Lost a good 10kgs in sweat, auto-rickshaw broke down TWICE on the way home, leaving us in the pouring rain AND I am SO WHITE!
Oh and there were power cuts (which basically means shrivelling in the heat, NO AIR CON, NO FANS!) Imagine sitting in a church with 200+ women on a sweltering Chennai summer’s day (hence the 10kgs comment).
In other news (and let me rewind), I started work today! Mother hen, Cheryl, picked me up and words do not suffice, I just love her already! The day begins with a devotional. Then, after many introductions, I was off with Sharon, my oversight, to a biannual team leader training day. From what I could grasp, today’s topics were the statutory right to information, the prevention of lung cancer and the detection of breast cancer. Some women stood and shared how cancer had affected people in their world. I was so moved, even though I don’t speak a word of the language. Speaking of which - word for the day is thank you “nan-dri”. I was even asked to make an impromptu address to the meeting. This was translation exercise number one of the trip!
We then went to one of the branch offices and I got a little more wised up on this PPI project as I literally sweltered. From the office, old mate, ‘Golvin’ picked Sharon and me up just as it started to pour with rain. So then 2 breakdowns, 2 auto-rickshaws and being left waiting on the side of the road, I finally made it home – a little more saturated than when I left. I arrived home in a really good mood – there’s so much joy in this place, it is kinda hard to frown.
Oh and I WANT A SARI. I feel so left out in my drab colours!
Well that is a basic run down of working day number one. So far, so good, I am excited for all that lies ahead and for my next meal, yum scrum!
No comments:
Post a Comment