We are family

Been another great day and we are so happy. Today was our day off and it was a weird day but fun all the same. What did we do today? We spent the day at the...mall! LOL...you're probably like, what the hell are they doing in a mall in India but when we found out that there was a Body Shop in the mall we of course had to check it out! The name of the mall was South City Mall and it looked and felt like any mall in the US. VERY strange sight to see considering everything we've already seen but it was a good thing we went. First we had coffee at the a great coffee shop and had the best conversation.

Then we went to a book store and bought all kinds of books about India and Kolkata. It was so much fun. I also bought some bollywood movies, which we are totally in love with now and we also bought some books recommended by some of the volunteers in the group. Then came the trip to The Body Shop. Typical shop me design and very nice. At first we were taking pics from outside and the guard tried to stop us. Of course all we had t do is say we worked for the company and then they let us do pretty much whatever we wanted (we are family after all!). Susan and I went CRAZY! We had several other volunteers there that just sat back and got a major kick at how we were running around the shop and loving the product. We even started selling a little! We were like kids in a candy store and boy was there a lot of candy. They had Lemongrass foot care! They had massagers we've never had! They had Ananya! They had Honey lip care stick! They had all the classics we no longer sell in the states and it was great. We bought so much stuff that we accounted for HALF of his goal for the day (you know I had to ask what his goal was!). The great thing was they were celebrating their 1 year anniversary so we were just in time. We took pics with all of them, signed there guest book and had a blast! Awesome to see that The Body Shop has great people no matter where you are!

We just got back from a party thrown by one of the workers at Destiny shelter. It was at her home and it was so nice. I loved being able to visit someone's home in India and have a home cooked Indian meal that was fabulous!! We had great conversation and just had a very relaxing time. GREATEST DAY OFF EVER! Tomorrow we start the in depth hardcore work with the kids and I cant wait. We planned it all out today and what we are doing tomorrow is so inspiring and awesome you will all flip out. Not going to tell now, but we will later and of course you'll see the pics!
That's pretty much it for now. Beer is waiting! Will post again tomorrow!

Namaste,
Paul

P.S. - I've been growing a beard for the last 3 days! Very crazy I know but the mood just hit me when I got here and I'm not even caring at all. I feel like I'm mainlining Valium all day. I just dont give a shit about the things I used to. None of it matters. We're seeing what really matters in life and it's not the "american way" of capitalist greed. Some of you may not like that statement but if you come here you will see what I mean. We cant hold a candle to the people of India. They kick our ass in how to treat others and show respect. We could all learn so much from them!
Hopefully one day you all will!