Curtain Rods For L Shaped Widows

Christmas Merry Christmas!

We wish our readers in faraway Germany, a wonderful wedding with lots of presents, cookies and mulled wine.
do Tonight we take the night train to Bangalore, where we meet with 10 other volunteers of the Foundation and Karl Kuebel celebrate Christmas together werden.Wir look forward to a week together and hope that despite the high temperatures in a bit Christmas spirit will come.
We are ready to give up some sun rays in exchange for a few snowflakes. Interested are welcome to comment on our blog entry. ;)

Many Greetings from India,

Leah and Feli

Hp Deskjet F4180 Cartridge 56

The 'Inter-Project Visit'

"Humor is the button that prevents our collars explode." (Joachim Ringelnatz)

The last few weeks here in Mangalore was a roller coaster ride of emotions. We have fluctuated from time to time between the feeling of being finally arrived and found a home in India to have large and the longing for the German order. The only way to catch our lows seems well for us all not to take too seriously and take it especially with humor.

Anjulis and Julia's visit came Maithri

Last Thursday last the long awaited visit from Hassan to us in the big city Mangalore. After they had placed a five-hour bus ride through the mountains of Karnataka behind, we got Anjuli and Juliet at the bus station ab.Wir abducted equal to one of our favorite places in the city, the Pizza Hut in Bharat Mall, where we enjoyed a pizza and went well saturated on to Deralakatte, in our small suburb, which is about three quarters of an hour's bus ride away from Mangalore.
Because Julia and Anjuli Project Visit to the Internet there were, They have accompanied us on all our activities here at Maithri. So our students the opportunity a bit more about the European culture had to know.



On Saturday we went to our group of children in a small town in the vicinity of Deralakatte.Vor recently we had to split the group according to age, as 18 children may even be two very exhausting. Only now are the younger ones turn 4-8 years and then to the elders of 9 14 With the whole group we have started a small cultural exchange with a German class and a kindergarten. The children draw things out of their everyday life (their family, the house in which they live, their school, etc.). The pictures will be sent with some pictures and explanations about the children living in India at a kindergarten and a school in Germany. In exchange, we get pictures, painted by the German children.

The first few days we have also been used extensively to share our experiences and about since the mid-term workshop. Even though we are in the same country and relatively close to each life, our projects, mentors and the environment are very different.

On the way to Mangalore

On Sunday we showed the Hassan girls what it is in Mangalore even so there. Sunday is our day off and we enjoy it, to go into town and stroll through the malls and us to enjoy a coffee or watch a movie in the cinema.
Although we are all Langschlaefer, we stood up early in the morning. After we had heard through the last three months, all the Harry Potter audiobooks, mourned together over Dumbledore's death and Voldemort had finally defeated, we could not let the new film, of course, missed.

We ended a perfect day with a coffee in our lifeline for homesickness: Cafe Coffee Day.

Our adventure tour of India ...

On Monday we drove to the beach after class. There is a temple, from which one can overlook the beach and the sea. We enjoyed strolling along the beach in peace.
The beach is definitely our favorite place in Mangalore, because you can leave behind all times and hear only the sea. Here it can be incredibly loud, for somewhere always honks a car, a bird chirping, a dog barks, works Bauerbeiter until late into the night or is music. As the sun began to sink, we drove back to Deralakatte.

Team Baden-Wuerttemberg

Hassan Power

On Wednesday we went to Vittal, one hour lessons with the students to and then make the wedding of the IT teacher to go from Vittal. We have this extra wrapped in our sari. In class were Anjuli and Juliet are being squeezed. Unfortunately, our students did not take advantage of this offer as good as they are still quite shy and lack the vocabulary to ask questions in English. So we have a small Talk about marriages in India started.
are then we went with our Schuelerinnen and the other staff members of the wedding. It was a Brahmin wedding, as we learned later. So many traditions were different than other castes. The caste of Brahmins (landlords) i is the highest caste in the officially non-existent, yet constantly noticeable caste system.

Actually we are in Germany assumes that the caste system has only a minor influence on society. But unfortunately, we were taught a lesson in recent months. The Indians taught in school that the caste system does not exist. But in families, the tradition is more important hold and you are married, preferably within a caste Thus, because of the unofficial traditions of the caste system continues to be passed from generation to generation. The only hope are love marriages, where the couple decides against the wishes of the family to live together. Often these girls and are often cast out of the boys of the family and the contact we stopped completely. Many of these couples move to big cities like Mumbai or Bangalore. But this decision for a man-and-so against the family requires a lot of courage.

Our beautiful Mehendis

On Thursday, we have Julia and Anjuli brought to the bus station after we indulged in a delicious farewell coffee and we Mehendi (Henna) on the left hand have to be painted. Then we said goodbye. But at the 23rd
December we will again see the two together with the other volunteers of the PPS in Bangalore, where we will celebrate Christmas.

farewell at the bus station

We wish our readers a nice holiday season and not too much stress before the holidays!

We look forward to many comments! :-)

Your Feli and Leah

Iron Tablets Make You Poo Black

Deepawali

"The festival of lights Diwali marks all over India the beginning of the Hindu New Year. Houses illuminated werder, Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity and well-being) will be invited into the home, firecrackers and fireworks will be shot down. "So writes our guide on Deepawali (as it is called here, in Dakshina Kannada).
Deepawali seems to be something big. After talking for weeks and all of them are pretty excited. Even in our local supermarket-source our chocolate-hang banners that every wish "Happy Diwali".

Our Deepawali we spent at an Indian family. Our English student Roksha had invited us for the three-day festival in his home. Unfortunately, her aunt had an accident and our stay was shortened by one day. Nevertheless, we have a very nice time spent with family Rokshas.
As (almost) all Indian women Roksha lives with the family of her husband. But around the holidays or just so happy she is still asleep at home and spend time with their "Akas" (brothers) and "Ana" (sisters), by which is in India not only the biological siblings, but cousins, Cousins and other relatives in the same age understands. So we are
on Friday took a bus to Tokkut and were received very warmly by the family. At first we were put on a sofa and got typical sweets that you eat only to Deepawali. Unfortunately, they were so sweet that we could not make anything. The family was still holding back much and stood only a little by little. Then we went into the house of Rokshas aunts. There, 15 members live in a great house for Indian conditions.

We were in Cotton Saris "

Then we gradually after all the albums of weddings and engagements shown that there was to be found throughout the house. So we admired the absolutely cheesy photo albums, which (for us) silly photo collages and the (zuegegeben great) wedding saris. Then one of the Aunties got the idea to show us their Hochzeitssari.

These are almost always made of silk and cost around 100 €, which is not only in India a lot of money. We also admired her other saris and were then asked if we wanted to also try their saris. We agreed. But we had not thought that Leah is a little bit larger than the average Indian. So it was for extra stitching on the blouse and then to Bet on the wound. We learned that a beautiful sari and as many chains as possible, prollig earrings and all include many golden Bangel. Unfortunately we had both only with chains and earrings satisfied because our hands are just too wide for Bangel. Subsequently, all cell phones shown or made to race photos.

Then there was lunch. It was very good. Rokshas mother had made delicious vegetables, sambal and rice and Leah were spicy fish. Therefore one must mention that the Indians believe German would have a huge stomach and never satisfied. So we were constantly heaped food on our plates until we almost burst.
After lunch we have with all women, some of which have rolled bidis, watched Indian television. That was really quite amusing, because Indians seem happy with all the exaggeration and everything seems to come from another world. Men arguing loudly and with almost ridiculous number of gestures, we see women canaries suddenly and without warning, all caught on the road to dance.

After lunch we decided to go to the beach. After all who were riding on average three times and moved eventually found her matching outfit had, we took two rickshaws to the Beach. There is a Shiva temple situated on a hill, from which one can overlook the beach and the sea. But it took us first to the beach, where we can present unfortunately only with the feet in the water, because here on the coast of dangerous currents in the water and drown every year many people. But the fact that we were on the beach and could see the sea, made us very happy. Unfortunately it started to rain. We stayed still for a while and looked out to sea, chasing small crabs and climbed a large rock from which you had a wonderful view. When the rain was too strong and we froze, we went back to the rickshaws Rookshas family. There, we pulled our clothes to dry and harvested surprised looks, because we did not Nighties, but only T-shirts and sleep pants.

When it got dark, started the family members of the entrances to decorate with candles. On the stairs candles were placed around Lakshmi to lead into the house. Before every Hindu house is a flower pot on it from cement with the Om symbol, in which a Minzpflanze is. This is to protect from evil spirits while contributing to the strengthening of health. This flower pot was also decorated with candles.

While the children so the whole house was decorated, one on Rokshas of "Akkad" Mehendi on our hands. The men were playing around with fireworks and firecrackers, and to our horror, small children and the son of Roksha. After no more fireworks were there, we went in the other house to see everything all over again and again to watch Indian television.
about half past 10, we went to dinner. Again, we got huge portions and it was filed later again and again. Fortunately the food was very tasty. When brushing your teeth in the open did the first complications. Where to disappear only with the foam and how it can be. Simple answer: spit on the ground and water over it.
then went to sleep at once. We slept in one of the single beds, the bed of Rokshas mother. It was something hard and we shared a blanket but we slept well, perhaps because Roksha slept beside the bed on the floor and watching over us.

The next morning we washed using water jugs. For breakfast, there were fewer than 10 Idlis for Feli and "only" 8 for Leah. Idlis are steamed rice cakes, stuff the lot. We usually eat 3 to 4 for breakfast. But because Rooksha and her cousin were afraid we would starve on the way back to Maithri, this time came another 5 Piece of it. We hope that we do not get Idlis for the next three months.

on the "skinny" again breakfast was a bit of television and how it could be other-eat again. Not that the guests still starve! So there was room for everyone Masala Dosa. Dosa are rice pancakes and masala is a spicy potato mixture. Then we rolled back to Rokshas house and packed our things.


On the way we felt about Maithri than ever, hoping that Prameela (our cook) would forgive us if we would have lunch turn out today.

Vicodin Drug Testing Milk Thistle

The intermediate seminar in KKID

Our English courses in Vittla

After nearly two months in India, we got our first project visit to the Charles bucket Foundation (KKS). For weeks, was scheduled at the staff meeting and discussed and all Maithri staff were in a state of panic when we finally Renate Tietz on 20 October from the airport picked up in Mangalore. She was for four days with us and has over Maithri Trust and our work informs the project. Our students have, of course, for this reason particular care and our children's group has been very pleased with the visit got from Germany. Also for us it was very nice to imagine someone our work and to see once again how much the PPS strives to our well-being.

with the staff of the NGO

In one of the children's homes run by the NGO, which we visited

We also visited with Ms. Tietz a new project that for the Bridge Builder programs interested and next year would also include volunteers. The Director this project, an elderly lady who puts her heart and soul into their work-has us both very impressed. NGO takes care of their former child workers and give them a home and access to education. Also provides support women who have been abandoned by their families or abuse and seek refuge, alcoholic helping people in therapy and distributed healthy but affordable food to construction workers. We have also established our first contact with people outside the Indian NGO: In the middle terrace of the NGO in Mangalore has the director (and former university professor) met with their former pupils. There, now young Indian women sat in jeans and T-shirts and discussed arranged marriages, Patriarchismus and development assistance. Their views on the whole corresponded to ours, their self-confidence and eloquence impressed us deeply. Finally, we were invited for the women to visit the University of Mangalore.

When visiting a Hindu temple

After a day on which the Karwar guys got to know our project, we all went along with the night train to Coimbatore, where we visited Charlotte and Katja at NMCT. There, we played and ate with the children and then got a dance of the children presented. Just because Maithri Trust specializes in working with women, it was very interesting for us to experience life in an orphanage.

25th to 27 September, then taken every 14 volunteers of the PPS, together with their mentors in KKID in Coimbatore. Together we have shared our experiences in three days of seminars and discuss any issues. But was also between the official program of some discussion, said, planned, laughed. It has also gone a tear or two and unexpected problems and fears came to light. But thanks to the incredible people skills of our caregivers and the empathy and openness of the volunteers and mentors could finally calmed any reasonably go home.

After a Cultural Evening with shared singing and playing, we said goodbye on Wednesday in tears from the other volunteers and mentors. We're in this time really grown into a large family together. In every family there are conflicts and problems, but ultimately all are there for each other.

therefore look forward very, now to be back at home with Maithri, look forward but also forward to Christmas, we will celebrate together with other volunteers in Bangalore.

On the train from Coimbatore to Mangalore

Pctv Tvcenter 6 Review

the first time or Nothing ventured, nothing gained

After the two week "window period" we have now come true in the project life . Our room is ready, we finally know the name (almost) all women from the project and trust us even now, alone, to ride the bus. In this blog entry, we want to tell of our origins in everyday Indian life.

1.Our first bus ride

Our first bus we could only experience with an escort. We presented later also found out why. To drive in India, with the bus may have to follow some rules that have Maithri Vandana, and other staff-taught. That you, dear blog readers, if you ever ends up in India and to Mangalore, you know how to behave on the bus, we give our new-found ready to inform you that
first needs to find you the bus stop, which is often characterized not really and consists only of a small enclosure. When the bus arrives, you should already be ready to hineinzuklettern as quickly as possible. Because the bus is staffed by three men. One is the driver, another distributes the Tickets and collects the money and another is driving (together with the ticket vendor) the passengers with a pipe in the bus.
After having managed to climb into the bus, you should immediately reach for something to hold on because the bus driver drives off after a few seconds even if there are some people on the stairs. Finally, he must comply with the fairly tight knit bus schedule. Doors are generally not in Indian buses. If something has to hold or even had the good fortune to grab a seat should be released NIE. The streets around Mangalore are (especially the long monsoon season) with potholes and littered it is extremely shaken up. Very few bus drivers make an effort to brake before a Schagloch or avoid.
Another essential rule is to be selfish. One should never be forced into the middle of the bus, as there may want to start working for a college student and you many not at his bus stop coming out. Old people or pregnant women may be offered his seat. Furthermore, we
begenet as Europeans a great interest that one can easily become too much. At best, it simply ignores it or is pleased about the interest. When you have finally schonmal the opportunity to feel like a celebrity on the red carpet? ;)
is in an Indian bus it is extremely hot. This means that us Europeans just down the sweat is going on. This one is pressed together in a confined space with many people. A useful acquisition is a handkerchief, which can quickly find for the many other uses.

You see, nothing easier than with an Indian bus ride! We wish that you can go once in an Indian bus because it is a beautiful experience. And
for reassurance: How can now even sleep in the bus! :)


2.Our first lesson

Still working .. :)

during the Window Period After we have already given a short lesson to get to know, we had last Monday, then our first real lessons. Mondays we teach in the project office of Maithri Trust two groups of women for three hours.

present the results to the class ...

make yourself a monkey or elephant ..

Tuesdays we are in a branch office in the town of Maithri Vitla. There, we teach a group of young women for four hours. Although we had prepared that the women would be shy at first, we were very frightened. The simplest exercises dragged on seemingly endlessly, because some of the women said, even after repeated prompting so quiet that we could not understand them. So it was almost impossible for us to make even a simple round of introductions. So we limited the first time hour in a simple group games. The girls had to thaw some fun and actually it seemed a little by little.


The second time hour we tried again at the Introductions and we ended satisfactorily, with much effort and some measure calls. After this first lesson we saw, however, that we had to modify our teaching concept clearly. We will give up some grammar exercises and instead try to strengthen through many group matches the self-esteem of girls and to empower them (at least a bit) safer and more convincing act.

Passing on the Bangles

3.Our first Field Visit

our first Field Visit at a self-help group (SHG), we took with Shrimati, a colleague of Maithri, the SHGs and supervised visits a month.

The group, which we visited, there are only nine months. It consists of about 15 Mitgliegern. The women make their money mostly with the roles of Bidi (a type of cigarettes). This work she could do at home can find the budget. With the money they get by borrowing in the SHG, almost all SHG members to pay the school fees for their children or try to build a micro-enterprise.

to the SHG, we went by bus and then have a rickshaw to be withdrawn because it is about the lunch time is very hot and we would not otherwise have to walk. The monthly meeting of women was held prior to the kindergarten of the village. When the women came by and by, they brought chairs for us and Shrimati and sat himself on the floor. Then the Prayer song was sung, each employee of Maithri with the SHG and the students singing. Then began the big money counting, documenting, and distributing.

Monthly pay the women a certain amount to the chairman of the SHG. The money will be saved to one of the women receiving a credit. You must then pay back the loan in monthly installments, the interest rates are very low.

Leah cut the Bidiblaetter.

After a year of SHGs can also take loans from the SHG-Bank of Maithri Trust and distribute the money among the women in the SHG. Having had
Shrimati checked everything and explains the SHG members stuff, we were introduced and questioned about all sorts of things. The women were very nice and one has noticed how much they have been pleased that people are interested in them. On our way back to the bus stop we walked past a house where a woman lives from a different SHG of Shrimati. Immediately, she invited us to his house and a neighbor showed us how to roll bidis.

A basket of bidi tobacco leaves of un finished bidis.

three generations under one roof

The following day we visited with Usha an SHG, which has existed for 12 years and has 28 members. This group is located in a village located near a river. Where rice is grown and to get to the meeting point of the SHG, we had only half an hour down the mountain and then through the first part of the village, hiding between palm trees. Then we walked between two rice fields on a very narrow dirt track and had to jump over some small streams. We were very impressed with the landscape. Because at the edge of rice fields and coconut trees were some Betelbäume.

men at work on a rice field.

In the SHG only a long lecture on the local Tulu language on a health project to another organization was maintained. We have not understood a word with us and had trouble keeping awake. When the woman was ready and the women all bureaucratic Things were done, we were interrogated again and several times by different women invited to their house. In addition, we could even try this time to roll bidis. We have not really succeeded, but we have tried diligently, and we all had to laugh about.

:)

On our way home we went past gone to the accountant of the group and have been drinking the juice of fresh coconuts and eaten fresh bananas. Behind the house, the family has a well which showed us the master of the house with pride. In the hole saw from the water initially dirty and dull. But when Usha showed us how to drawing water and showed us the water, but it looked very clean.

Usha at the water hole

Even cows need time to cool down .. :)

Our first two field visits were very pleased and we were overwhelmed by the kindness with which the women came to meet us are.

4.Unser first Sari

We in our first sari: entwines)

To our first Saris is a long history here finally to "paper" to be placed. Even with every shopping trip in KKID we wanted to buy us all our first sari. But Malathi kept us coming back. We should pick the better but for an outing with our mentors (einsahen what we all). Arriving at Maithri, we learned that it is in this project for all (female) employees duty to wear a sari. Immediately kindled in us the hope that we would soon come to our first sari. The same for our first course to Mangalore, we wanted to buy it ourselves. But unfortunately, pulled out our Police Registration to the point that we then had no more time. But yes, we would soon come back to Mangalore. When we were in business, we learned, however, that we, after we had chosen the fabric had to first become a seamstress to sew the blose should. Fortunately, this also on the same day to take our measurements. You promised us the saris are ready in no later than one week. Two weeks later we were still waiting and were desperate: would we ever get our saris? When we finally got the saris then and could hardly believe our luck, we were opened, that a sari blouse with self-absolutely useless, unless you have an Sarirock, where you can attach the fabric ...

Our Schuelerinnen with her certificate

Finally we got our first saris but a lot later than expected, but we were proud and were able to contribute to the adoption of our first English course in Vittla.


According to the "Window Period" and many new experiences we can now say that we have settled in well at Maithri and the project staff and our Schuelerinnen have been to my heart.

greetings to Germany!

Namaskara Leah & Feli!

Ps: We are looking forward to many comments! ;)