The Journey

We made it! It seems like it was ages since we left Glasgow. I'm lying in my bed which is engulfed in a mosquito net as I write this. So much has happened already. We've had 2 pretty long flights which caused my legs to swell up like crazy and Neil to lose his affection for long haul travel. On the flight to Kolkata we experienced our first glimpse of Indian culture as 5 people gathered to join in an argument about the seat numbers. A lot of ticket waving and two distressed flight attendants later and the matter was resolved. Once in Kolkata we drove to Shubhro's parents' house (he is the paediatric doctor that we are working with). The noise on the road is incredible as everyone honks their horn to indicate their presence. The smells of spices and food and dust and exhaust combined with the heat and jolty driving made me feel sick. First vomit of the trip! We've seen all the classic Indian sites: 30 people riding on top of a bus, man squatting in a gutter, bikes cycling the wrong way on the motorway, a motorbike with more than 3 people on it and cows walking down the street. Once at the house, we were treated to wonderful hospitality. Shubhro's mother kept bringing out more food and forcing us to eat it. We spent some time there talking and learning some Bengali and about their lives. Shubhro's niece decided that I look like a doll so his mum called me Dolly! This stuck so much that when she prayed over us as we were leaving she prayed for Neil and Dolly. Another long drive and we finally made it to Sarenga at 9.30pm. I am exhausted but we are getting to sleep in tomorrow! J x