But time for some exciting news. As some of you may know I was lucky enough to be host to a friendly little parasite within the last few hours of my journey and for about over a week after I got back I got quite ill, and incredibly tired. It was like my energy was being drained from my body.

Well as far as I know I am parasite free, but I am starting to doubt my status of parasitlessness as my toilet trips seem to be increasing yet again. I wasn’t going to go into details but I know how much every one loves to hear about bowel movements.

Know this information hasn’t been medically confirmed but I have done some research and I believe I had/have a parasite called Giardia.

Cute isn’t it? Well I think so, especially compared to some of the other parasites. Google Image search “parasite” and you will know what I mean. But they are found often in un-cooked chicken = I ate quite a bit of chicken from the street vendors of the night I got ill. Very common in 3rd world and developing countries = India. Feeds on undigested food in the gut and causes diarrhea = Im sure I don’t have to explain.

There you have my super internet powered diagnostic skills.

By this time I had only ate a slice of toast in the last 24 hours so my stomach was crying out to me, and with the smell of a full continental breakfast lingering in the air I had no choice but to indulge. I think it was the best meal Me Rob and Tony ate in the past three weeks, well it seemed like it at the time. The whole breakfast did cost us €60.00! but it was worth every cent

Then finally we got on the plane home and arrived in Edinburgh airport. I have not been so happy to hear a room full of Scottish accents in my life before. When I arrived my mum and dad was there to meet me at the gate. Then i got taken home to a nicely redecorated bedroom and a full roast dinner along with my beautiful girlfriend and a very tasty apple crumble that she made me.

It felt so good to be back home. For the past few days I think I have still been processing exactly what I have seen and experienced in India. WHilst I was over there I had no choice but to deal with what I was seeing and get on with it, but now my head has had a chance to stop and think about it all, I think its gone into meltdown. I can’t really describe what it was like being out there, it was an incredible experience, one that opened my eyes to the surrounding world, to other peoples living conditions, new cultures and mind sets, my own mind set. I really got a chance to see myself from a new perspective (I know it may sound a bit cheesy) But one thing I noticed about myself how I was able to adapt to new surroundings and cope. I am usually not the first person to stand up and take charge of a given situation. Saying that there usually is someone who is close by who takes charge before I get a chance to decided but that didn’t happen this time. I no way was I the leader of the group but I found myself in more control than I would ever find myself usually.

I was surprised by this and found it really beneficial to know that I have the ability to adapt and cope and take control over my own life and this is the biggest thing I have taken from the trip personally and has really given me focus on what I need to do and that I can do it.

Also this trip has shown me how much the world really is such a mess, one that I think no man can fix. For there to be a world where there is peace, justice and balance something big is going to have to happen.

Well those were some of the things that I have noticed from my trip to India. When I first went I really didn’t understand the point in the trip but looking back now it wasn’t to do with graphic design it was to do with me and each one of the students to take from it how they wanted and if this new perspective lasts and effects me as a person and then in turn as a designer I think this project has been a great successes.

I want to truly thank everyone that made this opportunity possible.

Thankyou

Before I become nostalgic and talk about life changing trip in a climatic manner I would like to inform you that my immune system is not as strong as I origianlly perceived. Samita, the head ofthe communcation course of petal Academy wanted to show us part of the 9 day Sharer festival. Robbie, Lauren and Gillian had summoned up the strength come out whilst Tonys day out shopping in the Delhi heat caused him to feel worse and stayed in his bed. Anywhoo I was still quite upbeat as I had been all day, I got my last minuet presents and finally hot to see the Lotus Temple. Also thinking I was now acuostumed to the local cuisine I went a bit mad. The festival is based around Dancing and food. Lots of azing food. So I went round trying some of this food which was amazing!

It turns out I may of gone a bit overboard and in turn my upset stomach scenteced me to a day in bed and on the toilet. I never threw up but there was plenty of activity down the other end. After a few hours my body had rid itself of every ounce of fluid and Im feeling better now. Not great but I’m getting there.

Now how typical is it I managed to stay clear of major illnesses for 19 days and in the last 12 hours of my trip I spend it sitting on the toilet?

So I was goin to talk about how my life has been changed but our Taxi has arrived early. So Ill post somthing up later when I get back home. So I guess Ill see most of you soon. And thanks for following this blog and for your comments.

We decided to take our good friend from the Netherlands, Derk out to dinner last night. He suggested this South Indian place. So maybe somthing was in the meal or the water we got was infected, but the strogest possibilty is that a local treat known as Paan may of caused it. Derk said we had to try this before we went home. Paan is a Indian treat that consists of many spices, sweet syrups, berries and other seasonings wrapped in a large leaf that is wrapped up. Your meant to shuv the whole leaf in your mouth and Chew it, which made us all gag violontly. Derk loves them! (strange boy) But now everyone was pretty much up all night and all in bed except from Tony who is looking better and myself. Actually Im feeling particulary perky this morning. I guess I just have a super immune system.

I’m thinking the Paan may of just upset there system as it works as a digestive aid, so Im thinking there stomachs got a shock, or the Paan is helping them to get rid of some nasty stuff that has been there for a while. I must just be very healthy

Well as me and the other 4 Scottish students go home before the students have the scheduled shooting days, we were kindly given the oppurtunity to go out and film in Delhi. Which was good in a way, I have never worked with a proper film camera before, but as we had very little time before hand we ended up filming with out any pre concived ideas or thoughts so we were pretty much making it up as we go. Also working in the mid day sun is very draining and after a few hours we were all shattered. Also it seems that 5 white forginers with a massive camera and tripod with two film assistants is an unsual sight in Delhi… So we found we were attracting large groups of locals who would literally just stand around you in a cricle and just stare.

Probaly not the best setting for makinjg a short film. But I still manged to enjoy the filiming a nd learned a few tips from the film crew. 

Well Im

I will try and get it up on Youtube to embed it into the blog.

Well on Saturday we decided that we should all treat oursleves to a nice long lie in. Saturday was particuarly hot and we were all exhausted so decided not to do very much. Then Myself, Tony, Gillian and Lauren decided to go out and venture further into Patel Nagar (the area we are staying in) And among finding a nice sweet shop we also found a Material shop.

Before I came on this trip I sayed I wanted to get a tailored suit. I was in no way serious about actually doing it but pressured by my fellow peers to at least go and have a look I eventually entered the small shop where I was shown reems of suit materials, I then enquired how much a tailored suit would cost for the material and to get made, the shop owner, who honestly looked like part of the Indian fashion maffia, said it would be 2000 rps!!! (which is just under £30.00!!!) So I then got very excited when the quality of the material was so high. Were going back tomorow for a trial fitting so I will hopefully post a video or at least pictures of me and rob getting our suits and Tony with his Denace the Menace shirt.

Then on Sunday we were shown around Delhi by the Indian students. First we went to a Sikh temple. Then we drove around a lot and went to a bar (a very uncommon find in Delhi) but this bar had its own brewery so we got to try a load of real ales that were made in house. Pretty amazing beer!!! We then went to a lovely Thai place for lunch where I ate my whole meal with chopsticks. Then we heade of and played ppol for a while then wnet back to some ones house so Robbie could watch the football.

After we endured 90 minuetes of ManU vs. ManC we finally got taken to the Hard Rock cafe where the staff all got up on a stafge and danced to the YMCA!!! very entertaining.

To sum up yesterday.. we spent the day chilling out as everywhere was shut due to a Muslim festival so we couldnt really go anywhere or do anything so we ended up carving various faces into Apples.

So maybe it wasnt the most exciting weekend every but it was nice to chill out and hang out with our new Indian friends.

Just a side note, if you are ever offered egg curry, I would stay clear if I were you.

- Belinda, I tried to email you but It didnt work so hopefully you have looked at my blog in time and can take the image for the Crit on Monday

Putt Putt Font (Example)

Putt Putt Font (Full Alphabet)

My 20 Pictures

Then I went to college.

Class today was almost unbearbly stressfull! The choas and the constant screams and students trying to talk over each other for 6 hours really makes you want to explode. I did not feel like I was in college, it felt more like I was in primary school. These students are all around 20-23 years old and they are constantly talking like school girls. I’m not trying to be mean but back at home when we give presentations the rest of the class listens (or daydreams quietly) and once he/she is finished then we take turns to express our thoughts on the presentation. Its really quite civilised, its informal but there is a sense of respect for one another and there views.

But today no one would listen to anyone, students were constanly talking over the people presenting there idea. It took 50 mins for one group to explain three different 1 minute film ideas they produced. There seems to be no respect for each other especially certain males and there views towards women. The whole day was quite stressfull and has left me with a huge headache.

Anyway… rant over

Its only 7 days till I leave! It feels like it has flown by, but at the same time it feels like I have been here for ages. I think because I have been so busy and done so many new and exciting things that time has just disapered but i feel like I have achieved so much.

My Trip to Jaipur and Aggra video has shown up on YouTube!!!

(I apologize for the poor quality)