Going to California
Today has been another limited day in terms of group activities as the boys were given the whole day to do as they pleased. With that said, some incredible experiences were had as groups went exploring the areas neighbouring our hotel, in what was our last day in Mumbai before setting off for Goa. We will flick out only formal blogs from this point, and will detail the reasons for this, as well as the purposes of our stay in Goa, when we arrive. At this point, we are all ready for some serious R&R, and with no one currently sick it couldn't be better timing to enjoy it.
Thursday 28 December
8:30am – breakfast was not compulsory, but many still chose to feast on the YWCA buffet for one last time.
10:00am – the rest of the group, admittedly including myself, appeared in drips and drabs. With the only deadline being a 12pm checkout, many headed back to Café Mondegar or Leopold Café for a brunch of sorts (if you can call a burger and chips a brunch meal).
12pm – we met as a group outside the hotel, setting the group a challenge. In groups of no less than three, they were to head out into the streets around our hotel and go look for an experience. Of note, half the group headed to the Maidan, throwing themselves into games of cricket and football with locals. Sam Lindberg was out plum LBW third ball for a duck, meanwhile Ollie Schnauer was a hero behind the wickets taking a couple of tidy catches. Apologies if that last sentence made no sense to you, but I have held off my cricket chat on this blog until now. Meanwhile, Mark 'glass ankles' Crook led the charge in football, and in his own words it was a small miracle he didn't break anything. Callan Adams claims to have pulled a hammy as a result of a couple of long-range thunderbolt efforts. Leo Smith scored two goals, out of his teams two total goals (that's 100% of the goals, he'd like me to reiterate).
1:30pm – Ben Lerner, Michael Derevianko and George Skinner, after walking along Chowpatty Beach (the Mission Bay of Mumbai), stumbled upon a group of locals playing football on the outskirts of a slum community. I will leave the boys themselves to detail this awesome experience.
7:00pm – fed, relaxed, and appreciating the size of this immense city, the group re-met outside the hotel. Half of the group had clearly been shopping at the same store, as they all appeared wearing visors looking like American Football coaches. Ben Lerner completed the look with a tucked in polo. I'm not sure whether to be amused or just disappointed in the fashion sense at this point.
8:00pm – we piled in taxis from outside the hotel, headed for Mumbai CST Train Station, the historic station that Tom detailed yesterday.
10:05pm – we boarded train 12133, the Mangalore Express, with no delay, and set off for the beach! Sleep was ordered, mostly by the surrounding locals who headed straight off to sleep, and dreamed of the impending sand and seafood.
Thought – Yesterday, our boys showed once again that connection and communication don't require verbal understanding. All approached an, at first, awkward situation where language was somewhat of a barrier with openness and optimism. On the sports field, over a meal, and in the cinema laughs were shared and friendships made. Jokes, interests, and fundamental principles appear to transcend any barriers of language, culture, or circumstance. How often do we shy away from a conversation for fear that the challenge of connection is too great? What can we learn from those who appear most dissimilar to ourselves?
MVP – William Pretty. An outstanding man at the best of times, India has thrown a fair bit his way, as it has everyone. Until a couple of days ago, he had been sickness free, and had the finish line in his sights. Unfortunately, the Gods were not with him as he was struck with a nasty bit of illness. He was quickly back to his best, however, and made the most of his free time, yet not really for his own benefit. As regular blog readers will be aware, Josh Hamilton missed out on the Christmas and Boxing Day antics. Will took it upon himself to become tour guide for the afternoon, showing Josh India Gate, the Taj Hotel, and other must-sees in Mumbai he had missed. An epic act from a gentleman and a scholar. William Pretty, a deserving recipient of MVP if I've ever seen it.
Reuben
Thursday 28 December
8:30am – breakfast was not compulsory, but many still chose to feast on the YWCA buffet for one last time.
10:00am – the rest of the group, admittedly including myself, appeared in drips and drabs. With the only deadline being a 12pm checkout, many headed back to Café Mondegar or Leopold Café for a brunch of sorts (if you can call a burger and chips a brunch meal).
12pm – we met as a group outside the hotel, setting the group a challenge. In groups of no less than three, they were to head out into the streets around our hotel and go look for an experience. Of note, half the group headed to the Maidan, throwing themselves into games of cricket and football with locals. Sam Lindberg was out plum LBW third ball for a duck, meanwhile Ollie Schnauer was a hero behind the wickets taking a couple of tidy catches. Apologies if that last sentence made no sense to you, but I have held off my cricket chat on this blog until now. Meanwhile, Mark 'glass ankles' Crook led the charge in football, and in his own words it was a small miracle he didn't break anything. Callan Adams claims to have pulled a hammy as a result of a couple of long-range thunderbolt efforts. Leo Smith scored two goals, out of his teams two total goals (that's 100% of the goals, he'd like me to reiterate).
1:30pm – Ben Lerner, Michael Derevianko and George Skinner, after walking along Chowpatty Beach (the Mission Bay of Mumbai), stumbled upon a group of locals playing football on the outskirts of a slum community. I will leave the boys themselves to detail this awesome experience.
7:00pm – fed, relaxed, and appreciating the size of this immense city, the group re-met outside the hotel. Half of the group had clearly been shopping at the same store, as they all appeared wearing visors looking like American Football coaches. Ben Lerner completed the look with a tucked in polo. I'm not sure whether to be amused or just disappointed in the fashion sense at this point.
8:00pm – we piled in taxis from outside the hotel, headed for Mumbai CST Train Station, the historic station that Tom detailed yesterday.
10:05pm – we boarded train 12133, the Mangalore Express, with no delay, and set off for the beach! Sleep was ordered, mostly by the surrounding locals who headed straight off to sleep, and dreamed of the impending sand and seafood.
Thought – Yesterday, our boys showed once again that connection and communication don't require verbal understanding. All approached an, at first, awkward situation where language was somewhat of a barrier with openness and optimism. On the sports field, over a meal, and in the cinema laughs were shared and friendships made. Jokes, interests, and fundamental principles appear to transcend any barriers of language, culture, or circumstance. How often do we shy away from a conversation for fear that the challenge of connection is too great? What can we learn from those who appear most dissimilar to ourselves?
MVP – William Pretty. An outstanding man at the best of times, India has thrown a fair bit his way, as it has everyone. Until a couple of days ago, he had been sickness free, and had the finish line in his sights. Unfortunately, the Gods were not with him as he was struck with a nasty bit of illness. He was quickly back to his best, however, and made the most of his free time, yet not really for his own benefit. As regular blog readers will be aware, Josh Hamilton missed out on the Christmas and Boxing Day antics. Will took it upon himself to become tour guide for the afternoon, showing Josh India Gate, the Taj Hotel, and other must-sees in Mumbai he had missed. An epic act from a gentleman and a scholar. William Pretty, a deserving recipient of MVP if I've ever seen it.
Reuben
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