I’ve decided to give you an accurate perception of the place I’ve landed.. i will create several lists of things that smell, disturbing sights, things i love, things i could do without..etc. ENJOY!
Things that i love about INDIA
1. the prices of everything are super cheap.. you just dont ever buy anything over 500 rupees– (10 american dollars).. lunch on an average day cost me 40 rupees (equivalent to 1 dollar)
2. i love that every form of transportation is on the road.. elephants, cows, camels.. there is no discrimination
3. fresh lime sodas !!! fresh lime juice mixed with club soda! amazing! these are really good off the street.. and they are like 5 rupees
4. i love that no one looks good here… so a lack of shower, makeup, or decent clothes are something that no one cares about.
5. i am literally a celebrity here. everyone stares like i am the most albino, weirdest looking person they have ever seen.
A list of things that smell
1. firstly, i will say that human poop and pee in the gutters is not the number one thing my nose craves when walking to lunch (this is a semi developed place… you would think they would go around the corner or something to handle their bathroom duties)
2. street meat markets .. keep in mind india does not use refridgeration. you can just imagine the sanitation!
3. B.O. really isnt that pleasant. unless its your own… and ill say that most of the time it is not. personal space here is a luxury. getting down and dirty with the indians is a normal day event.
4. curry… it still makes my stomach turn.. ive been here a month, dont think its something ill adapt too.
5. trash… usually a pure delicacy for the “holy” cows on the street. flies tend to gravitate as well.
i’ll move to a list of pleasantness… most adventurous things ive done in INDIA.
1. flown 8 times on indian airlines… thats pretty risky, i think.
2. gone anywhere in a taxi or rickshaw.. india is by far the most loco, conjested country on the planet
3. crossed a rushing river on a skinny wet log… the rapid river was about 20 yards across.. oregon trail style
4. climbed a mountain in the himalayas being stopped by several armed soldiers
5. bought anything “edible” from street vendors
List of things i will not miss when i leave
1. the scorching heat and 97% humitidy (one upside to that though is that if you drink 6 liters of water a day.. you only pee once) sweat sweat sweat!
2. people yelling auntie or madam at me everytime i step foot outside (maybe i will kinda miss that)
3. communication barrier; however, some people in the states are just as communicatively challenged
4. i will not miss nationals automatically raising the price on everything just because i am white
5. the car horns… i hear them in my sleep
Things i will miss the most when my plane arrives in the US of A
1. the children here are beautiful… they bring joy to my heart
2. the peaceful mountains
3. the challenging lifestyle (it is a constant effort and prayer to remain sensitive to the dispairing conditions our brothers and sisters have grown accustomed to)
4. the sisters of charity. these women are amazing! their faith and action is a pure delight.
5. everyday is a new adventure… you never know if you are going to get where your taxi says hes going to bring you, you might not ever receive the food you ordered, and it just might downpour on the clothes you just handwashed
Things I thought i could live without and now know they are life’s necessity
1. chips and salsa (katie, please take note of this when i return)
2. clean clothes
3. air conditioning (this is one advancement in technology i am most grateful for)
4. my nalgene bottle
5. people that understand me and my humor (NOTE: indians are NEVER sarcastic)
Hope you all are well. I hope the Lord is continually resonating in your mind and in your actions. Although, the days seem like 34 hours, there are things in Kolkata that i know are good and beneficial for me right now. I feel peace about being here; i am blessed and priveledged to be a part of something so eternal.
Love and Blessings-Kristie
