This past week has been an absolute whirlwind. It was my last week in Kolkata and boy did it come and go fast! I feel like I blinked and suddenly my month here was over. But it definitely was an unforgettable experience, to say the least.
Last Thursday was a very special day for me. After attending mass in the morning, I followed the other volunteers back to their dorms for breakfast. Let's just say the grass was definitely greener...especially considering they had this beautiful oasis of quiet greenery tucked away admist a bustling city. It was lovely. It also came hand in hand with a dining room full of volunteers to share breakfast with. About 5 or 6 of us were set to head to the flower market for some slight seeing but that group quickly grew to be 21 people! It was nuts. It didn't last long as everyone had different paces and places to visit. But the flower market was really nice. It is definitely very poor but once you take one photo, everyone wants their photo taken. For a while we had a little possy following us around with curious eyes. My 3 new friends from Baltimore and I then decided to visit the Eden gardens. It was such a peaceful place away from people and horns honking. I was in heaven.
The evening was also one which I will always remember. The group of volunteers from Lebanon decided to host a huge dinner with everyone as it was a big group’s last day. We all enjoyed some delicious food, good music, amazing conversation and a night of weird games and silly dancing. It felt like the first time I could relax and let loose since I have been here so I really cherished it. I also tried to soak up every moment with the volunteers since I knew many of them I might never see again.
Saturday and Sunday were also quite wonderful as well. I got to spend the majority of Saturday with the boys from the shelter which is always a fabulous time. They are all the sweetest well behaved young boys around. We played games, danced, they taught me how to cook...it was awesome. Sunday after volunteering, I joined my friend Thomas from chile for some more sight seeing. We got to check out the Victoria Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Academy of the Arts where I purchased my first real painting ever! Super exciting as well as entertaining since I got to meet all of the artists and hang out with them. The only downside was the look of disappointment I got when their artwork was not chosen.
The remainder of the week was filled with a super bad cold requiring me to stay in bed for 2-3 days and really hard goodbyes. The girls from the Soma home and I had our last lesson together, played some Bingo, I gave them a whole bunch of gifts and in turn, I was gifted with an Indian make-over. They also made this really sweet video for me to watch when I am at home and missing them. I have already seen it about a hundred times.
I also gave each of the children from New light their own hand wrapped gifts which consisted of a large pencil case stuffed with school supplies and candy. They loved them. One of the little boys refused to nap unless he was holding his. I was also pleasantly surprised when the staff of New Light presented me with a chocolate cake. It was very unexpected and very appreciated.
Unfortunately, due to my cold, I was unable to say goodbye to my ladies at the Mother Teresa home. This really broke my heart but I knew that to go and say goodbye would be very selfish since they were already at risk for getting sick. Instead, I just sent a whole case of manicure supplies with one of the volunteers. At least they will be looking fresh while I am gone.
And thus concludes my journey to Kolkata. One of the best and hardest times of my life.
Thank you to everyone who donated money or placed an order for the embroidered items. With the money received, I was able to provide bags stuffed with hundreds of condoms, gloves and other medical supplies, books on medical treatment and care, gifts for all of the children in New Light, the boys home, and the girls home, lesson materials and prizes for the classes I would provide on different first aid techniques, protein bars for the homeless on the streets, as well as a monetary donation I will be making with the remaining money upon my return. And to all of you who purchased the items, your money directly goes to the Anchal project which helps to create an alternative source of income to help women leave the sex worker industry. So once again, THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!
Next stop, traveling in the North of India to soak up the majestic Himalayas!! I will check back in soon!
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