Up, Down, and back Up again.

Okay, since my last posting I have had a heat rash, swollen joints, and a fairly bad case of diarhhea.  Ya, I know, not pretty.  But, after a much needed 12+ hours of rest, and a bathroom, I was slowly back on track.  I did discover one thing though, that I was never going to eat Indian food again....which was kind of tricky, since I still had 9 days left in the country.  Fortunately, though, we were hours away from our much anticipated side trip to Darjeeling, the tea capital of India, near the Nepal border, where I assumed more western style food, as well as a more Asian influenced cuisine would await me.  That, thankfully, is true.

But prior to our 10 pm train trip to the North West, we took approximately 70 women and children from various shelters to the park for a picnic.  Needless to say, it was nice to get some "fresher" air outside of Calcutta, and have the opportunity to just hang out with them.  I have NEVER seen so many children, young adults, and even married women get such a bang out of your basic metal slide, porch style swings, a spiral slide, and pedal boats.  We ate popsicles and played games, everyone exhausted and dirty after many, many hours of fun.  That was a fabulous way to start our long weekend "away".  Except for the train station.

We left Calcutta from the 4th busiest train depot in the world, one that obviously does not transport many white, anglo passengers.  People took our pictures, constantly.  Tried to beg, borrow and (almost) steal from us.  The staring was unbelievable, it penetrated you to the core.  And don't get me started on the rats in the bathroom!  But, when our train was called to bording, we scurried to our cars, claimed our "beds, took prescription sleep aids and drifted off for about 10 hours or so of uninterrupted sleep.  Ah.

But then, upon exiting this train station, we were assalted by the worst case of child abuse I have ever seen.  A boy carrying an infant that had so much dirt, soil, mucus and general filth all over it being shoved into our awaiting cars all the while incessently begging for money.  You had to fight to close the door, and even worse, push them aside to roll up the window.  It was truly unbelievable.  Lots of car ride discussion insued, ultimately allowing us to process the experience, and begin to enjoy the beautiful ride to the mountains.

Darjeeling is a mountainside village boasting many a western tourist.  Fresh air, lots of opportunity to walk, talk, eat and shop at street stalls and fair trade establishments alike make for a very relaxing few days away before returning to Calcutta to finish our few days of service and wrap up one of most industrious undertakings...a giant mural on the bedroom wall of one of the shelters.

Though I am beginning to miss my husband and sons, and find the typical 8 day homesickness settling in, I am thrilled to have a few more precious days to work with and visit some of the most beautiful and happy people on earth.