KJ Somaiya College Day 1

Ok, so the first day of school is done and over....what a relief, but I haven't taught yet, so we shall see how that goes....I was instructed to arrive at school around 11. Savita and her driver (I am getting used to that concept too!!) picked me up, so no rickshaw today. When we arrived, I waited with the principal while some sort of assembly was being set up. I was escorted to the assembly hall where I was introduced in a rather touching, formal ceremony. I was presented again with beautiful flowers and a gift. The gift was a statue of Ganesh to symbolize education, prosperity and success. Ganesh is also the patron god of Mumbai, every home has a statue. I now feel a little more like a Mumbai resident. I spoke briefly, thanked everyone, and shared my hopes and expectations for this visit. I also shared the 6 Hindi words I now know! After the assembly, the principal said no lectures for me or my mentors today, just a campus tour. We went to all the 11th and 12th grade rooms where I will be teaching. Upon entering, the students stand and greet the teachers, pretty awesome. They are not seated until instructed. They were SO nervous to meet me. It was hilarious! Most of them wouldn't speak, they just stood there sort of in awe....even students in the hallway said, "welcome ma'am." This I am NOT used to! I wonder if I can train the Ridge kids to do the same??? Not so much.....I think after a day or two, I will be restored to plain old teacher when the novelty of all this wears off!
After a long tour and a lot of meet and great, Renu, Savita and I left for, you guessed it, another amazing Indian restaurant....! This place was Thali style. Each person has a large silver platter in front of them with a lot of small bowls around the edges. The waiters come around and fill the bowls with all sorts of amazing stuff and fill the center of the platter with bread....it was SO GOOD! There is no menu, just whatever is being cooked that day is what you eat....I guess this is a pretty traditional Indian style....
At any rate, tomorrow is a holiday, so no school....Wed I am observing and I will actually start teaching on Thursday. The school itself is very hot and muggy....it is also very dusty...this will take some getting used to also.....but I am slowly getting the hang of this!