Wandoor, here we come!

We are heading to Wandoor! I've been digging for information and it's really difficult to come by. The first time I searched for Wandoor online, I came up with at least three Wandoors in India! One is on a small island, surrounded by quiet beaches and tourist areas. . .yeah, that's not the Wandoor we're heading to. Plus, the spelling of the town is listed as Vandur, Wandur, Vandoor, and Wandoor, depending on the map. Our Wandoor is in Kerala, which is considered "God's own country" because of its beauty. Judging from the photos, it's the perfect name.

Kerala is famous for its teak plantations and waterfalls. There are rivers and green hills everywhere. We are very near a nature preserve and I would love to go see the elephants and touch one! It also looks like we are about an hour or so from the Arabian Sea. Even if I only get to put my toes in the water, I feel like I need to get there. The opportunities with TGC are amazing and I feel like I need to take full advantage of each one.

We are communicating with our host, Riyas, and setting up our visits and teaching assignments. As they become more solidified, I'll add details here. So far, it sounds like we are going to stay in Nilambur (about 25 minutes away) because it's a bigger community. Our school in Wandoor is an all-girls government vocational school and Sarah, Sandra and I will each teach 8th, 9th and 10th grades. I have pretty good ideas of what I'd like to do for each group, but with 55 girls in a class and only 40 minutes to teach them, it's going to be really different from what I'm used to. . .