Tuesday, May 31, 2016

The Letter "C"

Today I'll be focusing in the letter C due to our inner teachers we have all been channeling recently.

Calcutta, the old (British) way of spelling this city name. Calling it Kolkata references back to the Hindu goddess Kali.

Chai, the drink of revival when everyone goes to tea time at their service sites with Missionaries of Charity (Mother Theresa). Don't forget the biscuits!!!

Cheeselings, a snack if you were to combine cheese its and goldfish. We've had amazing snacks like cool unique Lays and cookies too. Mnmnnn

Children not kids. Kids are the many goats seen around the city people use as sacrifice or meat to make dishes called mutton. Children are the rambunctious souls we see who love learning. After a full day of work in order to help their families survive, they go to school. Ages range from 5-16 and as many as 50 kids cram into a 5x8 classroom . Their eyes still light up when we teach them the hokey pokey or simon says.

Cars, I can't imagine how people get their drivers license here. If you think crazy drivers in NYC are crazy, think again. Those car horns never stop. NEVER EVER. YOU HEAR IT IN YOUR SLEEP

Chacos. The common type of sandle worn by volunteers as well as Keens and Birkenstocks. Many other types of similar shoes are worn for walking and exploring. Also because sneakers are just too darn hot. Yet blisters are common no matter how comfy the shoe due to us being constantly on our feet!

Compassion. Mother Teresa taught us to love one another even the poorest of the poor. We continuously practice compassion for not only for the most in need but all humans we come across.

Cold. A feeling we never have experienced during our time here but thank goodness for the air conditioning.

Chill. When we do have time to chill, we fill it with reflection, eating snacks or catching up on journal time or blogging and reading too.

Clothing. We all bought some great clothes whether they're gifts for home, Hareem pants (elephant pants) or some Kurta shirts. We always love a good visit to Sunshine, the market where we shop shop shop!

Clock, our time difference between here and home is 9.5 hrs ahead we sometimes get our times and malaria meds mixed up!

Community. We know the importance of community at Saint Michaels. We know the importance of the FreeSet community, Brother Xavier's, Loretto and Mother Teresa. What the most important question is: how will we incorporate these communities back into our daily lives once we return?

Character. Everyone has specific traits and personalities. We learn a lot about character including the people we work with, the people we see on the street,  our fellow new friends/volunteers and even ourselves. We have met some great characters along the way that will become cherished memories.

Color. The colors on the buses and the trucks carrying goods, they're beautifully decorated. Not to
mention the changing  of colors of our shirts from all the sweat stains. Icky yet worth it!

Class. I think of the small classrooms we help teach in and I think of how the children walked us back to our ride home. They stopped and waved goodbye. This stop at the end of the alley made me pause and think of the reality that they may never leave their small impoverished towns.

Cows. Not like the cows from Vermont. More like the revered animals that roam the streets whenever they please.

Courage. The women who escape the sex trafficking life (Sonagachi) and find places like FreeSet to make a sustainable life for themselves. That takes courage.

Chance. Many of the organizations we work with give children a chance to have a normal life. Something we all take for granted too often.

Change. Like Mahatma Gandhi said: Be the change you wish to see in the world. We know our work won't solve everything but our experiences in India have changed us for the better. What we do with that change will truly show how we want to change the world.

CeCe. Your blogger for the day.



1 comment:

  1. CeCe-

    I love this!! (And just got caught up on everyone's posts up until this point!) There is nothing quite like Kolkata, for sure!! Would love to hear all about your experiences when you return! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Nicole Stefanowicz

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