A Few More Days in Kolkata

India is still wonderful and crazy. Sights, smells and sounds are all very intense. Women of all socio-economic levels can be seen wearing brilliantly colored sarees. Boldly colored buildings, rickshaws, temples and signs contrast against graying colonial architecture. Streets overflowing with buckets of marigolds and garlands of flowers contrast against the hardworking hands of those selling them. The sharp smells of spices, incense and Bengali sweets overpower others that are not as savory. Car horns blare and street hawkers yell above the continual hum of a city of 13 million people.

The MCC India staff are wonderful and have been extremely hospitable. Many are out of the office this week but it has been great to get to know those who are around. Along with getting oriented to MCC India I am also getting oriented to Kolkata. Sarah, Julia and the SALTers, Mary and Liz have been walking the streets of Kolkata with me and showing me around. Among many other things I have seen people worshiping in the Hoogly River, walked in the flower market, visited Mother Teresa's mission, multiple churches and Kali Temple, experienced an interactive Museum, eaten wonderful food and the most informative...walked a lot on the streets.

Entrance to MCC India Office

Courtyard and guest house at the MCC Office

Streets of Kolkata

Streets of Kolkata


Interesting architecture

I will have one more day of orientation here in Kolkata. Then on Thursday Sarah, Julia and I will fly down to Chennai, and then drive to Pondicherry (which are on the east coast of south India). We will be visiting a Partner which is having a celebration on the completion of a tsunami project. I will then fly from there to the Andaman Islands.