Its hard to explain where I am and what I've been doing for the last few days. My physical location is simple enough. I'm sitting at an Internet cafe in Darjeeling, India. It's about a 5 minute walk away from the YWAM base here. But It has already been quite an adventure just to get here.
We flew into Calcutta (Kolkatta) on the 16th of June. Sunday. We went through Singapore as most of you know. But Calcutta was a whole new world. I'll try to put into words what I saw: I was nervous, I had heard that Calcutta was the exact opposite of America, which is what I wanted to see, but that doesn't make me any less nervous. We had to stick together and watch each others backs, especially because we flew in late (10:30pm) and needed to get to our hotel. I threw on my 40 pound back, and a small day pack in the front. Walked outside and instantly started to sweat because of the heat and humidity. Instantly people were yelling for our attention, which is intimidating to a group who doesn't really know what we're doing. We picked one driver that knew where our hotel was, all we had was the address. He started to lead us away from the other taxi cabs, my internal sensors went off to not go down the ally. But, against my better judgement, we pressed on with little hesitation. He threw everything in the back of a tiny van, the size of a 4 door car in the states an another small taxi cab that resembles ones that you would see in classic photo's of England. And we were off. You haven't lived until you've been in a Taxi in Calcutta, especially at night. Weaving through traffic and people, small huts everywhere, trash everywhere, the smell of burn and sewage, all while its so dark you can hardly see things. Once your eyes do finally adjust to the dark and focus on something, you're already past it.
We get to our hotel soon after, the driver pulls Ronnie aside and says "This is not a safe place for you guys, you must be very careful." That didn't help anything
No sleep, the sun finally comes up. All I can think about is, how can we get out of here. We get in cabs and head to the train station to buy tickets. But its the wrong station. We have to go to the foreign station and sit and wait, and wait, and wait. All the while knowing our chances of getting a ticket for that night are getting smaller and smaller, which might just leave us in a bit of trouble, knowing that we don't have a hotel room lined up. Then, an answer to prayer showed up.
Americans. Its weird to say that they were an answer to prayer, but only an American would understand the true culture shock we had all been experiencing as well as thinking everyone was out to get us. Thank the Lord. A few guys that recently graduated from Pepperdine. They had been there a while and gave us a few tips and up lifting words, they also said we had to try the tea. It was their new addiction, they would have 4-5 cups a day!
All of a sudden my eyes were open to just how beautiful this smelly and dirty place was. People actually cared about me and wanted to help me, any time I asked a question there would be 4 people around me that wanted to give me a answer, and not even in a hope to get money. Locals just wanted to talk to me about life, and see pictures of back home. The ones that were better at English would help to translate. Every street is filled with people selling things, from banana's to movies, to cloths Oh and the tea! My goodness. It's 3 Rupee's which is about 5 American Cents. Comes in a handmade clay cup that's not much bigger then the average shot glass. We know its safe because we see them boiling it. Too hot to even drink at first. And when you finish that beautiful sip of heaven in a cup, you just throw the jar onto the street gutter.
We ended up having to stay an extra night in Calcutta, which I didn't mind. I liked it there, I had made some friends, even exchanged E-mail and Facebook accounts with. We got to go to the Mother Teresa House which was a beautiful moment of peace. I've always been Inspired by her, ever since 7th grade math with Mr. Babb. He showed us a video of her. A women who truly gave up her everything for the well being of others.
10 hour train ride got us to where we picked up a taxi. For that 4 hour taxi ride, I got to fall in love with Darjeeling. The beautiful views in the mountains as we slowly climbed higher and higher. Constantly going through little towns we watched the locals interact and noticed just how kind they are and how excited they are to see us coming through. I've only been here for a few hours, but India, though you're greatly intimidating, I quite like you.
I'll hope to have photo's soon.
Jeremy
Jcrob33@gmail.com
We flew into Calcutta (Kolkatta) on the 16th of June. Sunday. We went through Singapore as most of you know. But Calcutta was a whole new world. I'll try to put into words what I saw: I was nervous, I had heard that Calcutta was the exact opposite of America, which is what I wanted to see, but that doesn't make me any less nervous. We had to stick together and watch each others backs, especially because we flew in late (10:30pm) and needed to get to our hotel. I threw on my 40 pound back, and a small day pack in the front. Walked outside and instantly started to sweat because of the heat and humidity. Instantly people were yelling for our attention, which is intimidating to a group who doesn't really know what we're doing. We picked one driver that knew where our hotel was, all we had was the address. He started to lead us away from the other taxi cabs, my internal sensors went off to not go down the ally. But, against my better judgement, we pressed on with little hesitation. He threw everything in the back of a tiny van, the size of a 4 door car in the states an another small taxi cab that resembles ones that you would see in classic photo's of England. And we were off. You haven't lived until you've been in a Taxi in Calcutta, especially at night. Weaving through traffic and people, small huts everywhere, trash everywhere, the smell of burn and sewage, all while its so dark you can hardly see things. Once your eyes do finally adjust to the dark and focus on something, you're already past it.
We get to our hotel soon after, the driver pulls Ronnie aside and says "This is not a safe place for you guys, you must be very careful." That didn't help anything
No sleep, the sun finally comes up. All I can think about is, how can we get out of here. We get in cabs and head to the train station to buy tickets. But its the wrong station. We have to go to the foreign station and sit and wait, and wait, and wait. All the while knowing our chances of getting a ticket for that night are getting smaller and smaller, which might just leave us in a bit of trouble, knowing that we don't have a hotel room lined up. Then, an answer to prayer showed up.
Americans. Its weird to say that they were an answer to prayer, but only an American would understand the true culture shock we had all been experiencing as well as thinking everyone was out to get us. Thank the Lord. A few guys that recently graduated from Pepperdine. They had been there a while and gave us a few tips and up lifting words, they also said we had to try the tea. It was their new addiction, they would have 4-5 cups a day!
All of a sudden my eyes were open to just how beautiful this smelly and dirty place was. People actually cared about me and wanted to help me, any time I asked a question there would be 4 people around me that wanted to give me a answer, and not even in a hope to get money. Locals just wanted to talk to me about life, and see pictures of back home. The ones that were better at English would help to translate. Every street is filled with people selling things, from banana's to movies, to cloths Oh and the tea! My goodness. It's 3 Rupee's which is about 5 American Cents. Comes in a handmade clay cup that's not much bigger then the average shot glass. We know its safe because we see them boiling it. Too hot to even drink at first. And when you finish that beautiful sip of heaven in a cup, you just throw the jar onto the street gutter.
We ended up having to stay an extra night in Calcutta, which I didn't mind. I liked it there, I had made some friends, even exchanged E-mail and Facebook accounts with. We got to go to the Mother Teresa House which was a beautiful moment of peace. I've always been Inspired by her, ever since 7th grade math with Mr. Babb. He showed us a video of her. A women who truly gave up her everything for the well being of others.
10 hour train ride got us to where we picked up a taxi. For that 4 hour taxi ride, I got to fall in love with Darjeeling. The beautiful views in the mountains as we slowly climbed higher and higher. Constantly going through little towns we watched the locals interact and noticed just how kind they are and how excited they are to see us coming through. I've only been here for a few hours, but India, though you're greatly intimidating, I quite like you.
I'll hope to have photo's soon.
Jeremy
Jcrob33@gmail.com
Dude! This sounds like you have already had quite the adventure. I can't wait to hear more!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what you're doing!! I am a counselor at SKSK this week, and I know this is where God wants me to be; with little children. Mark 10:14-16. And I read all your blogs and hear about how you are following Gods call for you, that inspires me in amazing ways. It amazes me. That's all I can say. You are so trusting in God, and it inspires me to be the same way. When I'm around those kids, I feel humbled, and I know I'm making a difference in all of their lives. And I know that I want to demonstrate the Gospel in my actions and my life; just like you are doing.
ReplyDeleteWe miss you at SKSK this week, Melvin!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteyou are invited to read my blog
ReplyDelete