Lots has happened and I have no pictures for proof, so you're going to have to 1) take my word for it and 2) get through this extremely long post without any visuals. Sorry!
On Monday, Nik, Marissa and I left for Delhi. We flew to Abu Dhabi airport first where I had a 3 hour layover (we were on different flights). For those non-geography buffs (aka me), Abu Dhabi is in the United Arab Emirates (never would have guessed that, I know). There were a lot of white people in the airport. I think it is a huge hub for connecting flights to Australia and it is the hub for Etihad Airlines.
Why Etihad holds a special place in my heart: as I go to board the plane, the man stops me and asks me for my passport. I am thinking, "oh crap!" but he hands it back saying, "Ashley Stone, you have been upgraded to first class. Seat 4C." AHHH! So I get on the plane in capri sweat pants, a t-shirt, old tennis shoes, and a sweater/pillow than hasn't been washed in 2 weeks. People were probably wondering what the heck I was doing in 1st class and I had no idea what to do in 1st class. I sit down, and I am lookin around trying to see if other people are taking off their shoes or put their foot rest up. Then the stewardess comes with a mint lemonade (SO GOOD!) and then with a steamed towel which I have no idea what to do with. So I wait a while to watch everyone else... apparently they are for your hands and face, in case you find yourself unexpectedly in 1st class.
Next we get the menus. At this point, I am all giddy about being in 1st class that I order the fanciest sounding things. I don't know half the things I ate. So I got champagne (the stewardess asked me how old I am.... people abroad can get alcohol at like 16... that put me in my place), then I ordered dahi vada, lamb with tomato rice, more things I can't pronounce, and mung dal halwa for dessert with a strawberry, chocolate cigar, and mango couli. Finished off the meal with a Jasmine tea and seat reclined in the sleeper position with "That thing you do" on my personal TV. Heaven.
Arriving in India turned a 180 on me, though. I get in the Delhi and wait in the baggage claim area for Nik and Marissa. Then we headed over to the Railway Station where we slept/sat for 7 hours until our train for Kolkata arrived. This place was crowded with all kinds of smells and flies, and we sat in little metal chairs all day. But I loved every minute of it! Everything's a new exciting experience. Which is probably why we went against everyone's advice and got the non-AC sleeper class on the train (Sorry Tiffany, Brandon, and Roger!) At $10 per person for a 26 hour ride, we just couldn't resist, but it wasn't that bad! the windows were always opened so lots of ventilation and the three of us just bunked on top of each other. For me, it was an awesome experience. Read and slept a lot.
By the time we got to Kolkata, it is 7pm on Wednesday. I was shocked to find that the sun sets at about 6:30 or 7 here! In Dallas, the sun sets at like 9pm in the summer. It was fine though, we made it to the Motherhouse in a taxi (after he asked for directions several times) and then made our way to our hostel for the night on Sudder St. (where most volunteers stay). Next day, we found a cheaper hostel that we decided to call home for the next month. Hostel Maria.
The weather is not as bad as I thought here though. Compared to the Philippines and Nicaragua, it is not as hot. Maybe just as humid, but either the clouds or smog or a mix of both keeps the suns rays from getting to us. By the way, best purchase I have made so far: a luffa. I feel soooo clean!
It rained on Thursday, so we didn't do much, but then Friday morning I went to mass at 6am at the Motherhouse (20 minute walk from hostel). Here's a nice little miracle story: I have no alarm here, really no electronics since we have no converter, so I set my meager watch alarm that never works and prayed to Mary to wake me up in time for mass that morning. Mass is at 6am, I naturally woke up at 4:53, before my alarm went off. And if anyone know how much of a deep sleeper I am, that is a miracle. Thank you Mary!
So I went to mass, came back, ate breakfast on the roof, chatted with some other travelers up there, then went to the room and took a nap... all before Nik and Marissa woke up! haha. Once they woke up, we explored a bit of Kolkata on the metro. On our way back to the hostel, I told Nik and Marissa I would catch up because I wanted to look at some book stands. An hour later, I come back (with the room key, whoops!) with a business card, barefoot with fresh henna on my hands and feet, and two new friends named Raj! (That's for you Joel!)
Finally, at 3pm, we went over to the Motherhouse to check in, but ended up not being able to check in, so we stayed for mass right next to Mother Teresa's tomb! It was SO surreal being next to this woman who has been my role model throughout college. I've read about her and prayed with her, and she was right there! Really awesome!
Today, the real work started as we went to 6am mass again and began volunteering at the Adult Mental Health facility where we mopped the floors, made the beds, served lunch, put the women to bed, and washed dishes. All the women there call us "auntie" to get our attention. They were so sweet! As I work, I try to keep Mother Teresa's goal in mind to see Jesus in all people and to do all these little chores with lots of love. I have a long way to go, but with her intercession, I am trying! Doing all this cleaning, there are also many opportunities for little aspirations for a clean heart. :) For all those praying for us, thank you and keep the prayers coming! We need them! As for all the intentions given to me, I am remembering them each time I go to mass and begin working.
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| Except this picture of my henna. Just for you Monica! |
On Monday, Nik, Marissa and I left for Delhi. We flew to Abu Dhabi airport first where I had a 3 hour layover (we were on different flights). For those non-geography buffs (aka me), Abu Dhabi is in the United Arab Emirates (never would have guessed that, I know). There were a lot of white people in the airport. I think it is a huge hub for connecting flights to Australia and it is the hub for Etihad Airlines.
Why Etihad holds a special place in my heart: as I go to board the plane, the man stops me and asks me for my passport. I am thinking, "oh crap!" but he hands it back saying, "Ashley Stone, you have been upgraded to first class. Seat 4C." AHHH! So I get on the plane in capri sweat pants, a t-shirt, old tennis shoes, and a sweater/pillow than hasn't been washed in 2 weeks. People were probably wondering what the heck I was doing in 1st class and I had no idea what to do in 1st class. I sit down, and I am lookin around trying to see if other people are taking off their shoes or put their foot rest up. Then the stewardess comes with a mint lemonade (SO GOOD!) and then with a steamed towel which I have no idea what to do with. So I wait a while to watch everyone else... apparently they are for your hands and face, in case you find yourself unexpectedly in 1st class.
Next we get the menus. At this point, I am all giddy about being in 1st class that I order the fanciest sounding things. I don't know half the things I ate. So I got champagne (the stewardess asked me how old I am.... people abroad can get alcohol at like 16... that put me in my place), then I ordered dahi vada, lamb with tomato rice, more things I can't pronounce, and mung dal halwa for dessert with a strawberry, chocolate cigar, and mango couli. Finished off the meal with a Jasmine tea and seat reclined in the sleeper position with "That thing you do" on my personal TV. Heaven.
Arriving in India turned a 180 on me, though. I get in the Delhi and wait in the baggage claim area for Nik and Marissa. Then we headed over to the Railway Station where we slept/sat for 7 hours until our train for Kolkata arrived. This place was crowded with all kinds of smells and flies, and we sat in little metal chairs all day. But I loved every minute of it! Everything's a new exciting experience. Which is probably why we went against everyone's advice and got the non-AC sleeper class on the train (Sorry Tiffany, Brandon, and Roger!) At $10 per person for a 26 hour ride, we just couldn't resist, but it wasn't that bad! the windows were always opened so lots of ventilation and the three of us just bunked on top of each other. For me, it was an awesome experience. Read and slept a lot.
By the time we got to Kolkata, it is 7pm on Wednesday. I was shocked to find that the sun sets at about 6:30 or 7 here! In Dallas, the sun sets at like 9pm in the summer. It was fine though, we made it to the Motherhouse in a taxi (after he asked for directions several times) and then made our way to our hostel for the night on Sudder St. (where most volunteers stay). Next day, we found a cheaper hostel that we decided to call home for the next month. Hostel Maria.
The weather is not as bad as I thought here though. Compared to the Philippines and Nicaragua, it is not as hot. Maybe just as humid, but either the clouds or smog or a mix of both keeps the suns rays from getting to us. By the way, best purchase I have made so far: a luffa. I feel soooo clean!
It rained on Thursday, so we didn't do much, but then Friday morning I went to mass at 6am at the Motherhouse (20 minute walk from hostel). Here's a nice little miracle story: I have no alarm here, really no electronics since we have no converter, so I set my meager watch alarm that never works and prayed to Mary to wake me up in time for mass that morning. Mass is at 6am, I naturally woke up at 4:53, before my alarm went off. And if anyone know how much of a deep sleeper I am, that is a miracle. Thank you Mary!
So I went to mass, came back, ate breakfast on the roof, chatted with some other travelers up there, then went to the room and took a nap... all before Nik and Marissa woke up! haha. Once they woke up, we explored a bit of Kolkata on the metro. On our way back to the hostel, I told Nik and Marissa I would catch up because I wanted to look at some book stands. An hour later, I come back (with the room key, whoops!) with a business card, barefoot with fresh henna on my hands and feet, and two new friends named Raj! (That's for you Joel!)
Finally, at 3pm, we went over to the Motherhouse to check in, but ended up not being able to check in, so we stayed for mass right next to Mother Teresa's tomb! It was SO surreal being next to this woman who has been my role model throughout college. I've read about her and prayed with her, and she was right there! Really awesome!
Today, the real work started as we went to 6am mass again and began volunteering at the Adult Mental Health facility where we mopped the floors, made the beds, served lunch, put the women to bed, and washed dishes. All the women there call us "auntie" to get our attention. They were so sweet! As I work, I try to keep Mother Teresa's goal in mind to see Jesus in all people and to do all these little chores with lots of love. I have a long way to go, but with her intercession, I am trying! Doing all this cleaning, there are also many opportunities for little aspirations for a clean heart. :) For all those praying for us, thank you and keep the prayers coming! We need them! As for all the intentions given to me, I am remembering them each time I go to mass and begin working.
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