Feb 25 Khyndewso, Derek hosts Peter Morales

Friday 25, we left Kyrdem around 10 a.m, bouncing for 2 ½ hrs. on this road – we were told the driver would turn back a ½ hr. walk short of Khyndewso, but the intrepid fellow navigated his street cab the last bit, where we were surprised to learned we had cut across to the double back to the big lakes north of Shillong – pavement never looked so good! In Khyndewso, we were given a royal welcome, being presented with ribboned pins and a gauntlet of applause as we rose the steps. We then sat in state while the children sang a welcome song. I don't think they actually took much pleasure in singing, atypical of most Khasi we've seen. 50 km from Shillong on mostly paved road, the children had never seen a computer. As in most of the rural areas getting teachers, especially higher levels and particularly science, is difficult. We discussed an idea that another village had suggested, volunteer English speaking teachers from the states and England, but they didn't seem ready for that – just teachers, Khasi speaking. We risked missing our evening date in Shillong by staying for lunch, 'already done', served in a mere half hour, which we made the best of talking with teachers, mothers and babies. Gail, Lindy and I found ourselves quite fluent in Khasi baby-talk.
We steamed back to Shillong, got to our new digs, cleaned up, and got to the Special Dinner hosted by Derek Pariat, delivered to it in grand style to the most posh hotel in town by our tour arranger and consummate host and gentleman, Pearl Green Marbaniang. Here we are, left to right, P.G. Marbaniang, Derek Pariat, Dea Braden (Hi Jeff and Brenda, and all her other friends in Nashville), Lindy Lathem, Peter Morales, Gail, Cream Nongbrie and her aunt New York Nongbrie. Cream and New York had just come from an intense meeting with Lindy concerning Education. Peter and Dea had just come from a tour of the areas of most wretched poverty in 'mainland' India for the Holdeen Trust, and their heads were still spinning after witnessing a village in the garbage dumps of Mumbai where 350,000 people live and subsist.