Gallery 44

So my journey has come to its end but the ramifications of the past three weeks will continue to weave their way all through my life and the lives of others as the neverending stream of .... River. The last day began with an emotional briefing and an early start to our designated school. My school, RIMS international school, was in Juhu, a district 1 hour away from Marine drive, a long but beautiful journey. I got to have a last overview of the skyline of Mumbai and I realized how much I will miss India. When we got to the school we were welcomed with a demonstration of traditional dancing and the national anthem sung by two of the students, which encompassed the emotion and experience that I gained during my time spent here. I had so much fun getting involved in the geography quiz and winning it, collaborating for the literature class and listening to the business students presenting the issue of manufactured needs. I loved mingling with the students and this experience made...

As my journey is coming close to its finale I am starting to feel more and more anxious. I do not think that I want to go back to the real world that awaits for me in Europe. India is such a wonderful place to live in and I made so many memories and friends here that I just don't want it to end. The day was announcing itself to be filled with events and activities, the moat jam-packed day of them all up to date.  we started off with an early departure to the TISS at 9 am and had a very interesting lecture by the director of the institute, concerning the social welfare of India and how social sciences are approached in India. I was surprised to find about all the social policies that are in place and how action orientated all .  Bombay from the top floor of TISS

Today started with Hindi classes with the beautiful Neha and was followed by a visit to the Bombay Stock Exchange, the largest in Asia and also the oldest, established in 1875. After that I had to give an interview on my experience in India and therefore, was a bit late for the visit to the house of famous and eccentric fashion designer James Ferrerra where we had somewhat of a VIP experience, being just six of us. He talked about various things, from the renegation of the past that Indians show, to his attempts to revive the heritage that India has and also set up a couture course that could balance the one in Paris, his love for wood and glass but also fun stories from when he lived in London with his Muslim boyfriend. I will end by quoting him: "To live in India is to live in a place without a conscience". Refering to the world of contrast that you find in Bombay, having the rich and poor living ever so close but never truly interacting. He invited to come visit him a...

I am safe to say that I slept aproximately 15 hours and I still feel tired. My alarm went off and I dismissed it as I thought it was Tuesday. Wrong, I was meant to be at my Bollywood dancing class at 7 but managed to wake up at 8, therefore, missing it. I have a plan of catching up on Wednesday so I hope it works out. Today we had to go on a treasure hunt that took us through the whole of South Bombay, from the Gateway to India to the Watson Hotel to the Sassoon Library and dock and even to Starbucks, that has a delicious Iced Hibiscus Infusion tea. This was followed with the most extraordinary visit to the largest slum in Asia, Dharavi. The experience left me speechless and during my time there I barely said a couple of words, except for questions to our tour guide from Reality, an NGO that uses 80% of its profits to implement social programs in the slum. Our visit coincided with the first day of the 10-day festival dedicated to lord Ganesh, the god with a head of an elephant and...

Our train got to Mumbai at 9 in the morning and we reached the hotel and checked in around 10. We had lunch and then I rested my eyes for a while, as I couldn't keep it up anymore without falling asleep. At noon we went out to go exploring and wondered through the markets and took a stroll on Marina Drive to explore a small part of British Bombay. After that I took a taxi and returned to the hotel around 5 as the others wanted to go shopping for a little longer.I cannot believe how tired I am and that is why I am going to bed after writing so little, today was not that exciting but hope things pick up and I get to see some of my friends from outside the program as well. All the best from the coast of India!

Today was a sad day as it was my final day in Delhi. I woke up early and went for breakfast with my boss. I got at Starbucks just before it opened and I met 2 Australian girls that I will probably see after I reach Mumbai. Me and my boss had a serious discussion about what we want to do next and went to the post office so I could send my letter to my Amercan friend. She then accompanied me back to the hotel, where we said our good byes in front of a bunch of Indian body builders, that the hotel was hosting for an event. After that it was time to say goodbye to the hotel, the wonderful staff, the temple and Delhi, as it felt that I was leaving home to go on holiday. We reached the train station and getting on the train was an expensive nightmare, as my suitcase broke and I had to pay  a man to carry it for me. I met a guy that was working in the same neighbourhood as me and things got a bit hot and bothered. However, the 16 hour train journey  passed reasonably fast as it...

Today started nicely with breakfast at the office cooked by my lovely boss and a nice cuppa made by my lovely friend. I finished a cover story for one of the magazines that I designed the content list for and also did some research on Indian dessert, jalebi. We had a lot of fun today, also my boss took me for a celebrity interview with Prakash Jah, one of India's greatest directors. It was an honour to meet him and interview him, however, we had to rush and shop for my accessories as well. We went to Unhappily married where I bought some really unique and crafty souveniers for my friends and then to Lajpat Nagar, a huge market where I got my accessories and shoes for my saree. After that I took a tuk tuk and hurried back to the hotel where I got ready to party! At  6 we went to the British Council where we had our closing ceremony which was a blast! The food, speeches and dancing was amazing, as well as the disco and music at the afterparty! Tomorrow we leave for Mumbai, I...

Today will be a quick post, as I have a couple of things keeping me busy. Work was amazing again, the girls at work will bring me jewellery to wear with my saree and will go shoe shopping tomorrow. We had so many coffee breaks it was unbelievable but ultimately fun. I got to know more people in the office and see what they do for a living, which was inspiring. Next on I will leave work early to do my creative installation project for Cultural exchange night and then we will have a party with a talent show and a lot of fun. That is all for today, and in case something interesting happens, you will hear all about it tomorrow. PS: I will attempt to contact my American friend through the old-style medium of letters, wish me luck!

Although I miss David, my American friend, I got to work bright and early today and started work on my first article for an Indian online magazine, called HomeComing. I did a piece on stand-up comedy and then was able to design it and give it shape. I cannot wait to see it published and be proud of it, this goes straight on my CV!!!!! Next on, after a fullfilling day at work, we went to visit the Lotus temple, home of the Baha'i cult and listen to the inspiring talk of CEO of Fabindia, William Bassel. I had to quickly run at 7 to go get my indian clothing from the tailor's and managed to make it just in time. After that, me and my room mate Tharusha, went to Berco's for another amazing meal. We made our way back to the hotel and I tried my clothes on for my amazing coordinator, former fashion editor, Meetu. Decided that I will wear an anarkeli for Friday night's dinner at the British Council and a saree next week at the closing ceremony in Mumbai. All in all it w...

Day 2 of my internship week kicked off with a wonderful breakfast with my lovely friend George, followed by the celebration of my new American friend, David. He just turned 21 and I decided we could not let the moment passed unnoticed. Today was also the day he was leaving for the home of the tree where Buddha reached enlightment, where he will be on an exchange program for 3 months. I took him to my favourite place in Delhi, a sikh temple, where we enjoyed the calmness and went to make roti for the poor. It was a heartwarming experience but also heartbreaking because I had to say good bye to my new amazing friend. Hopefully, he will come and stay for a week in December in the UK, so we will get to see each other again. Next off we went to a conference at the British Council with the esteemed education minister of India, where we got to share our experiences so far and try to convince him and the government that the program is an invaluable part of the connection between the UK and ...

Today was the most amazing day. First I got to lie in for the first time in weeks. Secondly, it was my first day of internship! I loved every moment of it and it went so quickly. I had to do an entire editorial briefing for a whole new issue of a magazine at Maxposure Publishing, Delhi. More than that, I loved writing an article for the issue as well. The team is wonderful and the office is great, I learnt so much and cannot wait to go back tomorrow. After I came back I had a bit of an altercation but it all balanced out when a very cute man brightened my evening. Happiness can come when least expected!

As I was saying last night, today at 4 AM we left for the wonderful tomb Shah Jahan built for his wife. The journey took around 5 hours and when we arrived there we had guide that showed us around the whole complex which is formed from several buildings, gates, mosques  and gardens. The beauty of the complex is astonishing but my heart was breaking at the sight of the degrading store and lack of care of the authorities for the preservation of this amazing monument. Next  on we went for lunch and then we visit the Red fort of Agra, which was built by the same emperor and it is as big and majestic as the other complex and even overlooks it. I an surprised of how technical and perfectly symetrical the whole design is. After finishing the visits we had to return to Delhi as 2 of us had to catch flights for their internships. The trip back was fun, packed with jokes, songs and deep conversation. I loved every bit of it! The evening ended with reg...