Update from India!! :-)

At last - an update from India. Apologies for the delay. The first three days in Delhi were pretty stressful as all I could do was visit ATM's and extract my daily allowance then guard my growing pile of money until we had enough cash to go and buy the rickshaw. There was almost a set back when my bank, despite 3 phone calls before leaving, took another 24 hrs to let me use my card here. How typical of our times that a bank has been the only spanner in the works during this whole project!!! Anyway, the seller of the rickshaw, Muna, agreed to let us pay the remaining amount once we return to Delhi on 21st Oct and so on 6th October we handed over the cash and Champu became the owner of a rickshaw. (no idea why this is all underlined!!)
In the 3 days leading up to getting the cash together we spent the time with Champu (he was chief body guard!) getting to know more about him and his life. During this time he finally understood how I had raised the money and really seemed lost for words at times. He hadn't realised I had been running and joined in with many of my friends' thoughts by saying that I was "crazy, really crazy"!! He also very kindly said that I was amazing. He shook his head as he said "when I helped you years ago it was because you were a tour leader and might be able to help me - we needed each others help. But now you have just helped me, for me - for friendship - you're amazing" It was one of the best moments of the whole project. We showed him Gerry's film of the race too and when he, and Muna clapped at the finish I think I did finally get what I've done. It was the finishing line moment that I never really felt at the finishing line (just due to the preoccupation of finishing, having a bath, getting ready for the dinner etc - not for any lack of congratulations from friends and family)
Champu now has to get the rickshaw paperwork into his name - and learn to drive properly. He said that he had driven one, but hadn't got his license as he'd never dreamt he'd really own a rickshaw. Muna, who he has known for over a year, has kindly agreed to work with him for a month or two and teach him all he needs to know and at the moment they are working Champu's rickshaw together as Champu can't legally drive in the city or with passengers until he has his first license. The first licence is actually only a matter of money which I have - but I'm glad he's learning to drive safely too. Once the rickshaw became his we all set off for a tour of Old Delhi and then, when we got to a wide road that was very quiet (due to road closures for the Games - it has come in handy afterall!) it was time for Champu to have a go. We all got out and Gerry set up his tripod and camera for the occasion. Within seconds 2 bikes were in a heap in the middle of the road. The 2 men riding by had done a double take at the camera and crashed into each other spectacularly. We were all doubled up with laughing and I think it helped Champu's driving nerves. After a formal photo session (see above) Champu took to the driver's seat and I to the back. Gerry signalled that the camera was rolling and off we went only to stall. More laughter. I was then treated to about 5 trips along 100m of road, with turns - and, by the end, it was pretty smooth.
Champu drove home that night with Muna driving his own rickshaw beside him and the next morning they arrived to take us to the station for the train to Jaipur.
Once we're back on the 21st we're going to visit his family and make a film about his way of life. I'm hoping to be able to get his 2 daughters into school with some of the remaining money - and there might even be enough to get his 2 brothers (11 &13ish) back into school too. After a few months Champu thinks it's possible he'll be able to keep them all there himself with his earnings from the rickshaw.
This is a bit rushed - but I wanted to get news out to everyone who has made all this possible. I'll try to write more from Delhi.