12 March. Thursday. Tika-ceremony at Shining Star Boarding School, PIZZA EVENING!

08.00 alarm
09.00 breakfast
9.45 Tika ceremony Shining Star Boarding School.

At 9.45 English time I was at school. ALL the children were gathered on the playground, doing the morning 'drilling'. The headmaster was there, a man brought in from the village (one of the schoolcommittee) and Kayshani stayed with me to make pictures.

The English teacher was speaking about me, I heard the name Rita Sanghita many times. I even had to keep a short speech, which I think I did not that bad.

I said that it was ME who wanted to thank everybody. For making me feel so welcome, to make me one of them! I also thanked the people of Elounda and the other 'sponsors', without them I would not be able to drop all those little drops in the ocean.

Then it was time to get the Tika, flowers and a present. When the headmaster gave me the Tika ALL the children applauded and cheered! The noise was enormous and of course it was tissue time for me again. You should have been there, to hear the crowd, to see the crowd! Tissue-time!!!!

After receiving all the blessings from all the teachers it was time for the children to start the classes and time for me to go.

When we arrived at H.E. with a Tika again from forehead till nose-tip, they joked again: where is the blue? Holi again?

After washing my face I went to the village to go the Internet to give you a few more days.

I got a great email from Mo & Adam: they are really thinking of joining me in Nepal in February! That means the first two groupmembers of the Februarygroup of 6!!

Think about it: you can be the one to join us, I promisse you: you won't
regret it. We are travelling together in a beautiful country, which is still
very affordable, you will see so many new places, meet so many wonderful people. (and visit the projects AND my/our kids). The flight to Kathmandu is not so expensive as the flights in Europe! A flight from Athens to Kathmandu will be around 600 Euro (all-in). I have to check the flights from England, but H.E. adviced me to also check out the prices
from England to New Delhi and then a flight with Buddha air from Delhi to Kathmandu. You can then even see the Taj Mahal, a MUST once in your life. I will be very happy to come and join you in New Delhi to visit the Taj Mahal together and then escort you to Kathmandu to start the 3 weeks program.

After I have finished all the days in Nepal, I will have more details and I will publish the 3 weeks program. Just keep it in mind! (and start to put 10 euro a week on the side as a saving program. I also put 10 Euro in my Nepal savingbox every friday, just 2 drinks less on one evening, or 3 packets of cigarettes a week!).

(was it really me, who wrote before that I was tired of fighting, to do everything on my own? Well, the fight is over. The Universe is with me, taking care of me, standing by my side. As long as I keep faith in the big U, everything is gonna be alright).

At 17.00 in my Gurtha to the home, PIZZA EVENING!!!
With all nicely dressed up children in line to the Lake View Garden Restaurant. A lovely place, the tables for us set up in the garden in a long line, in front of the podium where a dance/music group presented their program, especially for us!

The staff was well organized, good service. Without explanation they did not give every child its own pizza but all of them one piece, followed by more pieces as long as they could eat. (and they can eat a lot!). Finally they said that their 'pit was kushi' (happy stomach) and 'pukju' (enough), but when the banana pancakes came there was suddenly a lot of space in their happy, full bellies to add without any problem this yummie pancake.

After joining the dancegroup on the stage to dance together with them, time to walk the happy kids home.

When we arrived at H.E. Kayshani said that she would love to sleep outside one night. Well, sounds good to me. So, on my way to my hotel, telling the man at the reception I would be back in a sec., just came to collect my blanket, I was going to sleep on the roof. He smiled at me: Suba Rathri! When I really came down in my teddy bear pyama and a blanket under my arm, he realized I was serious (and officially declared crazy by the hotelowner I am afraid).

Gomaya helped us laying out some mats on the roof of H.E., made our beds and said good night, gniffling about those silly girls. Bodi, one of the rafting staff came to join us. It was a beautiful evening, one night after full moon.

When we left the home Sudeep handed back my taperecorder. Laying on the roof, under an almost full moon, we listened to Mongol singing and then Sudeep speaking to the people of Elounda to thank them. Fantastic, blocked throat again.

Around 03.00 I was getting cold, but Bodi gave me half of his blanket (thanks sweety). Woke up 07.00 in the morning, going down to the kitchen of H.E. to get a hot coffee, where the staff was also considering whether we completely 'lost' it or not.

Suba Rathri dear people and once again Dhanyabad from me and all the children!!!!