day 2

What does one say to 60 smiling dance students? Well, namaste of course!

Here I am in fabulous and lively Mumbai. So far, it has been amazing. The plane that took me here slipped through time. Before I knew it I was looking out of the plane over clusters of lights that looked like sparkling clouds in a night sky. When we landed, we were greeted with bouquets of flowers from Shiamak's dancers and our helpers.
Myself and two other teachers are staying outside of the main city in an apartment. We have each been assigned a personal helper who is also a dancer in the company. My helper is a young student who I knew from Vancouver named Kishen. He has been so wonderful and beyond hospitable. He even goes so far as to hold my wrist whenever we cross the street.
Mumbai is everything that I had heard and expected. It's: busy, noisy, smelly, full of traffic, full of dogs and cows and smiling faces.
I have already taught for two days and absolutely love my students. They all dance on a slippery and hard marble tile floor. However, that doesn't stop them from trying everything %100. In Shiamak's school, the whole class prays together at the beginning and end of each class. I love it; it centres us all and gets us ready to take on the challenge of class. These students are going to learn tonnes in our short time together. They eat up everything that I give them and giggle their way through challenges with enthusiasm and joy.
The other teachers who I am staying with are very fun. We are turning into a family already.
So far, I'm taken by the generosity and hospitality of our hosts and the colors, sites and sounds of this very lively city and culture.
Of course, it is obvious that the population is huge and that it puts a strain on the infrastructure of the city. There are less laws here than in Canada, and I think it's simply because there are just too many people to have to enforce all the time. But, there is also a real flow to life (specifically to traffic) and it's interesting to see how things adapt to accommodate the bulging population.
I'm looking forward to more adventures:) Tell me how you are doing.