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Hi everyone,
Sorry for the delay in writing a new blog entry. I've been so busy trying to make sure that got back-ups for my photographs, trying to fit in tourist sites and my volunteer work. I move to Delhi on Saturday and am quite sad about moving on as I am beginning to settle into Kolkata. Got to meet new people again and try and get to grips with another transport system. Never got to grips with one here but it was getting better. At the same time though I am enjoying myself, it is stage 1 of my journey complete and I am of course missing home.
Well on Saturday got the tourist bus. I was trigger happy with my camera and the guide had to remind me not to take photos of certain things like Howrah station. It was amazing as met the same family on the tourist bus as I had at the Sunderbans. Saw so many places- Hindu temples, Jain Temples. St Paul's Cathedral, Howrah Bridge, Police Museum, Town Hall Museum. I struggled a bit in Hindu temples as guide told us to leave shoes on bus and walk the short distance to the temples. Obviously I don't mind not having shoes on in the temples but found the walking to temples bare foot a bit hard. It is alien to me to walk without shoes, the ground was rather hot and I was a bit concerned about what I might walk through. In the second temple I got stopped by security and the rest of my tour group got through as they were all Indians. My tour guide had to come and rescue me and sign me off that he was looking after me as the guards were wanting my passport number which was back at the homestay. The temple was so busy as it was a Saturday which is an important religious day. They were laying flowers which unfortunately attracted either mosquitos or hornets wasps so didn't particularly enjoy walking through middle of them. Was worried about getting stung. Had a dhosa for lunch and then tea and biscuits on street. I was rather worried about getting a dodgy stomach which I did that night but it didn't last too long. The Jain temples were very beautiful and so peaceful. I did feel bad when got out in street though as a young child came up to me begging and I didn't have any change but the guide gave the child some.
Some sights the bus had whizzed past so I went back to take photos and see the sights properly on Sunday. I went on my own as no-one else wanted to come which was a bit worrying. I didn't come to a foreign country though to sit around all day chilling. I like to see things when I come to a country. I went to GPO (General Post Office), Writers building, St John's Church then did a tram ride from Esplanade to Kidderpore. I did lots of taxis in between and they kept ripping me off but it was nothing to what we pay at home for taxis. Sunday night I went round to Ranu's Co-ordinators house along with 5 other volunteers and Nick (who is a Brit working in Kolkata). That was really nice and had some chinese food and ice cream so that made a change.
Been volunteering Monday, Tuesday and today but everything has rolled a bit into one so without my journal that I am writing in I can't think whats happened. I taught a child the other day about the parts and functions of a plant. That was a bit challenging as I was writing for him and I had to write big for him and write at a funny angle. He was also so close to my arm I could feel his hot breath on my skin. My writing is bad at the best of times but it was very bad. Find the teaching quite challenging as mixed with language barrier, plus children having learning difficulties and me not having experience it makes it a little hard.
Tuesday night went to Birla Planetarium with Jessica (an american volunteer) and watched a presentation about the solar system and stars then got a roll on way back after having trouble hailing a taxi to get back to New Alipore.
Yesterday got an auto to South City mall and went to meet Ranu (co-ordinator) and Amber (a past volunteer who was back in Kolkata for a conference). Meant to say the other day there was a strange sign next to or on the hand dryers when I went to South City mall. It said only hand drying is allowed. All other activities prohibited and if caught a fine could be imposed. I wonder what other activities people use hand dryers for.
Ranu then gave us a lift to Esplanade to get a tram to old Kolkata to see images (sculptures) for the Durga Purga (hope I've spelt that right). Unfortunately the trams weren't working so we got a bus there after being surrounded by Indian people trying to understand where we were going and giving us directions. We had two very helpful local males help us yesterday. One waited with us for bus and told conductor for us where we wanted to go. When we arrived at old Kolkata we were a little worried about going down the little narrow streets but I actually really liked it and it was fascinating watching how they made the statues and watching them paint them. We did see a dead rat though. One male kept being persistent asking have we seen the water and we thought we had better not follow him through all the streets. He turned out to be the other helpful male
We then got in taxi to visit Jorasanko Tagore's house and taxi driver didn't know where it was. Who should rescue us but our persistant male and he walked us to Tagore's house which was a long walk of between half an hour and 45 minutes. We did ask Ranu for advice and she talked to him She said he sounded like he knew where he was going but don't go down any quiet streets with him. He did know where he was going and looked after us. It turns out he works in accounts. We saw Tagore's house and after that we did about another 20 minute walk to get a taxi. We were getting a little concerned as it was getting dark especially when he mentioned something that sounded like we were very close to an area of red light district. Not long after that we got a long long taxi ride back. Taxi driver made journey long I'm sure of it. We were probably in taxi an hour. When Ranu spoke to him he suggested that the male had told him to go that way but I don't think he had.
I bought some clothes the other day and when I washed them in cold water all the dye began running out of them. I had to try and dry them on the bath and put paper bags under them to soak up the dye. I wasn't going to put them with my other washing. I am so glad I washed them before wearing them as I was planning to wear them with white trousers and with the monsoon rains it would have been awful. I am now going to have to have a rethink about what to wear with them as think dye will carry on coming out of them for a while yet!
I wanted to go to marble palace tonight but would have been closed by time get there. Was quite disappointed. Think I'm going to have an organizing night tonight so I can spend time at tourist spots tomorrow afternoon. I think I am going to go and see Mother Teresa's house. I would like to see the Indian museum, marble palace and the Kali temple but I might not get too. I would have liked to have seen the botanical gardens but definitely won't get there now as its over in Howrah and everything else is on other side of city
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