YWCA Anandagiri Ootacamund

... is over. But at last we gave our best effort as a team keeping as that’s the only way we can survive in the Jungle where we were exposed to wildlife. I salute the local tribe (Mahesh) who takes enormous effort to ensure this trip should give us happy and safe...Hats off to him.. Thank god all our prayers worked and we reached safely to our place. That was the last thrilled night I ever had so far.

Early morning on 22nd we started from Masinagudi at 7am saying good ...

... what it means to be a TCK, and prepare them for a different world, not ‘the real world’”. Ideally this year’s graduating class will carry their distinctions into adult life, into the ‘different’ world, finding others like them and feeling empowered by who they are.

They will soon leave the bubble, full of ambition, anxiety, and as well prepared as possible. “Like everything Hebron has its troubles,” Ruthie offered. “But ...

... pencil. I was saved from information overload by Joseph and Jarebb; visiting alumni who arrived in Joseph’s sporty black Suzuki to take Allyson and I on a tour of Ooty.

Joined by Carolin, a German IG at Hebron, we explored the central market and St. Stephen’s, the oldest church in Ooty. Joseph was a barrel of a guy, with a swaggering walk and a look to match. He had a sharp soccer jersey and bright new sneakers and stylish wrap-around sunglasses, and owned an art ...

... wandering and taking photos as usual. There were a Botanic Gardens which was lovely for the pure fact that was actually no rubbish to be seen and there many Indian tourists with their families relaxing and enjoying. Ooty and the area is great for trekking as their are tea plantations, and a few tribal areas. I was interested in the tribes. I had to hire a guide as it wasn't something i could find myself unfortunately. We took a 45 min bus ride and then strolled for a while, over ...

... the TV and we had a showoff all the pics taken till then…comments, laughs, revisiting the good times spent, most were ready to sleep off the tiredness. A few managed to keep awake the
entire night and had to get to sleep as soon as the maid came over just at sunrise.

Day ThreeWith a packed day planned ahead, we made hurry with the fantastic poori-sabzi breakfast. After many byes ...

... cost 95rps (approx £1.20). I mention this for 2 reasons; 1 because Claire wants to know and 2 because I'm about to tell you about food rationing for the local population. As we got back to our hotel crowds of people were waiting outside the building opposite, on the wall outside the building were chalk boards with prices of things written in Hindi. So I asked the proprietor of the hotel what was going on. She told us they were ...

... the way was pretty horrendous, being a Saturday the world and his wife seemed to be heading for the Wayanad. Plus, everyone wants to say hello and ask us where we are from, so we were continually stopping to have chats with the locals. One of those conversations, fairly near the top of the climb, was with a car load of guys one of whom had a half full bottle of brandy and he was trying to get Dave to take a swig. We just hoped ...

... carriage was pulled by another gorgeous elephant. The finale was 3 elephants abreast, the centre one being the hugest bull I've ever seen bearing a gold howdah on top of all the silk and gold finery. I thought the dispersal of the crowd when it was over was going to end in tears. There must have been a million people trying to leave. I did not vacate my seat till it had thinned out a lot. In the evening there was a ...

... of the living conditions of these tribes and we received a personal tour around the museum (unfortunately the ladies didn't speak very much English, but there were texts that explained most of the items). When we signed the register it turned out we had been the only two visitors that day. We decided to walk back to Ooty and passed a village where people looked at us like we came from another planet. Children wanted us to take their pictures and strangers gave us ...

Friday evening! My plan was to take a night train to Coimbatore and than go by a scenic railway line up the town Ooty. But of course everything works out different. I do not have a reservation for the train and I can not get the ticket. So I try to take a bus. But there it is the same problem. I have to wait for a couple of hours asking several bus drivers for an empty seat and finally with a bribe of extra Rs100 I manage to jump on ...