So, here we are!
Reports of the first few days from a green Westerner: India is TERRIFYING. Chris and I have had a crazy-ish time over the last few days. Highlights include - Meghan from Servants meeting us at the airpot and wrangling us a cheap-ish taxi with her awesome Bangla (she's been here for two years and speaks it like a pro), the ensuing taxi ride through the filthy, crowded, darkening streets to Chowringhee, the central touristy district and setting up camp in what turns out to be Lonely Planet Kolkata's worst hostel, seeing the lights from shops and shrines shining late into the night, dodging taxis, hand drawn riskshaws (the only place in the world they are still used), auto rickshaws (like tuk tuks), RUBBISH, chai cups, beggars, cows (who cruise along the roads like vehicles) dogs, crows and the odd cat, going for walks and practicing Bangla on restaurant owners and shopkeepers... the list goes on.
Primarily in the good news department, the Servants team here have asked Chris and I if we would like to do a short internship with their neighbourhood! This is great - they had originally been hesitant about this, being a newish team. This would involve moving in with a local family in a homestay situation, and essentially taking the position of being a learner - learning the language, slum culture, customs - the whole shebang. Well, as much as one can cram in. So in the next few days we will move out from Sudder Street in the central city out to Dum Dum, which is the suburb that the team live in. We are off to go and meet the host famililes as soon as I am finished this post.
I am sorry this has been delayed - Chris and I have actually been really sick for the last couple of days and are only just finding our feet again. Not pleasant - you get so bored!
Our love to everyone, we miss you all.
Reports of the first few days from a green Westerner: India is TERRIFYING. Chris and I have had a crazy-ish time over the last few days. Highlights include - Meghan from Servants meeting us at the airpot and wrangling us a cheap-ish taxi with her awesome Bangla (she's been here for two years and speaks it like a pro), the ensuing taxi ride through the filthy, crowded, darkening streets to Chowringhee, the central touristy district and setting up camp in what turns out to be Lonely Planet Kolkata's worst hostel, seeing the lights from shops and shrines shining late into the night, dodging taxis, hand drawn riskshaws (the only place in the world they are still used), auto rickshaws (like tuk tuks), RUBBISH, chai cups, beggars, cows (who cruise along the roads like vehicles) dogs, crows and the odd cat, going for walks and practicing Bangla on restaurant owners and shopkeepers... the list goes on.
Primarily in the good news department, the Servants team here have asked Chris and I if we would like to do a short internship with their neighbourhood! This is great - they had originally been hesitant about this, being a newish team. This would involve moving in with a local family in a homestay situation, and essentially taking the position of being a learner - learning the language, slum culture, customs - the whole shebang. Well, as much as one can cram in. So in the next few days we will move out from Sudder Street in the central city out to Dum Dum, which is the suburb that the team live in. We are off to go and meet the host famililes as soon as I am finished this post.
I am sorry this has been delayed - Chris and I have actually been really sick for the last couple of days and are only just finding our feet again. Not pleasant - you get so bored!
Our love to everyone, we miss you all.
Awesome! Nice to hear about your guys adventures!
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