Wadi Challenge
Today’s blog is written by different people as all groups had slightly different experiences, enjoy !
Today was the first whole day at Sangam, breakfast started at 8:30 but before that we had the Flag ceremony led by Madeleine, Rebecca and Alice.
After having our delicious breakfast we went to get ready to start the Wadi Challenge (written by the staff here). We all got into groups and set out to start our challenges. We got a sheet of paper with lots of questions and challenges, once we had completed it we would tick it off and start a new one.We spent all morning walking around trying new sweets and seeing how people lived their lives. We also went into supermarkets and purchased clothes and food! My group (Katherine, Evie, Helen, Elizabeth and Lucie) decided to cross the road to get the the hot chip shop but there was a slight problem… we couldn’t cross the road 😂 we had to go on a bridge to cross. While we were up there was decided to take some pictures as the sight was amazing. On the way some of us got an ice cream because we were so hot! Instead of walking all the way back to the Sangam Centre we decided to bundle into a rickshaw back. I don’t know how we made it but it was a success and never to be forgotten.
By Katherine
After we finished the wadi challenge our group was a bit tired and it was a long way back. We decided we shouldn’t get the rickshaw because we knew we would be getting it another day. A few minutes later we decided to get the public bus. It took about 10 minutes to get across the road and once we did we had to try and get a ticket. The ticket man unfortunately could only speak a little English, we had to pay on the bus. We waited about 10 minutes for the bus and in that time a few more buses went pass. Eventually when a bus stoped we tried to squish on, first I was a bit scared but it was quite funny on reflection. There were only 2 stops so it wasn’t that bad. When we stopped the first time I didn’t think there could fit any more people on but I was wrong, more than 15 people came on pushing us from every direction. It was very hot and sweaty but we still didn’t know how to pay for the tickets. There was a breeze on the bus and when we got off it was refreshing. This was quite an experience and I probably not forget it.
By the amazing Lily
3/5 of the Rangers plus Leaders (Maddy, Ellie, Annabel, Edda & Lorra)
The Wadi, what is that you may well ask? It's the nearest place to Sangam where you can buy just about anything.
A particular moment that stood out to us was when we climbed the footbridge to cross the road, and stood for a while taking in our surroundings. It was incredible to see how chaotic yet ordered the roads wer. Whole families seemed to just stroll through 6 lanes of busy traffic, yet there was a sense of mutual respect from all, which meant that everyone remained both safe and calm. From this bridge, we were able to see such a range of landscapes from the vast array of shops to the slums to the beautiful temples - the contrast in such a small space was astounding, and clearly exemplified to us the importance placed upon religion and spirituality by the locals. Our walk to the Wadi was very eventful and we saw a new side to India. I believe most of us were particularly shocked by the slums and seeing first hand where locals call home. The stark contrast between rich and poor living side by side yet with all feeling so grateful for what they had and seemingly happy was something we will never forget.
Part of our challenge was to go to the local food Bazaar, which is a massive supermarket and department store which we particularly enjoyed spending time in finding new Indian snacks to try as well as stocking up with stuff we forgot to bring. 😂😂
Overall, today was a packed day- from yoga to supermarket shopping to a Hindi lesson- filled with new and memorable experiences.
Written beautifully by Ellie and Maddy.
My group and I (Chloe, Millie, Eva, Julia and Amaya #wadiwizards) did a challenge called the Wadi Challenge.
We had different challenges on a piece of paper that we all had to complete around Sangam looking at different places. It was in a rickshaw bag which also contained money, pens and post-it notes
Once we got out of the gates we saw pigs and piglets that were very muddy and loads of stray dogs on the road! We all walked down in a straight line until we got to a three way road. We saw many shrines and holy buildings. We were racing to try and get in front of the other groups and find the most things on the list.
One of the challenges was finding these certain types of sweets and going to a bakery. We bought some with the money and they were SOOOO good! I thought I wasn’t going to like it but it was amazing!! We also got to the food bazaar where there were many shops selling food and clothes. Me and Julia saw a burger pizza, which we had never heard of before.
We also went into the clothes and food shops where we had to walk through this detector thing but I don’t think the guard was too bothered.
We went upstairs to look at the clothes that had and most of them where really nice! They had long flowing dresses and long skirts as well. Amaya brought this cute little baby shirt which said ‘I ❤️dad’ which was kind of her.
We also crossed the road which was scary but fun too. We had to hold hands to cross and there were so many motorbikes and cars that were just whizzing past while people were just casually walking across the road not caring about the motorbike heading 1000 miles per hour at them. We managed to cross halfway onto an ‘island’ and there were literally trucks and lorries going past us so fast that one nearly hit Chloe’s nose. Once we had finally crossed the road everyone was laughing at us which was quite embarrassing!
On the way back we met AJ the tailor who we were looking for everywhere and finally found. He hand sewed all the clothes and it looked so pretty, we took some photos with him. Finally, we brought some ‘hot chips’ that were really nice (only Amaya tried spicy ones) we bought some banana ones and in the end finally got back to Sangam and rested! And we didn’t feel as tired as we thought it would be which is very surprising! I really enjoyed this day!
Millie Banjoh xxx
We ended the day with a Hindi and Indian Cultural lesson where we learnt to count to ten and say ththre colours. In our Indian Culture lesson we were fortunate to be able to discuss different aspects of Indian life with Mina, one of the deputy managers. She told us so much especially about narriage.
Finally, there was a campfire and songs where shared by different people.
Today was the first whole day at Sangam, breakfast started at 8:30 but before that we had the Flag ceremony led by Madeleine, Rebecca and Alice.
After having our delicious breakfast we went to get ready to start the Wadi Challenge (written by the staff here). We all got into groups and set out to start our challenges. We got a sheet of paper with lots of questions and challenges, once we had completed it we would tick it off and start a new one.We spent all morning walking around trying new sweets and seeing how people lived their lives. We also went into supermarkets and purchased clothes and food! My group (Katherine, Evie, Helen, Elizabeth and Lucie) decided to cross the road to get the the hot chip shop but there was a slight problem… we couldn’t cross the road 😂 we had to go on a bridge to cross. While we were up there was decided to take some pictures as the sight was amazing. On the way some of us got an ice cream because we were so hot! Instead of walking all the way back to the Sangam Centre we decided to bundle into a rickshaw back. I don’t know how we made it but it was a success and never to be forgotten.
By Katherine
After we finished the wadi challenge our group was a bit tired and it was a long way back. We decided we shouldn’t get the rickshaw because we knew we would be getting it another day. A few minutes later we decided to get the public bus. It took about 10 minutes to get across the road and once we did we had to try and get a ticket. The ticket man unfortunately could only speak a little English, we had to pay on the bus. We waited about 10 minutes for the bus and in that time a few more buses went pass. Eventually when a bus stoped we tried to squish on, first I was a bit scared but it was quite funny on reflection. There were only 2 stops so it wasn’t that bad. When we stopped the first time I didn’t think there could fit any more people on but I was wrong, more than 15 people came on pushing us from every direction. It was very hot and sweaty but we still didn’t know how to pay for the tickets. There was a breeze on the bus and when we got off it was refreshing. This was quite an experience and I probably not forget it.
By the amazing Lily
3/5 of the Rangers plus Leaders (Maddy, Ellie, Annabel, Edda & Lorra)
The Wadi, what is that you may well ask? It's the nearest place to Sangam where you can buy just about anything.
A particular moment that stood out to us was when we climbed the footbridge to cross the road, and stood for a while taking in our surroundings. It was incredible to see how chaotic yet ordered the roads wer. Whole families seemed to just stroll through 6 lanes of busy traffic, yet there was a sense of mutual respect from all, which meant that everyone remained both safe and calm. From this bridge, we were able to see such a range of landscapes from the vast array of shops to the slums to the beautiful temples - the contrast in such a small space was astounding, and clearly exemplified to us the importance placed upon religion and spirituality by the locals. Our walk to the Wadi was very eventful and we saw a new side to India. I believe most of us were particularly shocked by the slums and seeing first hand where locals call home. The stark contrast between rich and poor living side by side yet with all feeling so grateful for what they had and seemingly happy was something we will never forget.
Part of our challenge was to go to the local food Bazaar, which is a massive supermarket and department store which we particularly enjoyed spending time in finding new Indian snacks to try as well as stocking up with stuff we forgot to bring. 😂😂
Overall, today was a packed day- from yoga to supermarket shopping to a Hindi lesson- filled with new and memorable experiences.
Written beautifully by Ellie and Maddy.
My group and I (Chloe, Millie, Eva, Julia and Amaya #wadiwizards) did a challenge called the Wadi Challenge.
Once we got out of the gates we saw pigs and piglets that were very muddy and loads of stray dogs on the road! We all walked down in a straight line until we got to a three way road. We saw many shrines and holy buildings. We were racing to try and get in front of the other groups and find the most things on the list.
One of the challenges was finding these certain types of sweets and going to a bakery. We bought some with the money and they were SOOOO good! I thought I wasn’t going to like it but it was amazing!! We also got to the food bazaar where there were many shops selling food and clothes. Me and Julia saw a burger pizza, which we had never heard of before.
We also went into the clothes and food shops where we had to walk through this detector thing but I don’t think the guard was too bothered.
We went upstairs to look at the clothes that had and most of them where really nice! They had long flowing dresses and long skirts as well. Amaya brought this cute little baby shirt which said ‘I ❤️dad’ which was kind of her.
We also crossed the road which was scary but fun too. We had to hold hands to cross and there were so many motorbikes and cars that were just whizzing past while people were just casually walking across the road not caring about the motorbike heading 1000 miles per hour at them. We managed to cross halfway onto an ‘island’ and there were literally trucks and lorries going past us so fast that one nearly hit Chloe’s nose. Once we had finally crossed the road everyone was laughing at us which was quite embarrassing!
On the way back we met AJ the tailor who we were looking for everywhere and finally found. He hand sewed all the clothes and it looked so pretty, we took some photos with him. Finally, we brought some ‘hot chips’ that were really nice (only Amaya tried spicy ones) we bought some banana ones and in the end finally got back to Sangam and rested! And we didn’t feel as tired as we thought it would be which is very surprising! I really enjoyed this day!
Millie Banjoh xxx
We ended the day with a Hindi and Indian Cultural lesson where we learnt to count to ten and say ththre colours. In our Indian Culture lesson we were fortunate to be able to discuss different aspects of Indian life with Mina, one of the deputy managers. She told us so much especially about narriage.
Finally, there was a campfire and songs where shared by different people.
Oh, I feel exhausted just reading about your day! As said, beautifully written, with such interesting observations. India ia a country of great contrasts, and so glad you’re experiencing and understanding so much, this trip is proving to be a valuable lesson in life!
ReplyDeletePlease be careful crossing the roads!!
Vx
That all sounds amazing .... we’re loving the blog.
ReplyDeleteLoving the blog, everything sounds so exciting! We are very jealous at home !! Xx
ReplyDeleteWow! What an amazing experience. So nice reading your stories. Can’t wait to see the pictures. Millie, I’m keeping my promise and listen to a BTS song everyday! Xx
ReplyDeleteWow! What wonderful experiences. Sounds like a hectic but a fun day. Have you had any mangoes yet?
ReplyDeleteWow! What wonderful experiences sounds like a hectic but fun day. Have you had any mangoes yet?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely brilliant, what a great experience
ReplyDelete