Christmas Eve. I catch the bus from The Mother Teresa House and after attending mass at 6am and make my way to Howrah where another day at Shishu Bhavan, the children's orphanage, is situated.
After stepping off the bus in Howrah, I'm pretty confident at being able to find my way to the orphanage without the help of my American friends. But the back streets of Kolkata all look the same and eventually the memory of turns to take to get there has evaded me and I'm quickly lost. I must look like a disoriented tourist because I quickly have a small child at my hip asking me where I need to go. Thinking that he is probably going to jip me out of a few dollars for the help, he gets me to Shishu Bhavan without a problem and with pleasant chit chat all the way. He's talking about me, what I'm doing in India, where I'm from, how come I'm lost, about his life, his mother, and other small talk. We eventually make it to my destination after passing by all his mates to show me off and an astonishing inner city milking shed full of city cows. I think I'm tripping a bit at this point due to lack of water and fresh air. Surprisingly he asks me for no money, just a snap shot for remembrance, shakes my hand, and he's on his way. At this point I'm feeling like a complete ass for thinking that all this kid wanted was some cash out of a rich foreigner. In actual fact, he was doing the deed out of the goodness of his heart which on reflection nearly brings a tear to my eye.
My day at the orphanage consists of blowing up a pile of balloons and hanging so many Christmas decorations that by the end of the day I'm pretty much spent. The children are so excited about the next day and I can't wait to see their faces on Christmas morning.
I get a taxi back to my hotel because as much as I hate to admit it, I get lost trying to get out of Howrah as well and so a passing taxi is my best option. Once back I give my girlfriend a call who I've only talked to once in the past month and it is great to hear her voice and tell her about the amazing things I've already experienced. As I talk I notice the meter on the phone clicking up and I am eventually charged 600 rupees by the operator who advises me that this is very cheap. Needless to say, I think I was ripped off.
Christmas Eve consists of me attending mass at The Mother Teresa House after a curry dinner at Zurich's Restaurant and listening to carols sung by the resident Sisters. Walking home afterwards gets me thinking about all of the people with no homes, sleeping on footpaths during Christmas, and having nothing to give their kids or even themselves. Deep in thought, I'm grabbed by a lady with a baby who wants money and I really want to give it to her but know the consequences of having all of the other people watching me might be disastrous. She pesters me for a long way down the roads because I think she senses I want to give her something. I feel extremely guilty afterwards for not giving her anything.
I get back to the hotel, am a little sad that I'm by myself at Christmas but look forward to seeing the children's faces tomorrow morning when I arrive at the orphanage on Christmas morning.
