I just thought I would add some things that amaze me about India. Even though I am currently in Nepal these things have been on my mind and I thought i would share. I am amazed that in the capital, New Delhi, one shares the streets with elephants, ( yes, i saw one this trip ),cows, dogs, monkeys, pigs, goats, cycle and auto rickshaws, cars, trucks, scooters, motor cycles. bicycles, pedestrians, street performers, beggars, shop carts, etc.... I am sure I am leaving some things out. What's more amazing is that the people are all able to navigate these streets and various modes of transport. All one needs is nerve and a good horn. Sometimes I close my eyes, but most times I watch and try to breathe. I am also amazed that large vehicles are able to get through the narrow streets. I could never drive in India. Maybe out in the remote countryside, but certainly not the urban areas. My shift key isn't working and the cursor won't behave, so no paragraphing folks. I am also amazed with what can be balanced on trucks, buses, bicycles, scooters, rickshaws and humans. I saw a man on a scooter who must have had at least twenty large milk tanks strapped on the back and hanging off the side. I saw a large truck with so much cargo on it that its cargo was wrapped in burlap and hung over the sides and almost touched the ground. The cycle rickshaws are phenomenal. The guys seem to know no bounds with regards to what they can and will carry. I cannot begin to describe it. You name it and it has been successfully carried by a cycle rickshaw driver. I am also amazed that just about anything in India can be fixed by banging it. This includes electrical work as well. Who knew? I am also amazed that no one respects a line. You can be in line to purchase tickets for the train, and the next thing you know someone is in front of you. Usually they wait to cut until you are right at the counter. Patrick and I have learned to form a human barrier by linking arms and closing in around the target area. Although people are amused by it it does work. Maybe it's because there are a billion people in India that they fear they won't get to the front of the line ever if they don't cut. I am amazed by other things, but that's all for now.

We are back in Kathmandu and Patrick has officially moved into his new apartment. We finished painting yesterday and the colors look great. He also had new carpeting put in and we did some general cleaning. It is definitely looking like a home. The views from every window and balcony are amazing ! There are green mountains , Buddhist temples, prayer flags and beautiful blue skies. The monkeys and their antics are fun to watch. Some have already pooped on his balcony. I love watching the mother monkeys leaping from tree, to building, to rooftop, carrying two babies, one on her back and one in front. I would never tire of watching them. I will definitely have to video tape them before I go. They are like our squirrels.

We are trying to organize another picnic with the kids that the Dudes Makin' a Difference, from OPRFHS, sponsor. Among the kids is the one that our class sponsored, and will continue to do so, Prakash. If all goes well we will be doing this on Saturday. We did this last year and had a wonderful time together. It will be nice to catch up and see how they have grown, and what changes they have made. We will be meeting with their contact person tonight to put it all together. Fingers crossed!

Hi Everyone, Kelley here, Karen's sister. I've been a bit overwhelmed lately so I'm sorry for the lack of updates. Here's he latest from Karen and Patrick:

Hello All! We ended our workshop at Salaam BalaakTrust, and it was incredibly difficult to say good bye to the boys.We did a five day workshop that incorporated what we know about drama and theater, as well as creative movement and dance. Our two years working with the Hubbard Street dance Company helped us prepare for much of what we did, for language was a barrier and movement and dance transcend language.We always began with a warm-up or two and did some activities. We would end by teaching them a dance and then sit in a circle and share what they learned, liked, or both. We had a wonderful street boy who had been at Salaam Balaak for 10 years help translate for us, and participate as well. Pankaj was amazing. He has great communication skills and a love of theater. He aspires to a future in entertainment. He currently does street theater that deals with social issues. He also does puppetry. He was very willing to assist us, ask questions and most definitely wanted to learn more about the activities, the purpose of them and the best way to teach them. He is actually a born teacher, and we were trying to steer him a bit in that direction. The boys we worked with ranged in age from 12- 19. Mostly they were new to the shelter. We had 13 regulars and about 4 who came and went. We couldn't believe how willing the boys were to participate actively and take risks. We were able to speed up the process a bit as a result. they were also so very open about what they liked about the workshop, us and the whole process. Many had never done any theater, or dance and found they really enjoyed it. I cannot begin to convey to you all how much we learned from them and how much we gained as a result. We felt like it went too fast and before we knew it we were saying a tearful good-bye. One of the boys had painted a picture and had all the boys sign it and thank us, and wish us well. It was incredibly sweet and we will cherish it forever. We wrote a nice thank you to Pankaj and gave him some money as he is about to leave the shelter and get a room with two other older boys. Salamm balaak Trust helps the boys transition as they mature. if they show interest in academics and an aptitude, they will send them to school. They will help them with training and money as they head out into the world.I will visit the boys and bring them photos and some supplies before I leave for home in August. We will most definitely be back to Salaam Balaak Trust, and we encourage anyone who goes to Delhi to book a City Walk tour with one of the street kids. You get a back side view of the city, hear the kid's story and help them make a living. 200 rupees per person. It's worth it. Check out their website for more info.

We are currently in Jodhpur visiting someone we met last year. We visited his village, about an hour and a half a way and met his family. The women there do not go to school and keep their heads and faces covered. Word spread fast that there were white people in their midst and before you know it all the kids, and women came to look and giggle.We leave tomorrow evening by train. It's an overnight sleeper. We then head to the airport and back to Kathmandu, Nepal. More later all.

We are currently in Delhi and have connected with the Salaam Ballaak Trust as volunteers. They were formed in 1988 after the movie Salaam Bombay. The director , Mira Nair and her mother, formed the trust to help street children in Delhi. We are currently volunteering at the boys shelter and are doing a five day theater and creative movement workshop. We are loving it!!!! We are video taping it as well as photographing it, so we can share with everyone what we are doing. The kids are great. We have the boys who are about 12 to 19 and most are new to the shelter. We will keep you all posted. Sorry this is so short, but this computer is wacky and frustrating.

We have left Manali and after visiting some of the historic sights there. The Hadimba Temple was built in 1553 in honour of Hadimba, wife of Bhima from the Mahabarhata. Animal sacrifices are brought there in May. On the walk up there are tons of people holding angora rabitts, men with yaks, people with traditional outfits to don , so you can pay to take a photo. We also went to the Manali Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art. Afterwards we went to the Himalayan Nyinmap Buddhist Temple. A nice way to end our stay there. We then hired a car to take us back to chandigarh, and then we will take a car to Delhi tomorrow (Monday). We are looking for some volunteer opportunities for the week we will be there. We'll keep you posted!