First Few Days

Our Lonely Planet Traveler's Guide describes Kolkata as, "A festival of human existence."  Though cheesy, I'll say that's a pretty accurate description.  Pam, Anthony, and I stepped out into the city's boisterious streets just two days ago. We immediately took a taxi to Sudder Street, where we will be staying for the next two months.  Our Bengali-speaking taxi man drove us into completely different country, different in every way.  The Hindu and Islamic influence manifests itself in Kolkata's people and architecture, and the city possesses all of the characteristics you would normally associate with an poor, Asian/Middle-eastern country.  Though these characteristics will be difficult to adjust to, the most appalling facet of the city was its poverty.  The homeless and dying really are spread all throughout the city, this is an entirely different degree of poverty than the US.  It's intense and widespread, to say the least.
After finishing our long journey to Sudder Street we were excited to make our first visit to the Motherhouse.  Our first glimpse of the sisters in their white and blue habits was quite a relief.  They're so beautiful.  Mother Theresa's tomb is located in a poor area of Kilkata, just off a busy street.  The peaceful, ordered convent sitting amidst the Kolkata slums presents quite an extraordinary contrast.
After beginning each day with Mass at the Motherhouse we travel to any one of many MC apostolates throughout the city.  So far we've worked at Premdan, Shishu Bhavan, and Khaligat.  Pramdam is a makeshift hospital for adults.  Shishu Bhavan provides care for disabled children who've been rejected by their parents.  And Khaligat is Mother Theresa's famous "Home for the Dying."  What an incredible experience; each apostolate requires one to endure continuous gut-checks.  I don't think I could dream up a more sanctifying environment.  I'll stop discussing the apostolates for now, as the majority of our posts will likely contain further descriptions, but know that they stand at the center of our experience.  Alright, that's all for now, picture will come later.  Please exscuse the mispellingses and bad gramurs :)  Mom, we're all safe and healthy.