India India India!!
Kolkata, Chennai, and Goa
Hello everyone!!! It has been a while since I wrote about my adventures here in India soooo here goes yet another roley four pager!!!
Kolkata. What a place! After staying a while in Darjeeling- a great place by the way- Kolkata proved to be quite a change. From mountains and clouds to large, beautiful English buildings and diesel fumes. The heat and congestion was also something I needed to get used to… again hahaha. Regardless, what a place full of history, culture, and people.
From a touristy point of view, the Victoria memorial was interesting to visit. It was said that the British built this giant marble building as a way to ecplise the taj mahal. In my opinion, they weren’t even close. Sure its very large, made of marble, and dedicated to a woman, but it shows the pure power of the British. The Taj, however, is just freaking beautiful! The curves, the inlay of precious gems, the perfect symmetry (except for the location of the tomb of its creator Shah Jahan) I say the Taj outshines this memorial.
In front was a statue of Queen victoria in her older years. Our guide explained that she didn’t look very beautiful when she got older, as seen by this statue, so people refered to this piece as the “she-queen.” Yikes! Inside, however, was a statue of her in her younger years, ie the “she-queen.”
Inside were many paintings, drawings, canons, weapons, and statues of various prominent figures. In one wing was an overall display of Kolkata’s history. The Babus really stood out for me! If you want to talk about ballers, then the Babus’ were balllllin’! They got really rich because they were the middlemen for the British in terms of trade. One dude would even light his cigarettes with 10 rupee bills… like c’mon!
Another interesting place was the Botanical gardens, especially the banyan tree. This tree is sooooooo big… like seriously… HUGE!!!! The moment I saw it I thought to myself, “how sick would it be to have a tree house on that bad boy!?!?” hahaha. The trunk was like 15 m wide and its branches/ root-trunks stretched for 14 acres (basically 14 legislatures). O_O. HOLY CRAP!!! All from ONE TREE!!
Aside from the touristy sites (there’s a lot more but I have still have lots to say!) we also visited various schools, specifically Loreto Day School. Thise was an awesome experience for me!! The discipline, the enthusiasm… what a site to witness! We sat in for a class that talked about their individual dreams for India. Some said for more peace, others for helping the poor… some said education for the poorest of children and care of the elderly… what’s interesting is that this group of grade 6 students already do these!!
Every Thursday, the older students would go out to the villages and teach the students in other schools!! They often had more control over the class than the teachers!! And they’re still kids!! I had the lucky experience of witnessing this. After a long and VERY bumpy ride (blehhhh motion sickness) we reached a school. At first I thought the girls (Loreto day school is an all girl school by the way) were going to teach what looked like an all boy school… I was like, “oh dear…” I could see the guys in some of the rooms above taking pictures of the girls I were acompanying… Some of the girls I were with were really upset; I was soo ready to knock someone out (it really made me mad!). When were got in, the girls knew exactly what they were doing. They walk deep into the school building. I was surprised to see a “school within a school.” It wasn’t classrooms of junior high boys they were teaching BUT kindergarten to grade 4 boys and girls. Unlike the junior high boys, these students didn’t have uniforms. I sat in on a grade 2 class. These kids were soo cute. The room was about 20-25 kids full. When these girls walked, you should have seen these kids! They sat up straight and tall on the floor with their little backpacks in front of them… *cue awwwww.* Once the girls were set up, I was amazed with the confidence and discipline they enforced. They looked like pros! They really emulated the old school form of teaching I witnessed during their classes. There was one little girl that really caught my attention. She was a young and frail looking little girl who was coughing a lot. She was sick but the enthusiasm and will to learn was soooo bright in her eyes. Whenever the Loreto girls would ask a question, her hand always rose first. I know she doesn’t know this, but I felt inspired.
After a bit of this, I went upstairs to see another group. This time it was a grade 4 class. What I really remember most was not what happened during their class (again an impressive show) but after. Some of the Loreto girls (grade nine students) were asking me very interesting questions like what culture in Canada was like. The main topic, however, seemed to be about marriage and love (DO NOT GET ANY IDEAS hahaha). They were very curious, let me tell you that! I guess they were wondering about this because of arranged marriages. Many girls would be married at a very young age so I can see their interest. They asked me about divorce and what happened to the wives. I told them and they told me why they asked. They said that when a girl is married, they leave their family and become part of their husband’s family. If they are divorced, they said they would have nothing at all… they are, in a sense, dependent completely on this new family so divorce is a scary thought eh? There’s more to this convo but I wouldn’t be doing it justice by typing it all out. Hehehe. At one point, they said, “We’ve never been so frank with a foreigner before.” =).
Anyways! Kolkata was the last time the group of us were all together… *tear*. We ended it off with a dinner and celebration of Father Creamer’s birthday. What a great time! We all went to the airport the next day and separated our ways. A day of mixed emotions indeed: sad that our course has ended but excited to continue the next chapter of my adventures!
Chennai---------
Moving to the south was definitely a change too!! Yet another face of india! The south is a very beautiful place. Sooo many palm trees. The streets are busy but use environmentally friendly rickshaws. The streets are not very congested… oh and a 66 km long beach line with a 1 km wide sand zone lines this area too….. SIIIIIICKKKK!!!!!!!
We saw a LOT of things here!! Aside from the very modern places (i.e. the malls) we visited one of the Jesuit school’s here. The campus is absolutely beautiful! Lots of green space, numerous sports facilities, beautiful gardens, massive church, and the number one ranked business program. You have to see it to believe it!
If you guys ever go to Chennai, you have to see Fort St. George and then go for a beach walk. Inside the fort was a statue of Cornwallis, the same dude who also made a fort in nova scotia, canada!! There’s a also a church that a man named “Yale” (a famous university in the states) funded. Sooo much history here! The beach walk was sooo fun! Except… well, my tan will speak for itself XD.
During one of our stays, we went to Pondicherry. Here we saw many of the colonial buildings that French established. This too was by the beach… man, beaches rock!!
The highlight, for me anyways, was Mahabalipuram, home of the giant stone temples. First we visited some of the giant monolith stone temples dedicated to Shiva, durga, parvati, and others. What’s crazy is the size of these buildings, made from a SINGLE boulder, and carved from the top down! Imagine standing up and making a 5 m high by 20 long, by 5 m wide building from your floor down… absolutely crazy!!!
After visiting these giant stone temples, we went to the sea… ahh the sea… apparently it has swallowed 4 or 5 other temples during this cities lifetime. It use dto be a very busy port city soo having many hindu temples allowed for places for many to go and worship. Anyways, all that remained, from what I could see, was just one temple… and let me tell you, its one BEAST of a temple!! Soooo large and full of character. Its now a unesco heritage site too. Sometimes I think its not fair that Winnipeg has nothing like this XD hahaha. The grandeur of it all; it must have been quite the site back in its day.
Once we got back along a road full of flags (there must have been some bigshot or movie star in the area), we packed our stuff, said our good byes to our new friends, and we went to Goa.
Goa-----
The first I have to say is…. Palm trees, white sands, and blue waters… one of te nicest places ever!!! The resort we stayed at, Taj village, was absolutely ridiculous!!! I can recall walking from my mini house to the cliff side where I could see the Arabian sea (in Chennai was te Bay of Bengal) and the powerful waves rising out of its bed only to crash against the old portuguse fort just opposite where I was staying. To my right was a giant ocean liner that hit ground and abandoned. AHH!!! TOOO COOOL!!!! Now in Goa, one thing you will notice is the Portuguese influence. The Portuguese were here way before the british so the Indian culture and people here are heavily influenced.
I went to many places here. Old Goa was one of them. This side of India looked completely different from everthing else that I’ve seen! Instead of highrise buildings or old british buildings, I saw brightly coloured Portuguese style homes during its colonial days! This one area in particular with all te churches looked just like Europe. Imagine Assiniboine Park but full of massive basilicas, cathedrals, and formation houses just a stones throw away from each other. Apparently these churches were soooo close to one another that one cleargy man wrote to Rome saying that “their bells and our bells, their choir and our choir” were so loud that it created cacophony or just too much noise! Of course, each church would try to out do each other.. hehehe. One of the places we went to was st. Xaviers or “Bom Jesu.” Here was the OLDEST Jesuit church and OLDEST/ FIRST Jesuit noviate ever!!! Inside, the intricate wood work was quite astonishing. To my left were relics from various martyrs and saints. To my right was the tomb and body of St. Ignatius’s closest friend, St. Xavier! What’s crazy is that Father Creamer, one of his Jesuit friends, Christian, my travel buddy, and myself had a mass right on the marble on his tomb! How crazy is that?!? We also visited the Jesuit residence and met with one of the Superior generals of the order. Coooool.
After our tour here, we went to st. Francis of assis’s cathedral and to another church that had a wedding. I must say, these Indian weddings are amazing! I mean, we were in our travelling clothes and the parents of the groom gave us food and invited us to come to the reception… talk about hospitality!!!
One of the most interesting churches we saw was the Ruins of St. Augustine. There wasn’t much of a church left except for broken walls and a massive TOWER that Christian climbed… half way. XD. You have to see just how HIGH this thing goes though!!! Spiderman, spiderman lol. Its so interesting and kind of myseterious in the sense tat I wish I could have seen what was here before. At one point the Portuguese were told to leave Goa so this church was abandoned and is now in ruins.
What I really like about Goa is how it looks like home back in the Philippines. At one point I was riding on a motorcycle, feeling the wind through my short, 1 cm high hair, the sun burning my already tanned face (noooo!!!), looking at the beautiful palm trees and the watery, green rice fields. I must say, I got super nostalgic that day… what topped it off was going to the markets and the Jesuit retreat house that showed me AWESOME views of the beach and sea. The market was on a cliff and I could see the sea eroding the red stone at the very bottom, washing away the red sand, turning the water itself rusty in colour. From the retreat house I could peer out into the sea, watching the black stones hold back the strong waves. After a short walk from the retreat house was a beach full of life. There were lone fishermen casting their nets in knee high water. There were also groups of fishermen hauling their catches off their boats and neatly folding the nets. There were parents holding their little kids hands as the child ran from the waves, only to to playfully scream when they got wet… too awesome!!!
Overall, goa was awesome!
Anyways, these were the last three places I visited!! I’m currently in Mumbai and back from visiting elaphanta island. I narrowly excaped some super ferocious evil monkeys that actually stole two peoples bags in front of my eyes and wrecked havoc to us tourists… AHHH!!! In an attempt to save his bag (the popcorn already eaten by the monkeys unfortunately) this dude bought some bananas and a big stick. He through his banana like a grenade and made a dash to save his belongings. I swear, the guy who created family guy MUST have been harassed by one of these monkeys!
Hope you enjoyed reading this super long note again… hahaha! Miss you all!!!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
So the trip has come to an end, for most of us... Father Creamer, Christian, and Roley are off to relax on a beach in Goa and make a couple of stops in the south, Sandra and Kevin are off to roam the land for another week, and the rest of us are going to spend the next week just trying to readjust our sleeping and eating patterns. We all talked about the food that we craved the most, and the dinner that we planned to have on our first night back... peanut butter, bbq, perogies, salad, steak, ice in a drink, cold beer, hmmmmm.
On our last night together, we all went for dinner to say goodbye and to have an early celebration for Father Creamer's birthday. In listening to the conversations of the group, we were all very excited to see our loved ones in Canada, but also very thankful for the experience. Personally, I am very grateful that I had this opportunity, as most of the locals that we met along the way were not able to afford anything close to this kind of an expense. Most of all, I'm glad that I was able to meet so many people who take an interest in humanity and meeting the world. Without question, it was the relationships that made this trip so much more than just a summer vacation or some credit towards a degree. As one of our tour guides reminded me on our walk down the hill from the Amber Fort - we can find these relationships and answers to our questions on our own time, and often in our own backyard. We don't actually have to fly thousands of miles to a foreign land or climb to the top of a mountain in order to look inside our hearts and find what we're looking for in life. With that said, India was amazing and I would encourage anyone to go! Just watch out for the street food - it tastes great and costs pennies, but make sure it's cooked through...
On our last night together, we all went for dinner to say goodbye and to have an early celebration for Father Creamer's birthday. In listening to the conversations of the group, we were all very excited to see our loved ones in Canada, but also very thankful for the experience. Personally, I am very grateful that I had this opportunity, as most of the locals that we met along the way were not able to afford anything close to this kind of an expense. Most of all, I'm glad that I was able to meet so many people who take an interest in humanity and meeting the world. Without question, it was the relationships that made this trip so much more than just a summer vacation or some credit towards a degree. As one of our tour guides reminded me on our walk down the hill from the Amber Fort - we can find these relationships and answers to our questions on our own time, and often in our own backyard. We don't actually have to fly thousands of miles to a foreign land or climb to the top of a mountain in order to look inside our hearts and find what we're looking for in life. With that said, India was amazing and I would encourage anyone to go! Just watch out for the street food - it tastes great and costs pennies, but make sure it's cooked through...
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
children teaching children... and adults
Today we traveled two hours by bus with grade 7-9 girls from the Loreto Day School to the remote villages of Kolkata. We all separated into small groups and followed along with the girls as they calmly walked into the schools of each village and proceeded to teach children from grades 1-5. And they did it quite well. It's a program known as the "village outreach program" designed to connect the two groups of different socioeconomic status, empower the girls, and educate the children (all of them). I love to see innovative programs like this, and to be honest, I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it. Kind of reminds me of our "reading buddies" program back home in Canada, but with a greater impact. Once again, I'd write more, but I'm sweating like a hog. Gotta get outta this sauna...
Bye for now.
Bye for now.
Carrie in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Greetings Friends! We arrived in Kolkata from Darjeeling 3 days ago...we slept on a train - or rather tried to sleep - and arrived 3 hours late. Apparently they had to fix a section of the track before we could continue the journey! India is in a constant state of repair.
We have spent most of our time at the Loreto School in Kolkata - an incredible institution managed by Sr. Cyril. She asked me to work with her teachers 10 minutes after meeting her! I spoke to 20 teachers for 90 minutes on the foundation of literacy instruction and provided some practical tools for the staff to use with the students in their classrooms. I think they were pleased. William was also invited to teach some classes to the students on bio-diversity. I think the students were thrilled.
We visited Mother Theresa's tomb today as well as did some volunteer work at a village school - 44 children, age 6 - one chalkboard - no desks, no storybooks...the children had a scribbler each and some had a pencil. It was quite incredible. There were cows in the field, boys swimming in a small pond that was formed from a recent down pour and children going to the washroom on a heap of gravel outside the classroom wall. Yet all are eager to learn and were rather disciplined. They are happy to see us and be with us - to have their pictures taken and to get the answers 'right'. It was a very incredible scene....and all in 40 + celcius!
Tomorrow we continue our tour and see a few more monuments...Presently I am with Jeff and Amanda wandering through the markets. The sights and smells continue to overwhelm me and I've grown accustomed to bringing my cotton scarf with me wherever we go so I can breathe into it as we walk.
Our time is almost up at this cafe...know that I love and miss you all and long to see you SOON!
Namaste!
Carrie
We have spent most of our time at the Loreto School in Kolkata - an incredible institution managed by Sr. Cyril. She asked me to work with her teachers 10 minutes after meeting her! I spoke to 20 teachers for 90 minutes on the foundation of literacy instruction and provided some practical tools for the staff to use with the students in their classrooms. I think they were pleased. William was also invited to teach some classes to the students on bio-diversity. I think the students were thrilled.
We visited Mother Theresa's tomb today as well as did some volunteer work at a village school - 44 children, age 6 - one chalkboard - no desks, no storybooks...the children had a scribbler each and some had a pencil. It was quite incredible. There were cows in the field, boys swimming in a small pond that was formed from a recent down pour and children going to the washroom on a heap of gravel outside the classroom wall. Yet all are eager to learn and were rather disciplined. They are happy to see us and be with us - to have their pictures taken and to get the answers 'right'. It was a very incredible scene....and all in 40 + celcius!
Tomorrow we continue our tour and see a few more monuments...Presently I am with Jeff and Amanda wandering through the markets. The sights and smells continue to overwhelm me and I've grown accustomed to bringing my cotton scarf with me wherever we go so I can breathe into it as we walk.
Our time is almost up at this cafe...know that I love and miss you all and long to see you SOON!
Namaste!
Carrie
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
heat, humidity, rain, and limited personal space :)
So Kolkata has proven to be quite the test of endurance. As someone said this morning, "it's just a challenge for us Canadians to get up in this kind of environment". It's something that takes getting used to I guess. I think we're doing okay - as long as there's a fan nearby.
We've spent the last couple of days at the Loreto Day School, and once again, I'm super impressed by what I've seen. This place (see Gemma's blog) runs like a well oiled machine... certainly not a porsche or a lamborghini, but just as innovative, more powerful, and way more efficient. Sister Cyril Mooney (google her name and read about her b/c I won't do any justice in a short blog), is just one more of the extremely inspiring woman who I've met on this trip who shows that we can always do more to educate children - rich or poor.
In our first day, we were given a tour and introduced to members of the staff. Today, everyone branched out and followed their own interests - kindergarten classes, science classes, environmental issues, child labor and human rights issues, music and dance, etc. Since I'm in the midst of completing this ed. admin. program, and lightly considering the idea of becoming a principal, Sister Cyril gave me some time and shared her insights about the world of education and human resource management. I took a lot of notes b/c she was clearly a model of excellence in terms of organization, understanding, execution, and I really liked her overall educational philosophy. I plan to share more about what I learned, but since I'm dying of heat in this little "cybercafe", and it's getting late, I'll sign off for now.
Tomorrow, we're all heading out to some villages, where the students of Loreto visit on a regular basis to provide education and friendship with the many underpriveleged (sp?) children. I'm sure that someone will write their thoughts about our experience in the "village outreach program" tomorrow night, as long as we don't get trapped there by the monsoon rains.
Until then... g'night.
We've spent the last couple of days at the Loreto Day School, and once again, I'm super impressed by what I've seen. This place (see Gemma's blog) runs like a well oiled machine... certainly not a porsche or a lamborghini, but just as innovative, more powerful, and way more efficient. Sister Cyril Mooney (google her name and read about her b/c I won't do any justice in a short blog), is just one more of the extremely inspiring woman who I've met on this trip who shows that we can always do more to educate children - rich or poor.
In our first day, we were given a tour and introduced to members of the staff. Today, everyone branched out and followed their own interests - kindergarten classes, science classes, environmental issues, child labor and human rights issues, music and dance, etc. Since I'm in the midst of completing this ed. admin. program, and lightly considering the idea of becoming a principal, Sister Cyril gave me some time and shared her insights about the world of education and human resource management. I took a lot of notes b/c she was clearly a model of excellence in terms of organization, understanding, execution, and I really liked her overall educational philosophy. I plan to share more about what I learned, but since I'm dying of heat in this little "cybercafe", and it's getting late, I'll sign off for now.
Tomorrow, we're all heading out to some villages, where the students of Loreto visit on a regular basis to provide education and friendship with the many underpriveleged (sp?) children. I'm sure that someone will write their thoughts about our experience in the "village outreach program" tomorrow night, as long as we don't get trapped there by the monsoon rains.
Until then... g'night.
Monday, August 11, 2008
In the City of Joy - Kolkata
We are in Kolkata. There is lots to see and hear. Today we visited Loreto School and met with the wonderful staff there including Sr. Cyril. It is a girls school with over 1400 students, 700 fee paying and 700 free. The school also hosts a number of other programs including a home for street children of Kolkata and training for teachers.
We will return tomorrow to visit classes and speak with staff about all the great work they are doing. We have been sampling a number of restaurants but have not yet had the courage to try the street food. All around us are vendors making chapati, naan, samosas and many other Indian dishes served in banana leaves. There is lots of chai tea in huge metal pots served up in small clay pots. The street seems to belong to everyone and they do just about everything on the street. They cook, eat, talk, go to the toilet, hang washing, do dishes and sleep. The weather is very humid with rain showers on and off (it is monsoon season).
Gemma
We will return tomorrow to visit classes and speak with staff about all the great work they are doing. We have been sampling a number of restaurants but have not yet had the courage to try the street food. All around us are vendors making chapati, naan, samosas and many other Indian dishes served in banana leaves. There is lots of chai tea in huge metal pots served up in small clay pots. The street seems to belong to everyone and they do just about everything on the street. They cook, eat, talk, go to the toilet, hang washing, do dishes and sleep. The weather is very humid with rain showers on and off (it is monsoon season).
Gemma
Chillin Like Ice Cream Fillin ;)
Well hi there! So we meet again.
We arrived in Kolkata like yesterday and there's already LOTS to say. We took the overnight train and boy let me tell you, if you ever want to know what it feels like sleeping in a jail cell-take the Darjeeling Mail. I had the great fortune (allow pause to take in sarcastic remark) of sleeping in the middle bunk of a three tiered sleeper cart. I had to climb up in there while having the luxury of being rocked to sleep. All in all it was an experience of a lifetime, and once will be suffecient for me thanks. But hey! When in India why not? It was an interesting experience!
Soemthing like 13 hours later-- we arrived at Hotel Housez 43! This place is really cute! Some people have purple walls. Awesome. I'm excited to be here AND learned some things that I hadn't thought about before:
1) I REALLY don't like dogs. Thought I did, but I don't. Nope. They're not for me. Never again.
2) I am a VERY big chicken. I find it kinf amusing when I internally freak out when I think I may have made eye contact with a dog that may or may not have been looking at me in the first place.
3) The only way, I think, to successfully fit in with the locals---is to walk down the street as if you're doing your fiercest strut on the runway. Look straight ahead and walk like nobody's ever walked before!
4) When you think you're walking on the wrong side of the road, you're actually right--which is left. I'm finally used to the whole wrong side of the road think. Still am not digging the honknig. Especially here, Kolkatians, I feel, are much more likely to run over feet without noticing.
Everything is amazing here. Very dirty streets though. Perhaps flip flops are inappropriate. Oh well. You win some and learn some.
That's all for now so until next time
Toodles!! :)
Sarah Fouad
We arrived in Kolkata like yesterday and there's already LOTS to say. We took the overnight train and boy let me tell you, if you ever want to know what it feels like sleeping in a jail cell-take the Darjeeling Mail. I had the great fortune (allow pause to take in sarcastic remark) of sleeping in the middle bunk of a three tiered sleeper cart. I had to climb up in there while having the luxury of being rocked to sleep. All in all it was an experience of a lifetime, and once will be suffecient for me thanks. But hey! When in India why not? It was an interesting experience!
Soemthing like 13 hours later-- we arrived at Hotel Housez 43! This place is really cute! Some people have purple walls. Awesome. I'm excited to be here AND learned some things that I hadn't thought about before:
1) I REALLY don't like dogs. Thought I did, but I don't. Nope. They're not for me. Never again.
2) I am a VERY big chicken. I find it kinf amusing when I internally freak out when I think I may have made eye contact with a dog that may or may not have been looking at me in the first place.
3) The only way, I think, to successfully fit in with the locals---is to walk down the street as if you're doing your fiercest strut on the runway. Look straight ahead and walk like nobody's ever walked before!
4) When you think you're walking on the wrong side of the road, you're actually right--which is left. I'm finally used to the whole wrong side of the road think. Still am not digging the honknig. Especially here, Kolkatians, I feel, are much more likely to run over feet without noticing.
Everything is amazing here. Very dirty streets though. Perhaps flip flops are inappropriate. Oh well. You win some and learn some.
That's all for now so until next time
Toodles!! :)
Sarah Fouad
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Kolkata
Hello again.
We arrived in Kolkata this morning after a long 24 hr road trip on jeep and train. We left the fresh, cool climate of Darjeeling yesterday morning and rode down the mountainside (with a couple of stops along the way) into the hot, humid plains of Siliguri. There we made a brief visit to the Jesu Ashram and then we caught the overnight train to Kolkata.
Our stops along the way were pretty interesting to say the least.
The first stop was at St. Alphonsus school, which was started by Father Abraham (a Jesuit priest since 23), who is now 83 years old and living in the mountains just above the school. We toured the building and then visited the father in his home where he told us a number of stories. He talked about the invasion and retreat of China in the days of early independance and how it impacted the landscape. He told us about how he raised the money from Canadian donors by asking them to give up dessert every Friday ($2/dessert) for a period of time, and then how the cost of concrete shot up and forced him to continue searching for donations and coming up with innovative ways to get the job done... having the students excavate the land and build the school with their own hands. It was wild listening to the story of patience, perserverance, and determination. I'll try to remember this the next time I get stuck in traffic!
The second stop included a tour of an organic tea factory, Makabrai (sp?). We saw how the tea was produced (old equipment and simple process), met the owner (quirky but super interesting dude), and then of course... bought some tea.
The third stop was at the Jesu Ashram, which is a hospice designed to care for sick and dying people who have nowhere to go and no one to care for them. These are adults (and children) with HIV, TB, leprosy, and other degenerative diseases, who are either dumped on their doorstep, picked up off the streets or floors of the train station, or even some who travel miles on their own to receive treatment or care in their final days of life. We listened to how the building was established (by Father Bob, another priest from the Jesuit order who has since passed away), walked through the rooms and halls to meet the patients, and spoke with the other Jesuits who run the facility. This was the most challenging part of the trip so far... seriously, what an inner struggle.
Finally, we caught the overnight train to Kolkata, which is where we'll be spending our final week. This is where Sister Cyril Mooney has established the Loreto Day School. I look forward to sharing more later.
Bye for now.
We arrived in Kolkata this morning after a long 24 hr road trip on jeep and train. We left the fresh, cool climate of Darjeeling yesterday morning and rode down the mountainside (with a couple of stops along the way) into the hot, humid plains of Siliguri. There we made a brief visit to the Jesu Ashram and then we caught the overnight train to Kolkata.
Our stops along the way were pretty interesting to say the least.
The first stop was at St. Alphonsus school, which was started by Father Abraham (a Jesuit priest since 23), who is now 83 years old and living in the mountains just above the school. We toured the building and then visited the father in his home where he told us a number of stories. He talked about the invasion and retreat of China in the days of early independance and how it impacted the landscape. He told us about how he raised the money from Canadian donors by asking them to give up dessert every Friday ($2/dessert) for a period of time, and then how the cost of concrete shot up and forced him to continue searching for donations and coming up with innovative ways to get the job done... having the students excavate the land and build the school with their own hands. It was wild listening to the story of patience, perserverance, and determination. I'll try to remember this the next time I get stuck in traffic!
The second stop included a tour of an organic tea factory, Makabrai (sp?). We saw how the tea was produced (old equipment and simple process), met the owner (quirky but super interesting dude), and then of course... bought some tea.
The third stop was at the Jesu Ashram, which is a hospice designed to care for sick and dying people who have nowhere to go and no one to care for them. These are adults (and children) with HIV, TB, leprosy, and other degenerative diseases, who are either dumped on their doorstep, picked up off the streets or floors of the train station, or even some who travel miles on their own to receive treatment or care in their final days of life. We listened to how the building was established (by Father Bob, another priest from the Jesuit order who has since passed away), walked through the rooms and halls to meet the patients, and spoke with the other Jesuits who run the facility. This was the most challenging part of the trip so far... seriously, what an inner struggle.
Finally, we caught the overnight train to Kolkata, which is where we'll be spending our final week. This is where Sister Cyril Mooney has established the Loreto Day School. I look forward to sharing more later.
Bye for now.
Friday, August 8, 2008
India is amazing
India is certainly a photographers dream. There is so much to see all around you. The sights and sounds overwhelm the senses. Colour is abundant. Both animal and human exist together in a harmonious chaos. There is an amazing mixture of old and modern India all around. We have been fortunate to speak with a number of interesting people and learn about the education system and the culture of the people.
Darjeeling has been a nice break from the heat. We are returning to the plains tomorrow and the heat of Calcutta. On the way down the mountain we will take in a tea garden and visit a school. We have had many wonderful adventures so far with lots of stories to tell.
Gemma
Darjeeling has been a nice break from the heat. We are returning to the plains tomorrow and the heat of Calcutta. On the way down the mountain we will take in a tea garden and visit a school. We have had many wonderful adventures so far with lots of stories to tell.
Gemma
Holy Moly!! Like Actually!
Sup Everyone!?? Or should I say Namaste??
I'm sitting here in a Darjeeling cafe and I couldn't help but wonder..is there anyone having a better time than me right now?? Probs not!! I mean it took 2ish hours to get up here in the hills, and this strong feeling of attachment came to me. In the last post, I said I was hoping that I would be a able to just chill here, and dude have my prayers beeng answered---aside from a persistant yucky bug situation...The mountains are ridic and on the way up we saw a waterfall like ever 5 minutes! I can't believe I'm here, and this feeling of disbelief heightened as I sat from my balcony watching the locals passs by smiling and waving. Everyone seem so hospitable and happy! I LOVE IT!!!!! I don't think I'm stressing this enough. One more time. IIIIIII LLLOOOVVVVEEEE ITTTTT! That may have done me justice. Perhaps.
My time's running out so I'll post something larger a bit later
But until then
Toodles!!
Sarah Fouad
I'm sitting here in a Darjeeling cafe and I couldn't help but wonder..is there anyone having a better time than me right now?? Probs not!! I mean it took 2ish hours to get up here in the hills, and this strong feeling of attachment came to me. In the last post, I said I was hoping that I would be a able to just chill here, and dude have my prayers beeng answered---aside from a persistant yucky bug situation...The mountains are ridic and on the way up we saw a waterfall like ever 5 minutes! I can't believe I'm here, and this feeling of disbelief heightened as I sat from my balcony watching the locals passs by smiling and waving. Everyone seem so hospitable and happy! I LOVE IT!!!!! I don't think I'm stressing this enough. One more time. IIIIIII LLLOOOVVVVEEEE ITTTTT! That may have done me justice. Perhaps.
My time's running out so I'll post something larger a bit later
But until then
Toodles!!
Sarah Fouad
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
up in the mountains
So we left Delhi and flew to Bagdogra, where we took a long winding jeep ride into the Himalayas to Darjeeling, where we've spent our last few days. It's the most amazing place I've ever seen. The air is clean, unless walking behind a diesel fueled vehicle. The people are super friendly and we're all having a great time. We've got two more days of visiting schools and taking in the sights and sounds, then we're off on a train to Kolkata for the final week. Not really anticipating the hot hot heat of the lowlands, but definitely looking forward to seeing the Loreto Day School. All is well, but gotta get off the computer and buy some incense. See y'all soon.
Jeff.
Jeff.
Monday, August 4, 2008
In the Hills
After several hundred hair pin turns weaving into the mountains be have arrived at Darjeeling. The pace and people are much different here than in Delhi. The temperature is also about 15 degrees cooler as well, we are enjoying a breath of fresh air (when not being passed by traffic). We have finally had the chance to visit some classes. Today at Hayden Hall we met three classes with children that attend to get help with their homework for three hours after their school day has ended.
We have a lot to learn from these people, I am looking forward to hearing more of their stories.
We have a lot to learn from these people, I am looking forward to hearing more of their stories.
Friday, August 1, 2008
WeEk OnE InDiA
Hello to all!
Well you can see by my title that India is up and down... after one week, there have been experiences of wonder and complacency... of awe and lethargy... of serious reflection and fun loving anticipation. Overall what you hear of India is probably true - just times it by a thousand and factor in the juxtapositions at every level: There are cows on the street, but also where we think they belong in agrarian pastures; people live in tent laden scanty shanties; but there are Toronto-like glass monstrosities.
While there is thousands of dollars worth of marble lying about in rubble piles - surrounded by camel, elephant, and buffalo dung - there is poverty surrounding the historic beauty. But how do we judge a nation based on its people's bank accounts (if indeed they own an account)? The India
that I have seen is full of this duality: bargains to be had, and guilt for walking past the polio victim walking on his knees in the filthy streets; History that is engrossing, and yet overwhelming - in terms of the exploitation and violence of the man and beast that built these spectacular structures (forts, mausoleums, tombs - take the Taj Mahal for instance).
I need time to synthesize this country - communication is generally English, but the people have a poetic vibe attached to their other languages and religions. I embrace the diversity, but not the complacency; I love the food, but not the associated illness that my travel mates seem to be suffering; I love the freedom of see the timelessness of the structures, but not the 'structurelessness' of timing.
It is time to go now, my Kingfisher beer calls out to me, as well as sleep - although that is a non-necessity in these exciting times. I'll be in touch next week. Wishing you well in Canada - We are well in India!
William
another 4 pager from roley!!!
WOOOOOOWWWW. These past days have been crazy!!!!! k let me start.
Remember when i said i was going to the hindu disneyland?? well.... it didn't happen... or rather i couldn't go because i go super sick =/. chills, headaches, the constant need to go to the washroom; horrible!! My stomach hurt soooo much it was ridiculous. I’d get dizzy turning my head to the side. Sometimes, the only way I’d sleep at night was through thinking bc if I didn’t my head would throb… ughhhh I felt sooo vulnerable and completely not myself. What was worse was everyone else was going; this was our first official group tour… ughhhh.. I really think the combination of spices, the new smells, and the malaria pills brought this on me. What’s kind of scary are the side of the malaria pills which not only included nausea and diarehha but… nightmares. There was this one time where I’d see scary images right when I closed my eyes… although there was this one where I could fly everywhere asthough I had no clip XD (for the gamers out there =P). Regardless of all this, I managed to pull through!! Now I’m super conserverative in what I eat (sorry chan I don’t think I’ll be trying thali and time soon =P).
K, well, the next day, 28 july 2008, I was probably around 60% and went out! I wasn’t going to miss anymore! The first place we went was the “Red fort”. Holy crap, this place, built by Mughal emperors, is MASSIVE!!! From here we took a bike rickshaw, or basically a pedal bike with a carriage. Crap, that DEFINITELY was not good for my stomach!! After navigating the streets, and holding in my toast breakfast, we reached the Friday Masjid (or Friday mosque). Dang man, these places are soooo nice! Although climbing the massive staircase to get to the top was a challenge in itself. In the center of this massive place the size of, hmmmmm, 6-8 times the size of the portage and main intersection, was a little pool where people could awsh their feet (because in order to walk around, ones’ shoes must be removed). Imagine walking in such an area with barefeet and hot red rock roasting your feet… yeah, it was interesting =P. When I walked inside the various buildings, however, the white marble cooled my feet and captured my eyes as I saw Islamic carving. SOO BEAUTIFUL! The intricacy is overwhelming. There was also a minaret or tower used to call people for prayer; people could climb but in my condition, all I’d be yelling was my breakfast lol.
Next we travelled to the Gandhi memorial. This place is soo calming, tranquil, and serene. Ashoka and Banyan trees surrounded the black, square, and monument in the centre dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. What’s interesting was how simply it was designed with a golden inscription reading “Oh God,” the words Gandhi said when he got shot. Amazing man indeed. The simplicity of his tomb is soooo beautiful, especially after seeing such ornate designed buildings in the Jama Masjid; it definitely reflects the type of man he was.
After this we took our van to the temple of Humayun, the 2nd Mughal emperor after Babur. This tomb is crazy!! Again very intricate designs an can be compared to nothing in winnipeg. It puts our our own legislature in the dust! Again, these mughal emperors are ridiculous! Can you say, “BALLLLAAAAHHHH!!!” XD
At this point, we went for lunch… and I went back cuz I could no longer handle the pain XD.
On 29 july 2008, I felt soooooo much better! I’m talking 78%!! Woot woot!!! Anyways, we left Delhi and continued our journey around the Golden triangle, destination = Agra, home of the The Taj Mahal! But before we went there, we went to the tomb of the third mughal emperor, Akbar the Great. Now this dude was something else. All the rulers before him were strict muslim ruler but this guy was different in that he brought religious tolerance to his kingdom! He even sought to unify every by talking aspects from Hinduism, islam, and Christianity and forming a new religion!! What a guy! Anyways, like thee previous tombs, this place was huge, wide, very green and had little paths that water could flow around… on the left I could see gazelles on the right was a monkey temple with a tree path… ughhhhh the innate beauty here is amazing! I can’t help but feel at peace. His tomb and gates were all designed with influences from all religions which were fused together form this architechtural wonder.
From here we went to Howard hotel… holy crap…. Can you say luxury?!?! One of the nicest places ever!!! There was a freaking pool with a waterfall!! Damn man, that sick! After we dropped off bags and had lunch (mmmmm), we travelled to agra’s red fort made by akbar. Dang man! This is like a castle, muslim style!!! Surrounding this fort was a wall then a moat, which WAS filled with lions (like damn, freaking lions)! If intruders passed this, they then had to face a moat filled will alligators/ crocodiles!! Next was the first gate. If they go this, the soldiers would retreat to the 2nd gate where they’d relaease boiling hot oil on their enemies! If they managed to get passed this, there was the third gate… that lead to a narrow path way where the bolders were released!!!! That’s like India jones but real!! Once you got passed all the defenses, you’d see such powerful buildings. For such military fort, one will say that this was a niiiice looking military fort! On the top floor were various palaces that the emperors were staying in. It was here that I could see the Taj mahal. What’s sad is that the creator of the taj mahal, 5th mughal emporor Shah Jahan, was under house arrest here. It is said that when the Britished lauched canon balls, one hit the throne used by Auragzeb (the son who arrested his father), broke it half and ricrochette, hitting but not breaking one of the palace arches. As we wandered around, we saw one of the forts old, algae filled water reserves… what’s crazy is that this one guy jumped 20+ m in it O_O. just around the corner was the view of a memorial of akbar had for his pet elephant… that he used to crush his enemies literally!!! Crazy place!!!!
After this, we went to the Taj Mahal!! This place is the ultimate sign of love and definitely raises the bar of us guys XD. Hahaha. Seriously, before Shah Jahan’s wife from his love “marriage”, mumtaz mahal, died giving birth from her 14th child, she asked him to erect a monument to show just how much he loved her… well… crap man, loook!!! It took him 22 years an almost bankrupted the empire doing it!! Hehehe, he fricken screwed us guys over eh?? XD. Still, when you see the prisitine, pure white marble with its perfect symmetry and almost ethereal feel, I couldn’t help but be amazed. The inlaying of precious and semi precious jewels is also amazing!!! It is said that the Taj mahal was started by giants and finished by jewellers. The deisgns were soooo beautiful that it is believed Shah jahan had the hands, fingers anwrists of his crazfts men cut off so that such feat of fine workmanship, sooo beautifully done, will never be replicated. HOLY SMOKES!!! Inside was this monument was coffin of his wife. Originally, it was intended only for her. She was the centre of this almost divine symmetry but when sha jahan died, he too was placed inside the taj mahal. In Muslim burial tradition, the body is place with the head in the north facing west towards mecca. Instead, Shah Jahan is place to her left this way she not only faced mecca, but also her loving husband. *cue awwwwww*
We then went back to the hotel… where I got a massage for my sore back… ohhh man, I love this hotel =).
The next day began with an early morning swim (heheheh). we Then went to Fatehpur Sikri (sp). Again this a was where Akbar lived and ruled for a bit. We saw the place where he talked with court officials and tried to form his new religion. It was here that he would have people of different religions (including the JESUITS!) debate between themselse as akbar listen in the centre of this square room. Other places in this city were the places for his 3 wifes, the rooms where his 800+ concubines lived (what a guy lol), and where he’d play games like :hide and seek” with the concubines or a place he’d play with his buddies that including using women, who they’d instruct to move/dance from place to place on a 6x4 grid with the prize being any woman the winner wanted…. Wowwwwww. What’s very interesting are the buildings made just for women; he ensured each wife was in a different part of this city so thet wouldn’t fight!! Its even said that one of his wifes bathed in rose water so that he can control her husband from the other women!!
Anyways, this is all for now, sooo many more things happened but I’m tired… I think I’m going to order some western style food now XD. miss you all!!!!
-roley
Remember when i said i was going to the hindu disneyland?? well.... it didn't happen... or rather i couldn't go because i go super sick =/. chills, headaches, the constant need to go to the washroom; horrible!! My stomach hurt soooo much it was ridiculous. I’d get dizzy turning my head to the side. Sometimes, the only way I’d sleep at night was through thinking bc if I didn’t my head would throb… ughhhh I felt sooo vulnerable and completely not myself. What was worse was everyone else was going; this was our first official group tour… ughhhh.. I really think the combination of spices, the new smells, and the malaria pills brought this on me. What’s kind of scary are the side of the malaria pills which not only included nausea and diarehha but… nightmares. There was this one time where I’d see scary images right when I closed my eyes… although there was this one where I could fly everywhere asthough I had no clip XD (for the gamers out there =P). Regardless of all this, I managed to pull through!! Now I’m super conserverative in what I eat (sorry chan I don’t think I’ll be trying thali and time soon =P).
K, well, the next day, 28 july 2008, I was probably around 60% and went out! I wasn’t going to miss anymore! The first place we went was the “Red fort”. Holy crap, this place, built by Mughal emperors, is MASSIVE!!! From here we took a bike rickshaw, or basically a pedal bike with a carriage. Crap, that DEFINITELY was not good for my stomach!! After navigating the streets, and holding in my toast breakfast, we reached the Friday Masjid (or Friday mosque). Dang man, these places are soooo nice! Although climbing the massive staircase to get to the top was a challenge in itself. In the center of this massive place the size of, hmmmmm, 6-8 times the size of the portage and main intersection, was a little pool where people could awsh their feet (because in order to walk around, ones’ shoes must be removed). Imagine walking in such an area with barefeet and hot red rock roasting your feet… yeah, it was interesting =P. When I walked inside the various buildings, however, the white marble cooled my feet and captured my eyes as I saw Islamic carving. SOO BEAUTIFUL! The intricacy is overwhelming. There was also a minaret or tower used to call people for prayer; people could climb but in my condition, all I’d be yelling was my breakfast lol.
Next we travelled to the Gandhi memorial. This place is soo calming, tranquil, and serene. Ashoka and Banyan trees surrounded the black, square, and monument in the centre dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. What’s interesting was how simply it was designed with a golden inscription reading “Oh God,” the words Gandhi said when he got shot. Amazing man indeed. The simplicity of his tomb is soooo beautiful, especially after seeing such ornate designed buildings in the Jama Masjid; it definitely reflects the type of man he was.
After this we took our van to the temple of Humayun, the 2nd Mughal emperor after Babur. This tomb is crazy!! Again very intricate designs an can be compared to nothing in winnipeg. It puts our our own legislature in the dust! Again, these mughal emperors are ridiculous! Can you say, “BALLLLAAAAHHHH!!!” XD
At this point, we went for lunch… and I went back cuz I could no longer handle the pain XD.
On 29 july 2008, I felt soooooo much better! I’m talking 78%!! Woot woot!!! Anyways, we left Delhi and continued our journey around the Golden triangle, destination = Agra, home of the The Taj Mahal! But before we went there, we went to the tomb of the third mughal emperor, Akbar the Great. Now this dude was something else. All the rulers before him were strict muslim ruler but this guy was different in that he brought religious tolerance to his kingdom! He even sought to unify every by talking aspects from Hinduism, islam, and Christianity and forming a new religion!! What a guy! Anyways, like thee previous tombs, this place was huge, wide, very green and had little paths that water could flow around… on the left I could see gazelles on the right was a monkey temple with a tree path… ughhhhh the innate beauty here is amazing! I can’t help but feel at peace. His tomb and gates were all designed with influences from all religions which were fused together form this architechtural wonder.
From here we went to Howard hotel… holy crap…. Can you say luxury?!?! One of the nicest places ever!!! There was a freaking pool with a waterfall!! Damn man, that sick! After we dropped off bags and had lunch (mmmmm), we travelled to agra’s red fort made by akbar. Dang man! This is like a castle, muslim style!!! Surrounding this fort was a wall then a moat, which WAS filled with lions (like damn, freaking lions)! If intruders passed this, they then had to face a moat filled will alligators/ crocodiles!! Next was the first gate. If they go this, the soldiers would retreat to the 2nd gate where they’d relaease boiling hot oil on their enemies! If they managed to get passed this, there was the third gate… that lead to a narrow path way where the bolders were released!!!! That’s like India jones but real!! Once you got passed all the defenses, you’d see such powerful buildings. For such military fort, one will say that this was a niiiice looking military fort! On the top floor were various palaces that the emperors were staying in. It was here that I could see the Taj mahal. What’s sad is that the creator of the taj mahal, 5th mughal emporor Shah Jahan, was under house arrest here. It is said that when the Britished lauched canon balls, one hit the throne used by Auragzeb (the son who arrested his father), broke it half and ricrochette, hitting but not breaking one of the palace arches. As we wandered around, we saw one of the forts old, algae filled water reserves… what’s crazy is that this one guy jumped 20+ m in it O_O. just around the corner was the view of a memorial of akbar had for his pet elephant… that he used to crush his enemies literally!!! Crazy place!!!!
After this, we went to the Taj Mahal!! This place is the ultimate sign of love and definitely raises the bar of us guys XD. Hahaha. Seriously, before Shah Jahan’s wife from his love “marriage”, mumtaz mahal, died giving birth from her 14th child, she asked him to erect a monument to show just how much he loved her… well… crap man, loook!!! It took him 22 years an almost bankrupted the empire doing it!! Hehehe, he fricken screwed us guys over eh?? XD. Still, when you see the prisitine, pure white marble with its perfect symmetry and almost ethereal feel, I couldn’t help but be amazed. The inlaying of precious and semi precious jewels is also amazing!!! It is said that the Taj mahal was started by giants and finished by jewellers. The deisgns were soooo beautiful that it is believed Shah jahan had the hands, fingers anwrists of his crazfts men cut off so that such feat of fine workmanship, sooo beautifully done, will never be replicated. HOLY SMOKES!!! Inside was this monument was coffin of his wife. Originally, it was intended only for her. She was the centre of this almost divine symmetry but when sha jahan died, he too was placed inside the taj mahal. In Muslim burial tradition, the body is place with the head in the north facing west towards mecca. Instead, Shah Jahan is place to her left this way she not only faced mecca, but also her loving husband. *cue awwwwww*
We then went back to the hotel… where I got a massage for my sore back… ohhh man, I love this hotel =).
The next day began with an early morning swim (heheheh). we Then went to Fatehpur Sikri (sp). Again this a was where Akbar lived and ruled for a bit. We saw the place where he talked with court officials and tried to form his new religion. It was here that he would have people of different religions (including the JESUITS!) debate between themselse as akbar listen in the centre of this square room. Other places in this city were the places for his 3 wifes, the rooms where his 800+ concubines lived (what a guy lol), and where he’d play games like :hide and seek” with the concubines or a place he’d play with his buddies that including using women, who they’d instruct to move/dance from place to place on a 6x4 grid with the prize being any woman the winner wanted…. Wowwwwww. What’s very interesting are the buildings made just for women; he ensured each wife was in a different part of this city so thet wouldn’t fight!! Its even said that one of his wifes bathed in rose water so that he can control her husband from the other women!!
Anyways, this is all for now, sooo many more things happened but I’m tired… I think I’m going to order some western style food now XD. miss you all!!!!
-roley
My First Blog... :) Snap!!
Hello Everybody!
It's been officially a week since I've left Winnipeg, and has it ever been crazy! Back in Winnipeg I actually liked going to saunas, but India gives the word sauna a whole new meaning. First couple of days were okay, I can't remember the last time I woke up before noon, but it seems jetlag got rid of that problem rather fast.. ... . I can't say I'm used to the weather yet, but I am finally adjusted to the time change.
Man have we ever done alot of stuff so far. Seeing Ghandi's Memorial, the small city of Fatehpur Sikri home to Akbar the Great and his 3 wives and 850 concubines, the Taj (I feel that by calling it "the Taj" it sounds more swanky). This morning we rode up to the Amber Fort on Elephants and that was absoulutly ridicoulous!!! Man, it was fun and all but I was actually like praying for my life! It was pretty scary but awesome at the same time! I've gotten used to all the hasseling of what seems to be "good deals" that sellers are shoving in our faces, but nonetheless I'm hoping Darjeeling will be a little bit less tourist-y so I can just chill.
So far everything has been crazily busy and go go go, time is passing by and alot of culture has been taken in. Even though it has only been a week, I can say that this trip would not have been the same without the group of amazing people I'm with...it makes for a more ..interesting.. time! But I feel very blessed and look forward to flying tomorrow morning!!
Until then,
TOODLES!!
Sarah Fouad
It's been officially a week since I've left Winnipeg, and has it ever been crazy! Back in Winnipeg I actually liked going to saunas, but India gives the word sauna a whole new meaning. First couple of days were okay, I can't remember the last time I woke up before noon, but it seems jetlag got rid of that problem rather fast.. ... . I can't say I'm used to the weather yet, but I am finally adjusted to the time change.
Man have we ever done alot of stuff so far. Seeing Ghandi's Memorial, the small city of Fatehpur Sikri home to Akbar the Great and his 3 wives and 850 concubines, the Taj (I feel that by calling it "the Taj" it sounds more swanky). This morning we rode up to the Amber Fort on Elephants and that was absoulutly ridicoulous!!! Man, it was fun and all but I was actually like praying for my life! It was pretty scary but awesome at the same time! I've gotten used to all the hasseling of what seems to be "good deals" that sellers are shoving in our faces, but nonetheless I'm hoping Darjeeling will be a little bit less tourist-y so I can just chill.
So far everything has been crazily busy and go go go, time is passing by and alot of culture has been taken in. Even though it has only been a week, I can say that this trip would not have been the same without the group of amazing people I'm with...it makes for a more ..interesting.. time! But I feel very blessed and look forward to flying tomorrow morning!!
Until then,
TOODLES!!
Sarah Fouad
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