Today was a hard day at the station. It is one of our last and it started with a man that I thought to myself, "Maybe Jesus looked like him" (because the book "The Shack" makes me not see Jesus as a tall bearded white man!) He was carrying a little puppy which was endearing seeing as we have seen many puppies around the station with no home. But to my horror, he walks up to us and throws the puppy to the ground and laughs. My new friend from Germany, Eva reaches out to the puppy and this puppy is not happy. He looks at Eva's hand warily from the corners of his eye. He is a scared little one and I just wanted to run away from that place for forever and never look back. How can people be so cruel? It was my first glimpse at not nice India! I realize that the same horrible things happen in America and all over the world, but it usually isn't in front of my eyes. It made me sad too to think that a hurt puppy was the first thing in India that made me cry.
The kids were out of control today and I felt frustrated at the language barrier. There was no way to ask them what was different about today. The women and older kids help us to know who gets the food and who can use the toothepaste because I think that everyone at the station would use it if we would let them. Today we had to turn away old women and men. How do they know who gets it and who doesn't? What are the requirements?
I also got to see one of the women who helps people with physical problems. Today she bandaged a wound over a boys eye, a boy with a long laceration down his shin, an old woman who had lost most of her fingers and toes, and many people with holes in their skin. Bandaging their wounds consists of taking off their old bandage, putting Betadine on the wound and covering it up again with a fresh bandage. It was hard to see such simple problems that could be quickly healed in a clean environment and proper care, but here wounds are easily complicated.
Honestly, I celebrate that Monday is my last day at the station, but I don't want to forget the needs I see and I want to continue to look for solutions for these problems.
Till next time:)
Danielle
Friday, October 10, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
A love-hate relationship
We have not updated in a couple of days and we have done some fun stuff... Hopefully I can explain some of it by explaining what I am learning to Love about India and what I am learning to Hate about India:)
Bad comes first... we always want to end on a good note:)
I have come to hate the music that plays relentlessly through the night for the festival throughout the entire village over loud speakers. This music ranges from chipmunk sounding voices to a man chanting or talking. Many times we have wanted to search the streets for this microphone and rip it from his hands, but to no avail:)
I have come to hate the beep, ding, and honk of every rickshaw, bicycle, motorcycle or car that passes by as we walk down the road. Sometimes I want to stop in the middle of the street and yell at the top of my lungs for some sort of silence!
I have come to hate that nothing ever comes easy in this country whether it be a simple trip to the Subway which happens to be closed for the festival to the internet cafe where Lexi becomes the IT woman. NOTHING is easy here.
Indian boys must be fascinated with the white face of a woman because everywhere we go, millions of eyes follow us. Just this morning, our personal space was decreased as a horseshoe of high school boys watched us hand out stickers to the kids after they washed up for the day. I will never get used to it. The other day, we stood at the train station waiting for our train and there was a tiny circle of 6 white girls surrounded by a circle of Indian men just watching. I do not feel danger at these times... just extreme discomfort!
Things I love:
Mornings on the train with the women as they chatter with one another and occasionally engage in conversation with us. During these conversations they ignore the fact that we cannot understand Bengali and we submit to being laughed at and laughing at ourselves as we struggle to find any word we understand!
The children saying "Auntie, Auntie... slip slip" so that they can eat their meal for the day or Colgate, Auntie!" as they clean their teeth with their dirty little fingers every morning at the train station.
The mile walk to our host families house where every child calls "Hi" to us and tries to shake our hand. They don't ever get tired of it!
The color of India is fascinating... the women are brilliantly dressed everyday... they look like royalty... even some of the homeless ones at the train station... goes to show how much a little gold jewelry can do for a girl:)
Indian people are so helpful and kind... one day we stepped out of our comfort zone and took the train all by ourselves with an overnight bag to return to our host family after a weekend in the city... the train in the early AM compared to the late afternoon is incomparable. Picture sardines of women... Erin and I had our bags over our heads and women were pressed against me... cornering me against the wall... Indian women were hanging out the side of the train because there was no room inside! Nevertheless, the women knew where we had to get off and helped us push our way and even stepped off the train to make room for us! One day we were looking for an open internet cafe because though an Indian man says he will open again at 4:30, chances are he doesn't. Two Indian boys helped us find the next internet stop and led us up some creepy stairs that we never would have braved alone! Another day, we arrived at the Metro/triain station and didn't know what train to catch and an Indian man stepped right up and even walked us to the womens compartment. These people are good, kind, beautiful people.
I am sure that the other girls could add about a million things to both sides of the list, but hopefully this shows you another picture of what we are experiencing.
Danielle
Bad comes first... we always want to end on a good note:)
I have come to hate the music that plays relentlessly through the night for the festival throughout the entire village over loud speakers. This music ranges from chipmunk sounding voices to a man chanting or talking. Many times we have wanted to search the streets for this microphone and rip it from his hands, but to no avail:)
I have come to hate the beep, ding, and honk of every rickshaw, bicycle, motorcycle or car that passes by as we walk down the road. Sometimes I want to stop in the middle of the street and yell at the top of my lungs for some sort of silence!
I have come to hate that nothing ever comes easy in this country whether it be a simple trip to the Subway which happens to be closed for the festival to the internet cafe where Lexi becomes the IT woman. NOTHING is easy here.
Indian boys must be fascinated with the white face of a woman because everywhere we go, millions of eyes follow us. Just this morning, our personal space was decreased as a horseshoe of high school boys watched us hand out stickers to the kids after they washed up for the day. I will never get used to it. The other day, we stood at the train station waiting for our train and there was a tiny circle of 6 white girls surrounded by a circle of Indian men just watching. I do not feel danger at these times... just extreme discomfort!
Things I love:
Mornings on the train with the women as they chatter with one another and occasionally engage in conversation with us. During these conversations they ignore the fact that we cannot understand Bengali and we submit to being laughed at and laughing at ourselves as we struggle to find any word we understand!
The children saying "Auntie, Auntie... slip slip" so that they can eat their meal for the day or Colgate, Auntie!" as they clean their teeth with their dirty little fingers every morning at the train station.
The mile walk to our host families house where every child calls "Hi" to us and tries to shake our hand. They don't ever get tired of it!
The color of India is fascinating... the women are brilliantly dressed everyday... they look like royalty... even some of the homeless ones at the train station... goes to show how much a little gold jewelry can do for a girl:)
Indian people are so helpful and kind... one day we stepped out of our comfort zone and took the train all by ourselves with an overnight bag to return to our host family after a weekend in the city... the train in the early AM compared to the late afternoon is incomparable. Picture sardines of women... Erin and I had our bags over our heads and women were pressed against me... cornering me against the wall... Indian women were hanging out the side of the train because there was no room inside! Nevertheless, the women knew where we had to get off and helped us push our way and even stepped off the train to make room for us! One day we were looking for an open internet cafe because though an Indian man says he will open again at 4:30, chances are he doesn't. Two Indian boys helped us find the next internet stop and led us up some creepy stairs that we never would have braved alone! Another day, we arrived at the Metro/triain station and didn't know what train to catch and an Indian man stepped right up and even walked us to the womens compartment. These people are good, kind, beautiful people.
I am sure that the other girls could add about a million things to both sides of the list, but hopefully this shows you another picture of what we are experiencing.
Danielle
Address for the following weeks
Here is an address for the Baptist Guest House that we are planning on staying at after we are done at SMILE. Hopefully Monday the 13th, and then for the rest of the time after we get back from Darjeeling.....we think.....unless we decide to travel some more :)
BMS Guest House
44, A.J.C. Bose Road
Kolkata: 700017
phone no: 2226-9378/ 2217-6795
We were told to have all mail sent with the ability to be tracked.
BMS Guest House
44, A.J.C. Bose Road
Kolkata: 700017
phone no: 2226-9378/ 2217-6795
We were told to have all mail sent with the ability to be tracked.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Dhurga Pujat
Early this Monday morning we began another week at the train station. The kids were excited to see us - we are now beginning to recognize their faces and we have decided which ones we would take home if we could:) This is an exciting week for all Indians who will be spending time in Kolkata this week - it is the week of Dhurga Puja. As Danielle mentioned before it is the celebration of the Goddess Dhurga - many Indians have explained to us ' like Christmas'! There are beautiful multicolored structures lining the streets that were built specifically for this special occasion. Colorful statues of the goddess line beautiful stages decorated with pink, yellow and orange fabrics that hang as backdrops. There are bands playing and children dancing in the streets - vendors line the streets selling balloons, fireworks and a variety of candies. It is a very happy time and fun for us girls to be a part of. We are all looking forward to our trip next week to Darjeeling! Darjeeling is in the northern portion of West Bengal - The himalyans can be seen from a location in Darjeeling known as Tiger Hill. From what we have heard it is beautiful:) Hope all is well is the US and thank you everyone for writing and keeping us in your thoughts and prayers:)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
India is a country of contrast!
I want to paint a picture of our day yesterday. We had a wonderful day of exploring the city, finally more able to navigate, more bold in asking locals and any white face! We were on a mission to find the Mother Theresa house and the YWCA in preparation for the next 6 weeks of our trip. Along the way we found an Oasis of a guest house which Lexi had been told about by good friends. It was beautiful! Gated walls with beautiful gardens within... nice buildings, clean, AC, and shelter from the rain that began pouring down during our exploration.
The streets that we had to walk down were the most disturbing though. Imagine walking down a narrow sidewalk with one side being a gated wall or building and the other side of the sidewalk being plywood elevated on bricks and torn tarps and garbage bags tied to the trees or fence to provide shelter for a family. A peek under their tarp revealed piles of clothes, pots and pans, naked babies, or a mother preparing some food for her children. At first I thought "There is no way that this is where they live... it must just be where they set up for the day to do street vending!" Outside played little children with potbellies due to poor nutrition. I wish I had a picture to share with you, but I could not bring myself to document this new level of poverty.
This was sandwiched in between the discovery of the Baptist guest house OASIS:) and a visit to a street vender where I bought a kit kat for our American taste buds. Like I said... contrast.
Something I want to let you all know is that tomorrow begins the festival called Durga Paja which celebrates the goddess of kolkata. Sadly, she is a goddess of violence. The city makes memorials for her in extravagant ways in which the eye can easily be deceived to think it beautiful and good. There is extreme spiritual bondage during this time. Please pray that God's glory would be revealed and pray for our strength and wisdom as we share this time with these people and pray and fight for their souls.
This was a bit of a heavy post... I don't mean to burden you with some of the realities, but I count on the detailed prayers that have gotten us thus far and will get us to Nov. 26th.
Many thoughts and thankfulness go to you!
The streets that we had to walk down were the most disturbing though. Imagine walking down a narrow sidewalk with one side being a gated wall or building and the other side of the sidewalk being plywood elevated on bricks and torn tarps and garbage bags tied to the trees or fence to provide shelter for a family. A peek under their tarp revealed piles of clothes, pots and pans, naked babies, or a mother preparing some food for her children. At first I thought "There is no way that this is where they live... it must just be where they set up for the day to do street vending!" Outside played little children with potbellies due to poor nutrition. I wish I had a picture to share with you, but I could not bring myself to document this new level of poverty.
This was sandwiched in between the discovery of the Baptist guest house OASIS:) and a visit to a street vender where I bought a kit kat for our American taste buds. Like I said... contrast.
Something I want to let you all know is that tomorrow begins the festival called Durga Paja which celebrates the goddess of kolkata. Sadly, she is a goddess of violence. The city makes memorials for her in extravagant ways in which the eye can easily be deceived to think it beautiful and good. There is extreme spiritual bondage during this time. Please pray that God's glory would be revealed and pray for our strength and wisdom as we share this time with these people and pray and fight for their souls.
This was a bit of a heavy post... I don't mean to burden you with some of the realities, but I count on the detailed prayers that have gotten us thus far and will get us to Nov. 26th.
Many thoughts and thankfulness go to you!
Friday, October 3, 2008
good for the soul...
We experienced a much needed relief from culture shock this weekend... for the first time we all woke up cold!! What a good feeling! We arrived at the YMCA yesterday after a 2 hour taxi ride that completely redefined our concept of a traffic jam. Whew... I cannot say enough about the traffic here. They showed us to our room and Bridget was in heaven... within two minutes, she asked "do you have HBO?," a question that seemed to sum up the relief we were feeling at that moment. The town is neat and we have been able to get some coffee at a wonderful place called Barista- it is conveniently located next to dominos, internet, and KFC... minature america. The shopping is intense- there is so much to buy and everything is so cheap by american standards. The colors are brilliant- pinks, oranges, turqouise... a burst of beautiful linens. Later we are finally going to get to find the Mother Theresa houses. We are looking forward to seeing a place where we can serve. Just wanted to say hi! Keep us in your prayers!
Erin
Erin
Blessed
So this morning was our first morning of not having to wake up at 4 am and I was a little annoyed when I was awake and ready to go at 4:30 this morning. But it was a good time of reflection and mediation on our first almost week in India.
As I look back at this week it has been quite a ride. I know everyone is probably saying "I told you so", but I just didn't expect to have this amount of culture shock coming to India. It truly has been different then any other of my traveling experiences. One thing that sticks out to me about our departure and the first week is that I am truly blessed to have such amazing travel companions. Each of these girls are amazing women and I don't think that our group would be the same without each of us. I have never felt such an overwhelming sense of confidence in knowing I will be ok cause we will take care of eachother.
Bridget has been a great friend who is always willing to roll up her sleeves and just get in there and be a team player and get maybe not the most glamorous of jobs done. She proved to me she always has my back this week when we were walking into town one day and a boy ran up to me and grabbed my arm and tried to drag me into his shop. Bridge firmly grabbed my other arm instantly and pulled me the other way and was like, "No, she's with us!"
Erin always is giving me some comic relief. There have been multiple times already when I bust out laughing at her skill of perfect delivery and timing of dry remark. I have thought to myself, "dang, she's good, and funny too!" She also has been impressing me with her wise words of advise when we talk about our lives back home and mulling around our future plans of life.
Danielle is always going to come to mind as one of the strongest women I know. From my first impressions of her way back to the start of nursing school I have thought of her as such a sweet and positive person to be around. I love our conversations and her perspective of life and feel like she can be such a breath of fresh air. I think I will forever remember our first heart to heart talk as a group on this trip when we all were starting to ask ourselves, "yikes what have we got ourselves into here" and Danielle encouraging us by saying, "Nothing worth while is ever easy!"
I know this trip is going to be an adventure of a lifetime and will forever change all of us. I cannot think of any better people to share this experience with. It is amazing how God plans in advance these things and gives what we need to get through the difficult but amazing times. For me I think what I needed was 3 great friends! And I can whole heartedly say, "THANK YOU GOD for giving me what I need to get through!"
So to all of you who are missing your daughter, sister or friend. Thank you for sharing them with me! I feel truly BLESSED to be in the presence of such amazing women!
Lexi
As I look back at this week it has been quite a ride. I know everyone is probably saying "I told you so", but I just didn't expect to have this amount of culture shock coming to India. It truly has been different then any other of my traveling experiences. One thing that sticks out to me about our departure and the first week is that I am truly blessed to have such amazing travel companions. Each of these girls are amazing women and I don't think that our group would be the same without each of us. I have never felt such an overwhelming sense of confidence in knowing I will be ok cause we will take care of eachother.
Bridget has been a great friend who is always willing to roll up her sleeves and just get in there and be a team player and get maybe not the most glamorous of jobs done. She proved to me she always has my back this week when we were walking into town one day and a boy ran up to me and grabbed my arm and tried to drag me into his shop. Bridge firmly grabbed my other arm instantly and pulled me the other way and was like, "No, she's with us!"
Erin always is giving me some comic relief. There have been multiple times already when I bust out laughing at her skill of perfect delivery and timing of dry remark. I have thought to myself, "dang, she's good, and funny too!" She also has been impressing me with her wise words of advise when we talk about our lives back home and mulling around our future plans of life.
Danielle is always going to come to mind as one of the strongest women I know. From my first impressions of her way back to the start of nursing school I have thought of her as such a sweet and positive person to be around. I love our conversations and her perspective of life and feel like she can be such a breath of fresh air. I think I will forever remember our first heart to heart talk as a group on this trip when we all were starting to ask ourselves, "yikes what have we got ourselves into here" and Danielle encouraging us by saying, "Nothing worth while is ever easy!"
I know this trip is going to be an adventure of a lifetime and will forever change all of us. I cannot think of any better people to share this experience with. It is amazing how God plans in advance these things and gives what we need to get through the difficult but amazing times. For me I think what I needed was 3 great friends! And I can whole heartedly say, "THANK YOU GOD for giving me what I need to get through!"
So to all of you who are missing your daughter, sister or friend. Thank you for sharing them with me! I feel truly BLESSED to be in the presence of such amazing women!
Lexi
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