New people at the farm

I have to still get the photos from Hannah and Amy of our trip to Mussourie, and when I do that I will post them and a bit about our visit there. Since then the farm community has grown with many french women, and a few others arriving for short times. Nina, a girl from Australia has arrived however for 5 months, and Matt, the volunteer coordinator is supposed to arrive today. House hunting in Delhi was too crazy for them so they have decided to spend their time here at the farm and work from here. I like that plan! Means that Hannah and I can also do that! Matt is bringing some projects with him from the city. So we will have some direction and motivation in him.

I got a couple of projects from Dr. Bhatt, who is the official Intern Coordinator I think...I dont really know what his role is. He comes to the farm periodically but has many conferences abroad I think and other lectures at schools, etc. I am to translate a development project from the city of Valladolid, Spain, from Spanish to English, and also update the website, the volunteer and intern portion, and advertise for the Intern Coordinator Position (Matt is only staying until December) so if anyone has any ideas of where to post this position let me know!

The other day, maybe 2 days ago, as we were on our way to the dining hall for lunch, Jai Singh, a farm hand and kitchen helper, told us to get into the car, we were invited to Anand´s house for lunch. Anand´s father had passed away not long ago, and this lunch was the breaking of a fast they do after the death. It was really amazingly good food. Hannah, Amy, and a girl Gael, and I went as well as a few other staff. There were lots of people there, and the food was endless! We didn´t stay long, but it was neat.

This weekend Dr. Shiva comes again, we´ll see what she says...I don´t think anyone has maken any headway on the last project she suggested, about the school visits...we, as volunteers, attempted to plan something, but without knowing the ages of the kids, how many they are, etc it is really difficult to organize or plan any type of activity. So we were waiting for further information that never arrived...oh well.

On the 12th a group up us are planning to visit Meera´s orphanage just for a couple of days. On the 11th I think Hannah, Amy and I will stay overnight in Rishikesh, where Meera works and then head up to Haridwar with Meera. Amy will leave then after the weekend, so we wanted to take her out for dinner at the Flying Tiger Cafe in Rishikesh.

I am focusing on finishing my paper these days, but managed to get out into the field and chat with Sheela and the other women yesterday and a bit the day before...they are always so cheerful!

Tomorrow, at the Friday market, we will go and buy fabric, and on Saturday will take it to the tailor. I think Sheela will help take it to the tailor on Saturday, because I doubt that the tailor will speak any english, and Sheela does speak some.