On the set of a Bollywood movie

On our second day in Gorai we drove out to the set of a Bollywood movie.  

Looking across the creek to the Golden Pagoda.

The ferry landing at Manori.

The temple on the cliffs is being built entirely of coconut fibre mixed with mud and set in molds. It only takes a few days to build an entire Bollywood set and it will be ready for filming "Two Streets" on Saturday (this will be the wedding scene). The film will be in the cinemas within 6 months. The temple will be dismantled next week.

Making cow statues out of coconut fibre and plaster

Lifting a few walls into place.

Gorai Beach

For the Diwali weekend, Lex and I decided to get out of Mumbai.  Someone who used to work at ASB has inherited a home in Gorai, about an hour and a half north, and she rents it out as a home stay.  On our first day we went down to the beach and walked.  Gorai is made up of fishing communities.  The beach itself was very quiet.

Diwali Lights

One Friday night, right before Diwali, Lex and I decided to go to Mahim to see the Diwali lanterns. We got to the BKC road and it was very busy with people going home from work - there were lots of people wanting taxis, but very few taxis. Anyway as we were waiting there a young Indian man started talking to us and told us we could ride there with him - he was going to Mahim Junction to pick up his fiancee and take her shopping. What a lovely man! He took us all the way to Mahim and showed us around, where to walk, where to eat and so on. Happy Diwali!

This powder is used to make the beautiful rangoli patterns outside people's front doors.

These lanterns are made out of a few thin sticks covered with tissue paper.  They are so beautiful!

A late evening walk at Bandra Bandstand

We went to Bandra to take some photos around St. Andrews church, but instead took most of them on a walk along by Bandstand to the ruined fort with a great view of the Sealink.

Day 9 Documentary Photography

A couple of times a year we have what is known as a Day 9.  This is a day off schedule - usually we work in cycles of 8 days.  During this time both students and teachers can pursue their passions.  The last Day 9 we had I offered photography - I wanted to do this in the village close by the school, but at that time I was told I couldn't take the children out.  We therefore decided to look at photography as art and take photos around school.  This time we were given permission to leave the campus.  My favourite photos are those of the local people going about their daily lives.  We have now laminated these photos and they have been given back to the people who are in them.

Shopping in Chor Bazaar

Chor Bazaar is the "thieves market" so called because on a visit to India by Queen Victoria she was robbed and her belongings turned up in Chor Bazaar.  Today it is the home to all kinds of things - some old junk, some beautiful antiques.  I went shopping there earlier this year and bought an old desk, which the school sanded down, varnished and replaced the handles to and turned it into a lovely little workplace for me.  This time I went down with Sharon and Jenni as they were looking for items for their apartments.