8/22/09

6am -On the road in a brand new car. I'm riding in the back so I see everything as we pass it. Arjun made a statement "oh yeah, that's when Michael Jackson was black" - don't know why that was odd, but I did find that statement rather odd.
Our first stop for chai tea and toast - these bike carts came up behind us and this was my view while eating toast.



The roads are two lane and we're passing people walking, bikes, cows and goats on the road and no one gets hurt.

We have to wait for a ferry to cross a river for over an hour. At least the sights were pretty.



We arrive at 11am and eat breakfast. Took a nap then went to the beach via bike carriage.


I wasn't that impressed with the beach, I've never seen water and sand the same color before. What was I expecting in India anyway?



The rice paddy fields were pretty on the way back to the hotel.



So I have this little fantasy going on with our tour guide, Shabir. He approached me at the beach, one thing lead to another and he wanted to hook up. I've been 2 years and 8 months without so much as a kiss. All I could think of is Rocio telling me I was going to fall in love in India....I'm sure. Anyway, here is his picture.

8/21/09

Mara and I ate at Blue Sky Cafe (BSC) this morning. We normally don't have breakfast but found out they open at 6:30 so we have fuel now. We had peanutbutter and honey toast with a banana chocolate pancake and COFFEE!! Yeah!
We went to school hyped up on sugar and cafine. Of course, we had the nursery again. I taught them the hokie-pokie and you would have thought Santa Clause was in town, they ate it up.
Came back and packed a bag for the beach trip then had lunch at BSC. Yellow Dahl, nan and juice, cheap and delicious.
I miss you BUNNY!!!

8/22/09

Breakfast was loaded with ants. I think I ate a few. We ended up with Jim Jam crackers and lots of Chai tea. I'm wired for our boat ride and I'm enjoying the secret naughty looks Shabir is giving me.
10:35am The boat ride was interesting. The plastic container with gasoline and motor were exposed to us. It was loud, the fumes were gross and most everyone thought they would be sea sick. I felt great, I love being on the water.(click to see video)



We stopped at a sand island and everyone got off the boat but me. I had yellow pants on that if wet, would be see through. The sun is out and it's blazing. I'd be burnt withing the hour I'm so white.







The boat ride back one of the passengers got sea sick, I just had to look the other way. My feet are sunburned and my forearms are tan. Before we left for the boat ride everyone put their things in my room. We are all waiting for lunch. Lunch was the same as dinner. We were really disappointed in the food this trip. We were told we could order what we wanted (fresh fruit and veggies) but that didn't happen. After lunch we all went back up to my room for Beer and Vodka and got a little silly.





Once we left the hotel we went to a 'tower' which was only 3 floors high WooHoo!


Waiting for the ferry on the way back we were entertained with music.



One the road again, got back to the Y at 8pm. I'm showered off and tired. It was a long weekend - bazaar, but fun. Rocio wouldn't have liked it much but she'll have a good laugh at our expense.

8/24/09

I woke up with Shabir in my brain. Like he could see what I was doing, seriously seeing me. I did yoga and got ready for school. While Mara and I were walking down the street we here "HelOOOO, HelOOOO" then a car honk, it was our driver from the weekend. Then a French man asked us where the French Bistro was - I couldn't help but laugh. We directed him to Flury's which wasn't opened and told him we were going to BSC which served crapes. He didn't want crapes he wanted croissants. We had fruit salad for breakfast. It wasn't very sweet so I got honey on mine and the waiter drown my fruit in honey.
The cab driver to the school was looking for an American girlfriend. We told him we were married.
At school, Rina told me they needed me at the school. I was good at teaching the nursery English. I told her I needed to learn their language in order to control them and make them behave. She said I could learn alot from these little 3 and 4 year olds. If God wants me here, I know he will open every door that needs to be opened and closure on the things that need closure. God will provide of my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. I have faith.

We're supposed to go to the Flower Market Today....
"If we want there to be peace in the world, we have to be brave enough to soften what is ridge in our hearts, to find the soft sport and stay with it. We have to have that kind of courage and take that kind of responsibility. That's the true practice of peace." Perna Chodron Practicing Peace in Times of War.
We took a cab to the train station and got sweets, they are soooo good, now we're going to eat lunch and try to find the flower market. Lunch was horrible. We walked over the Howarh Bridge. There was a guy Mara had to find out what he did so I played the sucker and 25 rupees later a parrot came out of his cage and picked a card. The man spoke gibberish and I asked "English" he said "Good Luck" that's it. Then he tried to scam me outta 100Rs for a ring. Not gonna happen.

We get over the bridge and found the flower market. It was crowded but smelled sweet. I was overloaded with senses and 3 little boys grabbed my arm. I yelled "GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME NOW." They were asking for money. I said "YOU DON"T GRAB FOR MONEY YOU ASK...and the answer is NO." They crossed their arms and pouted.
All the guys ignored me and poured their affections on Mara. I'm old enough to be her mother, makes sense but still feels like I'm being ignored. It's OK though, I don't need the attention. All in all it was a great day with Mara.









We go to Jane and Alan's house for dinner. I purchased flowers for 100rs but they are wilting quickly.
I just finished washing most the clothes from the weekend. I still have the red shirt to wash. It bleeds so I'll do it tonight. My hand washing skills still suck and my clothes are dirty and falling apart.
Tomorrow I see Shabir to share pictures. Hope the communication is better.
The cab ride to Jane and Alan's had a gas leak and I smelled like gasoline the rest of the night, I felt sick to my stomach. I still talk too much.

8/25/09

I'm tired this morning, didn't sleep well and didn't do yoga today. I had banana, peanut and honey toast and coffee for breakfast. School was strange. We did get a lot of bookmarks done for the project to sponsor their education but the feeling of the teachers was mean. I sat with Anu and told her my concerns, she is leaving the end of September and I fear this school will fall apart.









I love these little kids with all my heart.

8/26/09

OMG, I am soooOOoo tired. The dogs woke me up at 2am, 2:30am then I had a bad dream where goats were chasing me, then I saw a goat coming out of my closet. I couldn't sleep after that.
3am Dogs-UGH,
4:15am dogs AGAIN
4:30am finally got up and did yoga and read.
No water this morning. I'm sticky and tired and need coffee ASAP!
Paid for breakfast and got to school late. No Anu, no direction from teachers. I'll sit and draw what is in front of me.



We visited the slum houses today. It started raining and I was soaking wet.









I miss Bunny. Bunny I love you, come out and play Bunny!!

8/27/08

Went to Victory Memorial









Then to the art gallery

8/28/09

I painted cards for each of the teachers in appreciation for all they do. I doubt that they will keep them, they are so mean, but in my heart I did the right thing. We went to the homes of the girls and had sweets. Rubina gave me a little angel. I love these girls. I want to help them have a live worth living. God, please help me.





I met Shabir at 6:30 and went north of the city on his motorcycle to a place called "Hot Spot", long story short, is isn't a gentleman at all. I got home at 9pm disappointed that he was such a jerk. Live and learn. (why do I keep attracting bad boys?)

8/29/09

Woke up at 7am by tennis balls thumping on the courts. It wasn't a restful sleep. I had breakfast at the Y - 3 pieces of bread, a FRIED egg with salt and pepper, a green banana that was too green and chai. I gave the guys in the kitchen a card with some tea.
I'm going out with Mara and Arjun one last time before they leave. We had a beer at lunch which gave me a headache so I'm in for the rest of the day.
My time is coming to an end here and I feel nothing, no excitement (cept for Bunny), no sorrow, nothing.
I started my period - after 6 months, 2 days before I leave India - great....not!

8/30/09

I stayed in bed until 10am. Ate 1/2 jar of peanut butter. I'm going to get coffee at Cafe Coffee Day. I need to pack....
The sun is out today so I'm in a tank top and p.j bottoms sitting on the balcony getting sun. I'm soaking wet.
I have vision of coming back, working at the school, afternoons with the girls for language class and night time school to get a degree in teaching. In 2 years I'd be able to run the school with respect with a degree. I need God to supply the finances in order to allow me to make this vision happen.

These people need help.

8/31/09

I have 6 hours to kill. Ill read until I get hot then go for coffee at Coffee Day.

1. I have a vision of starting a sandblasting business here. I need to research costs and if I can purchase machines in India.
2. I also need to research schools here to get my degree
3. I should look up cost for hotel residence or small apartment.
4. I need to write David and Vishal
5. Look into NPO's

I did pretty good writing in the journal most days. What have I learned about myself?
1. I was impatient, India certainly fixed that.
2. I was always in a rush, India fixed this too.
3. I had little joy, now I'm laughing at everything.
4. I had no direction, now I can sell blankets and bookmarks. I couldn't envision a future that was solid now I believe I have a future. I can see quite a few possibilities that can sustain me and help the women, men and children of India.
5. I want to make peace with my family.

I stopped by the clothes place and had chai and a long talk with the guys.













Went to BSC for the last time. I had banana pancakes and chai. Mr. Sam, my waiter - gave me a hug and I almost cried. I will miss his warm welcoming smile.

A cab ride later (one hour of this kind of driving - see left side, these are people's homes)...oh yeah, did you notice the honking of the horns? ;-)



I'm on the plane to New Delhi...I already long to go back to Kolkata. Vishal gave me a really nice card. I will frame it, it's beautiful.

(sigh) - that's it. The trip home sucked. I've been sick for 4 days. All my clothes are washed. All my pictures and videos are posted on facebook. I finished putting my thoughts as they were written on this blog. Nap time.

Peace

Rob the bull - more milk partners

A tribute to Paul Newman

Picasso people - dash style

Jess and her horsie

attempts to draw a great horse

this is a 2nd draft - hopefully 3rd time will be a charm