Friday, February 15, 2008

Doon group


Part of the Doon contingent to the village.

Goodbye Fatephur, hello HESCO



Nargish says goodbye to spirited drummer, mother of seven, wonderful cook.
Next stop: HESCO model village. Dr. Anil Joshi, Man of the Year 2002: "....to develop an eco-friendly society in the Himalayan region.....making them active partner in overall development of the region."

Early morning in the village






Offered chai everywhere we go, here out walking with the chief. Later, the chief reviews the women's passbook accounts, they've been micro-financed through HESCO's WISE initiative (Women Initiative for Self Employment). The children show off drawings on pads we've brought them.

Women drummers

Village of nine untouchable families were adopted for rural development by Doon. Here we (9 women from Doon) had an evening of music and dance with the women. Magical.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Fatehphur Village rural development project




Village school visits






We stopped at two schools on the way to Fatephur. These schools have been adopted by Doon. One of the schools is mostly Muslim and a major success of the project is to have enrolled girls in school for the first time.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Tea Time


"What a delectable tea time." Johnny really said that. Our dining room.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Claiborne on the tennis court



Claiborne is Johnny's English teacher. Lucas from Germany is also on gap year.

Basketball scene


Good players.

Cricket scene




It's cricket season. House in background is a gift from the Maharajah of Jaipur.

English teachers in the MCR

Intellectual Doon English teachers on tea break in the Masters Common Room.

Cactus Buddha


This sculpture outside the Rose Bowl is one of 40 on campus, almost all by students.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Johnny and Pranjal


Our friendly neighbor, a wicked good card player.

Doon Assembly


Rosebowl was built by Doon students.
Headmaster congratulates the new school Captain, voted in on the first day of term.

Doon founder


Tom and Johnny with the founder of Doon, Nishad Das' great-grandfather.

Doon School digs


Johnny in front of our Doon School home for the term, the guesthouse.

Dehradun traffic

Driving is on left side of the road, very chaotic and lots of horn blowing. Notice the movie theatre, one of three in town.

Suspension bridge in Rishikesh



Only one hour from Dehradun but very different, big yoga/ashram scene.



Snake charmer in Rishikesh


We're told they remove the venom glands.

KALYPSO ADVENTURE: Church Festival


Procession at one of the many Catholic church and Hindu temple festivals we saw. This is near Mariari beach, our last homestay on our magical trip to Kerala, organized by Kalypso Adventures.

Beach bungalow


Relaxing at Arrakkal homestay with Mini, Abi, Tom and Davis. Thanks for the playing cards Ms. Desrosiers class!




Stanley, driver and guide


Johnny with fun Francis and reliable Stanley in front of our Toyota.