This week

For more images check out:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2037309&id=36000020&l=803d3
Facebook is much quicker at uploading photos.

Sunday
We arrived in Bangalore at about six am and got jerked around by a cab trying to take us to hotels when all we wanted was a place to store our bags for the day. That was frustrating. Then we went to Cubbin Park. It's a beautiful park full of children practicing martial arts, adults doing yoga and out for their morning constitutionals. We had a lot of time to kill until things opened. We found a Coffee Day coffee shop almost as prevalent in India as Starbucks is in NYC. We got harassed by some auto rickshaw drivers who said they'd take us to internet places that were open then tried to take us to shops where they'd get kickbacks for taking us there. None of us were in the mood for that and we got out. Ugh. Then we went to Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. Those were ok, but honestly they're not very nice for 'botanical gardens.' We were hot, tired and unimpressed with Bangalore. Especially as compared to Hampi. We went to a sangria lunch buffet. It was amazing. Casa del Sol offered unlimited lunch buffet with unlimited wine, beer and sangria for about $15. The food was great. We loaded up on protein and alcohol. In addition they had a pottery wheel, face painting, parrot astrologer, and a sketch artist. It was really fun! After that we were feeling better and it was nice to hit the internet, even if the computers were kind of crappy. We went to FabIndia to see if there were any souvenirs we wanted, but we lost Joe and spent the last thirty minutes we had in Bangalore searching and worrying. He just wandered off to get a hair cut.

Monday
I went to Barry’s class both periods instead of teaching aerobics. It was fun. Weird visitors from a school in Bangalore came. I mean the guy introduced himself in a room full of adults as Bob-ji. That’s like me introducing myself to my grandmother as Ms. McDonald. He’s giving himself the veneration children give teachers or adults give spiritual leaders. Anyway he and his wife came for a visit and actually handed out business cards to all of the teachers! It was my day for news again. It was kind of fun because I had a newspaper from Bangalore to use, so I got to give some more local news. Elizabeth and I wore saris to the huge approval of the staff and students. We taught the kindergarten the bridge of rubber ducky. A new volunteer arrived- Tony. His parents both grew up one state away in India. Since he finished undergrad early he wanted something to do between that and med school. He seems pretty cool. Jack got really sick, threw up and everything. Ick. We had a Hampi photo exchange in the lounge. It was fun.

Tuesday
I slept all day when I didn’t have class. Nirmala started teaching us a dance. It’s crazy and fun. The power was out almost all day. The sixth grade dance class was amazing. They look great. We held it outside by light of solar powered street lamp. In the lounge we watched Star Wars Episode 5. I really enjoyed it. Choir is starting to get the hang of the Billy Elliot music.

Wednesday
I went to Barry’s class both sessions. I felt rejuvenated. I stated taking Claritin. I think I have allergies here. I’m feeling much better now that I’m taking it regularly. The second grade ballet is really coming along and the third grade art projects are under way. Barry did some work on me. I felt great. I spent some time vocalizing and playing flute.

Thursday
I spent all my free time sleeping or rehearsing with Nirmala for the dance. It’s kind of silly, but we’re sure having fun making up lyrics to remember what we’re supposed to do:
“Look at my mehendi, it’s so sexy, look at my hands you want me, You ain’t nothin’, Woah Woah, I’m just a quail sitting in a garden, don’t you want to come talk to me? Look at my shoulders.”

Friday
We spent almost every free second preparing for our big show. We did make up and hair and mehendi and jewelry and flowers. It was intense. And so much fun. I opened the show with ‘Baby Shark’ audience participation style. Then Barry demonstrated some martial arts, Arjun played a Spanish piece on the piano, Michelle and Tony danced, Elizabeth sang ‘No One is Alone’, I sang ‘Old Devil Moon’ with Arjun accompanying me, Michelle sang, the boys played guitar and sang ‘Hey Jude’ then the group dance ended the show. It was so fun. My personal favorite is “so niiiiice!” and “oooooaaaaaoooowww miss! You dance so nicely!” haha. We watched Animal house in the lounge. Joe shared Nilla Wafers (!!!!!) his mom sent and we had some Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups that Barry brought. It was delightful.