Kerala-June 12 to June 19

The following are highlights from my stay in Wandoor.  Three American teachers traveled to Wandoor to spend the week with students and teachers at the Girls Government Vocational High Secondary School (GGVHSS).  We would be hosted by Riyas Kappil, an ILEP alumnus.  We hoped for a busy week; we hoped to be able to offer some assistance in classrooms; we hoped to meet and speak with some educators, and spend some time writing to update our blogs.

What we actually experienced exceeded our wildest imaginings!! Below, take a look:)..and a listen.

Similar yet different...people/transportation/scenery/survival & aspirations
   
   

Seriously I feel like I am in a storybook!
   

Coimbatore-a stop on the way to Kerala

It appears the guide books are on target--monsoon season down below!

A special treat-Saturday morning in Wandoor, Kerala-road trip to Bandipur National Reserve

Indian monkeys? Bandipur National Reserve

Onsite-Bandipur Nat'l Reserve

Tea farming in Tamil Nadu

This is one big guy! Temperature in Tamil was a cool 60+ degrees fahrenheit 

4H young ladies dressed for the (Welcome) parade route

Kerala & Tamil men wear traditional dress in contrast to Bangalore

Agenda for the program

An address to the packed Welcome assembly held in a semi-open courtyard

Day 1 welcome Parade at Girls Govt Vocational High Second. School    

The Wandoor Police department requested our passport information for their records prior to our arrival!

7th & 8th Standard girls stop by teacher planning to say hello

Some of GGVHSS's 3000 students gathered for welcome assembly

Ceremonial procedures remind me we are in a country steeped in centuries of tradition

Infrastructure data (and welcome posters) both important

Some of GGVHSS's 3000 students assembled for welcome ceremony

IN teacher planning with two teachers (in traditional Kerala saris)

Video Broadcast Featuring Ameican Teachers on Wandoor Television