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Published: November 7th 2004
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pimped out tuk-tuk
this was matt & my last night in Bangkok, so how appropriate but to go out in a fine look'in ride... It has been about a week since I landed in Kolkata, although, I feel like I have been here longer because I have been stretched in ways I had not anticipated. I am surrounded by beautiful people -- who give their time, patience, and efforts to care for people that were once forgotten about and overlooked, and ask for nothing in return. For some, Kolkata is a passing through point where the poverty strikes them in such a way that they feel pulled to give to a community they hardly know through ways other than reaching into their pockets; for others it's a place where they specifically planned to visit and volunteer. Regardless--there is a common thread among the volunteer and backpacker community that makes it feel a little homey, and keeps you feeling alive in such a sobering place.
This city is also home to a few other things, like: 1) the sugar-iest sweets I have ever had in my life. Seriously...there is this one pastry that tastes like a ball of sugar that's been soaked in sugar water. wow. 2) rickshaws (the man powered carts). I referred to these in the last blog but they are such a
St. Paul's Cathedral
for a Cathedral that's been badly hit by two earthquakes, it's quite a looker catch 22 that I need to say a little more about them. On one hand, sitting in a carriage pulled by a man looks pretty dehumanizing and cruel; especially when the man appears twice my father's age. But, this man needs to earn money (and the employment options are pretty low in these parts). So, by not using his services, I actually put him in a financial position that is worse off than the beggar that I occasionally help out. Not such fun things to think about. 3) bookshops...On just about every other block I come across, there are several used bookshops that carrry everything from old Cosmo magazines to great classics like Huckleberry Finn. Even more wonderful are the bookshop dealers who know each of the 100+ books in their stores and where to find them (regardless if the shelves are/not organized), (last one)4) the cute tea stands. yes, even I have fallen prey to the tea breaks. The stalls serve this hot delight in little cups that look like mini pots you put plants inside. so fun.
Since my last blog I have visited the planetarium, St. Paul's Cathedral, tons of different sari stores, and had my
art institute
I bumped into this very kind Kolkata-n who showed me this neat art institute. The circle of students sitting on the floor are the artists of the paintings in the room, and you can freely approach them and discuss their work with them. first experience in local train (from which the title derives...I felt like I was a stunt double for Indiana Jones when, as I was starting to board and only a quarter of my body on the train, it started to move. This feeling was compounded when 20 other people behind me also jumped on. wow. what an experience!)
I also visited Titugurh (sp?) which is a surburban community specific to people who are afflicted with leprosy. With about 400 persons, it is such a successful program that not only treats persons with the disease, but provides jobs, education (for them and their family); but most importantly, it gives the people a sense of belonging since the majority were completely ostracized from their previous communities. We walked through their gardens, minifactory (where they make bedding and clothes for the nuns and Motherhouse homes), school for their children, and neighborhoods. Fascinating--one can give a couple rupees here and there, or even provide a solution to the "health" problem, or the "unemployment" problem -- but to observe a program that successfully addresses all these problems at once (since they, really, are all interrelated problems) it brings public health students to tears!!
in Maslandpur
I will be doing some volunteer work for Project Well, here, in Maslandpur. This is about 30 kms from the India-Bangladesh border. I also visited the area where I will be working with Project Well for the next few weeks. It is approximately 33 kms from the India-Bangladesh border, in an area know as Maslandpur (2 hr train ride from Kolkata). Accompanied by a Project Well associate, and my Bengali interpreter, I took a daytrip to get a feel for the area. Perhaps I got accustomed to the smoggy air of the city, the horn-honking, random guys yelling in microphones, and getting hit by motorcycles (at least it wasn't a car) -- because it was a shock to system when I walked around the villages and saw nothing but green...rice paddies and coconut palms; and heard the cackling of a few hens, moos of some cows and smelled nothing but FRESH air with hints of cow dung (--which, interestingly, is mashed into patties, stuck on the trees to dry and later used for fuel. kind of...creative, huh? talk about hard-core recycling!!)
Until then I will be hanging around Kolkata preparing the survey tool for my trip, and volunteering more. I really adore these kids -- it's amazing to sit on the cot with a boy who has never and probably will
Namascar
This lady works at Shishu Bhavan, the orphanage I have been volunteering in. Everyday she is basking in the sun, folding laundry on the roof. (namascar is the typical Bengali greeting, and she was the first one to teach me it) never walk, who has spent most of his days lying down in bed, and to hear him laugh...laughing at a stuffed bunny that I am moving around to make it look like it's dancing...and laughing so hard that his weak little body bounces up and down with his laughter. It makes me wonder why I feel that I need significantly more 'stuff' to enjoy my life.
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