Good Byes!

So it is my job to close out the trip.

Julia and I are sitting in our favorite internet cafe as the group is headed for a long an exhausting trip back to the US, so all parents out their be prepared to pamper some jet lagged amazing students. They all definitely deserve it!

How do you ever conclude such a trip like this, its hard to say. I think everyone that sees Kolkata will be forever changed. Their is a deep sadness that overcomes you, but at the same time a sense of joy and amazement. As I sit in the 105 degree weather never do I think or anyone else the group truly think that they hated it here. Its hard yes, frustrating yes, but a place that you will forever love.

One thing I have gained walking away from this trip is having the privileged of knowing 9 incredible people. Each person brought something unique to the table. Traveling to such a different place like this it is important to surround yourself with good, strong willed, calm and collective people. Which is just what we had. To see everyone in action at all the service sights, I think for you parents, siblings, children, partners you should all be proud of the passion that everyone presented in their work. Never did anyone shy away from a situation.

For our last day we relaxed and enjoyed our favorite parts of Kolkata, The Blue Sky Cafe and Dream's family. All the women on the trip each got a henna tatoo done by Dream's wonderful daughter and after that we had our final meal in non other then the BSC. We took pictures, arm wrestled, carried each other, and ofcourse did a serious amount of laughing. Sam, Chico, and Ajit are three men that made our expirence it Kolkata a lot brighter. Everyday we knew we were in for some kind of laugh during our many meals at their cafe.

So I recommend to everyone following the blog, don't ask the incoming people how Kolkata was...This is something impossible ever to answer. Instead be prepared to sit down and listen to the stories everyone will bring back with them. Plus like good Indian culture we all learned how to take it slow and talk, talk a lot, possibly about the same thing over and over again. So don't be alarmed if everyone is extra chatty. Also if someone doesn't let go of you hand during a handshake for lets say five minutues, also please don't be alarmed. I think we have all grown very used to have little to no personal space! And also, you may want to have a wool sweater for them because 70 degrees may freeze their bodies after three weeks of 104.

So thank you everyone for following our blog, your words and comments made us feel good and inspired us that we were here for the right reasons. I don't think I will ever be able to put into words what Kolkata is or how I feel about this city. So please just keep listening to our stories. Kolkata is about the human faces that walk these streets everday...Only when you begin to hear from the people can you understand the complexities that exist. So please just listen to the funny and sad, the gross and beautiful, the depressing and the hopeful.

I would just like to end with this Paul Simon song (You Can Call Me Al) it sums up alittle of Kalkata and I listened to it everyday pretty much.

A man walks down the street
It's a street in a strange world
Maybe it's the Third World
Maybe it's his first time around
He doesn't speak the language
He holds no currency
He is a foreign man
He is surrounded by the sound
The sound
Cattle in the marketplace
Scatterlings and orphanages

If you would like to follow Julia and I's journey feel free to stay tuned to this blog. We will probably not post religiously but their will be atleast a few coming your way!

So Peace and Love
Nemaskar!

Derek.