Saturday 15 August 2009

Letter to a son...

The international students' house where I lived
Dear Prateek,

I hope all of you (you, mom, Buku, Purna dada) are fine. It was nice talking to you last week at Bada’s place. I am writing this letter to tell you about my life here and also to find out how you are doing there.

The name of this place is Groningen. It is a city in the north of the Netherlands. It is a cold place. I live in a student house. I have one room, a little smaller than our bedroom. I have a table, chair, a reading lamp, one shelf, a cupboard, one lounge chair and a bed in my room.

My school is about 15 kilometers away from my house. Every morning when I go to school I have to walk for about 15 minutes to reach the bus station. At the bus station I get into bus number 15 and go to school. The bus takes about 10 minutes to reach my school. I pay 1 € (Euro) for my bus fare. 1 Euro is equal to about Nu. 65.

I have about 20 students in my class. There are three students who are older than me, a few are of my age and the rest are younger. I have classes only upto about lunch time. I don’t have classes upto 4 pm like you do at Druk School.

I hope you don’t find it a problem walking to school everyday. When it is not raining it should not be a problem. Once in a while ask mom to take you to school by a taxi. I hope you are working hard in studies. Always check your books for any homework once you come home and eat your lunch. Ask Purna dada for help if and when you need.

How is Buku? Always be nice and friendly with bhai. Don’t tease him and make him cry. He is smaller than you. You must learn to take care of him. If you study hard and be a nice boy I will bring nice presents for you next year.

During weekends you can go to our relatives’ place once in a while. But don’t ask mom to take you to relatives’ place in the middle of the week. From Monday to Friday – you must work hard. Of course when you have holidays it can be different.

Our big festival ‘Dashai’ is coming. It is on the 9th or 10th of October. Although I will not be there, you should celebrate and enjoy. You should go to Bada, Thulabau, kaka, and other relatives. Mom will give you some money. In November there will be holidays to celebrate the coronation of our beloved king. After that will be your exams and winter holidays. So, you see there are not many days for you and Buku to go to school this year. Study hard and ask Buku to study also.

Always go to bed on time. I think you should go to bed by 8:30 pm. Once you are in bed you can read something for 10 to 15 minutes and latest by 9:00 you must put off the lights, close your eyes and sleep. Please don’t fight in bed with Bhai. Ask Buku not to fight as well.

I think your sports day is coming. Are you participating in any sport? Do participate; whether you win or not it doesn’t matter.

I hope mom is fine. Don’t bother her too much. Eat well, sleep well, study well and be good boys. Mom will be really happy with you. Convey my love and greetings to Sarada didi, Bindhya didi, Preeti didi, Rupak dada, Gaurav, Adeep and Saurav.

My love to Buku, you, Purna dada and mom.