Week 3: Seeing the Good & the Bad
Grab some tea or popcorn, week 3 was jam packed.
For some exciting news, Tanya came to visit!
Alyssa and I finally got to show our director what Destiny is all about and its office. We did a government shelter home visit with her for the first time.
✩ Government Shelter Home Visit ✩
Out of the 200 shelter homes in Kolkata, we visited one that Destiny has been working with. The girls at the gov. shelter home aren’t allowed to leave the premises, so any outside interactions are refreshing to them. We were overwhelmed by the amount of happiness and eagerness the girls had to hang out with us. They showed us traditional dances, secret handshakes, dance moves, and sang a welcome song.
The sad reality is that all these girls at this enclosed, mini-college campus-like area don’t have a home or a family to go back to. Once they turn 18, the girls are no longer allowed to live at the shelter home. This is tough because there is a lack of education (they usually only have one teacher to accomodate education for all the girls at different learning levels), and a lack of understanding societal norms due to minimal outside interactions.
Luckily, seeing Destiny making such a positive impact helped better the lives of these girls. Destiny recently built a playground for the shelter home out of recycled materials to give them a safe place to play. Alyssa and I also taught our first basic literacy class at a community center in the Red Light District.
Visiting these home projects has really opened my eyes. I have taken my education for granted and am blessed to have such a wonderful family and life!
✩ 4th of July Festivities ✩
Over the week the ASED and Destiny groups showed Tanya around. For the 4th of July, we all went to dinner with live Bengali music and dancing, and let’s just say the boys pulled out their best moves (ask Nick about the dip). It was a fun American holiday celebration away from home.
✩ Kolkata Street Walk ✩
Early next morning, ASED, Alyssa, Tanya, and I braved the streets of Kolkata on a street tour. We saw the good and bad to say the least. From having the best chai ever to stepping in fish guts, from having fresh cut coconut juice to seeing a bloody chicken’s head thrown right in front of my feet, it was an eventful morning.
On our drive back from the walk, Monsoon season was in full swing. As soon as we stepped out of the dry safety of our car, we were soaked within the minute. Our inner-kid at hearts came out as we jumped and played in the rain.
✩ ALL Ladies League Conference ✩
Tanya spoke at an All Ladies League conference and it was empowering to be surrounded by so many driven women going after their happiness. Some of these women included a writer about love, a jewelry designer that started her company at age 50, and more. All of them were wearing beautiful saris, but since Abby, Alyssa, and I’s weren’t made on time, we showed up in normal work clothes that looked like PJ’s. We were very underdressed to say the least.
“Believe in your passion, remember your dreams, and never stop no matter your age.” -ALL Ladies League
✩ Cherrapunjee ✩
This weekend we traveled to a hidden gem called Cherrapunjee, a place where happy cows, humans, and the cutest babies lived harmoniously.
Our driver, Jugen (we called him Jugs), brought us to the best food places and stands. I think I had the best pineapple of my life during this trip! It had chilli flakes and salt, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I’m going to have to buy chilli flakes when I’m home.
When we arrived to our round-shaped hotel, we were greeted by the most vivid sunset as we enjoyed our milk teas. There was a fun surprise that night with live music before dinner where we danced with the Khasi people. Nick and I also adopted a lizard, Jugs Jr., who is now running free in the wild. Alyssa had a mental breakdown mid- ‘Heads Up’ game and Abby and I now know about some brutal legends of Cherrapunjee!
Another early rise for Sunday meaning… hike time!!! We had to conquer 7,000 stair steps total to get to the double-decker, natural root bridges.
It was more than worth it when we reached our destination spot and our guide Bajet was the best! Since it was monsoon season, the water current was pretty strong, so even though I got some cuts and bruises from being washed around, I never wanted to stop swimming in the waterfall.
On our way back up, it was like the scene in Kung Fu Panda where Po approached the stairs and said, “My old enemy… stairs.” Skadoosh.
This was easily one of my top 10 hikes ever.
For our last morning in Cherrapunjee, we took a stroll into the nearby village. The Khasi people are so kind and generous. Apparently, they are one of the only people that still has a matriarchal society where the women own all the property. I loved our stay here in Cherrapunjee and I absolutely hope to come back again one day.
We darted down the mountain to make it to our flight in time. Our trip started with a sunset and ended with one. We were so lucky that one of the rainiest places in the world didn’t downpour on us and everything just fell right in place perfectly (can you tell I really enjoyed my time there?).
When we all finally returned back to Kolkata, we were home. It makes me smile to think that we can call Kolkata home now and that this city has become a part of all of us.
