Cath's attempt at a World Tour.

Home now and sorting my life out in preparation for my next adventure which is when I will next update my blog. Christmas is intense and it is unreasonably cold but it is lovely seeing everyone and catching up. Living in India for 3 months was the best time of my life and has just made me want to travel more. My world seems so much smaller now and since I only get one shot at this life I need to make it worth while.  Tamil Nadu is a beautiful country, rich with culture and breathtaking scenery. I loved meeting all the people and getting to know more about their way of life. During my time there I taught classes that reached over 1,000 students and our events reached over 1,400 people covering vector bourne disease, sanitation, dental, HIV, diabetes, hypertension etc. After having time to reflect I understand that while volunteering in different countries I want to make a difference but I also maintain want to their way of life, just because it is not the same as the developed w...

Sat in Terminal 2 in Mumbai after first flight. Got a 9-10 hour flight to Heathrow and a train to Neath to see my family and collect my car. No internet while I was in Chennai so here is a post from the other day. Woke up at 5am to watch the sunrise on our last morning from the roof. Sad morning today saying bye to our neighbours who have been so welcoming and kind in our time there. Packed our bags (considerably heavier with gifts than when we arrived) and travelled back to Restless Development HQ, Chennai. Arrived about 12pm and as the rest of the day was a free day Team Alan decided to go to city centre, Phoneix market for a meal in Hard Rock Café to celebrate our achievements. It was a large complex and felt like we had walked into a London mall apart from the Tamil on the signs. There was a Manchester United Store, Marks and Spencers and CEX etc. Was great to seat down as a team and have a laugh about our time here. I am very pleased to have met such great friends while I have...

Today was our last day in Alangayam so involved lots of sad farewells. I have had an amazing time here and we have been welcomed into the community like we were part of their families. Here is a collection of pictures of my favourite people in my home away from home. They do all have actual names but list of their roles instead. Ice cream lady Bakery Man Coffee man Bus stand hotel family Bus stand hotel owner Dinner stall family (yes, that boy works at both places) Downstairs neighbour Divya <3 (doing an Indian smile) Team Alangayam, my favourite members of my new family (Back left: Pavlina, Rajiv, Ellis, Satish, Dani, Satish, Cara, Diyal, Kalpuna, Indu, Megan, Me, Roch, Emma, Mr Germ and Akram)

On Sunday morning we went to temple and then got the bus to Gingee. The ride was lovely through countryside and fields. I could feel the air getting more hot and humid as we approached. Got a tuc-tuc to the fort, costs £1 for foreigners to enter and 5p for nationals. Some of us decided to climb the biggest of the hills as seemed a waste not to. The Gingee Fort complex is on three hillocks: Krishnagiri to the north, Rajagiri to the west and Chandrayandurg to the southeast. The three hills together constitute a fort complex, each having a separate and self-contained citadel. The first hill which we climbed is called Rajagiri. The fort was historically considered most impregnable. It is about 800 feet (240 m) in height. Its summit is cut off from communication and is surrounded by a deep, natural chasm that is about 10 yards (9.1 m) wide and 20 yards (18 m) deep. The climb was hard but worth it with the amazing views at the top. Loads of monkeys on the climb and we ...

For our last weekend in India we decided to visit Tiruvannamalai, we were particularly fortunate to arrive during  Karthikai Deepam.  The most important festival of the Annamalaiyar temple (main temple in Tiruvannamalai) is celebrated during the Tamil month of Karthikai, between November and December, concluding with the celebration of Karthikai Deepam. A huge lamp is lit in a cauldron, containing three tons of ghee, at the top of the Annamalai hills during the Deepam. To mark the occasion, the festival deity of Annamalaiyar circumambulates the mountain. Every full moon, tens of thousands of pilgrims worship Annamalaiyar by circumambulating the Annamalai hill barefoot. The circumambulation covers a distance of 14 kilometres (8.7 mi), and is referred as Girivalam. According to Hindu legend, the walk removes sins, fulfils desires and helps achieve freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Rows of Agal vilakkus (oil lit lamps) are lit in every house. Karthigai is...

Went to YRC today to plant seeds and take part in the Livelihoods Jobs fair, In the afternoon we were invited to an NGO youth centre where children live when their parents can't take care of them any more due to financial or time reasons. Some parents come and visit and they are expanding the centre to incorporate rooms for parents to visit.  The kids were so bright and friendly despite their circumstances. It was heart warming to speak to all the teachers and assistants who live on site to take care of the kids. It was a great afternoon of playing all the games we have utilised in our lesson during our time here. In the evening, our downstairs neighbour Divya and her family came to our flat to take pictures. We all dressed in our saree's for that authentic Indian experience and gave her black coffee to try which she was not impressed with but drank not to be rude. Last weekend away then heading back to Chennai for debrief on Tuesday, Fini...

One of our targets while in placement is to make a kitchen garden aka alotment. A kitchen garden is supposed to be built in an area where there is stagnant/waste water, the growing plants will utilise the water and without the stagnant water the mosquitoes are unable to breed. This is one of the main reasons why it is almost impossible to stop vector bourne disease as you would have to wipe out all mosquitoes. The vegetables are also good for a healthy lifestyle and income if they sell them. We built our garden in Valipattu school to serve as an example and to encourage children to tend the garden. It took 3 days but felt good to produce something quantifiable. Our canvas Tilled the soil and built a little wall Searched soil for rocks and separated into furrows Planted and watered It lives!!!