It's the end of my first week at the Weavers' Service Centre, and I feel as though I've learned a lot, despite the informal, low-pressure method of teaching. Mostly, it's been from being given a bit of book learning, and then watching what else is going on around us, and trying to relate what I've just been told to what I can see.

The pace of my day is very different. I have a slow start to the day, and leave for the weavers' centre at around 9:30 or 10. Although it is only about 12 km from home, the drive can take anything from 45 minutes to an hour or more, depending on the traffic. My driver picks us up, and we hope for an easy journey. When we get close to the centre, we are dropped at the corner nearest to the centre, and walk from there. (The car and driver take the long way around, and spend the day parked in the driveway at the centre, ready for us to leave.) The sidewalk is a hazard to be avoided - covered in all sorts of unsavoury things, so we walk in the road. Although the centre opens at 9:30, we do the Indian thing, and arrive at around 10:30. Most mornings, it has been fairly quiet, with a few small things going on. Our teacher, Mr Vijayan, comes and goes during the day as he has many responsibilities.

We spend time here and there being schooled in the theory and documentation of weaving and loom setup. Inbetween times, we talk with the weavers and dyers.

In addition, we have been able to take our own textiles in to the centre, and ask for advice or information on the pieces. I found out this week that a beautiful scarf I bought in Cambodia earlier this year is really polyester, not silk. If nothing else, this training will help me to be a more discriminating buyer!

At the end of the day on Thursday, the centre was given a commission to produce a sample for a prospective overseas order for a commercial textile business. The weavers are required to set up a small loom with thread provided by the contractor, and weave a 10 inch sample which will be used in the bid for the contract.

Contrary to the other work going on, this has been effected very quickly, and the setup began Thursday, and was nearing completion by the end of the day Friday.

We should see this sample completed on Monday.