the Indian government is restricting the use of firecrackers this year as a sign of being more environmental friendly, trying to reduce the well-known levels of smog/pollution/noise...good luck with that.
The boys were so precise and diligent in making the lanterns, taking such pride in their work and constantly showing both myself and Renu their efforts. They even used rulers and pencil to accurately space our the lantern gaps...it put my "example" to shame but then from good, excellence is created (haha). Once completed, the lanterns were hung on some string across the classroom and some pics were taken. They looked fabulous, moving gently with the fan generated breeze. And how cool is this...I have one coming back to Brisbane with each of their names written along the lantern. Post lantern creating, the boys settled down to write a piece on Diwali.
Saying goodbye to the boys, Renu and the other Vidya staff was sad and in some ways so final. I know it's highly unlikely I will see the boys again but there is an opportunity to keep in touch with the Vidya program. I would do another placement here in India in a heartbeat. I have loved every minute.
Post final goodbyes, Anisha and I walked out to car but not without saying goodbye to my little friend who had consistently come and said hi everyday. Saying goodbye to her did force one to hold back the tears because there is definitely no way of keeping in touch with her. As we drove off I waved goodbye and my little friend blew me kisses and kept waving...a needle and thread required to mend a broken heart and some sunnies to hide the tears.
Back to home base we passed the scenes that had become part of our lives over the past fortnight. The women attending to the household chores of their homes despite it being a tent at best, the children laughing and playing together in the dusty side streets, the same hawkers at the same set of lights selling the endless stash of red sun visors and me thinks a lady of the night working day shift. The now almost invisible holy cows meandering on the roadside eating rubbish, the lines upon lines of cars, scooters, buses, tricycles, bicycles, tuk tuks weaving in and out and the repetitive yet musical tones of the horns. Lastly the colours, the never ending rainbow of colours displayed by the beautiful, impeccably dresses women of India regardless of religion, caste, marital status, socio economic status. India thank you for sharing your heart and soul thus far.
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