Friday, November 10, 2006
Photo(s?)!!
Wow. Technology will never cease to amaze me. I know that most of you are looking for photos of India and curious about what I am seeing, but instead I have posted my smiling face for my Mom! In the photo I am sitting in the train on the top bunk, there are 3 beds on top of each other, sweaty and basically enjoying the journey. I love public transportation. In India the train never has an empty seat, nor extra standing room for people or goods. Each car is full to the max and usually then some...
I am once again at our home base in Kolkata. The more time I am here the more homey it does indeed become. My initial disgust and confusion with these streets has transformed into a new appreciation for this city and its residents. It is unique. There is a wealth of love, human compassion, and endless possibilities to learn each time I step outside the doors of our hostel. It definately takes time though and I will not lie, I was repulsed by this city on day one. The constant stench in the air, the crows flocking in the heaps of trash which appeared everywhere I turned, the mangy dogs, and the children that are born into a life of begging. Babies before they learn their first word know how to extend their arm and gesture with their hand to their mouth in a request for some rupees or food. These are some reasons why it is a hard place. BUT it is also an inspiring place. People take care of each other.
I do not know why I have been so fortunate and blessed. I do not know why I have experienced such a plethora of beautiful moments and positive exchanges with people in different corners of the world. There is no point in trying to understand why. I have had a hard time on this trip, asking myself why I am here. I think it is only begining to unfold. It is selfish and is teaching me a lot about myself and that I am very thankful for. Now all I want to do is be home and share my happiness with the ones I love!
Tomorrow we will fly to Delhi and from there take a train to the northwestern state of Rajasthan. This is the last little leg of the journey and I apologize that this post is not so descriptive and more Me, Me, Me, reflecting.
This morning Robynne and I visited a Jain temple on the outskirts of the city. My knowledge of Jainism is slim, but I never turn down an opportunity to visit a temple. Nearly every religion in the world is practiced in India so there is no shortage of oppportunities! We took the metro (which is remarkable clean and cheap... 4 rupees for a one-way pass)and got off towards the end of the line. Interestingly, we were not once confronted by any beggars. They know where all of us foreigners sleep downtown! En route to the temple we happened upon a parade. Although we did not figure out the reason for the celebration, it was great to watch! There were lots of bands, kind of like high school marching band style, playing very old horns and striking drums. In between the music, which was played by groups of children and adults, there were carts wheeling religious paraphenelia. There were colorful flags and banners, but unfortunately I could not understand any of the Hindi. There is constantly something to celebrate around here! I forgot to mention that I did come during the most festive time of the year, Puja season! I believe it lasts about 2 months. In Varanasi we were lucky enough to be there for Dipdiwali (not sure at all how to spell that one). There were 300,000 people crowded along the ghats, in boats on the holy Ganges river and on every rooftop balcony for the celebration at sunset. It was another sort of festival of lights that coincided with the full moon. Along the ghats they lit thousands of candles in tiny clay jars. I am not exaggerating with the numbers here!! Also people send out prayer blessing candles on the river- little bits of wax with a wick surrounded by flower petals all placed in an innovative bowl made from a leaf that floats. It was incredible to be among such a throng of people and see the lights, absolutely beautiful.
Alright, I think it's about time to get up from behind this computer screen. I will atttempt to post a couple more photos... but no promises there.
I send all of my love and am anxiously looking forward to seeing many of you soon.
Thanks for reading!
I am once again at our home base in Kolkata. The more time I am here the more homey it does indeed become. My initial disgust and confusion with these streets has transformed into a new appreciation for this city and its residents. It is unique. There is a wealth of love, human compassion, and endless possibilities to learn each time I step outside the doors of our hostel. It definately takes time though and I will not lie, I was repulsed by this city on day one. The constant stench in the air, the crows flocking in the heaps of trash which appeared everywhere I turned, the mangy dogs, and the children that are born into a life of begging. Babies before they learn their first word know how to extend their arm and gesture with their hand to their mouth in a request for some rupees or food. These are some reasons why it is a hard place. BUT it is also an inspiring place. People take care of each other.
I do not know why I have been so fortunate and blessed. I do not know why I have experienced such a plethora of beautiful moments and positive exchanges with people in different corners of the world. There is no point in trying to understand why. I have had a hard time on this trip, asking myself why I am here. I think it is only begining to unfold. It is selfish and is teaching me a lot about myself and that I am very thankful for. Now all I want to do is be home and share my happiness with the ones I love!
Tomorrow we will fly to Delhi and from there take a train to the northwestern state of Rajasthan. This is the last little leg of the journey and I apologize that this post is not so descriptive and more Me, Me, Me, reflecting.
This morning Robynne and I visited a Jain temple on the outskirts of the city. My knowledge of Jainism is slim, but I never turn down an opportunity to visit a temple. Nearly every religion in the world is practiced in India so there is no shortage of oppportunities! We took the metro (which is remarkable clean and cheap... 4 rupees for a one-way pass)and got off towards the end of the line. Interestingly, we were not once confronted by any beggars. They know where all of us foreigners sleep downtown! En route to the temple we happened upon a parade. Although we did not figure out the reason for the celebration, it was great to watch! There were lots of bands, kind of like high school marching band style, playing very old horns and striking drums. In between the music, which was played by groups of children and adults, there were carts wheeling religious paraphenelia. There were colorful flags and banners, but unfortunately I could not understand any of the Hindi. There is constantly something to celebrate around here! I forgot to mention that I did come during the most festive time of the year, Puja season! I believe it lasts about 2 months. In Varanasi we were lucky enough to be there for Dipdiwali (not sure at all how to spell that one). There were 300,000 people crowded along the ghats, in boats on the holy Ganges river and on every rooftop balcony for the celebration at sunset. It was another sort of festival of lights that coincided with the full moon. Along the ghats they lit thousands of candles in tiny clay jars. I am not exaggerating with the numbers here!! Also people send out prayer blessing candles on the river- little bits of wax with a wick surrounded by flower petals all placed in an innovative bowl made from a leaf that floats. It was incredible to be among such a throng of people and see the lights, absolutely beautiful.
Alright, I think it's about time to get up from behind this computer screen. I will atttempt to post a couple more photos... but no promises there.
I send all of my love and am anxiously looking forward to seeing many of you soon.
Thanks for reading!
# posted by Kate @ 5:15 AM 
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I think the flower market photo uploaded, although I'm not sure. If it did this was taken right under the Howrah bridge which connects Howrah to Kolkata and it is the most congested bridge in the world with is foot and vehicle traffice. People people everywhere!
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