Time for a Day Off

Tomorrow is our day off and I am ready for a break!  All is going well however I think my lack of sleep is catching up with me.  The offensive smells and blaring horns and crazy drivers are all a bit much today.  And I think some other people need the day off too.....

This morning at Kalighat, one of the Sisters and a volunteer were in a rather loud dispute.  Not sure what it was about however you could hear them throughout the home.  And then one of the Doctors very loudly proclaimed "I have been the resident Doctor for 21 years and we do it my way!"   The heat is getting to all of us.

Today was about 200 degrees - seriously - hot and humid - and the sweat didn't stop all day.  We cleaned all 50 beds on the Men's side - which meant carrying the beds outside for a major wash down, and then carrying the mattresses and pillows out for a wash.  That part of the home was scrubbed nicely and then we proceeded to put all 50 beds back together again.  The men walked, were carried, wheeled or assisted back to their beds.  I am told this is done about every two weeks.  Thank God for all the volunteers to help get this work done.

After feeding two ladies, one just wanted me to sit and hold her hand.  It was so nice to have the time to be present with her and not feel like I had to rush on to something else.  There is one little patient who always sneaks back into the kitchen and helps us with drying dishes which I think is great.  When the Massies see her, she gets scolded and sent back to bed.  It is only a matter of minutes before she reappears and picks up a towel to help out again.  You got to love her spirit.

Cristina, my friend from Spain, who still has not taken me for the brownie she has told me about, and I decided to walk back to our guest house instead of taking the subway.  It took us a little more than an hour and it felt good to have the exercise.  You can't always walk on the sidewalks as many people live on the sidewalks.  They may have a tarp set up or they may just have a few things laying on the walkways.  They might be cooking food on an open fire on the curb, or they may be washing themselves with a bucket of water.  You see many little naked children - all with big smiles - Hi Auntie or Hi Sister.  You often see people laying on the walkway, probably sleeping or resting.  So you step out into the street as not to disturb them, and immediately you are bombarded with honk, honk, honk, honk and the taxis almost brush up against you they are so close.  Or a bicycle rider, and then the ring, ring, ring of a rickshaw driver.  Or the low rumble of a tuck-tuck (like a three wheeled golf cart).  The exhaust is nasty and sometimes all consuming.  It's almost like they play chicken with you - they come right at you.  It is ridiculous.

As you walk, you smell all sorts of things.  It has been said that the whole world is a urinal to a man - well that is indeed true here.  Anywhere one pleases - in the curb, against a wall, near a gate - they just relieve themselves - no big deal!  So there is that smell. 

We walked through many open markets - kind of like the farmer's market on the square in Madison.  The vegetables and fruit are wonderful.  Today we had watermelon that was very sweet.  One of the volunteers brought fresh papaya at break today and it was delicious.  The mangoes are in season and quite nice. 

I was starving by the time we returned so stopped at the Blue Sky Cafe - a volunteer hang out and guess what I ordered?  Pizza!!  And it was so good!!  I ran into Emilio, my friend from Italy, who was absent today.  Come to find out, he was overserved last night and woke up at 11am!  He was feeling guilty however I found it quite funny.  So far anyone that I knew who has been missing was because they were a bit under the weather or too tired and needed a break.  Not our Emilio!

I needed to do some laundry today so I filled up a bucket and let a number of items soak as they are really dirty.  Just like me - I return to the guest house dirty, exhausted and quite happy.  It is an amazing experience and I am so thankful to be here.  I am looking forward to exploring on my day off and will try to take some pics. 

Namaste - Nah-mas-tay - which means hello and good bye.

Comments

[Mollie]

Dearest Rita,
I love reading your posts. I have no doubt that your wonderful smile and joyful laugh are changing lives every day. Enjoy your day off and I look forward to reading tomorrow. You're my hero!!
Mollie

[Alison]

You are a wonderful writer! I look forward to reading every day about how you're helping out so many people!

[Yui Chan]

Thanks for sharing with us the sights, sounds and smells (unfortunately) of Kolkata. I can’t wait to hear more about it, as well as to see some pictures too.

Enjoy your much deserved day off. Now go be your usual self and do something wild and crazy! Whee!

[Lori Lepak]

I, too, enjoy reading about your daily work and the people you help....I imagine your smile and your presence brings smiles to the faces of the ladies you work with, as you do have that effect on people--- your spirit shines thru to everyone--- so keep up the great work!!! I am glad that you are enjoying it all... I might be too naive about this but I wondered if the Brothers and Sisters work with helping the people living in the streets too?? I mean like helping them improve their living conditions??? Or are there other organizations around that help them?? Sorry if these are stupid questions... bare with me!!! I am just trying to understand the conditions...... Enjoy your day off... and I look forward to reading more!!
Lori

[Sue]

I have really been enjoying reading your blog, Rita! Everything you write is so compelling, and I can certainly relate to many of your experiences, having had the privelege of being in India myself. Your comment about everything being overwhelming really struck a chord. The second full day I was there, I was totally blindsided by culture shock, which especially took me by surprise because the first day I had been completely smitten with everything. It didn't take long to pass, though. India and its people definitely leave an indelible mark on the soul. I'm jealous for all the "awesome" experiences you are having, and also filled with the deepest respect for the work you're doing there. I know that lives are being touched by your humble service.