India Day 1

What a day it's been.... I feel as if I have experienced so much, it's like I've been here a week already.

First impressions:

- A country of great contrasts. BMW's and slum dwellings side by side.
-  Utter chaos. But somehow it works!
- Beautiful beautiful people.
- Crazy traffic with few rules. Somehow it works too!
- An industrious and hard working nation. On our way from the airport at 5.30 this morning shops were already open and people were walking to work all over the place.

After a short nap this morning we had a time of orientation with the leaders here. They made us feel extremely welcome and have been very organised in planning our programme. I love the way it's possible to travel half way across the world and then instantly connect with people as if they are family.

Later in the morning we headed to the women's centre, which is where a lot of our activities will be focused. This centre has been open a year this week. It is a centre for women, mostly Dalits but also some from Muslem background, who have been abused or are vulnerable to trafficking. Some are staying there with their children as in a safehouse. At the centre they learn skills such as English, sewing and computers. They had organised a little welcome ceremony for us all. Part of our team spent the rest of the day teaching various things to the women and doing some interactive stuff with them and the children.  I spent the day with M, a GP from England, basically doing  a GP clinic which had a steady stream of women until we had to leave.

I am struck by the beauty of these women. They could be anybody's bride or on any catwalk in the world. Dignified and elegant and with such inner beauty. It was emotional for me actually sitting there among them at last. I can't wait to get to know them and hear some of their stories. It makes me angry beyond words that the system here made them grow up believing that they are worthless.

It seems to me that most of the physical ailments presented today simply stem from the very hard and difficult life that these women lead. Back pain, arthritis etc which should not be seen in 20- 30-year old girls.

We also made some time for shopping tonight in this crazy city... The shops stay open until 10pm and even at 8pm there was no let up in the traffic - it seemed like all 7 million of the city's population were figthing for space in the streets - mopeds, bikes, rickshaws, cows, bicycles, cars... Noise and more noise! It's been a great day and I am feeling quite at home.

Today's highlight: Meeting the dalit women at last and spending time in their midst.