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YOUTH SUMMIT 2008
MUMBAI / PANCHGANI
Our adventure to India started from Helsinki airport. Plane was late,
so we had time to get to know Dutch delegates. After a long flight we
stepped out of the plane and felt the heat of India. Peter Patrao was
waiting for us with Alban and a school bus that would take us to the
Campion school. Travelling by bus through Mumbai was interesting and
definitely different from Finland. The traffic was wild and chaotic
and the city was full of colors, sounds and scents. We reached the Campion
school and there was a beautiful welcoming ceremony arranged to us,
speeches and singing.
We spent most of our time in Mumbai by driving around the city with
our lovely school bus, visiting different places like a church, a temple,
the Gandhi museum and the Elephanta island. We also experienced the
Indian train and taxi drive. Because we had some many places to visit,
our shopping time was limited, but still our back bags were full of
souvenirs when our visit to Mumbai ended. I liked our program and the
best thing was always the dinner –spicy Indian food. Also, a very
good experience was playing basketball with other students in crazy
Indian weather.
Bus trip to Panchgani lasted long. Most of us were sleeping. Then we
saw the beautiful green mountains. Panchgani looked like a paradise
on Earth.
As
we arrived to the eco camp we were all surprised how modern it was.
We saw toilets and showers and computers.
Days in Panchgani were full of action. We got up early in the morning,
before the sunrise and started our day with art of living. It is a three
hour session that contains yoga and breathing exercises. Then we ate
some breakfast and had nature trails. We also did some projects. I was
in a group that was researching how much do people in Panchgani know
about climate change and its affects.
It was very interesting to interview locals. We found out that people
in Panchgani aren’t aware of changing climate. We also asked some
questions from our fellow students and they told us how climate change
is represented on their own country. I learned a lot from our projects.
We also designed t-shirts and caps and visited one local village and
St.Peter’s school.
The school visit was one of my favorite parts of Panchgani program.
Playing basketball, dancing, and meeting old and new friends was so
much fun. We also achieved our goal –the declaration. It took
us the whole night to finish it, but it was worth it.
The last day in Panchgani was full of tiers and farewells. Campionates
were the first to leave. After that the Goa students took of and finally
Finnish and Dutch students left with the ABEL foundation and Peterities.
The whole trip went by very fast. I learned so much from the other students,
especially from the Indians, because they’re so different from
me. I hope I could enjoy every moment of my life with my friends like
they can. Visiting India was one of the best things ever happened to
me, and I’ll be back one day.
Heta
Ritalahti / Finland
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