Went to Garodia High School today to get Max's school uniform sorted and pay some more of the school fees. Driver got lost and after asking 4 different people who all had a different opinion he asked an old man who gave detailed instructions. As we turned around he came over the street and offer to take use there himself. In excellent English he informed us that he always took a morning walk and so knew the area well. He also advised us that people in general do not admit to not knowing something and therefore will advise rather than admit they don't know! When we pulled up outside the school, which was out of his way, we thanked him and apologised for taking him out of his way. His reply was that it was his good deed for the day and it made him happy to know that he had helped his fellow man -nice guy.
Ended up spending around 4 hours at the school as there were masses of people there enrolling, getting uniforms, paying money etc. I was presented with a bill of 75,000 INR (approx £1,100) for the first quarters fees. Trouble is that we do not have an Indian bank account yet and the school only take cash or cheque. To get this sum of money from the ATM would have taken all week so I texted Mitra to see if he could help. True to his word her turned up an hour later with the money and I have at least paid now. Now all I need to do is arrange to wire the funds back to Mitra as soon as I am able.
During all of this we were asked if we wanted to stay for lunch. As the school doesn't open until tomorrow there were only staff members about so we sat down outside and ate a lovely simple meal of dozas (?) veg curry a coconut pickle and some unidentified orange things, all very nice and very welcome.
Darcy was reaching the end of her endurance for the heat so Susie, max and Darcy went back to the hotel and I stayed on to wait for the cash to turn up.
On the way back I heard and saw the first emergency service vehicle hich wasn't making much headway in the traffic. Proper monsoon downpour on the way back, passed crowds of motorcyclists stopped and hiding under trees! Although fairly brief, the quantity of water that falls in impressive, with vehicles wading through inches of water. This is still early doors for the monsoon so am assuming that it could get worse too. Lake Powai is looking very low so the rain cannot come soon enough, especially as they use the water to create electricity for the town.
In all of this water you have to wonder what it must be like for the people on the streets, how do you even attempt to live your life with nothing and potentially noone to support you......?
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