INDIA

We arrived on Friday morning to Kolkata, the city where we’d spend the majority of our time in this 12-day visit to India (5 days Kolkata. 3 days Puri (city on the coast). 4 days Kolkata).

India quickly became a stop on our journey when we heard that two of our dear friends from our church in Kitchener, Ben and Maria, were going to be spending their winters in Kolkata. Ben grew up here in the Bengal region of India, and Maria has been here countless time over the past 30 years. They are two people with incredibly warm hospitality and even warmer hearts. Just what the doctor ordered…actually, that’s not true, we’re getting ridiculously spoiled. Neither James nor I ever expected to love our experience here as much as we do. We knew it would be great, but the 4 days we’ve spent here so far, have been 4 of the best not only of this trip, but of a very long time.

Kolkata: Two things that I’ve said before, but I say again:
1) Words are such an empty vessel when even contemplating how to describe this city.

…

I’ll start with the real heart of the country—the people…there certainly are enough of them around here. My expectation before arriving was to find a land of poverty and suffering. You’ll certainly find both here, but really, Kolkata is a city of life. The bright colours of saris. Children laughing and playing. The banter of taxi drivers as they drink tea over a rousing game of cards. And mostly, the smiles. The Indian people are beautiful, and they smile so easily and often. Maybe coming from Arab countries I notice more the display of emotions (especially from women), but I really think that North America could learn a thing or two about happiness, contentment and living in the moment, from the people of Kolkata …or at least I have.

Another thing about the people here is how well they respect and care for each other. One moment spent inside the walls of Mother Teresa’s home for children and you’ll see the sisters and many volunteers showering those kids with love! Or people helping someone across the street, or caring for a sick person in the train station…the list goes on.

A few more highlights:
- Maria & Ben
- The Rupee = Who wants to be a millionaire? Then come to India. With a 40:1 ratio (ish) with the CAD, when you buy a meal for 20RS, that’s really costing you about 50 cents. Or that 30 minute taxi ride across town for 4 people that you pay 100RS for, really costs about $2.50. It’s a beautiful thing…that is until you compare our gain with their loss. These people live on nearly nothing at all. Yet they’re so happy!
- The Food = …think butter chicken, naan, and so many wonderful flavours anytime and place. Enough said.
- Traffic and Taxi Rides = First off, keep in mind that you’re sharing the road with rickshaws, people carrying baskets on their heads, water buffalo, motorcycles, carts, dogs, cows, people towing loads that pick up trucks ought to carry, etc. You name it; it’s on the move here on the roads of Kolkata. Because of the British influence here, they drive on the opposite side of the road to what we’re used to, apparently; but when on-coming traffic passes you and you pass them on both sides, it really doesn’t make a difference. They are crazy(!!!), but they seem to all have this mutual understanding of where they are and where others are. One word of advice for traveling around here, keep your elbows and arms inside the car. They pass each other with only 2 inches to spare. Never in my mind have I cursed so often or prayed so hard as I have when I ride around in India. Yet, after a few rides around town, you learn to relax, surrender, and just enjoy! What a ride!
- The Apartment = A beautiful haven within this chaos with our own kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.
- Meeting Family & Friends = Ben and Maria know wonderful people here, and it has been an absolute joy meeting them all.
- The Church
- The Comforts
- The “Surprises” = Cockroaches, lizards, etc.

Ah yes, and as I said in the beginning, that second thing that I’ve said before but again I say now: To any and all readers out there, put India on your list of places to visit, in fact, better make it a top 3!

(ABOVE: Ben & Maria's new apartment...beautiful and surrounded by greenery)

(ABOVE: James playing catch with Ben & Maria's nephew, Sohom...I think it was therapeutic for James to have a ball in his hands again)

(ABOVE: It was an honour to get to see the grave site of Ben and Maria's son, Surjo)

(BELOW: After church on Sunday, we met and went for lunch with Sorbani, their niece)

(BELOW: Dining on banana leaves...makes doing "dishes" pretty easy)

(ABOVE: The way we roll...when you wipe your face after riding in traffic for 30 minutes, the cloth is black...same goes for blowing your nose unless you cover your nose and mouth)

(ABOVE: Having tea with Ben and Maria's Mushee (aunt) and husband...they are the ones who are lending us their unused apartment for our stay)