Well we got off our 2nd overnight train ride at about 9 in the morning. I think now are are starting to get adjusted to the crampness and the noise of Indian trains and most the group even managed to get a bit of sleep. Marty gave us a warning about the intensity and crowds of Calcutta station, but we managed to get through the gate and caught taxis to the fablous Hotel Crystal. In true India style the floor and stairs of the hotel are made out of beautiful marble, but the rooms are fairly average. Not quite as good as Surya Hotel but defenity beats Hotal Namasker. With hot running water and a clean enough room though, there were few complaints.
Later in the day we walked to the Mother Teresa home and after 3 attempts we finally turned up at the right place. We enrolled and were given instructions about our time at the homes. Its important to realise that these Homes are HOMES not tourist attractions. The dedication and spirituallity of the Sisters blew us away, with many of us, coming to turn with these people giving there lives to God and its not just a job for them. We then visited the Mother Teresa musuem. We were all memorised by how this woman lived so simply and recieved so little but gave so much love. We learnt that its not not how much we give but how much love we put in. Seeing where Mother Teresa lived for so many years was amazing, how such a famous and loved person could live so simply and just on the bare essentials.
Today we got up at 5 in the morning to go to mass. Thursday is meant to be the Sisters day off but it still means 6am mass for them. We later meant Joan a women who worked amongst the poor in Calcutta and was going to take us to the Brothers home for Leperosy in outer Calcutta. We were told the metro bus and train rides were a fight and it was survival of the fittest, this was not a understatement. We missed our first train but managed to get on the 2nd, it was a bit crowded but ok.
We were inspired by the Brothers work with the Leperosy patients and how 7 brothers could do so much. We saw how proud the patients and ex-patients were to be able to work and be treated like normal people. I felt as though we made the patients day as we sang as we walked through the wards. The Brothers long term planning and goals are inspiriational as we see them encourage the ideas of economic and religious development and being self-sufficient.
And Finally the train ride home... we were told it was going to be busier... it was. We tried to get on the first train but it was so packed only 2 people could get home. When the next train stopped, it was an all out fight to the finish to get on that train but we managed to get on. For the people from the group in my carriage there was 6cm and 1 layer of Indians between us and the open door, by the end of the ride there was 15cm between us and the door and about 5 layers of Indians. Being used as a battering ram to get through the crowds to get out when the train stopped was an experience we will never forget. The expression "being packed liked sardines" does not do this experience justice it was far worse. People in our group started to sing Christmas carols to liven spirits, we got a few funny looks and stopped when we realised we were surronded by Hindu's. But hey we lived...just.
We are excited and nervous about our first day at the homes tommorrow and eagerly await the challenge.
Caleb Grove SKC.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Varanasi
Getting off the train into Varanasi was a great feeling after a 9 hour journey. The sleeper train was incredibly cramped seeing the bunk beds were three high. Although the train station was not as crowded as previous ones it still seemed busy for the time of morning, after we were picked up and taken for a bumpy ride to the Surya Hotel. We were pleased to see that our rooms had comfortable beds and running hot water, unlike some of the rooms in New Delhi. Also to much of our surprises it also had a pool.
After a nice day of relaxation we prepared for our journey to the Ganges River. Here we saw many religious people bathing and the area that people were cremated. People are cremated here after being washed in the holy water of the Ganges as they believe it cleanses them before they go to heaven. It was amazing to see that in some areas people were swimming and bathing just downstream from where you will find dead animals and bodies.
One of the most interesting features that all religions share is the belief in one God. It was also quite amazing to see that people practice their religion openly and that it is a part of their everyday life whereas most Christians will only go to church on Sunday.
Later that night Classical musicians and Dancers put on a show for us and even though it was long it was enjoyable. The instruments they used looked old fashioned but they sounded great. the dancers wore bells on their ankles which made a lot of noise when they moved. The man playing the odd looking guitar was incredibly skilled and played so quickly you could hardly see his fingers.
There was another opportunity for us to go to the Ganges for another visit and 18 of us went. We spent some time watching a cremation ceremony taking place. We also saw a 6 month old baby who had died of an illness being ceremonially attached to a piece of rock and dropped into the river. Females are not allowed at the cremation area which makes it harder for mothers and wives to mourn over their loss. This created many
emotions within the group. Our group found this very saddening and it was hard to comprehend what was going on around us.
by Ollie ans George
After a nice day of relaxation we prepared for our journey to the Ganges River. Here we saw many religious people bathing and the area that people were cremated. People are cremated here after being washed in the holy water of the Ganges as they believe it cleanses them before they go to heaven. It was amazing to see that in some areas people were swimming and bathing just downstream from where you will find dead animals and bodies.
One of the most interesting features that all religions share is the belief in one God. It was also quite amazing to see that people practice their religion openly and that it is a part of their everyday life whereas most Christians will only go to church on Sunday.
Later that night Classical musicians and Dancers put on a show for us and even though it was long it was enjoyable. The instruments they used looked old fashioned but they sounded great. the dancers wore bells on their ankles which made a lot of noise when they moved. The man playing the odd looking guitar was incredibly skilled and played so quickly you could hardly see his fingers.
There was another opportunity for us to go to the Ganges for another visit and 18 of us went. We spent some time watching a cremation ceremony taking place. We also saw a 6 month old baby who had died of an illness being ceremonially attached to a piece of rock and dropped into the river. Females are not allowed at the cremation area which makes it harder for mothers and wives to mourn over their loss. This created many
emotions within the group. Our group found this very saddening and it was hard to comprehend what was going on around us.
by Ollie ans George
Sunday, December 13, 2009
St Columbus School visit
As mentioned, the taxi groups boarded the tuktuks, (3 of us squashed in a tuktuk - knees up around our waists- well for some of us anyway - A boy in each, with rupees from Marty, ready for payment) from the top of the main bazaar near the railway station and we negotiated our way through the mass of tuktuks,cows, camels, hand carts, cars, trucks with people spilling out from doors and the back of the truck. It is absolutely mind-boggling alright. It really is a mission in itself to get from A to B and not remain calm. Trysh, your traffic officer skills would be certainly put to the test here. I liken it to Russian roulette on the road. (joke!!!) These drivers are actually expert at what they do - despite my white knuckles from holding on for dear life.
Arriving at the Sacred Heart church where St Columbus school is nestled in the back was interesting. At the gates to the church we were met by the beggars, young mothers with babies stradled on their hips, tiny wee children - very versed at approaching tourist for money. All with their hands out motioning to their mouths, indicating they need money for food. This happens all the time. Our students are becoming oblivious to these plea's, which is a good thing.
Brother Lenny was most welcoming and took us for a tour around the college. Unfortunately, the boys were finishing exams and we did not exchange conversation with them. We had lunch in the college cafeteria and Brother went over aspects Social Justice and gave us background on the school and what they do to address some of the needs of the poor. From 6 pm each night until 6 am in the morning the brothers take in all the lepers and beggars and feed them and give them overnight shelter. When we arrived they were there already waiting. An absolute sorry sight.
We ended our session at the school with a song and again a fantastic haka, lead by Kyle and because we were in the school cafe the acoustics were amazing - Those beautiful boys raised the roof. Brother Lenny told me he had goose-bumps. We left him with a copy of Canterbury Tales, a NZ calender and a copy of the CD 'Earth Whisperer'
The students are handling this whole new cultural situation with an amazing responsibility. They encounter each new experience with an open and tolerant manner. I am very proud of this fantastic bunch of kids.
We left the Namasker Hotel (some of us sad to leave this vibrant part of Delhi which pulsates with a life and hum of its own) and walked laiden with our back-packs to the railway station. The 2hr train journey from Delhi to Agra was good. All along the way you see shacks and hovels and people on their way to goodness knows where with baskets on their heads or pushing carts or selling their produce - it's ongoing.
Another eye-opener when we arrived in Agra. Beggars at you like bees to honey. Some of the sights at the station as we boarded our bus were mind-numbing. Deformity and extreme poverty. One man was quite contorted and he had a foot that looked like it had elephantitis. It was so gross! Just as you try and process this some other extreme sight is right there at you.
Taj Mahl visit: The hawkers were at us like flies the moment we got of the bus. I think our students are getting good at saying NO, even better they are learning not make use eye-contact.
The Taj is simply an amazing sight. We were all pretty much in awe of this incredible man-made monumental piece of architecture. It really is a wonderful sight and as you can imagine camera's clicked like nothing on earth, as the students and adults included had their picture taken in front of it.
We visited the Red Fort after lunch which was also an incredible experience and with both visits we had the luxury of a guide. You have to listen hard to the Indian accent though. From the fort we went for dinner before heading off to the railway station.
Picture this! All back-packs off and all of us surrounding them.
That was us on the number One platform waiting for our train and true to form, it was running late. Running late was okay BUT...the RATS running over the railway lines and mice running around our pack-packs were not. Again poverty all around us. It's constant, it's the way it is here. I think we are getting used to.
The train arrived yeehaa. We were all given our bunk numbers and we squeezed our way down the aisles locating our bunks. Marty did tell us there could be the odd Indian in some of our beds and sure enough there were. Well at least in 2 of our beds (The ladies) anyway. I found it extremely difficult to have to ask a lady with her sleeping baby and old father to vacate our bunks. They did and for the rest of the journey I slept with one eye open always checking our back-packs which were chained under our beds.
This journey enabled most of our students to get a reasonable sleep. One of our boys has had first hand experience of vomitting and we have pretty much stablised this now. So far three students have had upset tummies and one has had a mild case of Dehli belly. At this stage we are managing to get on top of our illnesses.
Varansi is another whole new venture. I will get one of the students to give you their take on this part of our journey.
Arriving at the Sacred Heart church where St Columbus school is nestled in the back was interesting. At the gates to the church we were met by the beggars, young mothers with babies stradled on their hips, tiny wee children - very versed at approaching tourist for money. All with their hands out motioning to their mouths, indicating they need money for food. This happens all the time. Our students are becoming oblivious to these plea's, which is a good thing.
Brother Lenny was most welcoming and took us for a tour around the college. Unfortunately, the boys were finishing exams and we did not exchange conversation with them. We had lunch in the college cafeteria and Brother went over aspects Social Justice and gave us background on the school and what they do to address some of the needs of the poor. From 6 pm each night until 6 am in the morning the brothers take in all the lepers and beggars and feed them and give them overnight shelter. When we arrived they were there already waiting. An absolute sorry sight.
We ended our session at the school with a song and again a fantastic haka, lead by Kyle and because we were in the school cafe the acoustics were amazing - Those beautiful boys raised the roof. Brother Lenny told me he had goose-bumps. We left him with a copy of Canterbury Tales, a NZ calender and a copy of the CD 'Earth Whisperer'
The students are handling this whole new cultural situation with an amazing responsibility. They encounter each new experience with an open and tolerant manner. I am very proud of this fantastic bunch of kids.
We left the Namasker Hotel (some of us sad to leave this vibrant part of Delhi which pulsates with a life and hum of its own) and walked laiden with our back-packs to the railway station. The 2hr train journey from Delhi to Agra was good. All along the way you see shacks and hovels and people on their way to goodness knows where with baskets on their heads or pushing carts or selling their produce - it's ongoing.
Another eye-opener when we arrived in Agra. Beggars at you like bees to honey. Some of the sights at the station as we boarded our bus were mind-numbing. Deformity and extreme poverty. One man was quite contorted and he had a foot that looked like it had elephantitis. It was so gross! Just as you try and process this some other extreme sight is right there at you.
Taj Mahl visit: The hawkers were at us like flies the moment we got of the bus. I think our students are getting good at saying NO, even better they are learning not make use eye-contact.
The Taj is simply an amazing sight. We were all pretty much in awe of this incredible man-made monumental piece of architecture. It really is a wonderful sight and as you can imagine camera's clicked like nothing on earth, as the students and adults included had their picture taken in front of it.
We visited the Red Fort after lunch which was also an incredible experience and with both visits we had the luxury of a guide. You have to listen hard to the Indian accent though. From the fort we went for dinner before heading off to the railway station.
Picture this! All back-packs off and all of us surrounding them.
That was us on the number One platform waiting for our train and true to form, it was running late. Running late was okay BUT...the RATS running over the railway lines and mice running around our pack-packs were not. Again poverty all around us. It's constant, it's the way it is here. I think we are getting used to.
The train arrived yeehaa. We were all given our bunk numbers and we squeezed our way down the aisles locating our bunks. Marty did tell us there could be the odd Indian in some of our beds and sure enough there were. Well at least in 2 of our beds (The ladies) anyway. I found it extremely difficult to have to ask a lady with her sleeping baby and old father to vacate our bunks. They did and for the rest of the journey I slept with one eye open always checking our back-packs which were chained under our beds.
This journey enabled most of our students to get a reasonable sleep. One of our boys has had first hand experience of vomitting and we have pretty much stablised this now. So far three students have had upset tummies and one has had a mild case of Dehli belly. At this stage we are managing to get on top of our illnesses.
Varansi is another whole new venture. I will get one of the students to give you their take on this part of our journey.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Outer suberbs of Delhi
Yesterday we ventured to the outer suberbs (and what a bus ride) to visit Sewa Ashram a rehabilitation centre for the destitute. Originally named 'Delhi House' for the homeless founded in 1997. Incidentally, Sewa Ashram, means 'Selfless giving'. On the way we passed many villages/townships that just seemed to go on forever. Fruit sellers and other craftsman all tauting for business. It's incredible how they survive. Whenever the bus stopped, there never seemed to be a shortage of beggars coming up to the bus window with extended hands. Honestly some of the sights we have seen are quite pitiful.
After our 2hr journey we finally arrived at the rehab centre and were greeted by a kiwi (Jenni Somerville, the administration officer for the centre) who is one of the volunteers working there. We were greeted with a very warm welcome and given some background on the centre before being given a tour and lunch. We lined up with our metal bowls and were dished up rice and dahl. The same lunch given to the patients. Some of students were not brave enough to try it and only had rice.
The patients were very happy to see us and one wee boy in particular took everyones attention. He was so cute. Many patients suffer TB and HIV aids, leprosy, typhoid and even some with limbs removed. Sadly there were some younger adults who are paralsyed from various illnesses and they were just bed-ridden. We also visited the childrens' section and saw some very happy faces - happy to have visitors; happy to have someone pay special attention to them. Some of these children were able to count to 130 in English, which I think is incredible since I can't count in Indian to 5. Some of our girls played with them; pushing them on the swing and playing on the seesaw. The kids enjoyed it. The boys wanted a game of cricket and our boys were tremendous sportsman. The accompanied them out onto this baron dusty playing area at the back of the complex and played cricket much to the enjoyment of the patients.
There was another kiwi couple doing voluntary work also; Ruth (nurse) and Jacob (physio)Ruth told us some fairly horrific stories about some of the patients and their plights, which I have to say were pretty graphic.
Poverty it seems has become an identity for many of these people and the philosophy of the rehab. centre is restoration of humanity. The aim of the centre is to make some contribution in helping to break the vicious cycle of poverty. They continue to seek ways to do this. The rehabilitation process with the intention of transformation is one of the initiatives of the centre. The idea of educating their patients and extending that to the community is also another intention.
Sadly when it was time to go, both patients and certainly some of our students were sorry to leave. This insightful experience certainly posed a challenge to their thinking and I'm sure left them with a strong compassionate imprint.
The journey back seemed quicker, on the way we saw monkeys on the side of the road along of course with the usual oxen driven carts, rickshaws, tuktuks and men and women hand-pulling carts. A mind-boggling experience as one of our students described. Our evening reflections revealed many thoughts, including their caring, compassion and understanding of the needs of basic human rights.
Friday: Today we had the morning off. Marty gave us all money to go off and have breakfast. Everyone went in different directions, in both small and large groups to have breaky and then the day was theirs until meeting time at 1pm. What was fantastic was the trust we were able to place in our students to go out own their own to do this. They showed tremendous responsibility in keeping safe and going out on their own. I'm not sure if I can say the same about their spending responsibilities. We have some fairly fun looking hena tatoos (don't worry mums, they do come off in time) and coloured scarves, belts, lighters and jewellery. They have had a ball.
We all met at 1 pm and took tuktuks to st Columbus school. The tuktuk experience was another story on its own. The whole weaving in and out and around traffic was such a hoot. I seriously don't know how anyone doesn't get killed in all that congestion. It's crazy there is absolutely no road rage as I have already mentioned.
Have to go Lights are getting put out in the internet cafe.
After our 2hr journey we finally arrived at the rehab centre and were greeted by a kiwi (Jenni Somerville, the administration officer for the centre) who is one of the volunteers working there. We were greeted with a very warm welcome and given some background on the centre before being given a tour and lunch. We lined up with our metal bowls and were dished up rice and dahl. The same lunch given to the patients. Some of students were not brave enough to try it and only had rice.
The patients were very happy to see us and one wee boy in particular took everyones attention. He was so cute. Many patients suffer TB and HIV aids, leprosy, typhoid and even some with limbs removed. Sadly there were some younger adults who are paralsyed from various illnesses and they were just bed-ridden. We also visited the childrens' section and saw some very happy faces - happy to have visitors; happy to have someone pay special attention to them. Some of these children were able to count to 130 in English, which I think is incredible since I can't count in Indian to 5. Some of our girls played with them; pushing them on the swing and playing on the seesaw. The kids enjoyed it. The boys wanted a game of cricket and our boys were tremendous sportsman. The accompanied them out onto this baron dusty playing area at the back of the complex and played cricket much to the enjoyment of the patients.
There was another kiwi couple doing voluntary work also; Ruth (nurse) and Jacob (physio)Ruth told us some fairly horrific stories about some of the patients and their plights, which I have to say were pretty graphic.
Poverty it seems has become an identity for many of these people and the philosophy of the rehab. centre is restoration of humanity. The aim of the centre is to make some contribution in helping to break the vicious cycle of poverty. They continue to seek ways to do this. The rehabilitation process with the intention of transformation is one of the initiatives of the centre. The idea of educating their patients and extending that to the community is also another intention.
Sadly when it was time to go, both patients and certainly some of our students were sorry to leave. This insightful experience certainly posed a challenge to their thinking and I'm sure left them with a strong compassionate imprint.
The journey back seemed quicker, on the way we saw monkeys on the side of the road along of course with the usual oxen driven carts, rickshaws, tuktuks and men and women hand-pulling carts. A mind-boggling experience as one of our students described. Our evening reflections revealed many thoughts, including their caring, compassion and understanding of the needs of basic human rights.
Friday: Today we had the morning off. Marty gave us all money to go off and have breakfast. Everyone went in different directions, in both small and large groups to have breaky and then the day was theirs until meeting time at 1pm. What was fantastic was the trust we were able to place in our students to go out own their own to do this. They showed tremendous responsibility in keeping safe and going out on their own. I'm not sure if I can say the same about their spending responsibilities. We have some fairly fun looking hena tatoos (don't worry mums, they do come off in time) and coloured scarves, belts, lighters and jewellery. They have had a ball.
We all met at 1 pm and took tuktuks to st Columbus school. The tuktuk experience was another story on its own. The whole weaving in and out and around traffic was such a hoot. I seriously don't know how anyone doesn't get killed in all that congestion. It's crazy there is absolutely no road rage as I have already mentioned.
Have to go Lights are getting put out in the internet cafe.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The India experience
Well we are finally here experiencing the whole India affair. Delhi is a blast to the senses alright. The taxi ride from the airport to our hotel is something to remember. There appears to be little or no specific road rules. Cars, trucks and any other roadworthy vehicles emerge from out of nowhere and vie for there place on the road. It's the most amazing thing that there are no major crashes, well at least, not what we have seen!
Our hotel is right in the heart of a busy market area. After 15hours of flying we were pretty tired and all went to our allocated rooms which range over 4 floors. Our very modest accommodation is very interesting indeed. We have had to buy our water and toilet paper. It has been a real eye opener.
People are everywhere, there is a mass of conglomeration!!! People, taxi horns blarring, cars, buses and trucks in continuous motion.Cows, just roaming freely in the small narrow streets and dogs everywhere. They sleep on the side of the road, under tuktuks, you name it. It's unreal. Delhi, it seems, is a constant throb of all of this activity.
Today we went to the bazaar and wandered around then went to Connaught Place, where we looked at more stalls. This afternoon we did the taxi ride experience again and negotiated our way in and out of traffic; weaving our way to the New Zealand High commission, where we had afternoon tea put on for us. It was great. John Subritzky, the deputy high commissioner welcomed us and in return we gave him a copy of 'Canterbury Tales' and the 'Earth Whisperer' CD. For an extra treat, the boys did a haka.
So far, everyone is consuming the rich experiences and have had alot of fun either watching the bartering or actually being involved in bartering. They also love the idea of being that much richer, as they call it. Our NZ dollars equate to hundreds of rupees.
There is a what appears to be a blanket of smog. The air is thick and it is like a very poor visibility if you related it to diving. A few tissues have been used by most of us and I am having to consume lots of water to lubricate my dry throat.
Today some of the students saw beggars; children, blantantly in your face, like annoying sandflies that you just want to swat away, to some badly deformed people with their begging bowls. It wasn't a good sight!!!
Surprisingly, despite the congestion of cars and people and the smells and the thick air and everything else I have to say, I admire the way our team of students have got onboard and handled this incredibly new situation so well.
Reflecting on our day has revealed some pretty amazing stories.
Marty, has another fabulous day lined up for us tomorrow.
Our hotel is right in the heart of a busy market area. After 15hours of flying we were pretty tired and all went to our allocated rooms which range over 4 floors. Our very modest accommodation is very interesting indeed. We have had to buy our water and toilet paper. It has been a real eye opener.
People are everywhere, there is a mass of conglomeration!!! People, taxi horns blarring, cars, buses and trucks in continuous motion.Cows, just roaming freely in the small narrow streets and dogs everywhere. They sleep on the side of the road, under tuktuks, you name it. It's unreal. Delhi, it seems, is a constant throb of all of this activity.
Today we went to the bazaar and wandered around then went to Connaught Place, where we looked at more stalls. This afternoon we did the taxi ride experience again and negotiated our way in and out of traffic; weaving our way to the New Zealand High commission, where we had afternoon tea put on for us. It was great. John Subritzky, the deputy high commissioner welcomed us and in return we gave him a copy of 'Canterbury Tales' and the 'Earth Whisperer' CD. For an extra treat, the boys did a haka.
So far, everyone is consuming the rich experiences and have had alot of fun either watching the bartering or actually being involved in bartering. They also love the idea of being that much richer, as they call it. Our NZ dollars equate to hundreds of rupees.
There is a what appears to be a blanket of smog. The air is thick and it is like a very poor visibility if you related it to diving. A few tissues have been used by most of us and I am having to consume lots of water to lubricate my dry throat.
Today some of the students saw beggars; children, blantantly in your face, like annoying sandflies that you just want to swat away, to some badly deformed people with their begging bowls. It wasn't a good sight!!!
Surprisingly, despite the congestion of cars and people and the smells and the thick air and everything else I have to say, I admire the way our team of students have got onboard and handled this incredibly new situation so well.
Reflecting on our day has revealed some pretty amazing stories.
Marty, has another fabulous day lined up for us tomorrow.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
India - So close, yet so far
Namaste Everyone, I've been browsing Lonely Planet and the vastness and diversity of India is simply incredible. I'm really looking forward to spending time together with you all on what is going to be a trip to remember. As I mentioned in comments; don;t forget to bring something to entertain yourself on some of those long train journies. Cards, books, small board game, good music etc... Good luck with final packing. Can;t wait. Sooooooooo excited :-)
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Final fundraiser for India
Our hypnotist night will be held on Thursday 26th of November, 7pm, at the Hornby Workingmans Club. This should be a fun night filled, I'm sure with all sorts of laughable behaviours. Tickets are only $10 To obtain a ticket get in touch with any the students from the Ch Ch region who are travelling to India. In anticipation, thanks for supporting our last fundraiser. Hope to see lots of you there :-)
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