Vejalpur - CEPT Uni - Seva Cafe 2

Today i had been asked to visit one of the Ahmedabad (*Amda-bad) Ultimate youth coaching practices in Vejalpur. Jumping into a ricksahw i was taken a far distance to one of the suburbs on the outskirts, South of the city. Arriving at the destination i was instantly surprised to see the most bizarre street yet.... one side had a huge gated entrance with around 5 guards, the opposite side looked like a disused building, bland, very large, no glassed windows, no clear playing area but was heaving with activity. Guessing the side i was meant to be was on the busier side i walked in.

I was instantly greeted and introduced to around 50/60 young people, adults, mums and dads...all evidently highly surprised that i was i there. It was later that someone explained that the huge block of modern flats opposite were occupied by some of the highest Bollywood stars. Yet across from Bollywood was my first experience of what it is to live a tough childhood. Of course cricket was commencing, and it was great to take a 2nd slip catch to a 5-year-old who had been teaching me how to catch properly; the fact he then came over (knee height) and shook my hand very professionally was great!

In the picture above you can see the little space that frisbee training, cricket etc. are played. Glass on the floor, blocks of cement and rubbish, yet many of the children just running about with no shoes. Many things were a reality check at this point, not only the lifestyle these children were forced to grow-up in, but more the fact that they were outstandingly skillful! in cricket, frisbee, they were throwing forehands about 40m, flat and accurate at the age of 7. A clear example of determination!

An example of Indian graffiti; A certain Sachin Tendulkar, average compared to the opposition i was facing.

After playing a couple of points in a small game and leading a little training session, i was invited in to some of the homes for chai. I don't have any pictures as at this point i was too busy just taking in the experience for myself. All the families lived in a room 5x5m with a toilet/shower addition. Average family of 5 in each room and a total of 2,000 rooms in the 3 buildings, each about 300m long. Lead up onto the roof, we sat with around 5 families altogether, comparing experiences and stories as the light fell. Around 2/3 hours later and many laughs, jokes and chai comsumed, i left for home 14km away.

For me this was the purest moment i had experienced so far.

The next day came and the search for a suitable place to hold a workshop for my project began. Leaving the office i talk the 10minute walk to Kavan's house.

Ashram Rd (outside the office)

(the challenge of crossing the road, top tip just close your eyes and keep walking forward)

Every single walk is full of experiences, this being one of my favourites; Billy this is how you are now going to be taken for a walk!

Don't know which one looked happier, the dog or the boy??

After scabbing a quick bike hop we had reached CEPT Uni, which is one of my favourite places in the city along with CEE & Law Garden. Here the students are great, atmosphere is lovely and is simply a beautiful place to relax and spend the evening. This being my 5th time.

little footy pitch in the centre of the campus

some super grass banks to lye down and lose track of time and sweat.

This is where myself, Kavan, Rushi and most students chill out on two tall grassy banks opposite the library building. Grab a freshly squeezed banana milkshake from the cafeteria, or lemon water and watch the eagles, parrots, huge bats and one bird that looks like a large kingfisher but brilliant blue with the brightest red beak.

This little critter was cute and amazingly camouflaged as a leaf..

Now if you look carefully you can see him just off centre to the right (slightly darker green)

I am going to give you a couple of pics of CEPT Uni and some of the local residents and buildings...

Rushi found his true love

Another mini cricket game later and we were just about ready to make a move.

Tonight was Seva Cafe 2 (Indicorps Style). Banter would be involved for sure. So arriving at Seva cafe with no idea what we would be cooking or what was on the menu we got our aprons on and did a bit of prep to make sure the tables and other bits and bobs were ready for the customers. Seeing a lot of familiar faces was great, quite a few had come from my last trip to Seva so spirits were high!

Everyone working hard clearing up and sorting the cooking stations and deciding roles for the night ahead. With customers arriving at 7pm we had 2 hours to prep and cook.

Today's menu finally finished and decorated beautifully. Milkshake would be made from Oreo's, ice cream and a splash of milk! yummy! Here are my attempts at interesting photos of Seva:

Time for the team to get cooking; on your marks, get set, cook!

I was given the proud job of presenting and making the bruschetta; humous and pesto with tomato. It was a key responsibility and the initial feedback was high with good compliments. At this rate i thought the promotion to Oreo milkshake maker would be imminent, however this proved to be too complicated and my credentials were not strong enough. But unofficially oreo milkshake hand-made is so lush!

Like you, I am still confused about the video conversion: the discussion about serving tomato ketchup with Oreo milkshake is an interesting idea, but not too sure on its success?! I think i am going to try to find out the actual background to this idea...
With a rough team of nearly 15 or more we were highly efficient, which proved to be crucial as we had over 70 customers on this slightly cooler Saturday evening.

Jaidip and Priyanka looking as happy as always!

An action video of the team

With tonight's Seva menu also being to celebrate a birthday, it was great to close the night with a huge group meal and chorus of 'Happy Birthday' with lots of laughs and a chance to eat this amazing food. Although the video is not great, hopefully you will get an idea of just how many people enjoy volunteering at Seva.

So after the evening of fun and banter it was home to sleep and a very early start!

CEPT college film and new host family

New day and a lot of new changes, for one i was now offered a new permanent host family. Sagas, my new host brother is young and a bit of a 'ladies man' but has a great sense of humour and a good bunch of friends.
My home is lovely, about 25/30 minute bus/ rickshaw or 5minute bike hop with Sagas as his bike is rather loud and equally fast. It is a 3rd floor apartment situated in a quiet part of the city next to ;the circle' bus lane. It has an open plan feel to it, 3 bedrooms, 3 showers, 1 bath, a dainty kitchen off of the dining room and a couple of galleries/ balconies. One of the bedrooms is called a cold room with a huge a/c fan machine and double glazing to not let the cold air out. it is a solid 25 degrees, perfect for sleeping here.

After another day hiding from the intense sun in the office, Kavan met up with me to go to a film evening in a local college. I was not ready for the sheer beauty of the little campus. The story behind being the architect was a previous graduate from the college across the road, this project happened to be his first contract. the vision of the campus was to make it blend into the forest area, causing as little damage to the habitat and tying to incorporate a historic portrayal: "Spot the peacocks"


I feel so ashamed to be looking like such a typical tourist! The hat just sets the tone.


In the total construction of this college, roughly 14 acres or so, only 3 trees were removed/ cut down. And there is till some incredible wildlife in the forest gardens all around the college grounds.

This little critter has to be my favourite so far and the closest thing to Kelloggs back home. He was actually quite large about the same size as an adult bearded dragon, a foot+ long.
These lizards are commonly known to reach lengths in access of 6 foot and feast on the locals at night! that might be lie but as certain people were not impressed by my vicious monkeys, i guess i will have to try harder.
Having had the chance to watch the factual film about water and the effects of certain plastic bottles etc. we went to Subway to feel better about ourselves. Those of you who have traveled will be aware of the veg/ non-veg menus.... veg = veg & non-veg = meat. I had a bit of the veg option and was pleasantly happy with the result.
Having enjoyed our £1.50 subway meals we hit the road...
I hope this is a semi-decent representation of the craziness of having no traffic lights on main crossroads....never a crash!

Next morning, 6am and training commenced in a park called Law garden, very very pretty and a truly lovely place to chill under a tree and people watch and have chipmunks playing chase around your feet. Introduction to basic horizontal stacking and wall zone breakdown on offence tactics and it was time t get out of the sun before it started getting outrageous (now 8.30am).
A rickshaw rally later

dodging the odd cow, camel and elephant

to a local drinks parlour and a pineapple juice later (or strawberry suprise for Sagas) and we were all feeling better. Cold coffee was actually rather good as my first experience of coffee although very week and milky i think. I went for the grape juice, good shout!

The end to my first week!

Vicious attack and MONSOON

Next morning, having had my morning scrub (basic bucket and soap job) i was ready for the next installment of International Backyard Cricket. Having found my shoes (no one is allowed to wear shoes indoors anywhere - sign of disrespect)i headed into the stadium. Walking round the side of the grandstand i was suddenly seeing my India trip coming up short as a monkey (not small like Barbados) was coming at me, fangs showing! These fangs are not short either! After sensibly retreating at a rather fast rate, using all my knowledge of V-cuts in Ultimate i caught my breath back indoors. Now he looks cute but.....So maybe this will change your mind on cute cheeky monkeys!
I took this video using zoom and one step out of the back door at it was enough for him to get angry. Now monkeys are obviously common here and locals just are confident and run at them at they skarper. I was not so sure especially when this monkey (George - thought a particular person might like this) appeared to be gloating his victory on the cricket stadium. I was even more reluctant when reinforcements arrived....look at the length of those tails!


Monkeys are quite awesome at a safe distanceFor all those cricket fans out there you will be pleased to hear that cricket did commence and England were victorious AWAY for the first time ever! All the tips paying off but just luck really!
England celebrate their prestigious win with a cup of 'Chai'

Kavan demonstrating the difference between an English 'Cheeky Monkey' and India's
'and yes Jenny he has come travelling with me, so no you can't have him!'

Getting a bike hop with Kavan to the office, the day was only going to get more and more crazy... Invited to Seva cafe later that evening i had something to look forward too, however i was not expecting this:
i apologise for me rubbish commentary...doesn't really do it justice, but the effect of the people in the street running around in celebration was unforgettable! To Seva Cafe via some 'maggi' or noodles to you and me. Really really good with butter and cheese, better than supernoodles....well maybe just maybe?!
So to explain what Seva cafe is about: Seva cafe is a completely voluntary, so all the cooks, waiters, kitchen staff are there simply to help. Anyone who arrives to eat are treated like family, it is never about money so people donate money to the value of what they want. For us it is great fun to be in the kitchen, helping and i had the grand job of serving a couple of dishes, and the lemon water. Because everyone there is simply voluntary, the menu will be different everyday, the staff will be different the experience is different but mostly it is just a great way to make new friends and share an experience. Before we started all the staff, nearly 20 of us, got together in the kitchen and shared a story or 1 thing they like: mine was India (great reception to this answer).



Parth 'Par' (green was a bit of a joker as or as referred to here; a PJ (poor joke) another classic Indian acronym.

So, overall 10/10 for Seva for travelers, residents and everyone; it is truly a great experience and a very famous place here in Ahmedabad.