Suggestions from visitor to sidhbari

Recently one of our family freinds who moved to India from New Jersey visited sidhabari in May. She answered some queries as she saw fit.

To answer your questions,

1. Hand washing techniques - what is the most used soap here ?  Lifebouy,Dettol, Hamam
2. Local Food --> for Poor people - what do they eat ?  What can our High Schoolers suggest the local people for alternatives nutritional food ?  what else is available over there as cheaper and healthier alternative ? Since it is hilly region, root veggies & pumpkins were available. You can educate them to make multigrain/ragi rotti's, milk products (paneer) for calcium, spinach(can be grown in their own garden) dal/subzi.
3. What Places to Visit around during the break time (they have 3 sundays to go around).Visit the state gov. house right next to ashram and take a tour.They can go to Buddhist monastery at Dharamshala, Dal lake, water falls, swayambu shiva temple & Shopping. All these can be done in one half day if they take a taxi. Also, they can visit Kangra devi temple, trek to Kapila cave, mountain trekking till the stream that flows at the bottom of the hill. Ask them not to miss the Momo's in the shop just outside our ashram.This shop is right next to the CORD shop in the main road.
4. Any easy school / art supplies that these kids needs to carry from here ? If our kids are going to villages to teach the children, I would prefer they can bring the driveway chalks to make learning fun.If in school, then they can bring pencils & pens, erasers as small gifts for school kids if they participate/answer questions. They would appreciate it. 
5. Any other Observations you made - pls. do share with us !! Weather in Sidhbari is little unpredictable. It rains suddenly and then sun shines bright. For boys if they are comfortable with jersey shorts, let them pack a few as it dry's easily. Night pants & thin full hand shirt for night is preferable as it can prevent them from bugs. No mosquitos, which is good. Have them carry a first aid kit , hydrocortizone ointment, Imodium, etc. Water in the ashram is good and safe. IF they prefer bisleri only, then it is available in the shops outside ashram. Food is bland and safe for kids. 

In ashram, timing is very important. They do arathi in the morning at 6am and at 6pm. Food is served at the ring of the bell. Kids will enjoy the place as it is very quiet and serene. Let them chant Hanuman Chalisa everyday in front of Veera Hanuman statue.