Whew--I am getting behind in my writing but days fly by and memories crowd each one so here I go again:
McDonald's:
Yup--there is one here and it's the nicest and cheapest one we've ever been in!! Complete with a doorman!!! We ordered 2 chicken sandwiches (first meat in India), 1 veg
e burger (no beef sold here), 1 large fry (which came with chatpati spice mix), 1 coffee, l large diet coke (about the size of USA med but oh so good) and 2 ice cream cones--all for just a little more than $8!!! But here, spending $8 is a lot for one meal. I felt like it was a little bit of heaven!!
Street Kids:
They are everywhere and every Sunday, the Brother of the Missionaries of Charity open their gates to the street children from the slums by the Howrah bridge--close to the City of Joy. We joined them on Valentine's Day which was ironic as I had given Rog that book for Valentine's D
ay!! As we entered, we were mobbed by about 150 screaming kids. First task was to wash them so 10 by 10 they came, striped and we scrubbed them down with soap and cold water. There were lots of shrieks of both joy and surprise as we dumped the water over them. Then they put their filthy clothes back on (oh how I wished I had clean clothes to give them), oiled & brushed their hair. Playtime followed--would you believe in a dirt covered courtyard. Hockey Pockey was a big hit. The kids then sat down and given tin dishes and glasses which encouraged loud banging until we filled each bowl with rice, dahl and some other mixture and glasses with water. Note no utensils were used--which is the norm here. Most Indians even in the resturants eat with their fingers. I wished for more order but had to remind myself that these kids are use to no order--they have learned to scramble to survive. As they finished, they left each with a banana in hand and a huge smile. We were exhausted and wet to the bone, our clothes were filthy but we knew 150+ kids had gotten a lot of love this Valentine's Day!!
ay!! As we entered, we were mobbed by about 150 screaming kids. First task was to wash them so 10 by 10 they came, striped and we scrubbed them down with soap and cold water. There were lots of shrieks of both joy and surprise as we dumped the water over them. Then they put their filthy clothes back on (oh how I wished I had clean clothes to give them), oiled & brushed their hair. Playtime followed--would you believe in a dirt covered courtyard. Hockey Pockey was a big hit. The kids then sat down and given tin dishes and glasses which encouraged loud banging until we filled each bowl with rice, dahl and some other mixture and glasses with water. Note no utensils were used--which is the norm here. Most Indians even in the resturants eat with their fingers. I wished for more order but had to remind myself that these kids are use to no order--they have learned to scramble to survive. As they finished, they left each with a banana in hand and a huge smile. We were exhausted and wet to the bone, our clothes were filthy but we knew 150+ kids had gotten a lot of love this Valentine's Day!!A Volunteer story:
It's been such a privilege to work with so many volunteers from so many countries. They are very dedicated and fun too. Thank goodness English is the universal language so we hear new stories everyday. Like peeking into another life each day. . Anyway--yesterday we met Jimmy from Australia. He is on a 3 month tour and just stopped in about a week ago to visit the museum at the Mother House and happened to talk to one of the sisters--and he is still here and doesn't know when he'll leave as he loves it so much. He said he had never considered volunteering here or anywhere before but here he is--like the 100+ each day!!
Speaking of volunteering--I better get to Shishu Bhaven now or I'll be late...
Take care, write and God Bless.
