Thursday, February 19, 2009

Marigolds and Mosques

So, we've had the chance to do a little more sightseeing in the city, exploring some new parts. Earlier in the week we went down to Kalighat, the city's major Kali temple. She is a very popular deity in this part of the country. I got the special Brahman tour, where for a price he took me around and explained various different parts of the temple complex: the main Kali idol, a special tree of fertility, and a small bathing pool devoted to Shiva. He also invited me to the ritual goat slaughter that happens every morning. It was kind of him to offer, but on this I think I will pass.
February 18th was Daniel's 25th birthday! so we decided to take the day off from Prem Dan and do a little more sightseeing, followed by some general relaxation. Kolkata is split down the middle by the Hooghly River. Most of the more notable sights of the city exist on the Eastern side of it which is where we are staying. There are two major bridges that run across, as well as numerous ferries. We headed north yesterday for the Howrah bridge, for the Mullik Ghat flower market just below it.
The flower market was total sensory overload. There were pounds and pounds of flowers, mostly marigolds, crammed into the market with the multitudes of people trying to sell and buy. Everything was to vibrant and colorful and full of activity. I think when people outside think of India, it resembles something like that flower market. I have no idea where these flowers came from, but I imagine most will be used religious ceremonies. It as probably one of my favorite parts of the city so far. Though, getting there proved to be somewhat of a challenge. The thing about trying to navigate here is that very few of the streets are marked, so you sort of just go by direction and general intuition, and also the help of others.
We wandered the area just south of the market... lots of crumbling colonial facades. Also, there were a number of churches and synagogues sort of right next to each other. We took some refuge from the bustle and heat of the street in the pastel courtyard of a Portuguese Catholic Church. On the way back to the metro we detoured to this enormous mosque off of Mahatma Ghandi Rd. A lot of the mosques are very similar here. They all have the same sorts of green domes and minarets. We don't really have a clock or anything, just mark the parts of the days by the calls to prayer. At this mosque we were able to just peak inside and see the men taking of their shoes to go into the main building.
The metro here, by the way, is amazing. It is by far the easiest way to get around the city. It is one line, clean, efficient, and only 4 rupees a ride (not even 10 cents) with no hassle.
We have about another week here, and the time now seems like it's slipping away. We have met so many amazing people here in Kolkata... every one comes from all over the world, but for similar reasons, and we all want to do something good. There is really something sort of magical about the energy I think. Whether it's through Missionaries of Charity or other NGO's or people just working and networking on their own, I am becoming really aware of the great potential in people for good... There are projects and ideas and things starting all over the place. Today I talked to a woman who is helping build a school and clinic for a village outside of the city, and heard of another person who just bought a bunch of land and 14 cows, and will be helping teach ex-prostitutes how to live and work on their own. There is just such a nexus of ideas and good will here. Still, it will be good to get up north soon. Already I can feel the day's heat growing little by little.

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