My India Journal 1 (Calcutta)

启 程

3/1/10 What a 'great' way to begin. We were far from Cheras Home, then we discovered that my backpack was not taken! Crap, the blame crashed on me (for being absent-minded). Anyhow, a detour was made for my sake. Back in Cheras, the tragic story continued, we couldn't find the car key to my mom's Perdana, which had trapped my backpack in it. The key, aww, was entrusted to Grandpa, who was out for lunch. (*ouch)
I made my prayer and expected immediate result. But neh, it was unanswered.
My aunts drove off in search of Grandpa, while I was left at home to wait. I made my second prayer, in guilt of wasting everyone's time. Immediately, kakak blasted in call of me, in joy. She found the key in a drawer. I praised God.3, 4/1/10 Dad, mom, Uncle Julian and I arrived in Calcutta, a city known for her extreme poverty. Found a Budget Hotel Gulshan Palace. Couldn't expect too much out of a budget hotel -but no shower heater in winter?!!-

寒 酷 ；困 苦；污 染

The lives of locals are made miserable by the pollution, the climate and also the failure of government to satisfy the wellfare of the people. At freezing temperature of <15 °C, some families, young and old, still have to live by the street side with only filthy blankets to keep warm. Cursed by the cold climate, the plants by the roadside are often covered by a layer of whiteness. BEWARE, as it was easy to be mistaken as snow----not snow, but dust.

求 乞 有 如 求 圣 灵

In absolute helplessness, a little girl touched me with her dusty hand and mumbled her request for some money. Too many, there were just too many of them. They were everywhere in the day, begging for help the same way I begged for the Holy Spirit. Pained by their misery, I could only walk by as I had no money for them.

There is a conspicuous contrast between the rich and the poor. See it in their eyes the intense weariness and longing for liberty. Reluctant, they still have to submit to their fate.

重 男 轻 女

Gender Discrimination still persists here, though not as prominently. Well, an odd example: women are strictly prohibited from smoking, but some still smoke in secret. Women in jeans are detested by society in the South.

的 士 探 险

Interestingly, it's compulsory for tourists to take the Taxi ride as an adventure.
"Not everyone can drive on these roads wan u noe~" exclaimed my mom.
The drivers always horn about on the crowded roads for no reason, and lawlessly they squirrel their ways thro' the narrow gaps between the bigger vehicles, fast, really fast---we could produce another movie, Rush Hour 4.
"I tell u, they don't measure by km/m here, they measure by inches." commented dad sarcastically.
In the evening, the streets will be 'revived', and somehow transform into a colorful and prosperous town. Nice restaurants at Park Street.

为 他 们 祈 祷

Delve into their lives, and you will be enlightened about the value of life, and realize that you have come from a land flowing with honey and milk.
"Pray for them" urged Mother Teresa.
While we have our meals, think of the streets that laid the poor, who are starving simply because no one is willing to offer them a penny to buy a piece of biscuit.

check out my facebook (Aaron Ccf) for more pictures.