India

Mumbai

We arrived in Mumbai on 10th May and what an arrival it was! Due to the swine flu outbreak we had to fill in a health form - all very official - until we arrived at the airport. We had to fight our way through crowds to be checked by medical staff who because of the amount of people couldn't even see our faces but passed us as healthy anyway! Our first impressions were of a busy, hot, noisy, smelly and dirty city. Not one of our favourite places! However, we spent a lovely day sightseeing which included the Gateway of to India, the fish market, Taj Palace Hotel, a boat ride in the harbour and eating Thali! Never the less we were quite pleased to be leaving for Goa the next morning! We arrived at the train station to catch a 6.30 train but sadly it was delayed by 4 hours - quite normal we were assured by others who were also waiting. So we joined them on the platform for the wait. We finally arrived in Goa just before midnight.

Little Angels

We are living in a small village called Calvim which is in north Goa. It is actually on an island that is acessible by ferry 0 always fun negotiating the many scooters that come on an off at the same time as cars and people! We are living with a Brazilian couple, Pedro and Genilda, who have been here for 10 years. They also have an adopted Indian daughter - Owie. We are getting very involved with a project which has just opened called Little Angels. This is a home for children with Special Needs. At the moment there are two boys living there - Kumar and Gabriel. They are both lovely and we are having lots of fun getting to know them! There should be three more children arriving when school starts next week. Deepak is a young guy who used to live at the previous children's home they ran and is now helping out at Little Angels. David and he have become firm friends and have enjoyed building fires in the garden! Which leads us onto the work we have been doing. So far it has been very practical. David has been gardening and cementing part of the house. Zoe has been painting, teaching and trying to learn to cook some of the delicious food that Owie prepares. Amongst the work there has also been lots of fun which include a visit to the beach and playing Carrom (a great game flicking counters around!) - more often than not India beat England but we are getting better! We hope to go to Pune soon to see some of the projects that are begin run over there.

Goa

We have had some free time to explore some of Goa on a moped - which seems to be the main method of transport here. We have seen up to five people on one moped but we have only managed the two of us! The markets are amazing, full of fresh veg, fruits and spices! We took a weekend to see the northern beaches and so far our favourite has to be Bogmalo. Some of them were very busy as although it is the end of the tourist season it is now holiday season for Indians. We love the sea although it isn't that refreshing as it is generally like getting into a very warm bath! It is a really beautiful area and we are assure that it is just a beautiful but just a 'little wetter' in the monsoon season! It is due to start raining next week so we will let you know!

Well that's all for now! We are off to church in Panjim where David has been asked to give the sermon!