-

25 February 2019 - 2:30 p.m.

I have just spent the best part of a month away.

Once again, I undertook a challenge to raise money for our hospice here. This time, we went and climbed the 2nd highest mountain in southern India, and helped at a children's cancer centre.

I fell in love with the south. I didn't expect to! It pays to go with an open mind and a bunch of lovable nutters as company!

My impromptu appointment as art director at the centre was stressful at first. We had to paint remaining blank walls to bring the kids some joy, and so half the group painted a small wall with dinosaurs and a chameleon (I can take credit for the dragonfly). The BIG wall was solely my responsibility, and I spent most of my time drawing shapes for the others to paint in. They chose a sea theme, and so I scoured the internet for images I could copy... And you know what, it looked AWESOME!! Everyone did me proud!!!

One of the children came up with his mother, and we translated that he wanted his toy drum pained on the wall with some drumsticks... He was only about 4. I undertook the task myself, and painted it up to be as true as I could be. He was stoked!

Soon, more children appeared, and over the course of our time I painted a cricket bat and ball, a (creepy af) dolly, a bucket and spade, all chosen by the residents. They somehow don't look out of place in the sea theme, though not sure how that works! I spent a few hours painting the background, using a shower scrubbie glove that I had chosen to sacrifice in the name of texture... It worked amazingly well! It was only when I had finished and sat down that one little girl approached me.
"All the other children have something on the wall, but mine isn't there!"
So, with 5 minutes to spare, I found a blank space on another wall where her whistle now sits in glorious wonky technicolour.

In the themed wall, I had filled a large space with an anchor. The others painted it blue to represent where I work, turned a flower on another wall into a poppy (also me) and there is now a girl with blue hair as well! I still feel so humbled by this. I love my fellow trekkers dearly.

The trek was incredible. Our guide, though not perfect, had an amazing sense of humour. His love of the surroundings and its residents was heartening. As per usual, I got known pretty fast as the person into flora and fauna, and he was soon pointing out all of the different birds and animals we found along the way. A lot of them rare and/or endemic, and all of it beautiful.

I took Uno again, but unlike Peru, this time it got used... Every day, without fail, the cards would be broken out and the evenings came alive and became slightly raucous! Who knew that something so simple could bond us like that. Over Uno, rum and beer, we shared much laughter. Guides included.

Tea plantations, bare mountains, forests. Friendship, love and laughter.

Saying goodbye was sad. We lost 4 before we went on for the northern extension.

I was excited about Delhi, of all places, as always wanted to see the Bazarre! However, I hated the city... The smog, the people, the poverty surrounded by opulence.

Agra was nicer, despite some of the same problems. The history was quite fascinating, and I still can't quite believe that we have been to the Taj Mahal... THE Taj Mahal!! I never wanted to see it, but my gods it was worth it!

Jaipur is a much nicer city. The architecture is all painted in patterned terracotta. I moved rooms, as the 2 I was meant to be sharing with kept disappearing early whereas everyone else wanted to socialise. I was invited to bunk with the tour leader, a young lass that I got on with well. She had a fricking SUITE!! Super king, 2 large singles, large tv, tables, chairs, sofas, 2 bathrooms... It was amazing!!! Needless to say, Uno was played in here. All but the 2 aforementioned turned up!

Sadly the one hour we had free to do what we wanted the entire trip didn't pan out, as we wanted to use it to get souvenirs. It was not to be though, as all the shops were closed in respect as there had been a terrorist attack in Kashmir the previous day...

More sad goodbyes, rushed thanks to our local guide, as 3 more departed our company as we got dropped at the airport. They are now in Bhutan, doing another trek. With my Uno cards for company!

Reunion in a months time!

Wait, go back a bit! - Onward ho!

E 's hugs


My profile Current blog What has come before Leave me a note Skyefire's diary Graagh's diary Read other diaries Recommend to a friend Mmmm... brains... Get your own fun, free diary!

I feel Flibble