Bangalore

I'm in Bangalore, with a mild diarrhea.

BUT I MET some fantastic people BECAUSE OF IT!

I was in adoration at the St. Patricks Church, when I heard mass starting, so I went, carrying my bags... but when I got to church, I started having stomach pain, so I left. A young gentleman, saw my discomfort and came out to see if I needed any medicines or help.

I just needed a bathroom at the time, but after mass I decided to give him my contact information. That's when we started talking and I found out about his family and he found about my pilgrimage/mission. And he introduced me to his brother and coworkers. WHO WERE AT MASS!

He then invited me to come to eat with him, and thinking we were going to a restaurant, I said sure! But instead I came to his work, where I got to meet a whole workplace full of CATHOLICS! Catholics who were striving to be Catholic, even!

He and one brother run half of the workplace as a software firm and his other two brothers are architects/interior designers.

All of whom are good Catholics... so I got the low down on local Catholic sites/shrines.

He has been so hospitable, that I can only thank God for answering my prayer. I prayed earlier today for Him to prepare a place of rest for me while in Bangalore, and due to several "God incidences". We connected and now I'm about to meet a local lay missionary.

Oh and the Chai here is GOOD!

Okay, and I have alot of pictures and blogs to post from the last few days, but I don't think I have time right now.

I'll see what I can do.

A fast few days

So the last few days have been busy... We've left Kolkata, they have left India... and I'm about to leave Delhi.





Kolkata was, as always sad. Mother luckily has won the grace of staying permanently.



Our train ride was cold and comparatively short (compared to my last train travel to Delhi). This was because we took a "Shatabi" train which means it only had AC classes (read: it didn't have average Indian classed seats). We weren't planning to travel in such style, but the turns of events landed us in those seats.



We made an Indian friend, Mukesh, who like many Indians, was incredibly friendly, interested and talkative. The train had so much food, we weren't able to eat it all... so MUCH. And a free newspaper! It was really nice. Though the pillows and/or blankets caused me to sneeze, so I slept without the pillow.



Upon arriving in Delhi, we discovered that if Kolkata was the City of Joy, Delhi was the City of Cows. They were everywhere... SO SO SO many.




We were lucky that from Kolkata and in Delhi, Midori joined us. She's a Japanese girl born in KOBE!!! Oh how I wish I had a steak!




The day of arrival, I picked up my tickets to goa and to Bangalore... the first trip is 38 HOURS long on a train... but only 15$! ANd the second trip is 16 or so hours long! All in all, over the period of a week, I will spend over half of it on a Train or bus. (I have a bus ride from Bangalore to Koorg that happens the day I arrive in Bangalore).




Delhi is a lot easier to handle now that I know how to deal with con men and scam artists... if I hadn't been in India for 3 months last time, I would have been scammed when I was getting my tickets... as the beauracracy for the train system is crazy difficult to navigate. Scam artists play on this and try to confuse tourists with official looking signs and constant misdirection. There was one point when I was confused how to get to where I was going, and a person came up to me "offering" to direct me to the tourist office, and when he pointed to where it was (I didn't ask for him to, or say I needed his help)... I noticed something terribly appalling... the place he was trying to send me to had an almost identical sign to the offical ones... but as I had just come from the official place that he wanted to direct me to, I knew immediately he was a liar, and how cunning this ploy was.




While walking down the street the crowd parted in front of Michelle and me, and we both immediately jumped inside a shop when we saw why...



We all were able to go to the light show at the Red fort, which was beautiful and I thought well scripted and implemented, even though I didnt understand Hindi (730-830 Hindi, 9-10 English)... We did end up leaving early as it was a bit boring not knowin what they were saying. The coolest part of the night was seeing huge bats flying above us... they had 2 foot wingspans!



After the red fort experience (the red fort is the most impressive piece of architecture I've seen in India yet), we went out to eat... and Adam was kind enough to treat us all!



The next day we went shopping and touring with Midori. Buying spices in India is a difficult thing to do, because you are almost guarenteed that anyone who has a nice shop is going to increase their prices dramatically over not as nice shops.



While waiting for Midori to pick up some spices, I started dancing to some music that was playing in the street... and these boys started dancing inside their family's shop, with me... so I went and made friends. And their family kept offering me food. It's generous Indians like this, that remind you, that you live in a bubble as a tourist/foreigner, and that bubble can be bitter.



Random pic that I thought funny...



This time I was able to get to the India gate... as Independence day was already over with.



It was so hot, that I wanted to join these boys... and was about to when I remembered what happend to Brendan when he jumped in the ganges... Ameoba in intestines... yuck.



We also went to Jamma Masjid... the mosque that I couldnt get into last time because I was wearing shorts. It was pretty.



And interesting to see how people used it.



After the mosque, we saw Midori off... which was sad, but good.



After that, Michelle and I prayed and cried together, for our upcoming parting. And the we went to the classiest Pizza Hut ever. Where we even got to witness some coreographed dancing. Pepperoni Pizza was a welcome dinner, as was quesadillas that could have been from San Antonio, and a veg pizza. And I tried two special drinks "tangy orange" which was delicious, and Aamm Panna WHICH WAS DISgUSTINg! It was supposed to be green Mango... and that sounded good... but they didnt say it had a curry like masala in it. (Masala means spice mix from what I've gathered).



Then we headed home and to the airport... where I got in. As did a grasshopper.



Even though I got in easily, I discovered that exiting almost caused an international incident and my arrest... As I wasn't supposed to be allowed in, without a ticket confirmation. After a while, I was allowed to leave, though I had to "go now, fast." then I motioned if I could say goodbye one last time and they said "No, go. fast."



(my last pic of Michelle)

And today I started my first day with no companions, save the angels and saints.



So I went to mass, as Michelle insisted. (She's such an amazing woman).



I got to mass almost an hour early, so I walked around outside for a bit, and prayed. After mass I walked the inside of the church, and found this huge crucifix.


And now my life begins a new path, one seemingly lonely, but one I suspect to find more comfort from Him than ever before.

The Rahjdani express

We have arrived in Delhi today via the Rahjdani express train. It was a fun time, lots of food, one new friend and a little bit of sleep. Our friend from Hotel Paragon is Midori (Japanese) is joining us. Will be going to the Taj Mahal tommorow and then Fr. Ed and Adam and I will depart at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. We will arrive at JFK in NYC at around 6am. Very sad to be leaving Edward but very excited to see him holier when he comes back.

Hair cut

Michelle cut my hair last night...

And we're off to Delhi in two hours... so this is a short post... but I thought important.

16 hour train ride here we come!

Keep us in prayers! It's a sad time for all of us.

Health Insurance

Even though I don't think I have the money to do it, I just bought travel/health insurance from world nomads...

I may be fine now... but today I saw a girl who had to go to the hospital due to some random illness...

A longer review of the last days

The day before I got really sick, and by really I mean bed ridden AND in need of a doctor, Adam,


Fr. Ed


And I shared a few beers at a local Indian Air conditioned bar. It was a good time of brothers talking and getting to know each other, and on of my favourite times so far on this trip. It is good for brothers to live in community.


Cows however...

Sometimes look completely pathetic in commuities of men. This cow, has arguably been dead and resurrected about 50 times in the last few days. It's almost never standing up and when it is I'm astonished (and scared of it's hind legs). And most of the time I walk by it, it's lying on the ground looking absolutely dead... with the occaisional splotch of poo on the ground behind it's rump. Michelle suggested that they're fattening it up... which seems reasonable, as it is the Muslim district, and it will probably soon be dinner.

Speaking of which... "the Goat" no longer exists... the bangle shop that I've been so fond of photographing lately, landed on it, and stole it's ruby bangles, and thus is now the new Glorious Goat of the East.


I'm always amazed of the Indian Launderers... they always get things so clean... and I basically put my clothes in soapy water, swish them around and then rinse...

Over the last few days of my sickness, we've been visited by some unwelcome/welcome guests. A few cats and a kitten... the cats are smart and when we scurry them out of the room, they leave quickly (Michelle and I are both deathly allergic to them). But the kitten is stupid.

You try to scurry it out and instead it runs further into the room... and starts playing with our sheets and our mosquito nets... which albeit is adorable, is unwanted. Sometimes I wish I wasn't allergic to kittens. :-(


Our little Kalighat... is the term that our group has given to Michelle and my dorm room (we're in a co-ed 6 person dorm). This is because out of the time we've been in India, I've been sick in Bed for the vast majority of it. (Kalighat is the house for the dying destitute).

Michelle was very mildly sick yesterday, with an upset stomach, but she's on her feet again today.

Yesterday I was so happy to be able to read, that I read two newspapers! You can't imagine how boring it is to be so dizzy that you can't get up, can't sit up, can't read, and can't do anything other than lie down and sleep.


After reading the newspaper, I was rested enough to walk a short block to the Internet place, where I sat for 2 hours catching up on stuff and resting. on our way out we were hijacked by kids again who said "One photo! One photo!"

Ten photos later I began to realise this was not going to end, but I also noticed that there is a trademark stance between two men that I can only imagine has something to do with Heroes in the Movies or (less likely) mythology. I imagine it's some sort of brotherhood thing.

Eventually I was able to say "Ek photo" and convey it was going to be the last.


Then last night while I was trying to go to sleep, I rediscovered a batch of Indian Dragons swarming around the flourescents outside...


And right now... like early afternoons every day, it's raining.

The threshing floor of God

so for the last few days I've been sick again... yesterday I got so dizzy that I couldn't stand up or sit up with vomiting... and I was so dizzy that I couldn't read anything longer than a sentence without losing focus.

Let it be known that I'm not exactly a nice patient... Michelle was doing a beautiful job of trying to take care of me... and I was not very nice and irritable.

Michelle kept trying to get me to go to an Indian Doctor (I don't have insurance and I DON'T want to go to a doctor here unless I really really really have to). So I eventually suggested that she get Barbara... an Italian Doctor that I knew from the last time I was here (she's also back for her first return tour in Kolkata).

I asked Michelle to leave a message at her hotel... which she did. And around 10pm, Barbara and Luigi (another Italian Doctor) came to my rescue, giving me a shot which has stopped the vomiting and reduced dizziness to almost nothing. She also gave me some pills for diarrhea.

So today I've been able to hold down fluid, and two pieces of toast, and I hope to hold down more as the day goes on.

It's funny to to think that yesterday I had a revelation about sickness. It's not only a time for God to take our wounded humanity and heal it, but also a time where he takes our sick souls, breaks them open, and tries to heal them. I didn't cooperate fully with the healing this time, but I hope that as time goes on, I'll be much better.

I truly believe the mark of a Saint is Joy in affliction.

"India is not good, it's Great"-- quote of indian Charity organiser

The last few days have been interesting; As everyday in India always seems.

Michelle and I strolled around new market the other night, as I wanted to show her the beauty of Bangles glimmering in lamplight and darkness, and we stumbled across Zombie Maniquens...

Then we went home and I go sicker (again) and had to stay in bed all of yesterday, as I was too dizzy to get up without vomitting.


So my excursion for the day fruited this beautiful pic right outside my door.




Today! however I was alive and kicking... well at least stumbling enough that I could make it to Mother House. Which was great as today was a SOlemnity AND Indian Independance day!

Which was celebrated by Cricket (The NATIONAL Sport of course).

Flags were flying everywhere... it was quite patriotic!

Even the sisters had a patriotic serenade by some of their orphans after morning mass.


These cuties, were from Shishu Bahvan, which is where I worked today! Well I didn't work with them... I was too sick, and not a girl (only girls are allowed at Shishu), but I am an artist, so I was asked to help a group of painters paint the backdrops for the Christmas plays.


After work, Michelle and I were walking home (she works at Shishu normally and is the person who voulnteered us to work as artists) and we got pulled into the Local Lions' club and peacemaker society's charity eyeglasses give away.

Here is the wondeful culprit.

Indians are very pround of their country and very excited to show you their good works. And it was exciting to be a part of it... though initially, I was a bit worried, wondering if we were being pulled into a communist anti-american rally as the "americans".

But Indian Independence day is about unity. AND that is a leson we can all learn from Ghandi and his band of brothers.



After finding a great new lunch place in new market with one of our dorm-mates, Michelle, Adam and I went to Flurry's! and yes MICHELLE ate TWO WHOLE DESERTS BY HERSELF! Well maybe one whole and one half, with me doing likewise. It was nice. But deserts in India are not quite like home, and they're hit or miss for American tastes.


One interesting thing about Independence day is that many intersections held little circles of brick that also had a flag pole in the middle. And sometimes the locals would decorate them with dioramas (the Ghandi pic above is from one) but this is my favourite... but of course its because I could Imagine playing with the toys like a little boy...

After adoration, we were walking home and I got a picture I've wanted... a Cow waiting patiently in Line at the butcher's (its the Muslim district).

And a little girl hijacked me and my camera after telling me to take a picture of her mother...

The only good picture she took was this one... she couldn't understand that her fingers should not cover the lens or the flash, despite my gentle attempts to move them away...

And that is the end folks... Blessings and praise to our Almighty God.

Oh and for all of you asking... Michelle is doing well... a bit annoyed that she has to take care of sick ol'me but she really loves the chance to nurse me back to health.

"I came here to serve the sick and dying, I just didn't think it would be you" --Michelle to me.