this is my reality.

HOLY SMOKES. what a week. WE are on the verge of completing our second week here in Calcutta which feels UNREAL. I cannot believe I have been living here for 2 weeks and that our adventures are almost a third of the way over. :( but enough of the depressing stuff. I have lots to tell you all about!

Two HUGE events occurred this past week that I have been dying to tell you all about!

1. FINAL VOWS. That is right folks! This past week was a busy week for the Missionaries of Charity. Monday evening about 15 sisters made their first vows, and Tuesday even 26 sisters made their final vows! Praise the Lord for religious vocations! But the best part about this, well not really but it is still exciting, is the fact that the sisters invited all of the volunteers to come to participate in the mass for the sisters taking their final vows! Side note before continuing. They wanted to invite us to come see the first vows, but that special event was happening in the chapel at the Mother House and like it should be Sister Mercy Marie explained it very simply and well why were not invited to that ceremony because "The family's of the sisters making first vows get first choice of seats in the chapel. They are the ones giving up their daughters to the Lord." I dont think any one was hurt by the fact that we weren't invited after hearing that. BUT. Tuesday evening we went to the church where the final vows were taking place and the church was PACKED. 26 sisters making vows means 26 families, plus over 100 other missionaries of charity, plus locals and volunteers. It was a beautiful mass, and an experience I will never forget watching these sisters give their lives completely to the Lord.

2. RAIN FORREST. We took our first real adventure and we traveled to the Sundraban Tiger Reserve. I think we took every type of transportation possible to get there except for a plane. We took a taxi to the train station, rode a train for an hour and a half, then a jeep ride for an hour and a half (half of the group had to ride on the top of the jeep), then a ferry ride for 20 mins, and a bicycle rickshaw for 40 mins. It may sound miserable, but it was a blast! WE had so much fun watching the scenery around us change from smelly, polluted, crowded city to the wide open, non polluted, beautiful country/rain forest. The trip was lead by some hilarious young India guys (Vivek, Vikas, and Eugene) Shout out to my brother Andrew McGown, I found your indian twin on this trip. Vikas (whom we called Twinkle) plays the guitar like no ones buisness and the whole trip we just had sing along time, singing the greatest songs. I had high hope that we would be spending the night sleeping in a hut made of hay, but praise the Lord that was not the case. Because we were in the country, where pollution dosent hide the sun it was hella hot. WE could feel the sun baking our skin. So we were thankful for the hotel rooms that were provided for us with fans in them. The night we arrived in the jungle we got a tour of the village and then just had a chill night listening to Twinkle serenade us on his guitar.The next morning we woke up bright and early and headed to the dock. We boarded the boat (on which we spent 7 hours touring the jungle) and began out adventure looking for tours. Unfortuantely no  tigers were spotted on this adventure, BUT WE DID SEE A MONKEY! All in all it was a great trip and lots of great memories and stories were made. Here's the the incredible tan lines we received and the countless laughs that were laughed on that trip.

Shout out to the camp crew as they are all getting ready to head to Williamsburg for staff training. Wishing I was joining you all for another unforgettable summer. Praying for you all!

Week ONE

We have survived our first week here in Calcutta! What a relief! I cannot believe we have already been here one week. I have a terrible feeling that this adventure is going to start flying before my eyes.I thought I would put on this blog the few creeper pictures I have snapped along some of our walks to the Mother House. REason being why there havent been many pictures those far is becasue ITS AWKWARD to take the pictures. I mean imagin this... you are sitting outside the shop you own, or sitting on the side of the street begging for your daily food or money... how would you feel if some crazy foreigner snapped a picture of you?  Yep, that is why the pictures are at a minimum now. I will work on my stealthy creepiness some more, but I hope that these photos will do for now.

FRIDAY - This past Friday we went on our first real adventure in Calcutta. One of our volunteer friends, Geer, had a birthday on Friday so we got a group of people together and ventured to Kalighat to this South India restaurant. In order to get to this restaurant we had to take the metro (shout out to Allison Sutton.. metro's in India ARE NOT like the metro's that we loved in DC) WE were packed in like sardines for a 10 min metro ride to Kalighat. Boy did that mess with this claustrophobic one... This is a picture of my first actual India meal here in Calcutta, and I must say. IT WAS DELICIOUS.

This is a picure of the one and only tomb of Blessed Mother Teresa! Everyday they decorate the top of it with flower pedals (normally making it say a phrase or something like "only all for Jesus"), but today it is decorated with the number 25 on it because yesterday two sister celebrated their silver Jubilee. 25 years as a missionary of Charity! What incredibly holy women.The sisters definitely know how to party when events like this occur. (I have video of some of the festivities) but the novice sisters (there are like 50 of them here) put on a dace right after mass for the two sisters and then all the sisters sang this really sweet Jubilee song. Many prayers are being prayed next to this tomb for all of you.

This next picture I like to call "peace within  chaos". The streets of Calcutta are so crazy ALL the time. I mentioned in a previews post the honking that occurs, but the traffic is ridiculous. I think a lot of people from the states would end up getting killed on the streets here because we are so used to pedestrians having the right of way. Well, that does not happen here. I cannot tell you how many times we have pulled each other out from in front of on coming taxis or motorcycles. They will get as close as the possible can without hitting you. As chaotic as it sounds, it is very organized chaos. There are no such things are driving lanes, and I am very surprised we have not seen any collisions while we have been here. The reason I named this picture that title is because this is one thing that I cannot wrap my mind around. EVERYWHERE we go we see people sleeping on the streets. Every morning when we walk to the mother house (5:30 am) we see families and children sleeping on cardboard boxes and under tarps. I cannot wrap my mind around how the feel safe when the are sleeping right there. I try and think what it would be like in the states to just plop myself down in the side of a busy street and sleep. (I dont even know what to think). Anyways... this is something that I will struggle with the whole trip I am sure. But sweet dreams my friend. You are one brave soul, who can find peace in the middle of chaos.

TRASH EVERY WHERE. I am sure I have talked about this already but, man it is disgusting. Along with the nasty smell of trash, we always get a wiff here and there of the bodily fluids that people release right there on the curb. I think the one thing that I will never get used to is the smell of urine and poop all the time. I mean, I smell in on the streets as I am walking places and I smell it all day when working at Shish Bahvan.. I mean I think my clothes permanently smell like pee from the number of times I have been peed on...

 

Not much more to update you all on. I: bought my first Indian outfit the other day from a really great street shop owner who started playing John Mayer in his shop while I was there. Needless to say I will be buying all of my clothes from him...Our two fellow travelers will be joining us here on Weds and I am super excited for them to finally be here! I hope everyone is doing well at home!  Would love to be kept update on your lives!

Survival Guide 101

I think the blog post might be frequent here at the beginning, but once the whole crew arrives (Laura and Ally get in next weds) we will be more busy with travels and adventures :) But for now I am going to enjoy having the time to fill you in on life here in Kolkata.

First item on the survival guide... housing.
Trying to find a place to live for the next 7 weeks, that doesn't have bed bugs, and will not roast us alive has been quite the adventure.Ill walk you through our stressfull, yet very informative adventure.


Hotel #1... Hotel Maria (aka the Shit Hole)
WE thought that Hotel Maria was quite a catch.
There was a fan, a toliet, and A SHOWER!
We each had our won bed and we were also given little pillows.
We were informed that almost all of the rooms in Hotel Maria had bed bugs so we were a little worried at first. We check out beds, and never saw a bug.. or got bitten. Despite the fact that we had a fan, the nights were hot and we woke up every morning sticky and sweaty. You as soon to see why we have named hotel maria what we did once you see the next home that we moved into.

Hotel #2 - Galaxy Hotel (2 person bedroom with extra mattress on floor) (aka "light at the end of the tunnel")

When we first walked into this room at Hotel Galaxy, we were for sure we would survive this summer. The bathroom was huge, and it was so much cleaner. The only down side was, bad air curruclation. Being the only girl, I was the one sleeping on the floor on the "Extra mattress" and it was like sleeping in a furnace. I did not sleep much the past 2 nights, woke up so sweaty I had to change my shirt. But, we were thankful to be out of the bug infested Hotel Maria, so I was willing to suck it up.


Hotel #3 - Hotel Galaxy (4 person room) (aka "Heaven on Earth", "Home sweet home")
That is right!! 3 times a charm!! We found the place that will be home for the next 6.5 weeks. Do not judge us by the looks of the room. It looks like a paradise, and it feels like it too. But we are still living at the bottom quality, and barely staying in our budget. WE do not have air conditioning, only ceiling fans, which are life savers. So the survival guide tip, dont stop searching until you have lived in a shit hole, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and then finally made it to the light and can call that place home... for now.

Other random thoughts/discoveries:
1. If getting honked at in India meant that you looked good... well I would look pretty damn good. But alas, the people here just love to honk their horns whenever they can get a chance.. and I mean, even when it is unnecessary...(maybe that is when they are honking because I look so good :) )
2. I wish I was European... Sometimes. The number of single, brave Europeans that I have met is out outrageous. These  people just decide to take months.. sometimes even years and travel the world. They claim they are trying to find themselves, I say why do you have to travel the world to do that? BUt hey, its a good excuse right?!

Exciting event of the post:
Thursdays are days off for the sisters, so that means it is a day off for the volunteers as well. But on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, the sisters have put together a trip for the volunteers who want to, to go visit the brothers who run the leper colony. So you guessed it! Today we went with a bus load of volunteers and got to go visit the Lepers. One thing that really got me thinking when we got there was when out tour guide was giving his introduction, he kept mentioning how Jesus ate with, hung out, and loved the lepers, and how blessed we are to be able to participate in an event that Jesus loved doing over 2000 years ago. I couldnt stop thinking all day what a special experience this was, to be able to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, that not many people get a chance to do. I had a great time at the colony today. It was pretty much a tour of the facilities, but we were able to go into the rooms where the patience were and greet them. The joy that radiated from these people who are suffering so much, was more than contagious. I am hoping to be able to go back to the leper colony one more time, even if we only get to interact with the people for a spit second, I would do it again in a heart beat to experience their joy.

This was a long post! I must apologize, but I dont see them getting any shorter in the future :)
The rest of your crew arrives next weds! I am more than excited to have some fellow female travelers around.

Until then! We are keeping our fingers crossed that monsoon season holds off until they arrive! WE had our first rain today. It wasnt that bad, but I have heard that Monsoon season is soon approaching! EEK!

Peace, love, and prayers from Kolkata.
(a little side note, I dont want people to be getting their hopes up for cute pictures of the adorable kids I work with anytime soon. The sisters have a rule that no pictures are allowed until your last day of volunteering. SO here's to saving all the memory I can on my memory stick so I can try and capture these priceless, joyfilled smiles in one day!)

WE ARE HERE!

Hello friends!!!

After 10,000 miles and 32 hours of plane rides and layovers we landed safely in CALCUTTA! We were slapped in the face by an extreme culture shock and just plain shock trying to wrap our minds around where we were and how we got here as we stepped out of the airport 2 days ago. Reality is still sinking in that yes we are here in Calcutta, and yes we are going to be here for 7 weeks. BAH!


It was quite an adventure on the first day. After waving down a taxi and taking a 30 min ride of our lives through the crowded, crazy, and noisy streets of Calucutta, we finally reached our destination of Sudder street where we began our search for hotels. We found Hotel Marie which was the hotel that we were looking for.. Hotel Maria can be described in a short phrase (and I applogize to the young eyes thtat might be reading this).. a shit hole. Although we were more than excited that our room had a fan running in it (we didnt think we would have any source for air) we were quickly informed that all of the rooms in Hotel Marie had bed bugs, and our bathroom was like a heat box that was breeding mosquito. We walked the streets of Calcutta and eventually found the Mother House, where we got to go to mass and pray for the first time at the tomb of Mother Teresa. That night as we went to bed, I think the three of us thought we might die. But after making through 2 full days I think we all have better feelings and it might actually be the summer of a life time.

Things that I have learned about Calcutta:
1. All of you who think you live in a place where you think the humidity sucks... Think again. You are living in a dream where you are. The humidity here is RIDICULOUS. Along with the heat which is normally 100+ the humdity leaves you feeling sticky ALL the time. (the only way I can descirbe the feeling is by saying it feels like someone has poured soda all over you... all the time.. STICKY).
2. There is trash EVERYWHERE. I have yet to see one trash can. You might think that because of this that would mean that it smells horrible here. Well I am one to tell you that it doesn't smell half as bad as I thought it would. We have been discovering after out 2 days here the the smell is worse in the mornings.. we don't know why but it is..)
3. Public showers. Public bathrooms. And by this I do not mean a building or a room. I mean straight up on the streets, everywhere or anywhere. Whereever there is flowing water they are taking baths. And it normal to be walking and the person in front of you pulls down their pants to pee.... or well... you know.
4. Indian people are very friendly.. and very helpful. After the first day being here and thinking that eveyone was out to get us, we have eased our gaurd a little bit and are begining to enjoy our walks to the Mother House even more.
5.  Blue SKy cafe is going to save my life.

I dont have much more time... but there is so much more that I want to tell you all!!

I got my Missionary assignment the other day. I will be spending the next 7 weeks working at Shishu Bahvan which is a house for children. I am working in the handicapped room with children infant to 10 years of age. They are adorable and full of joy. Today I think I laughed more than I have in a long time. I cant wait for the great stories that I will have from the place.. Already today I got food spewed on me by one of the kiddos. Gotta love them!

Until next time!!
Love and prayers from Calcutta
p.s. sorry it was so scatter brained.. Still trying to process the past 2 days, but I wanted to give you all a little something and let you know that we made it here and are alive and living it up!!

and the journey begins...

THE TIME HAS ARRIVED. Holy guacamole. Tomorrow the journey begins by driving to Peoria, Illinois to stay the night with my grandma, then we will drive to Chicago the next day to meet up with John and Anthony to catch the flight at 5 pm!

Things I am looking forward to (before departure):

1. sleeping in my bed one last night.

2. Going to morning mass tomorrow (which could potentially be my last English spoken mass for a very long time)

3. Taking AT LEAST 2 very long showers, because it will be the last time that I will feel clean until July 5th. 

4. the large steak dinner that my dad will be making tomorrow night at my grandma's house... I am going to miss eating meat.

5. drinking as much COLD water as I can.

6. Spending as much time as I can in air conditioned environments.

I would make a list of things that I am looking forward to in the near future, but the list is rather long. But I think I can sum it up by saying: I am looking forward to traveling for 28 hours and ending up on the opposite side of the world and learning how to survive and be independent, yet dependent on God.

Here's to the next  2 months and the adventure of a life time. The next time you will be hearing from me we will hopefully be in INDIA! Blessed Mother Teresa pray for us! India here we come!!!

See you on the FLIP SIDE! LITERALLY!!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Crunch TIME!

This ain't no fire drill ladies and gentlemen! It is the week of our departure for KOLKATA!!! I am currently sitting in my dorm room surrounded by boxes waiting for my parents to arrive to move me out so we can get home and get this adventure started! So much to do within the next four days...

The excitement is kicking in. When I actually think about where I will be a week from now (sitting on a plane flying from Praise, France to New Delhi!) I can do nothing but laugh. God keeps giving me little reminders that He is going to be there with me throughout the whole journey. Just yesterday at mass (I was a little distracted during the homily) I was flipping through the weekday readings book and I came across the readings and psalms for May 13th the day we leave and I almost started laughing out loud when I read the Psalm for that day:

"Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.".... HELLO JESUS. God knows.

Prayers for safe travels Friday-Sunday would be much appreciated! (slash throughout or stay in Kolkata, especially our first week there as we attempt to figure out where/how to live in this soon to be familiar country.)

I cannot wait to share this experience with all of you!! I hope you all are as excited as I am! Current high in Kolkata ALL week = 106 degereeees! Lord come. That is so HOT.