You would think that after an extra 6 weeks in Kolkata we would be ready to go, bags packed, goodbyes said, gas turned off etc. Yes you would think this. We are of course, the exact opposite. Unpacked, unprepared and in complete denial that we are leaving at all. Typical.
For our final week we finished up our classes so we'd have time to go through handovers with the new volunteers and in theory we had loads of time to get organised. But we couldn't bring ourselves to say goodbye when we were going to be in Kolkata for another week so we continued pretty much as normal. I had a big party with my SEED girls where I gave them our apartments Christmas decorations, but like any children they were more interested in the box (the lovely box that Patricia sent over with my Christmas goodies - thanks you O' Donovan family). The party was a blast and was the perfect way to say goodbye to my girls. However I didn't realise at the time it was be goodbye as I was scheduled to see them again before I left, but they went on an excursion and I didn't see them again. In hindsight it was a better farewell with no tears (mine) but at the time it was upsetting.
We met some amazing people in Kolkata; all the Hope staff, children and volunteers along with the lovely people in our local area; our friendly neighbours, shopkeepers, laundrywallahs, tailors, chicken roll man, noodle man, momo woman, chai man, vegtable market men - the list is endless. All these people helped make us feel at home in Kolkata when we were far from our own.
Patrick and I would like to take this time to thank everyone who supported us in our efforts to get here and also to the people who kindly donated money towards Christmas parties and presents for the children in the Hope homes. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you, it was greatly appreciated.
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| Messing at the party with SEED |
So our plans have changed. Instead of going to Bangladesh for 8 days we have decided to postpone leaving Kolkata for a week and then spend 15 days in Nepal. Reason being a) even though we have delayed leaving Kolkata by a month already, we still aren't ready to leave and b) Bangladesh seems to be a country sized death trap. 2 examples - 1) on the same day two separate public transport buses were bulldozed by two separate trains after trying to rush though two separate rail crossings leaving many people dead 2) a public ferry carrying hundreds sank after a hull breach resulting from sailing over the wreckage of another ferry that had sank the previous week, leaving many people dead. 8 days in Bangladesh? No thanks.
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| Decorations went down a treat! |
You would think that after an extra 6 weeks in Kolkata we would be ready to go, bags packed, goodbyes said, gas turned off etc. Yes you would think this. We are of course, the exact opposite. Unpacked, unprepared and in complete denial that we are leaving at all. Typical.
For our final week we finished up our classes so we'd have time to go through handovers with the new volunteers and in theory we had loads of time to get organised. But we couldn't bring ourselves to say goodbye when we were going to be in Kolkata for another week so we continued pretty much as normal. I had a big party with my SEED girls where I gave them our apartments Christmas decorations, but like any children they were more interested in the box (the lovely box that Patricia sent over with my Christmas goodies - thanks you O' Donovan family). The party was a blast and was the perfect way to say goodbye to my girls. However I didn't realise at the time it was be goodbye as I was scheduled to see them again before I left, but they went on an excursion and I didn't see them again. In hindsight it was a better farewell with no tears (mine) but at the time it was upsetting.
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| Small Boys Cake |
Our last day in Kolkata was a full day of farewells ranging from a gathering in the small boys home with cake and a beautiful handmade card to cake, speeches and dancing in Punorjibon that evening. It was horrible to say goodbye to the kids we had gotten to know so well over the past four months but we were comforted by the knowledge that they were in the good hands of The Hope Foundation. Later that evening we went for dinner and drinks with the volunteers before heading back to the apartment to start our packing. See what I mean about being disorganised? It was the perfect last day and we couldn't have wished for a better end to an amazing four months.
We met some amazing people in Kolkata; all the Hope staff, children and volunteers along with the lovely people in our local area; our friendly neighbours, shopkeepers, laundrywallahs, tailors, chicken roll man, noodle man, momo woman, chai man, vegtable market men - the list is endless. All these people helped make us feel at home in Kolkata when we were far from our own.
Patrick and I would like to take this time to thank everyone who supported us in our efforts to get here and also to the people who kindly donated money towards Christmas parties and presents for the children in the Hope homes. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you, it was greatly appreciated.
Elaine (5th February 2011)
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| Boys presenting us with a card |
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