My first week in India has been fantastic. I have settled in surprisingly quickly and my homestay is very comfortable. Getting into the airport after a sleepless flight, my baggage was delayed by an hour. It eventually turned up, though, and the journey from the airport to my new home really lifted my spirits. As soon as we turned out of the airport I had to laugh in amazement because there was a cow in the middle of the road!The food at my homestay is brilliant Eating with my fingers was a challenge but after a while it just becomes natural. The food is slightly spicy and delicious and every night Vijaya gives us something new to try.One of the highlights of my week has been working with the children at my school placement. They are all very inquisitive and never fail to make you laugh. The other day I helped to make paper windmills for some of the younger ones. They weren't very good, but that didn't stop all the kids running around and playing with them.Last weekend I went to Pondicherry with some of the other gappers. It was great to see a new part of India, and we met plenty of friendly people along the way. I don't think I will ever forget spending an afternoon sitting cross-legged on the pavement in front of a Hindu ashram worker as he told us his stories and played us Mozart on the CD player. It was quite an experience!India is full of incredible experiences. One of my favourite parts of the day is the morning rickshaw ride to work. Looking out onto the chaotic streets of India I sometimes have to kick myself to believe that I am really here.