Final reflections

Monday 

Today was the last day of our adventure. We've been travelling all day and using the journey to reflect on our time in India (and watch the excellent selection of in-flight films). For our final treasure and trash of the trip we went through everyone's trip highlights and trashes - for most people the main treasures were the time spent at Sangam, the community projects, making promises at the Taj Mahal and getting closer as a group. The main trash was coming home! We also talked about how the time in India has allowed everyone to discover their potential - be it confidence, leadership, independence or something else! It has been great to see everyone flourish as the days have gone by. 

The leaders would like to thank all the girls for being so brilliant throughout the trip. 

We hope everyone will cherish their memories of the trip for years to come, and spread the message of how great international guiding is far and wide. 

Sarah, Sarah and Catherine. 

Double decker train to Delhi

Written on Sunday, but wifi was down in the hotel therefore posted ASAP.  

Today (Sunday) we woke up at 4:45am and made our way to the train station. We got a double decker train which would take us back to Delhi. Most of us slept and the journey went extremely fast. When we did arrive in Delhi it was extremely hot and humid! 

We drove to Intercity Hotel, had some free time to relax and then we went to a market to do some more shopping. There were lots of people trying to sell us things and one man, who was trying to sell bags, dropped his price dramatically in the five minutes he was trying to sell bags! We didn't buy any bags but it was funny when the price dropped from five hundred rupees to one hundred rupees! 

We were going out for dinner so when we got back to the hotel we all got ready and got the coach to a shopping centre where we were going for dinner. On the coach we had a sing using an iPod and the microphone to make the music louder!

The restaurant we were eating at was called 100% Rock. Some of us had Mocktails and lots of different meals. The restaurant played rock songs and we chose a few! We even danced a bit! At the hotel we did treasure & trash and went straight to bed ready for our day of travel tomorrow!!!!

Amber Fort, Jaipur

Today we woke up for an 8:30 buffet breakfast at the Bissau Palace hotel, then got ready to leave for 9:30. Unfortunately it was raining so we couldn't visit the observatory as we had planned, because it was all in the open. So instead we went straight to the amber fort which was next in the list of things to do. We travelled up the hill to the fort by jeeps along a very bumpy road. 

The amber fort was very interesting and beautiful and we learnt a lot from our tour guide. Although we did get completely soaked, so when we got on the bus the majority of us turned our jumpers into skirts. 

We then got back on the bus and went for lunch at Pizza Hut (still wearing our lovely jumper skirts). After all eating quite a lot of pizza we headed back to the hotel. The original plan was to visit elephantastic however we were unable to due to the heavy rain, and it may have not been safe to travel there and back as some roads were flooded. 

Back at the hotel a few of us went in the pool which was very fun and relaxing. We're now all relaxing and are about to have a nice Indian dinner at the hotel. Then tomorrow it's an early start and off to Dehli. 

Written by Daisy. 

Jaipur

Today we left Atithi Hotel (in Agra) and got the coach to Fatepur Sikri. Fatepur means Victory and Sikri means town so it's name together means Victory town! The King Akbaar made this town and it took him 14 years to build. Although, His family and the people only lived there for four years. King Akbaar is the grandfather or Great grandfather of the King that made the Taj Mahal. 

 

After visiting the town we had our lunch where lots of us were able to eat French fries! We then had a four hour journey on the coach where many of us slept. We got off the coach and entered the hotel where we saw that the walls were being hand painted! We got the coach to the cinema and watched the first half of a Bollywood movie and most of us followed well considering that it was in Hindi! At the interval we left for dinner which was delicious! And most of us danced with some of the local ladies trying out some Bollywood dancing!!! 

We are now back at the hotel ready for bed. 

Star of the day: Ellie, for being an excellent group leader and being enthusiastic at Bollywood dancing (Lara was a close second, nominated for always putting other people before herself)

Written by Ellie x

Agra

Today we departed Delhi on our lovely air conditioned bus. We arrived in Agra at 1ish when we checked into our hotel and then went to a local Indian restaurant for lunch. 

After lunch we visited the Red Fort, where we had a guided tour.  It was very interesting as we got to see the different architectural influences from the different religions. At certain points of the Fort we could see the back of the Taj Mahal which made us very eager and excited for later today. After much anticipation the time had come to visit India's most famous landmark. We were all very excited to see the front of the Taj Mahal. 

When we got in we were told all about the history of the palace which was really interesting, after learning about the history we had an hour to take photos (take on the role of Princess Diana) and look at the inside of the Taj Mahal. We all renewed our promises in front of the Taj Mahal, with seven girls making their senior section promise for the first time.  

Then we got back on the bus and did a bit of bus shopping - where the sellers show us the products  and we can decide in a safe environment if we want to purchase the item. This evening we went to a Chinese and Indian restaurant- which was sooo nice and tasty!!!

Star of the day: Daisy - for trying different foods.

Emilia and Chloe xxx

Delhi

Today we explored Delhi - a really long day but lots to see! 

We started out with a tour of old Delhi. We travelled there on the metro which was lovely because we were in a women only carriage and the metro has air con (much needed as Delhi was over forty degrees today!) The tour of old Delhi included the spice market, jama masjid (a huge mosque) and a Sikh temple where we were invited into the kitchens to make chapati! 

After that we had lunch and visited the lotus temple. We then went to New Delhi where we saw lots of wide streets and colonial houses. We saw the presidents house and India gate. We then went to Connaught place - an open air shopping market where Lydia tested her bartering skills. Finally we had dinner and we're now back at the hotel ready for bed and the Taj Mahal tomorrow! 

Leaving Sangam and arriving in Delhi (Tuesday)

Yesterday, we woke up a little late (8:20) and finished packing, and also started our first activity which was laughing yoga, it turned out to be a very new experience for most of the group. After our new experience of laughing yoga, we had reflection time to remember all of the amazing things we had done, which was an incredible amount in 10 days. This led us to finally and reluctantly having to take our bags out of our dorms and weigh them (they were all a little over the 15kg but you can't live without bangles, sari's and punjabi's). After we had lunch, we finally had to say goodbye, which was harder than we all thought it would be. We waved from the rickshaw, and found all the staff waving back. We arrived at the airport a couple of minutes later, during the very short flight most fell asleep or listened to music. After the flight, we had a short journey to our hotel where we were all very hungry. Our hunger led us all the way to Pizza Hut (which just happened to be round the corner). After some yummy food everyone fell exhausted into bed! 

Lara xx

Our last full day at Sangam :-( (Monday)

Today was the last day of the community work. We (Beth, Lydia, Daisy and Olivia) went into the local slums to work with young girls in the community hall. It was so much fun and all the girls were very welcoming. They were intrigued by our skin and eye colour and said that we were "beautiful". The day before it was friendship day so the girls gave us bracelets and rings which we can take home and treasure. 

Some of us went to Aga Khan Palace, which is where Gandhi, his wife and his secretary were held captive. It was very interesting to read about Gandhi's life and was incredible to be walking where he had walked. 

When we got back to Sangam, we had traditional Indian street food for dinner. We all tried it but it wasn't to everyone taste. We tested our tastebuds but resulted to birthday cake instead! 

Then we had international evening, where every travel group made a small presentation about where they live along with campfire songs and a fake campfire as it was raining outside, of course. Our presentation was a small quiz about London, one of the questions being 'When did the London eye open?'

After, we had to opportunity to swap some badges where we got rid of the leftover India badges and in return have new badges from all around the world. 

We've all had an amazing time at Sangam and know that there is so much more to come. Bye Pune and Sangam!

Lydia and Beth xx

Much deserved rest!!

Yesterday we had a very well deserved, relaxing day. It began with a lie in. Breakfast was being served 8:30-9:45am, so we could emerge from bed between those times. 

Our morning was mainly Leave Your Mark, which is when you do an activity that will have a positive impact on Sangam. This may include picking up litter, writing about each day for the newsletter, making the log book page, making videos and much more. 

The majority of us had a free afternoon. It was mainly spent in the swimming pool, playing lots of fun games and creating challenges and obstacle races. Leah and Olivia took the opportunity to meet local Guides, trade swaps and see what activities they do and had a great time.

In the evening, we had our sign out dinner. It was called Dario's, and I think I can easily say, it was absolutely brilliant! Most of us had a pizza with french fries on it, followed by a chocolate brownie with ice cream and hot chocolate sauce. Daisy said it was the best brownie she's ever had (note from Sarah C- she's obviously never tasted mine!).  We all arrived back at Sangam completely stuffed!

Everyone had a very good sleep, which was just as well because it was back to an early morning start!

Annabel

A challenge and Indian afternoon

In case you haven't noticed we've put pictures up from the last few days!

Yesterday was a very challenging day because we did the Pune Challenge. What we had to do is go on Rickshaws to places and answer questions. We all mixed with the other guides and adults (note from leaders - so that everyone went with an adult in their rickshaw team). One or two groups went to Aga Khan Palace (where Ghandi, his wife and secretary was imprisoned). Others went to a farm or factory or to see where the copper bowls are made, which was really interesting to watch. Then we all met up for lunch at a local restaurant and had dhosas (Indian crepes with either spicy potato or cheese). Then we caught richshaws back to Sangam in time for our Indian themed afternoon which included; dressing up in our saris and punjabis (Leah's favourite part of the day), getting henna done by local ladies, Bollywood dancing, Making Rangoli patterns on the floor and a Maharashtrian dinner. The dinner was a traditional celebration meal in which we sat on the floor and ate off our perfectly sanitised hands. After dinner we had lots of fun in the pool, taking more pictures, jumping in, and playing volleyball.

Leah and Chloe x

Community Projects (01/08/2014)

Today was an early start for the girls in the Green Tara group and the Tara Mobile Crêche group-having to wake up at half seven in the morning; to have their breakfast at eight o'clock and having to leave at half past eight in Indian time, while some are still getting used to the time difference- and even though it was a rough morning, it was obvious today would be a good day, due to the fact that for the first time blue sky was visible with the sun smiling down and the clouds slowly pacing by. For the other groups it was a later start with flag at twenty-five minutes past eight; breakfast at half past and leaving for their destinations at nine o'clock or later.
  Once arrived  at Tara Mobile Crêche the girls got started straight away, Chloe; Ellie and a few others teaching the kids the Macarena;  Happy; parachute games and how to make their very own symmetrical butterfly, while the rest started to paint the second coating so that the pebble-dash wall can be bone dry for the next time any of us go back to our community project on Monday 4th August.  By  one o'clock the paint had almost run out and still there was quite a vast amount of wall still in need of the second layer... Thirty minutes into painting the second layer the children were excited to see what was going on and having only caught a glimpse of all the girls painting the primer yesterday they picked up some spare paintbrushes and started to help paint the second layer. After a few minutes, the children went back inside where they got to see the girls' amazing dance moves to Happy and the Macarena, which the all enjoyed very much though they got bored rather quickly when having to repeat the lyrics to Head Shoulders Knees & Toes over and over again.
  Having arrived at The Green Tara Foundation headquarters in Pune, Lydia, Olivia, Beth, Daisy and Sarah C got off to a great start. The pupils in the class were all very excited to learn more about the water cycle using a different method to learn from what they are used to. It  was an enjoyable experience for all the girls, apart from their arrival back to Sangam, where Sarah C thought she gad lost Lydia and two of the older girls in their group. When Olivia turned around in breezeway, not  knowing that they were in fact sitting down drinking a nice beverage, she saw three girls with the  same smug look on their face holding their beverages in their hand. After having found the girls whom were right under their noses, it was a big relief. (Note from leaders - we are doing everything we can to make sure girls are in rickshaws with adults and that we know where they are and the rickshaw knows where it's going).
  Annabel, Lara, Emilia, Sarah A and Leah had an unbelievable time at the Indian Sponsorship Committee: Sarah and Emilia were able to pull off a pretty good version of Happy despite Sarah getting confused on some of the lyrics. Not quite the X Factor standard yet, but with practice, who knows,... Beyoncé might even lose her crown to one of those girls. Lara taught the pupils at the school how to make paper people, Annabel and Emilia taught some songs and Leah did an amazing job at teaching the students and the teachers how to make loom bracelets, and little did Leah know that doing such an amazing job would make her the shining star of the day, though there is no denying that Leah is a star who definitely knows how to shine and make her friends laugh.

Lorna

Community projects

Today was the first of three days working out in the local community with the charity partners. We were in three groups -

One group (Lara, Leah, Emilia, Annabel and Sarah A) went to the Indian Sponsorship committee. We went to a small hall in the middle of a local community where there were about 40 children. We sang songs, played games and made paper aeroplanes. After lunch we went to a second local community hall where there were about 20 children and we sang songs and made paper boxes. The kids loved all the activities and loved having their photos taken!

One group (Chloe, Lorna, Ellie and Catherine) went to Tara Mobile Crèche.  We started off the day by painting the outside of the concrete school building.  Over the next few days, we will reapply the white paint, and then create a colourful mural to welcome the children.  We also had a chance to plant a range of flowers and shrubs that we had bought from the garden centre yesterday.  This will provide the teachers the opportunity to show children actual plants, while they are studying this topic.  Tomorrow will be busy, as there is quite a bit of painting that needs completing, plus we are running activities for the children.

The Green Tara Foundation group (Lydia, Beth, Olivia, Daisy and Sarah C) went to the Pune International School to teach a class of about 50 students, with ages ranging from 15-18, about environmental science. They had a round robin system, covering the topics of water, global warming and pollution. Although most of the students were older than us, the group worked really well together and kept them interested. During the next few days, we will be teaching the same students again, on similar topics, and visiting the local community hall to teach children aged from 11 to 20. It's going to be a very busy week!

We then came back to Sangam and had a session on 'Free being me' talking about self esteem.

Back to the community projects tomorrow!

Sarah A and Catherine xx

Starting our Community work (30/07/14)

The two of us started the day by participating in yoga at 7am; where we learnt how to count to 10 in the local language and it was very relaxing experience.

Then we all went out on our introduction to the particular community partner that we will be working with for the next few days.

I (Emilia) went to the India Sponsorship Committee where we spoke to two of the women who work there about the programme and what we are going to be doing over the next few days. In this charity the staff teach the local children and adults about gender equality and explain why it is important that girls go to school. Also, the women can pay to make bags and purses with old fashion sewing machine which the organisation sells and the women get a percentage of the profit made from the group. Over the next few days we will be going out into the local communities where we will be doing activities with the children that we organise. 

I (Daisy) went to the Green Tara foundation, which works with young children and mainly adolescents teaching them informal education and life skills. They work in both schools and local communities, with both boys and girls, all around the ages of 14-18. We visited the office for Green Tara and met the founder Dr Mune who told us about the foundation and her inspirational story. We were then taken to a local community where we visited some of the houses in the slums of people who are helped by The Green Tara Foundation.

When we got back we had a Indian culture session where we had feedback time about how the day went and how we felt about the days ahead, and asked some questions about the Indian culture.


Then we had our first 10 million girls session, which was focusing on the 'stop the violence' campaign, in which we participated in various actives related to the topic. For example we got given sentences related to the issue and we had to do a freeze frame of it.

After this session we had dinner, and finally had a prep session in our groups for the next day of community work, and reflected on the day.

Emilia and Daisy xxx

Rickety Rickshaws :D

Today we got a bit of a lie-in as we had breakfast and our daily flag reading at 8:25. After this we had Patrol

Corner, where we sit in our patrols and answer questions and discuss plans for our future duties. The patrols are made from mixed groups of event participant, so we get to know new people, which is nice. 

From 9:00 we set off in rickshaws to go shopping at Laxmi Road. I was in a group with Catherine and Daisy, and during the bumpy rickshaws ride I stayed the warmest and dryest as I sat in the middle. When we arrived, our rickshaw driver dropped us off in the wrong place so we had to call Sangam to find out where we were meeting the rest of our mixed group. (Note from leaders - all the girls were accompanied by an adult in the rickshaws!).  We found out that we were meeting at Kirti Saree Centre first, where Daisy and I tried on some gorgeous saris and punjabis. In the end, Daisy brought a beautiful bright pink and gold sari and I bought a punjabi which is blue. 

Next, we headed off to the Black Temple where there is a museum and a balcony where we can take pictures of the busy road. 

After this, we went to the Line Bazaar which is a market place selling all sorts of things. In the centre of the bazaar there is a giant Ganesh statue used for the Ganesh festival later in the year. Soon after that we went to the vegetable market, where we were set a challenge to discover what a Hindi vegetable in English, and we were set ginger. We also had to try and buy as much ginger as possible with 10Rps (approx. 10p) which was very fun as we had to try and haggle with the vendors. 

We then went to buy bangles and bindis for the Indian afternoon later in the week. Soon after this we went to eat lunch in an Indian restaurant, which was DELICIOUS!! 

After lunch we went back to the closest bus station to get two buses back. On the second bus, Emilia, Leah, Lara, Daisy, Lydia, Beth and I watched a young Indian girl (who couldn't have been older than seven) begging money off of a man on the bus. The twist to this story is that it looked as though the girl's foot had been snapped off and reattached which was upsetting, shocking and hard to believe.

Once we got back to Sangam, those who had bought a sari or punjabi were fitted by the tailor which took a much shorter time than anticipated. After this we had until dinner at 6:30 to ourselves, so we had some chai and sat chatting, which was really nice. 

On Tuesdays, we don't eat meat or eggs, so our dinner was a vegetarian curry with rice and vegetables, followed by melon. Dinner was delicious as usual. 

After dinner we had until 8pm to relax again so we had some ice creams from the shop which cost 10p-£1!! 

At 8pm we had a WAGGGS game based on the theme "Save Our Pool" as Sangam is trying to have the pool renovated as it has a huge crack down the middle of it. The game was really fun as we had to come up with a synchronised swimming routine, make a poster, and design a newspaper swimming costume for Leah, where she looked fabulous! A highlight of mine was seeing our leaders try to synchronise swim on land (Another note from the leaders - we thought we looked quite good!!). 

Overall, it has been a brilliant day with some definite highlights, and it has included quite a few power cuts (including one literally just now!!)

Wishing you lots of love from Sangam, and we are missing you loads :D

Olivia xxxx