Friday 20 April 2012

Wendela in Mumbai!

Since we do have students from pretty much around the world, a lot of us travel and visit each other during vacations. This Easter Break, I had Wendela (Dutch) visit me in Mumbai, India.
Starting off our journey by teaching her to pronounce certain words in Hindi, we were both really excited. Her obviously to experience a little of India (because by no means is Mumbai the whole picture) and me to show my city to her. Something I've realized from having previous visitors, you see a different side of your home city when you're taking someone around. The tourist spots you never bothered to go but which are actually simply amazing. Little places you take for granted but that are the source of excitement to many.
Over our 5 days in Mumbai we went to - Gateway of India, Bombay Gymkhana, Victoria Terminus Train Station, Thieves Market, Colaba Causeway (shopping!), Prince of Wales Museum, a fabric market, a hairdresser, a nightclub, Phoenix Mills, Marine Drive, Dhoby Ghat and a few Indian restaurants. Since it was also right before our final IB exams, we spent a considerable amount of time at home, working with chai tea and my mum experimenting with recipes. Wendi certainly had some interesting experiences including a goat attack, some spicy food, her first cricket match and the rest you'd have to ask her! :D
I had a lovely time introducing Wendela to my friends and really seeing how they got along, merging my life in Singapore with my life back home.
We were lucky that my Dad agreed to drive us to Mahindra UWC, approximately a three hour drive from my house so Wendela could meet her co-years and the three of us could look around, experience another UWC. A student from UWCSEA that graduated last year was on her gap-year there and gave us a tour of campus, the location of which was breath-taking. We had a long discussion about UWCSEA and Mahindra College, reflecting on the UWC values while observing the valley from a hill.
The trip almost ended on a bad note with Wendela misplacing her phone at the Mumbai airport on the way back but luck was on our side and when my Dad went to inquire, it was found!
I consider myself lucky that I got  to show Wendela my home and would welcome anyone that wants to come in the future. This summer I visit friends from four different countries in Europe and it just goes to show the atmosphere here at Dover. Being so diverse, trips take place all the time. Sometimes visiting friends and sometimes groups just landing up in various Asian countries.

    

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