Work again was wonderful- laundrey. Then Chai break, then serving lunch and sitting with the patients, dishes, and putting them down for daytime naps. The little lady with the glasses that I told you about is named Amahlla (I think). She and her friend Martha run the show- they have seniority- they have been patients for 11 years and they get what they want. She looks fragile but, I'm telling you- she could knock me down if whe wanted. Perpetual smile on that face. She nearly pushed a little blind woman off the bench so I could sit down and Martha shoved another patient-HARD- so that Krista could sit on the other side. They like us, luckily. She doesnt speak English but here is what she comunicated to me through sign language. "The food here sucks. Not enough salt. Don't tell the sisters I said so." With that said, Amahlla disappeared and reappeared almost immediately with a handful of salt she swiped from the volunteers break table- which she must do all the time. She then grinned and sat with her hands folded angelicly in her lap until lunch trays came around and she kicked me in the shins to get up and bring her lunch. Unbelievable. I know my place.
The other woman I told you about- the one that had been horribly disfigured...we are piecing together her story. She is young- probably younger than me. Krista spoke with her yesterday and she has the voice of a child. She is completely aware of everything around her and speaks English. Quiet and polite and suffering in a way that no one can imagine. Her mother-in-law threw acid in her face. Apparently common because two more burn victims arrived today and it is typically a crime committed in the home- I shouldnt say crime. Crime implies that someone was prosecuted. They are simply victims. I cannot tell you what it has done to my heart to be in this center for only two afternoons. I feel like my soul has been torn apart and sewn together and then ripped again- over and over. At the end of every gruesome thing there is something light-hearted- on the other side of that something that will make my eyes fill with tears, and then Amallah, who makes me laugh and Ghita who makes me dance. I want this experience for all of you. I am already changed a little. We washed dishes and kissed them goodbye.
Krista, Johnny, Anna (the 20 yr old gal from Barcelona we met yesterday ) and I flagged an autorickshaw after work (yes, I know, I said never again. Unfortunately it is impossible to avoid riding in these.) and we headed to Sutter Street-where Johnny and Anna live for lunch. The majority of the volunteers live here. It is Brooklyn, only unbelievably dirty and exotic. The lodgings there make our digs look posh. We ate at a little "cafe"- really just a stand with a tarp over it and christmas lights and cd's hanging from red thread as decoration. WE FOUND FOOD!!!! It cost pennies and it tasted so good. Krista and I are so excited. Excited that we are not eating bread again, like we have been.
then to the top of Johnny's hotel where he made us coffee- a luxury- on the roof and we sipped out of terra cotta pots. We talked about the Enniegram. Surprise surprise. And then Krista and I walked home all by ourselves, through the muslim district, past the meat market and Shanti Bhaven, one of Mother's houses. We walked confidently- today was a good day.
Pushups and situps on the roof. Internet cafe. I am headed to the shower to try to scrub the stink off of me- not likely to happen...and then dinner and bed. Off tomorrow so maybe the Kolkata flower market.
This day is done- whaever it is- Wednesday I think.
Namaste ya'll,
Ev
3 comments:
another great visual report which keeps my heart in tune with what you are doing there. so many of your experiences mirror my own when I was there, but then many are things I never got to experience...sipping coffee from terracotta cups on the rooftop. The young woman with the acid situation sounds familiar. Daughter-in-laws apparently are consider property of the mother-in-law, and are more often than not, abused and unloved. Thank you for sharing your experience. I look forward to tomorrow's entry. Good night to you, my morning is is off to a good start back here in Tennessee. luvubunches!
I am so proud of you. Seriously :)
don't you love those random connections? i've had that happen, makes the world seem smaller and a bit more comfortable. don't be surprised if i respond to every post, i just read your post all day, never leaving the house, sometimes i'll sit in your room and imagine i'm there, or your here. paloma is usually in some yoga pose sitting next to me doing the crouching tiger or hidden dog, whatever they are called, it's crazy. you're missing out.
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