2.1.13 UK Bound
I didn’t have an alarm to set because I had given my phone
to Hannah incase her’s didn’t work when she got back, so I was super paranoid I
would sleep in and miss my flight. I woke up at 6 and was expected at Bev’s for
breakfast at 8.30am, so repacked my bag, sorted through all 900 photos etc. It
was nice to have some quiet alone time though. I had breakfast with Bev and then
got a taxi to the airport which was 400 idr which is about NZ$8.00 The security
here was super thorough with my passport being checked about ten times, three
different screening zones and then being frisked and hang luggage being tipped
out on a counter, – I obviously look like very suspicious. I’m not onboard the
9 hour flight to Heathrow. We left India an hour late due to heavy fog, but I
had no where else to be, so I wasn’t bothered. Just flew over Afghanistan. It
is absolutely covered in snow!! I waved to Rhys.
Things I have learnt:
·
Do not underestimate the consequences of
actions, especially in unfamiliar territory and even more so when immersed in a
different culture
·
India is corrupt: the government, the police,
the way of thinking for the majority. But, I think all that is changing.
·
There are 200,000 kids living on the street in
India and 12 million (I think) in India, but just because they have lived on
the street does not make them pathetic or depressed. They have dreams and
aspirations, just like everyone else, but unlike most, they appreciate the
small things in life.
·
India has two very different life styles – rich
and poor. I think it has always been like that and hence it is accepted.
·
History in India is surprisingly shallow, around
the 1500’s is when stuff started to happen, I wonder what it was like before
that.
·
Hannah’s grandad served here during the war, I
wonder if her ever met my Grandad
11.1.13 Swanbourne House School
I feel as if I am in Downtown Abbey. While there are no
longer servants and there is no “family of the house”, the bells are still in
full working order and the house itself used to be a big estate. So far life at
Swanbourne doesn’t quite make sense – there are no children. Our arrival on
Sunday was smooth (but for the second time there was no one to meet me).
Patrick showed us around the shack and the school. We met Andrew and Liz, the
boarding house parents, and various other staff. The school is awesome. Very big and typical
of the English. The children have very a
very sheltered school life with no decisions to make for themselves or
independence. This is fine while they are at school here, but leaves questions
over their futures and whether or not they are being prepared for the big wide
world.
On Monday we had a five hour first aid course which was very
long winded and super thorough, Tuesday was staff meetings, child protection
and health and safety.
Wednesday was an office
induction, games inset and pool safety lesson. With so much new information and
not being able to practice it without the children in the school yet, we felt
very much overloaded. The children finally arrived on Wednesday night and were
quick to identify us as the new gaps. Joe Maguire came running up to me asking
about Miss Scott Mackie, saying that I was already his favourite. Very cute. The kids are really polite and
nothing is a problem if you make it clear that you are staff and not their
friend (so far).
Thursday was the first day back at school for everyone. We
were introduced in assembly before I went to help out in Tranny PE , Junior
Games and Senior Games in the afternoon. I am on duty during all the breaks,
every day except Mondays, which is my half day. While my timetable has a lot in
it and it keeps me very busy, I am sure I will enjoy the following few weeks,
once I figure it all out!
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