Palampouring on our Tibetan Weddin'

Last day in Thakadwara, the town located just (south?) of Palampur. It's been a good week and a half here- it's wierd to have a place in India to call a home. It has been wonderful--the volunteer coordinators Manu and Arie have helped us out alot, and our host family has been really amazing, as well as our cook. The other day, we went with the girls in the family to a party a few towns away. Think of it: invited to an Indian fiesta. Pretty great, not somewhere I would imagine myself in a million years. The food was interesting, maybe someday I'll open an Indian catering business, and we can all eat with our hands!

The walk on my last day of school was bittersweet. Like the rest of the day itself, I was happy to have finally gotten into the swing of things, but sad that I would soon be leaving. On the first part of the walk to school I was waved to enthusiastically by the familiar faces of the kids in the village, shopkeepers in their stores and women washing their clothes. It's a nice feeling to be greeted not simply because of my white face, but because I have been, at least briefly, recognized.
My first class was, as always, very trying. English grammar isn't an enjoyable subject even if one speaks English natively. I can still barely manage to capture the student's attention. I wish I had more time to work with the kids to make things more fun an engaging, or at least feel the tiniest bit productive. I think this sheds a light on the fact that short stay volunteering is a frustrating venture.
On our last day, the girls and I went back to Bir, the Tibetan Colony where we landed after paragliding. It was a beautiful day, the Himalayas trumpeting their presence every time we glanced upwards. We bought a ticket on the toy train (so named because of the single gauge track and wobbly appearance) to a village that, apparently, didn't exist, and thus had to get off much earlier than expected. However, as I am learning on this grand adventure, sometimes its ok not to know exactly what you are doing: especially in this wonderful country, most people are ready to help you along with a friendly smile, and anywhere the path leads us is bound to be a pleasant detour. Letting go is becoming easier, and the rewards of finding oneself in a small village with a beautiful monastary can only be had with a certain lack of planning.

I am sad to leave this town, the girls I have been working with, and the people we have met along the way. But, I know that the rest of my journey holds alot in store for me, one way or the other.

Farewell Thakadwara!