Hello followers,
We hope this finds you all in good health! At our end a little more good karma could have come in useful on the health front. Last night (or this morning if you want to be technical) the Editor and the creature (Mr Jordan of course) were woken up at 2:57am by a anonymous student called Ben Toogood who wanted to alert us to the fact his roommate Mr F Boswell was not in a good way. Fast forward a few hours and it was felt necessary to take a roll call immediately after the normal morning wake up to work out who was still standing. The results are as follows:
Healthy- Allen, Fox (*), Moses, Grant, Burns, Jung, Jin, Manks, Robson, Harman, McGreor-Sumpter, Morreau (*), May, McConnell, Candy (*), Jordan, Skeen
50/50- Stewart, McLean
Unhealthy- Helsby, Ross, Toogood, Boswell (it's called Karma Nicky!), Krofcheck, Hodson
* - now recovered
Now in the notes of how to be a good writer I've read the 'create the suspense until the end' chapter, so you will have to wait until the conclusion of this blog to see who is still standing.
Seriously though, in hindsight 5 of the group were a little worse for wear after lunch yesterday (which we had enjoyed at Blue Sky Cafe - therefore it's just bad luck rather than a bad venue), with another 3 coming under a cloud post last night's meal at the relevant hostels. Thankfully today was all about taking some time to review the impact the British Raj has had on this great nation and, in particular Kolkata, so nothing 'immense' was lost by those who sat out the day's proceedings. Yes it was a day of contrasting, but there will be many more of them. So here is how the day unfolded:
Friday 13 December
8am- Wake up call. Miss Candy runs around with a wet towel to swipe foreheads, Mr Jordan carries the drugs, and the Editor makes the ambulance sound noises throughout the accommodation
8:45am- After caring for the unwell the 14 students still standing (it had been hoped by Mr Jordan that it would only be 12 as he had ambitions of forming his own gang of apostles) left to head to Blue Sky Cafe to generate a much lesser bill (was there something sinister going on here by the AGS staff?). There is nothing like meeting an enemy front on- that being the menu at Blue Sky
10am- The group leaves Blue Sky Cafe, checking in on the sick, en route to St Paul's Cathedral
10:30am- Here at the Cathedral several pray for their own health whilst Will Allen repeatedly claims he will perform a 12 hr marathon of Hakas to ward away evil spirits from his body. The Cathedral, for those unaware, represented the head of the Anglican Church in India upon its construction. It's indoor-Gothic design seems well out of place with the landscape, as to do the birds inside that chirp away so loudly that the horns of the real Kolkata fall into the world of the unheard and unrecognisable
11am- After a five minute walk we arrive at the Victoria Memorial. In itself this building and it's associated monuments offers a striking image of the power and influence of the colonial power during the time of the Raj's reign. Unsurprisingly, as had been the architect's aim, the group felt like they had been transported into Hyde Park, London, with a view from the back of the building having a strong Kensington feel (it could have easily passed for the Champs Élysées as well). Put simply, we were in the middle of 17 million inhabitants and it felt like we were taking a walk in the grounds of western 'civilisation'
12pm- After the rays of sun, an ice-cream was required to recharge the batteries. Once again we are struck by the contrast of beauty and pain as a man, amputated to the waist on one side and deformed on the other approaches us for money whilst we attempt to enjoy a Cornetto. Welcome back to reality
12:15pm- We walk toward Park St Cemetery in the midday sun (as a side note the temperatures for Kolkata this December are much more comfortable- the group has already been told to be aware of the cold snap that Delhi will bring as an outcome of the current Kolkata lack of heat
1pm- Arrival at Park St Cemetery, with the group splitting to walk for 30 minutes among the dead, with the crows squawking at volumes that create a true environment for sober thinking. For the information of our readers, the Cemetery contains the remains of the British subjects; those killed in battle or as an outcome of tropical diseases far too young, and far from their 'home' in Britain. Quite a weird environment to say the least
1:30pm- Free time commences. Many take the time to eat, blog, head to the Eden Gardens if missed the day prior, shop, rest, etc). The sick are comforted at this time by the use of water, lemonade, plain biscuits, communal chants (led by Ben May), and pats on the back
6:30pm- Everyone reports for a new roll call on the deck of a Hotel Emirates. Still several 'no-shows' due to health reasons
7pm- We all depart, and then arrive within 10 minutes, at the top of a 12 storey building called Blue and Beyond. Suddenly we are able to appreciate the breath of the rolling landscape of broken buildings, broken empires, but not broken dreams
7:45pm- After a round of cokes/lemonades we head from the top deck, with a multitude of photos snapped, towards the evening meal
8pm- We enter the wild world of 'Gaylord's Restaurant'. Strange name, familiar 'Indian' service; i.e. it took us 1 hr to get a few main dishes on each of our tables- dishes that they suggested we order. The Manager had said making individual meal choices would take too long, so could we 'trust him' in order to increase the speed by keeping things simple. End result- trust provided, promise undelivered
10pm- Patrick Jung completes the day's mini-focus by providing an insightful presentation on the influence of the British Raj in India
10:15pm- Debrief. The key question tonight was what have you learnt about yourself from the time you have spent in Kolkata. Some very powerful responses
11pm- Lights Out
So I know you have all been waiting . . . It is now after the boys' bedtimes and the class roll reads as follows:
Healthy- Allen, Fox (*), Moses, Grant, Burns, Jung, Jin, Manks, Robson, Harman, McGreor-Sumpter, Morreau (*), May, McConnell, Ross (*), Toogood (*), Krofcheck (*), Candy (*), Jordan, Skeen
50/50- McLean (on the down), Hodson (on the up)
Unhealthy- Stewart, Helsby, Boswell
* - now recovered
It has been a tough 24 hrs, however I sincerely meant it when I told those who were sick that this was the best of all the days in Kolkata to miss. Tomorrow and Sunday both involve a series of experiences that will be uplifting and entertaining, and thus we are so glad as staff that the boys will be in a physical space to enjoy these opportunities. To all the mothers, please note that even as your sons are leaning over buckets we are right there reminding them this is another challenge that India presents and that the end will always come, bringing with it a greater appreciation of ones physical fragility. They are in safe hands; promise.
Overall, we are just extremely glad to see so many now standing up.
Ben
MVP- Hugo Stewart. Unfortunately I cannot completely say why this award has been given. Even the awarding of status to Hugo is something I find difficult to do, however the group members and Hugo himself thought it needed to be celebrated. In short, I apologise for creating an insider joke, but it will allow the parents to ask their respective sons for a rundown on why young Hugo is the winner upon the boys' return. Let's just say Hugo has also picked up the FGB - Howrah Train Station Memorial Award for donations to the wider community.
Thought- We often work to bring better outcomes for those that live around us. I am sure those of the British administration believed in the same ideals when they arrived in Kolkata and made it the capital. But what was their legacy? How will they be remembered? India recognises and celebrates their contribution by safe guarding the grounds and integrity of the Cathedral, Memorial and Cemetery. Is this recognition deserved? And would you be so noble to protect its place in your personal history, even if it was a period of so much pain and suffering for your local population? Worth considering . . .
We hope this finds you all in good health! At our end a little more good karma could have come in useful on the health front. Last night (or this morning if you want to be technical) the Editor and the creature (Mr Jordan of course) were woken up at 2:57am by a anonymous student called Ben Toogood who wanted to alert us to the fact his roommate Mr F Boswell was not in a good way. Fast forward a few hours and it was felt necessary to take a roll call immediately after the normal morning wake up to work out who was still standing. The results are as follows:
Healthy- Allen, Fox (*), Moses, Grant, Burns, Jung, Jin, Manks, Robson, Harman, McGreor-Sumpter, Morreau (*), May, McConnell, Candy (*), Jordan, Skeen
50/50- Stewart, McLean
Unhealthy- Helsby, Ross, Toogood, Boswell (it's called Karma Nicky!), Krofcheck, Hodson
* - now recovered
Now in the notes of how to be a good writer I've read the 'create the suspense until the end' chapter, so you will have to wait until the conclusion of this blog to see who is still standing.
Seriously though, in hindsight 5 of the group were a little worse for wear after lunch yesterday (which we had enjoyed at Blue Sky Cafe - therefore it's just bad luck rather than a bad venue), with another 3 coming under a cloud post last night's meal at the relevant hostels. Thankfully today was all about taking some time to review the impact the British Raj has had on this great nation and, in particular Kolkata, so nothing 'immense' was lost by those who sat out the day's proceedings. Yes it was a day of contrasting, but there will be many more of them. So here is how the day unfolded:
Friday 13 December
8am- Wake up call. Miss Candy runs around with a wet towel to swipe foreheads, Mr Jordan carries the drugs, and the Editor makes the ambulance sound noises throughout the accommodation
8:45am- After caring for the unwell the 14 students still standing (it had been hoped by Mr Jordan that it would only be 12 as he had ambitions of forming his own gang of apostles) left to head to Blue Sky Cafe to generate a much lesser bill (was there something sinister going on here by the AGS staff?). There is nothing like meeting an enemy front on- that being the menu at Blue Sky
10am- The group leaves Blue Sky Cafe, checking in on the sick, en route to St Paul's Cathedral
10:30am- Here at the Cathedral several pray for their own health whilst Will Allen repeatedly claims he will perform a 12 hr marathon of Hakas to ward away evil spirits from his body. The Cathedral, for those unaware, represented the head of the Anglican Church in India upon its construction. It's indoor-Gothic design seems well out of place with the landscape, as to do the birds inside that chirp away so loudly that the horns of the real Kolkata fall into the world of the unheard and unrecognisable
11am- After a five minute walk we arrive at the Victoria Memorial. In itself this building and it's associated monuments offers a striking image of the power and influence of the colonial power during the time of the Raj's reign. Unsurprisingly, as had been the architect's aim, the group felt like they had been transported into Hyde Park, London, with a view from the back of the building having a strong Kensington feel (it could have easily passed for the Champs Élysées as well). Put simply, we were in the middle of 17 million inhabitants and it felt like we were taking a walk in the grounds of western 'civilisation'
12pm- After the rays of sun, an ice-cream was required to recharge the batteries. Once again we are struck by the contrast of beauty and pain as a man, amputated to the waist on one side and deformed on the other approaches us for money whilst we attempt to enjoy a Cornetto. Welcome back to reality
12:15pm- We walk toward Park St Cemetery in the midday sun (as a side note the temperatures for Kolkata this December are much more comfortable- the group has already been told to be aware of the cold snap that Delhi will bring as an outcome of the current Kolkata lack of heat
1pm- Arrival at Park St Cemetery, with the group splitting to walk for 30 minutes among the dead, with the crows squawking at volumes that create a true environment for sober thinking. For the information of our readers, the Cemetery contains the remains of the British subjects; those killed in battle or as an outcome of tropical diseases far too young, and far from their 'home' in Britain. Quite a weird environment to say the least
1:30pm- Free time commences. Many take the time to eat, blog, head to the Eden Gardens if missed the day prior, shop, rest, etc). The sick are comforted at this time by the use of water, lemonade, plain biscuits, communal chants (led by Ben May), and pats on the back
6:30pm- Everyone reports for a new roll call on the deck of a Hotel Emirates. Still several 'no-shows' due to health reasons
7pm- We all depart, and then arrive within 10 minutes, at the top of a 12 storey building called Blue and Beyond. Suddenly we are able to appreciate the breath of the rolling landscape of broken buildings, broken empires, but not broken dreams
7:45pm- After a round of cokes/lemonades we head from the top deck, with a multitude of photos snapped, towards the evening meal
8pm- We enter the wild world of 'Gaylord's Restaurant'. Strange name, familiar 'Indian' service; i.e. it took us 1 hr to get a few main dishes on each of our tables- dishes that they suggested we order. The Manager had said making individual meal choices would take too long, so could we 'trust him' in order to increase the speed by keeping things simple. End result- trust provided, promise undelivered
10pm- Patrick Jung completes the day's mini-focus by providing an insightful presentation on the influence of the British Raj in India
10:15pm- Debrief. The key question tonight was what have you learnt about yourself from the time you have spent in Kolkata. Some very powerful responses
11pm- Lights Out
So I know you have all been waiting . . . It is now after the boys' bedtimes and the class roll reads as follows:
Healthy- Allen, Fox (*), Moses, Grant, Burns, Jung, Jin, Manks, Robson, Harman, McGreor-Sumpter, Morreau (*), May, McConnell, Ross (*), Toogood (*), Krofcheck (*), Candy (*), Jordan, Skeen
50/50- McLean (on the down), Hodson (on the up)
Unhealthy- Stewart, Helsby, Boswell
* - now recovered
It has been a tough 24 hrs, however I sincerely meant it when I told those who were sick that this was the best of all the days in Kolkata to miss. Tomorrow and Sunday both involve a series of experiences that will be uplifting and entertaining, and thus we are so glad as staff that the boys will be in a physical space to enjoy these opportunities. To all the mothers, please note that even as your sons are leaning over buckets we are right there reminding them this is another challenge that India presents and that the end will always come, bringing with it a greater appreciation of ones physical fragility. They are in safe hands; promise.
Overall, we are just extremely glad to see so many now standing up.
Ben
MVP- Hugo Stewart. Unfortunately I cannot completely say why this award has been given. Even the awarding of status to Hugo is something I find difficult to do, however the group members and Hugo himself thought it needed to be celebrated. In short, I apologise for creating an insider joke, but it will allow the parents to ask their respective sons for a rundown on why young Hugo is the winner upon the boys' return. Let's just say Hugo has also picked up the FGB - Howrah Train Station Memorial Award for donations to the wider community.
Thought- We often work to bring better outcomes for those that live around us. I am sure those of the British administration believed in the same ideals when they arrived in Kolkata and made it the capital. But what was their legacy? How will they be remembered? India recognises and celebrates their contribution by safe guarding the grounds and integrity of the Cathedral, Memorial and Cemetery. Is this recognition deserved? And would you be so noble to protect its place in your personal history, even if it was a period of so much pain and suffering for your local population? Worth considering . . .
Living vicariously though this blog has robbed me of sleep at the end of the day and has taken our interest first thing in the morning. As the view count increases, our intrigue does too.
ReplyDeleteSitting on the couch back at home in SUNNY New Zealand, we deliberate about all the antics you boys (and lady) have been experiencing. The low points and high points have taken us on a journey; experiencing it but not living it.
From what has been written so far, here is a question we would like to pose to you all: You've had to navigate through the beggars that crowd the streets and make a conscious choice to give or not to give on a daily basis. How do you think that this will change your actions regarding the homeless and beggars on the streets of Auckland when you come across them?
Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery to all those suffering from Delhi Belly. 20 days of a priceless adventure to go
Christie