Two months in, and I’m still loving every minute of my stay in India. I have the semblance of a routine, but every day is completely different. Looking back, I was a little overwhelmed when I first arrived in Bangalore. The noise, crowds, pollution, heat, filth, beggars and hawkers were far worse than I expected. Rickshaw drivers drive around in circles to rip you off, beggars grab on to you and don’t let go, rabid dogs follow you menacingly, dead rats litter the pavement, cockroaches scuttle up the walls, curious eyes stare at you persistently and the only way to cross the road is to walk out in front of dozens of honking cars. And yet every day there would be a moment when India would just seem brilliant. It may be the Bollywood tunes being pumped out of a passing rickshaw. It may be a fat cow, sitting arrogantly in the middle of the road completely unfazed by the traffic buzzing all around. It may be a kid at school, appreciatively listening to your every word. It may just be a really cheap, delicious puri at your local eating place. It has been said many times before, but India is full of such contradictions. You either love it or hate it, or often both at the same time.

Having travelled a little around the rest of India, Bangalore now seems like home. After short, busy trips to Goa, Pondicherry, Mysore, Rajasthan or Kerala, I am always happy to return to my comfortable homestay in Brunton Cross Road – right in the middle of the city. I love the way Bangalore is so cosmopolitan, vibrant and laid back. After school I can go shopping on Brigade Road, wander around the busy streets of Koramangala, relax in Cubbon Park or visit one of the many weird and wonderful temples. In the evening there are always plenty of cool bars and clubs to go to, where you can mingle with the rich high-flyers of the city.

I did not really know what to expect from my first project, teaching at a school. However, from the very first day it has been fantastic. The best thing which I have done is to make up stories in front of a class about a teddy bear called Sweetie. Often on the lines of “One day Sweetie went to the zoo…” and featuring lots of animal noises, once I finished the kids then had the chance to tell their own stories. The things they came out with always surprised me with both their imagination and intelligence. Although I have my favourites, every student is unique and interesting to talk to. It is their friendliness and politeness which I will probably miss most when I leave. I will never get tired of walking into a room and have 25-30 kids all say “good morning Tom-anna”. It’s quite an ego boost!

Recently, while they have been doing their exams, I have been filling out child profiles - descriptions of the child which will be sent off to potential sponsors. Some of their family backgrounds are tragic, and I have been impressed by the maturity and stoicism the kids show. When I asked one girl about her father, for instance, she said simply “upgoing” – meaning that he has gone up to heaven. Another girl was orphaned at a young age because her mother committed self-immolation. When you see all these happy, playful kids in their smart school uniforms it is easy to forget the difficult situations they have come from.