A real good send off.

This morning I walk out of my room to be greeted by a couple of enthusiastic 17 year old boys.

Then along skipped Desmond:

"Edmund, one picture with you please. We are going home today for our holidays."

I was a little surprised, i thought they were going home tomorrow, but it was no big deal. I gave them two photos naturally, for i'm a Stoer, generosity walks through my veins.

It was all good then, to begin with, for a picture is a picture. Nothing of any really interesting, but then it took a little turn not so much for the worse, but at least for the stranger. I was a bit taken a back when good old Srikant limped over to me (he's got a strange leg) and asked me for my autograph.

Me: "My autograph? ... okay, but my handwriting is not very good. Is that okay?"
Srikant: "Yes, thank you, and a few of your favourite things as well please."
Me: "Excuse me?"
Srikant: "Yes, please right down a few of your favourite things."
Me: "Like what?"
Srikant: "Um...games? food?"
Me: "Oh okay, (I write down football and then rice). Anything else?"

Soon, i've written my favourite game, food, fruit, place in the world and then another boy hits me with his little gem:

Shanka: "What about your favourite flower?"

I answered Rhododendron, but i don't know why.

Desmond: "And the things you believe in? Write down the things you believe in."
Ed: "You mean God?"
Desmond: "Yes, yes write that down."

So I wrote, "I believe in God." and was met with a very appreciative "Thank you, Edmund, thank you."

And so I went on my way out of the hostel to the social centre, where i work, leaving behind these guys who seem pretty impressed by me. I'd hate to think it was the colour of my skin and not my vibrant and charismatic personality, but i'm afraid it may be.

Still though, i've been here almost 10 weeks and India keeps throwing these small, funny incidents at me.
Good old India, it's keeping me amused i'd say.

Thanks for reading.
Ed x