Hi all, never written a blog before but I'm gonna try my best!
So, India, we are 1 week into our adventure now! After a lot of travelling & excitement of hectic markets, living with an Indian family and culture & Hindi lessons we have arrived at our destination, Himachal Pradesh in the Himalaya mountains, and what can I say apart from WOW!! From my bedroom window we have a view of the mountains and a view down the valley overlooking a truly picturesque stoney gorge with a clear running stream, it really is the most beautiful place i've ever been, and we get to live here for 10 weeks!! I feel so lucky!

After being woken up by noisy monkeys on our balcony we had our first day teaching in schools today, there's 43 volunteers in total, split up into smaller groups to teach in 6 government primary schools and 6 day care centres. I'm teaching Class 1 in Rajnali government primary school. We have a 45 minute walk through the mountains there and back every day. Teaching is harder than I expected, especially a group of 4,5 & 6 year olds that speak very basic English! They are all absolutely gorgeous though and so clever.

It's amazing how everyone here is so friendly and always happy, even though they live in very basic conditions, just goes to show that money and possessions really can't buy you happiness.

I hope we can make a big change to improve these people's lives. We will be teaching in the mornings and doing planting and construction work at the schools in the afternoons. This is a truly amazing experience and has already opened all the volunteers eyes up to life outside of UK traditions.

Gotta go plan some lessons now... will keep you updated on the escapades of group 9 volunteers!... watch this space!!