Hi,
Yesterday and today were 'rest days'. Yesterday went into city cventre on a rickshaw. A bit scary given the madeness of Indian traffic, no one keeps to the right side of the road and they beep their horns at each other all the time - the jeep driver who escorts us round has already had a few scrapes with mortorists. The man cycling the rickshaw struggled to cycle carrying two of us! It was poignant going into the 'richer' part of the city - going into a DVD store for example, where James Bond was being sold for 300 rupees, which would feed a beggar family outsdide the store for a whole week.
It has also been uncmfortable seeing how Indians are treating us white British almost like gods. Im very conscious of being a westerner and Indians in the higher castes very protective of white British. One one occasion, Indian told off beggars for hassling us for money. Indians in hotel also very respectful of us. Money goes so far out here. Im not wealthy in UK but here I am.
Today we went to see the different historical sites. Interesting to see British colonialism links. British Empire buildings are all painted red and yellow in the city. Went to Kolkata Cathedral, and saw River Ganges. Tomorrow we have a choice between going on a Christian march of witness to Victoria Square or going to Mother Thersa's house to pray. It is very hot and so Im not sure I fancy walking 2 miles there and back, also told there may be violence, so will go to Mother House instead.
The next 10 days will be very intense. Been told to prepare for seeing worse sights when we go out to rural villages.
Hope everyone is ok. Bye for now, Sam x
Yesterday and today were 'rest days'. Yesterday went into city cventre on a rickshaw. A bit scary given the madeness of Indian traffic, no one keeps to the right side of the road and they beep their horns at each other all the time - the jeep driver who escorts us round has already had a few scrapes with mortorists. The man cycling the rickshaw struggled to cycle carrying two of us! It was poignant going into the 'richer' part of the city - going into a DVD store for example, where James Bond was being sold for 300 rupees, which would feed a beggar family outsdide the store for a whole week.
It has also been uncmfortable seeing how Indians are treating us white British almost like gods. Im very conscious of being a westerner and Indians in the higher castes very protective of white British. One one occasion, Indian told off beggars for hassling us for money. Indians in hotel also very respectful of us. Money goes so far out here. Im not wealthy in UK but here I am.
Today we went to see the different historical sites. Interesting to see British colonialism links. British Empire buildings are all painted red and yellow in the city. Went to Kolkata Cathedral, and saw River Ganges. Tomorrow we have a choice between going on a Christian march of witness to Victoria Square or going to Mother Thersa's house to pray. It is very hot and so Im not sure I fancy walking 2 miles there and back, also told there may be violence, so will go to Mother House instead.
The next 10 days will be very intense. Been told to prepare for seeing worse sights when we go out to rural villages.
Hope everyone is ok. Bye for now, Sam x
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