AGS India Immersion Programme 2017/18

Matt Using his exquisite science teacher analysis skills Mr Jordan has deduced that there has been considerable beard growth since Kolkata and especially since we boarded this bus eighteen hours ago and thus I have decided to take up the prestigious post of writer of a beard update. At the front of the race it is a close showdown between Reuben McGregor-Sumpter and Mr Jordan with Reuben with perhaps more coverage but the striking inky black hairs sprouting from Mr Jordan's face make Reuben's ginger hairs pale in comparison. Nikau Reati-Beazley and Mr Crook are close behind the leaders though Nikau's growth is slowing and soon he may fall behind other well-performing students. Mr Crook still fails to show any colour, so much though that one must look twice before actually noticing his nearly translucent facial hair. Ben Lerner is currently dominating the fifth form category with a great neck beard complete with a nice moustache and sideburns. Richard...

­­­And, boy, did they go round a few times. From getting on the bus at 6pm yesterday to getting off at 5.30pm today, we ended up spending a cumulative 23.5 hours on that bus – now affectionately known as 'Barney' for its purple paintjob. 23.5 hours… a new record for the India Immersion Programme, surpassing the 23 hour effort of the 2011 tour which had to catch a bus from Varanasi to Delhi after a cancelled train. Today was a mammoth effort from our boys, whose positive attitudes and patience never once wavered. A real credit to the quality we have travelling with us on this tour. They have most definitely earned the top-class accommodation we are now staying in in Varanasi. Hotel Surya, a former palace for the King Kaiser of Nepal, is an escape from the India we have been immersed in over the past week and a half. With spacious gardens, a laundry service, and warm showers – to say the very least – Hotel Surya is a welcome return to 'normal' (or at least as no...

Cam MacFarlane As someone who values their personal space highly and who has the utmost of respect for quiet time, I think I can speak on behalf of most of the boys that Darjeeling and Saraswatipur acted as a refreshing change of scenery after a hectic time in Kolkata. Kolkata was an incredibly humbling experience and has certainly already acted as an eye-opener to me; nonetheless the barrage of cars tooting their horns, the consistently filthy streets, the overwhelming smog, and multiple times our country's population crammed into a beautiful, confusing and thought-provoking city well and truly had worn me out physically and mentally. I feel privileged to be in the first India Immersion Programme to have visited this stunning part of the country (Darjeeling). The nippy climate, cleaner air and tranquil environment agreed with me more and the Himalayan setting offered a means of reflection. Despite developing some issues in the digestive region (I'll leave i...

Miller Hawkesby Seems that nothing can immerse you in India as much as sitting in a bus tardy by two hours, awaiting another 23 hours of driving, due to a train booked months in advance being cancelled.  It also seems that I unequivocally love it.  This adventure has bequeathed upon me many new abilities: solving a Rubik's Cube, how to win a game of 500, and of course how to use a digital thesaurus to sound like an upstart in my blog. It has also given me the opportunity to reflect on the last few days while listening to some bangers.  Kolkata feels now like a distant memory, with highs and lows.  While not the cleanest or even prettiest place, Kolkata is a city filled with some fantastic people, many of whom don't have it easy.  I have however discovered that sometimes it is the worst of times that brings out the best in people, the work done by organisations like Free Set, Future Hope, Khelo Rugby, and the Jungle Crows are all examples of the legacy of Mot...

Ollie Schnauer In just the time frame of 2 days I was able to see both ends of the spectrum in terms of fortune of the people living in Future Hope. Future Hope lightened the mood for me about people living in the chaotic city. We entered this fully civilised space to view an English play these kids had been learning. Their English was incredible. Our group sat for about 2 hours as these people of similar ages to us were able to coordinate word with actions in a foreign language. I was then further impressed when we visited the younger kids (aged 3 to 12 approximately) who had the ability to hold a long, in depth conversation and tell me different stories in English. Very impressive. It was clear to see that the kids were well educated and some had dreams to work in the business world, like myself. In complete contrast to that, the following day we visited a slum community. 'A  picture speaks 1000 words'. Walking through this horrif...

William Pretty Following a night sleeping on coconut husk pads (mattresses) on the floor of a church, the prospect   of a 15 hour, relaxing train ride was mere bliss. However in our beloved India fashion that was not to be, instead of getting on the train at 2:45pm we managed to spend a delightful 6 hours camped out in NJP railway station waiting for a coach to replace our train, all the while depleting the local vendors of food and drink, doing laps of the train station or in my case falling asleep on the floor in a platonic spoon with Lachie that was nothing but a necessary turn of events. When the bus finally arrived spirits were high and continued to lift as we calculated in our supposed 18 hour bus ride, we could play the playlist a minimum of 5 times. I would love to say the bus ride was bliss and I just fell asleep to the gentle bouncing of our coach but my mother taught me to never lie, so instead here is the truth. It took us 30 minutes befor...

Boy, do we have a story for you. We must apologise again for the lateness of this blog, but all will make sense when you read the events of the day. We always said that this country loves to throw a curve ball at you, and today we experienced that for real for the first time. Long story short, our train was cancelled. No warning, no condolences, just a man at a train station telling us we wouldn't be able to travel. So, long story short number 2, after a 24-hour ride in a coach we have made it to Varanasi, safe and sound and the boys are all showered, refreshed and tucking into an epic meal. So, for the story: Thursday 14 December Sickness Update – Only Cam MacFarlane remains remotely sick, but he would like to make it known it is only on a technicality. 6:30am – a combination of roosters, and Mr. Crook playing The Circle of Life off his phone, formed our early rising alarm. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Crook was then promptly fined for playing a song not on the tour play...

Apologies for the delay in this blog. We have had a huge couple of days since leaving Darjeeling with very little internet available. Callan Adams, in particular, is exhausted after celebrating his mum’s birthday too hard on the 13th - happy birthday, Catherine! It's been hectic but extraordinary and I can't wait to update you all on our day yesterday: Wednesday 13 December Sickness Update – Not much to report here with no new arrivals to the infirmary. Ryan, Ben, Cam and Nikau feeling better but still not 100%. One more day, boys. Reuben would like to tell you he's feeling fine – better than ever, in fact – but I would argue otherwise. 7.45am – We were woken up, this time by an elderly Himalayan man chanting incantations outside the hotel. Being our final day in Darjeeling, we packed up our rooms and headed on to Darjeeling's main street in search of breakfast. 10am – With goodbyes said to the Pulgers, the family who owns and operates The Bellevue Ho...

Another quick note, this time to let you know we are off to Varanasi. Tom's blog detailing our day yesterday will hopefully come in tonight, depending on service. The man is currently tucking into a train station chicken pastry, so wish him luck! Reuben

Just arrived back into reception from Saraswatipur, and are sitting at New Jalpaiguri train station. All are well after an awesome 24 hours with some incredible people - we were treated like kings. More detailed blogs to come.  Reuben

Dear readers, just a quick note to say we are currently on our way by Jeep down the hill from Darjeeling to Saraswatipur, a small village home to the tribal Adivasi people. I'm unsure of internet access in the village so I apologise in advance if we are unable to upload any blogs tonight. Know that we are safe and well and all sickies are on the mend! Happy Wednesday! Tom

Raymond Before I start, I acknowledge the fact that this blog is long overdue. However, I feel it is unnecessary to apologise, as being late in India is acceptable therefore my actions are totally fine. Thus this may be a bit long (warning in advance). Anyways, let's begin. Dear People of Kolkata Out of this place, where garbage decorates the sidewalk, where the smell of human excrement never leaves your nose, where the pollution makes it safe to look at the sun directly and where beggars never let go of your clothes; lies an oasis of smiles, positivity and possibility. Colloquially known as the "City of Joy", the landscape could be described as anything but, yet it is the people, who wholly fulfil this namesake. While my journey in Kolkata has come to an end, this place has left me with a lot of food for thought. To the workers at Freeset, your work deserves more recognition. The support, expertise and more importantly, t...

​First up, SHOUT OUT – we love hearing about the community this trip creates, and we have been informed of the 'India Tour Reflection Group', a group of parents gathering every Monday to chat about the trip back home. Shout out to you legends, great to hear you are enjoying the blog. ​Tonight is our last night in Darjeeling, and we are so pleased to have taken in this leg of the journey. The place feels little like the India I know, and for that, it is refreshing. So I sit here, literally above the clouds, attempting to articulate for you how day 8 played out, and I hope you enjoy. Tuesday 12 December Sickness Update – it is with a heavy heart that I add myself to the list of those fallen. I am currently trying to practice what I preach, and hope to be back to 100% shortly. Cam MacFarlane and Nikau Reti-Beazley are also new additions, with Ryan Donovan and Ben Lerner still on the mend. Michael Derevianko is now fully recovered – champion. 4:00am – after thi...

Sam Lindberg Life is like cards, you don't choose the hand you are dealt. Some are dealt aces and kings, and some get dealt threes and fours. In Kolkata there is the full deck of cards. Aces living the high life, in suite resorts with the best views and unlimited wealth.  These royalty cards have pictures and colour and are important and everyone wants to be one. Then there are the twos and threes; begging on the street, living under tarpaulins with holes and little to no essential needs for life. These cards have no picture and are considered wasteful cards yet they do not reflect the poor people of India. In this blog I want to specifically talk about Brooklyn the slum and how these people have been dealt low cards but seem as if they had jacks and queens. This is a very plain, black and horrific place yet so full of life and hope.  I remember vividly viewing the rundown filthy living environment these people were in and it hit me like a brick wall and my heart skipped a beat in ...

Roni Chapman I think I wanted Kolkata to hit me harder than it did. When I pictured the India trip I thought I would be brought down to being close to tears by seeing what I saw in Kolkata. I think I wanted this because I believe it would build me as a character. When Kolkata was unable to bring me to this emotional state I was confused about who I am, and I was disappointed in myself as a member of the trip and an individual. I was disappointed because while a few other boys were telling me they would break if they stayed any longer in Kolkata, I found myself to love the place. I felt like I was missing out on the full experience even though I saw what they saw. I felt as though I was perhaps not as emotionally rich as these other boys. I think I blocked myself from the negativity of poverty and only saw the happiness of smiling faces, and felt guilty that I was only able to fully engage in this part of life here. I think the negativity was too overwhelming for me to ...

Leo Apologies for my lack of blogs. I have just finished one of the most hectic weeks of my life in Kolkata. Currently we are having some down time in beautiful Darjeeling, so I thought I better update you all about my most memorable moments in Kolkata. Firstly, I must address the sickness. As you may know it took me less than 24 hours from arriving in Kolkata to receive the honorable title of being first sick. This brought about many uncomfortable situations so I'll describe the main one. It occurred at the Mother Teresa house morning mass at 6 o'clock in the morning. During the first standing prayer I got that tingling feeling in the stomach, so I know I had to make a move. Unfortunately, due to my disorientation in the house, the best place I could find to vomit, was the flower pots outside. After this I was swiftly taxied home by Mr. Jordan, and nothing was ever said. I would like to give a shoutout to my caring roommate George skinner, who was always th...

  Michael   Day nine of the trip and already we have a wide-ranging spectrum of facial hair on display. For those of us even capable of sprouting the slightest tufts of growth - about 7 of the boys - neck beards are currently in fashion. Ben Lerner and Josh Hamilton are showing strong growth on the neck region but little elsewhere, although it must be said, Ben's sideburns are coming along strong. Personally, my beard may be patchy but is still rather impressive, if I may say so myself. Special mentions must go to Matt Illing with his raging stubble in the chin region and Cam Macfarlane with his self-described "filthy-mo".   Leading the pack, we have a four-way race between Nikau, Reuben, Mr Crook and Mr Jordan. Nikau and Mr Jordan are sporting some proud stubble and Mr Crook has the growth if not the colour, although first prize must go to Reuben who, despite braving a shave from a 10-year-old who looked like he'd never shaved in his lif...

We are in Darjeeling! And thank the gods for that! Blue sky, clean air, we can see the sun - life couldn't be better. It is a bit on the chilly side and we are all wrapped up in our icebreakers but that is just reminding us of home. None of us have ever been here and that makes this leg of the tour particularly exciting with a couple of big days planned for our time in the Himalayas. Speaking of exciting, we want to wish a big Himalayan happy birthday to Nick Lindberg (Sam and Ollie's cousin) today. Hope you had a ripper day mate. We hope you are enjoying the honesty and candour of the blog thus far. Expect more blogs and emails to be coming your way from the boys over the next couple of days as we anticipate more downtime after a hectic week in Kolkata. In the meantime, you'll have to put up with my version of events: Monday 11 December Sickness Update - All appear to be well recovered (or is it just the Imodium they took for the train journey?) exc...

Cam Macfarlane   Right now, a group of young men sit in a train station, in the midst of homeless people and beggars, civilians of Kolkata ready to board, and various store owners. I think these people of different lifestyles and upbringings somewhat highlight the seemingly uneven distribution of wealth and luck that we have seen during our time in Kolkata. Now sitting with my thoughts to myself, and over an hour to smash out a blog I will reflect on the variational circumstances Kolkata has showed us. In our group debrief sessions some people have been attempting to answer what I consider an impossible task; to define this wonderful city as genuinely happy, or happy to just see foreigners. Defining a society as happy or not is an unachievable task I believe, for that reason I will acknowledge both the good and the bad that I have seen. The negatives, being the source of the only discomfort I have felt so far on this trip, are frankly...

Callan Adams It seems like an age ago that this group of 22 young Kiwis were hurtling through the streets of Kolkata for the first time, awestruck by its incredible, novel and all together crazy sights, sounds and smells. Over the last 5 days, I have been amazed at how the group has come together to support one another through the brutal poverty and injustice that we have seen, but at the same time, each of our responses to such challenges have been very individual.  Kolkata is confusing, and I can't hope to encapsulate it in any number of blogs. What stood out for me, however, is the vibrancy and verve of its people, in front of a backdrop which is often confronting, decrepit, even revolting. I think that the Brooklyn slum we visited yesterday captured this beautifully - young children giddily chasing us around a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Some boys felt guilty, others highlighted the injustice of the situation, but I was left unresolved, wit...

Rowan Burns Hey Mum, I've been feeling better for awhile but haven't been able to eat much. We just caught a long train to Darjeeling, but now we are here and it is beautiful. And you know I don't throw that word around. This place completely reminds me of the Inca Trail, and has kindled an interest to walk the Ana Puna Circuit. I talked to Mr Jordan about it today in the car ride up the mountain from the train station. Then tonight, as the sun set, I was sitting on the roof of Darjeeling, as the haze created this amazing 360 degree rainbow sunset over the Himalayas. Kolkata was an extremely complicated place and I just felt sad there.  Here, on the other hand, I feel free and a little at home.  I honestly think this place is a hidden nugget of India, worthy of coming to visit if you ever wanted to come back to India. I could even show you around :-) There is no doubt this place...

Aaron In all honesty Kolkata was a dump. Rubbish was piled high everywhere, the air was thick with smoke, the pungent smell of urine and faeces lingered on every street corner, we never saw the sun, poverty and beggars were the norm, there was never a moment of peace, and almost constant rain over the last two days only added to the apparent misery. Contrary to what you might expect however, the people here do not reflect the darkness of the harrowing reality they live in. The people are the light. It has not been the rickshaw rides, food nor sights seen so far, but the interactions and conversations with the people of Kolkata that have been the highlights of the trip to date. Whether it be yarning for hours with some of the Jungle Crows of similar age, being approached by a stranger in the street wanting to know your life's story, or playing with the crazy and energetic kids from Future Hope, such as Asif and Laxman. They are all so positive, enthusiastic, friendly and...

Matt India is frustrating. That's pretty well known. Late trains, incompetent taxi drivers, food poisoning and not being able to understand Hindi are all frustrations made obvious to us before wed embarked on this trip. But as I spend more time in this vibrant country, assimilating into a new half-Indian, half-tourist lifestyle and routine I feel I'm starting to get used to these daily frustrations that appear at the surface of the deep ocean that is India. As I descend further into this culture I am discovering new frustrations. Let's start with the small stuff I have begun to notice. When I was sick and lying in bed for hours on end I would continually hear the song of the elevator moving. It was a short high pitched piano tune which might have been nice the first, second and third times but after hearing it what seems like thousands of times I hate the tune. Whenever I might whistle now all I can whistle is that damn song and that frustrates me. Anoth...

Pitch report - after a smattering of unanticipated rain, the groundskeepers clearly forgot to put the covers on, and the Maidan fields were wet underfoot. Conditions were unfavorable for running rugby, but seemingly this did not matter, as Crow Field was invaded by a number of boys and girls for their ripper rugby tournament. More to come on that later. But first, a huge happy birthday to Nikau's father, Leon Beazley, we hope you enjoy!  Sickness Update: Josh Roberts - the man is a legend, and is almost back to full health. Ryan Donovan - has been dealt a double blow and returned to bed for most of the day, only to peak back in the evening.  George Skinner - a new addition to the Grammar infirmary but continues to be his bubbly self, full credit to you George! Michael Derevianko and Ben Lerner - staying in high spirits but still firmly in the sick bay for a little longer.  Mr. Crook - fully back into the swing of things after a rough few days.  ...