another day

So I had my second nearly sleepless night at the flat. Once about 3 am rolls around I wake up and can't sleep, despite the fact that I'm tired. Stupid jetlag... I layed awake in bed for about an hour before I decided to just acknowledge the fact that I wasn't going to get any more sleep. I journaled and tried to call my parents and then read the Autobio of Malcolm X for awhile. Around 10 a.m. six of the girls from the school came to the flat for a few hours to keep me company. They looked through all my things and then pulled out the bingo set that's in the flat and we played bingo for quite a while. Then I tried to teach them go fish and tongues. It didn't work out too well. They didn't really like it. None of them had ever used cards before. They left just before lunch time. I spent the rest of the afternoon reading until I went to the school just before 4. It was another craft day. The kids played a game that looked somewhat like tag, but I really could not grasp the rules of the game. Then they drew fruit and made envelopes.
Thats pretty much been my day so far. I'm having difficulty adjusting, but I knew it wouldn't be easy. Knowing that it won't be easy doesn't make the fact that its not easy any easier though, lol.

keep truckin', I guess

~maura

First full day

So this morning I got up at 5:15 to go to Sealdah station to hand out food and medical supplies. It was pretty sad seeing all those teeny kids wearing rags, often toting babies, standing in line for a teeny sandwich and a cup of milk. Breakfast isn't served until 9 or 10 so I hadn't eaten anything, and I was too busy passing out food to remember my water. I'm also still very jetlagged. The heat plus the overwhelmingness of the situation plus seeing a man's foot gushing blood was apparently too much for me. I almost passed out. But the other CRAWL folks helped me to sit down and drink some water and I ended up being fine.
Later in the day I went to the school for the first time. Today we just did a craft, so we drew pictures. The kids are all really nice.

you can't comment on my blog without a blogspot account, but you can e-mail me at bcuzisedso7@aol.com if ya want to.

~maura

First day in Kolkata

I have arrived here in Kolkata safe and sound, with no problems at all in transit except jetlag. From the time I was waiting at the gate in Chicago, I have been feeling the Indian culture - everyone is alot more talkative and friendly.
In Chicago I talked to an American man who works in and out of India as some sort of missionary. He has lived in Bangledesh and Kolkata and when I told him where I was headed he started speaking to me in Bengali (no luck for my comprehension of it) Anyway, he kind of took me under his wing and when we got off in Delhi, he helped me get my bags, find my ride to the hotel, and he lent me his Indian cell to call my parents. He also gave me the names of Americans in Kolkata who would be happy to help if I ever need anything.
I stayed at a hotel in Delhi overnight, but as I had slept on the plane, I could barely sleep at the hotel. Try getting a mostly full night's sleep then try to sleep for another nine hours. Add lots of nervousness and excitement and that's me just laying there listening to my iPod waiting for the hours to pass.
On the plane to Kolkata, I sat next to an Indian businessman who was clearly worried for me when I told him what I'm doing. However we talked the whole flight and he was really friendly. We talked about Unitarain Universalism, Hinduism, reincarnation, western vs. eastern though, Indian cuisine, how this experience will change me, etc. He too gave me his contact info and told me to call or e-mail if I need anything.
Its not that I plan on getting involved with total strangers, but the friendliness and concern does help to put me at ease when everything else is strange and new to me.
So I arrived in Kolkata to find that the volunteers who were here left early to spend more time touring India. That means that until the next volunteer arrives on Wendesday, I am living in the flat alone. As far as I can tell, the only times I'll see Subhamita and Kakoli (the women who run CRAWL) are when I'm actually doing a project. So I guess I'll be exploring Kardah on my own at first.

I guess that's all for now. India is HOT and HUMID! And when people say Indians drives crazily, they're absolutely telling the truth.

~maura

Well, I'm flyin out tomorrow. Can't believe its already time to go. Lots of people stopped by or called to say goodbye today, which I really appreciate. I'm gonna miss everyone bunches! I'm pretty much packed now, and I only have a few more things to do before I go. Luckily my plane doesn't leave until four pm tomorrow, so I'll have some time in the morning to finish up some last minute stuff. Ready or not, here I come.

one week til blast off

Wow. I have one week left in the 'States before I go to India, a place unlike everything I know. I'm really excited, really nervous, apprehensive, etc. Its weird saying good bye to people and knowing I won't see them until June. The past few days, and the rest of my time here, have been/will be a blur of buying what I need to go, packing it all into suitcases, writing college application essays, and trying to see everyone one last time before I leave.
The fact that in a week from now I will be flying over the top of the world, on my way to India, not to return for a long time, really hasn't registered with me yet. I guess it really won't register until I'm actually there. I know that I can prepare as much as I want - read everything I can find, buy gallons of sunscreen, practice hindi and bengali - but nothing will make me actually ready for what I will see there and for how much I'll miss home and the people I love. So I'll continue to prepare, and I'll get on the plane, still not ready, but at least willing, to try this out. Can't wait!

~maura