Friday 19th March 2010:
Here we are again guys - just checking in! Thought we'd update you with news of the previous week and a half. Where did we leave you - oh yes the Uprising - March 10.

Well we both donned on our 'Free Tibet' t-shirts and we up at the crack of dawn to join the other thousands of Tibetans to rally down the side of the Himalaya mountain. After the Dalai Lama made a cracking speech, and a memorial was unveiled to those who died in March 2008 - Laura was thrust into the limelight of Asian International News and gave an interview about why we are here supporting the cause. Anyone catch it?
After our 6 mile hike waving flags and chanting we made it back up the mountain and were in desperate need of a good old drink (or 5)... 5 Kingfishers later & altitude = fun times. Along with
our co-ordinators Dawa and Chok we proceeded to eat out weight in daal, naan, paneer (cant remember what else was on the table - probably a few more Kingfishers in the mix) in what is known in McLoed Ganj as "Pierce Brosnan's favourite hang-out" a restaurant called McLlo.

Started on the volunteering front. We have been placed at the Tibetan Refugee Day School where we are teaching reading and English. The children actually seem a little more advanced in English than the Indian children we have met so far. Dawa informed us that the exposure of the Tibetan situation in the press has led to an influx of funds and the schools and educational system in McLoed Ganj is actually pretty developed. This means most of the Tibetan children have a sturdy grasp on English and we have progressed to songs and tales of Dick Wittington.

As well as teaching at the school we have started participating in an English evening conversation class run by a couple of Tibetan students. The class is aimed towards new refugees to the area, getting then involved in the local scene and trying to improve their English. Debs has fallen in love with a monk - "he's just sooooo cute" who loves the fact she's from Oxford. We both love a bit of the monk! She purchased him an 'Oxford English Dictionary' which we shall unveil this evening.

Apart from volunteering - over the weekend Laura had a touch of the 'belly' :-( and Debs suffered from a cold. Nice. I know.
We did a Tibetan Cooking Class with Sangye's and learnt how to make the Tibetan delicacy 'momos' - they are amazing. no lie. Spinach & Cheese and Chocolate momos are our favourite. Chocolate Momos are the bomb diggity as it has been said - we'll cook for you when we're home!

We've had a wonderful massage 6 Squid for an hours bliss. We have explored the amazing surroundings with a couple of treks to nearby hang-outs and waterfalls. On our last trip to the waterfall along from McLoed Laura was attaked by a mountain goat, who seemingly mistook her green hair for mountain shrubbery. Debs was surrounded by dogs - they seem to like her - with one even following her all the way home. Imagine a dog Pied Piper if you were. Debs is hating the dog howls at 3 am. But they are just serenading her.

Went to McLlo again last week -with a couple of volunteers we had met and had a wonderful experience with old McPervison - who continued to stare with his hands down his trousers. He thought his luck was in it seems and even followed us upstairs. So we have quite a fan club in old McLoed - McPervison, dogs and goats.

Just a last note to tell you how terrific our host family is - 'Aunty', Tsetan and Tashi have been absolutely incredible. Aunty's cooking is out of this world. We wake up to a breakfast feast of porridge, Fried Eggy Bread, Pancakes and fresh Chaai. Set well and truly up for the day. Evening meals are even better with favourites being - momos, chow mein and Thukpa (noodle soup). They have even taught us Tibetan (seeing as our Hindi is actually quite useless in this town). We are truly going to miss them all!

Off to Chandigarh 2mrw for the next step - will keep you posted as I know its probably the highlight of your day.
Much Love to you All. Sals and Shlugs xXx

Tuesday 9 March 2010
Sorry for the delay guys Week 1 has been crazy! to start from the beginning.
At Delhi baggage claim - Me "god do you know how many bags airlines lose each year, like millions." 20 minutes later Debs and I are the only ones left standing around the belt.
They lost Deb's bag. Horror. After much disbelief she figured it would be okay as she had packed her make-up in her hand luggage. to quote her "there is a god."
The week proceeded with lots of bag drama, with Debs and I visiting the airport. a lot.
Things perked up on the Monday as Debs and I participated in Holi (one of the biggest Hindu festivals of the year) Imagine a huge water, mud, paint-throwing fight and you've pretty much got Holi. Being blonde we were targeted massively. Fun times. Downside = the paint has dyed our beautifully blonde hair. I'm now highlighter green. Debs a lovely shade of red. Bad times.

The week proceeded with our Host family in Delhi -Raj and Namu kindly took great care of us. Along with 4 others Angele, Becky, Rahul and Ari we started our Hindi lessons "Namaste" and explored the sights. Harrassed for photos everywhere we went. white skin with red and green hair meant we stuck out just a little. Food was amazing. Touch of the belly but no full escapades to date. We'll keep you posted. Took Raj and Namu out for a meal and got them drunk - Western style. Have bought our weight in jewellery, pashminas, shoes etc. Week ended with a trip to the Taj Mahal. Breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. You should all go.

Flew up in a tin can to Dharamsala yesterday. We couldn't speak it is that beautiful. Our room looks out onto the Himalayas. Jealous? have explored the markets and have drunk Chai tea with the locals. Met the president of tehe National Democratic Party of Tibet this morning for a political discussion as you do. We have been invited to work with the government administration next May. Taking part in a political rally tomorrow to highlight the Tibetan cause for freedom from Chinese occupation.

Hope you're all okay. We miss you lots and lots.
Thats all for now folks. x