Monatsbericht August

Am Ende jeden Monats lege ich meinem Rotary Club in Indien einen Bericht vor, eine Art Zusammenfassung meiner Erlebnisse, um auch die Rotarier hier an meinem Leben teil haben zu lassen. Im Gegenzug bekomme ich mein Taschengeld - Dafür macht man es doch gerne!

Hier der 'report' von August:

"Dear President, dear Rotarians,

August is over and I again had the chance to make a lot of new experiences which I would like to share with you!

Writing this I just came back from Panvel, where I stayed Saturday and Sunday with many Indian boys and girls and around 15 Inbound students for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), an offer from the Rotary District 3410. Our group of ca. 70 people had a great time discussing, playing games, listening to music, swimming and hiking on a mountain nearby, where we took a nice shower in the waterfalls. In this Hotel there was a big hall where there was also the opportunity to dance! Apart from teaching Chacha and Rumba steps here and there, my host family is really improving, I could again do ballroom dancing after almost two months. Michael, one of the Inbound students who lives in Mumbai South, and me gave a Walz performance on the second day. Now we are looking for a hall near we stay, to teach all girls and boys who became interested and to train ourselves. Hopefully we find something!

But the RYLA camp actually is not the main thing I wanted to speak about, as during the last weeks Ganpati was going on.

I saw Mumbai twinkling, sparkling, glittering in all kinds of colours. Ganesha idols were to be found in every house, in every street – everywhere! Thanks to my host parents I also know, why this god has such a special head and this big stomach.

During the two days when Ganpati was also celebrated in our house I got to know many new recipies and the names Indian snacks: Puranpoli, Aluwari and Cachori are just a few of them. I also experienced how it feels like to wear a Saree half a day long, as some of you certainly remember. Poojas were hold, Aartis were sung and there was a lot to eat. Now I am looking foreward to the 10^th day, the end of this big festival.

The last month was full of singing, dancing but also learning, as I am now a student of the V. G. Vaze College in the stream Arts. Also my school in Germany has begun, so I study for Mathematics using the same Maths book like my German class mates. By luck Aniruddha can often help me if I get confused.

Everytime I get more used to the Indian trains and, arriving at CST station, I learn how to bargain with Indian passion. I enjoy meeting Inbounds and Indian people and make a lot of contacts.

The 26^th of August my host parents took Adriana and me to an sight seeing trip all over Mumbai, where we took a lot of photos walking through the wonderful Hanging Garden, standing infront of the sea or watching the Haji Ali mosk. We also went to the Aquarium.

Going back in time I notice, that Krishna's birthday also has been in August! It was a great festival and I have watched a lot of pyramides, tembling until the Handi was broken and everybody took a yellow Dahi shower.

When I think of Aniket I am sure he also enjoyes very much all new things he gets to know. All four of us keep in contact via Skype, where we can not only chat with each other, but also see our faces! It is so funny to hear him talking about students or teachers of my school!

I live in a time that is full of action, and I really enjoy this.

Last but not least I want to thank you for supporting me! Bahot bahot shukria, phir melenge!"