Kolkata journal entry 03/29

Transcribing + recording what little I wrote in my Kolkata trip journal... merely for my own accounts, so it may or may not be amusing for you to read.

Written during our 6.5 hour layover in Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, India:

03/29/08 - 2:46AM

Welcome to India
As the official words "Welcome to India" were being spoken over the cabin intercom by the flight attendant, the realization of actually being in India became closer to 100%. My seat on the plane was located in the center far removed from window view, so besides observing the different types of people surrounding me, the environment of flying *over* different countries was not apparent.

Jet Airways is the international Indian airline we took, which I noticed did a few things differently compared to other flights I've been on. For instance, before last de-boarding, a pair of male flight attendants walked simultaneously up + down separate aisles spraying cans of aerosol towards the ceiling--I'm guessing to purify the air if not to freshen it up.

At the beginning of the flight, the attendants would hand out menus that designated what was to be served at each meal of the day. When it came time to be served, an attendant would ask you, "Veg or Non-veg?" Those were your two choices + you had to be prepared to answer right away since they did supply you with meal descriptions early on. At first, I would ask, "What does the Non-veg have?," + they would immediately reach for the menu + re-hand it to me as my answer. I learned quick, let me tell you.

Another thing I noticed... The women attendants all had classy make-up + hair. They each wore a black pants suit that was overlaid in a golden yellow button-up blazer that extended past the hips; in a sort of modern Indian style. At the beginning + towards the end of the flight is the only time they wore the golden yellow coat over their suit. I noticed an elaborate gold embroidery at the cuffs of the black, long-sleeve tops. I wish I was brave enough to ask one of the attendants if I could take their portrait, but they were always so preoccupied with something that I never mustered up the courage.

Oke. I'm really losing energy + getting cross-eyed. Need to get some rest. FYI: Movies I watched:

• Atonement
  
• Juno
  
• Enchanted
  
• the first bit of Bee Movie

Also watched episodes of:

• The Office
  
• 30 Rock
  
• My Name is Earl

They had video games, too, but nothing that interested me.

...

Just got back from freshening in the ladies' room here at Mumbai's International Airport. It wasn't that bad actually--had plenty of toilet tissue within reach, seated toilets [yes, the squat toilet is a plentiful in India], + soap in the dispenser. But, I didn't want to chance brushing my teeth with water from the tap without a bottle of water. Me + team are currently cramped in a seated area at the end of a hall trying to do their own thing--from napping, journaling, reading, snacking, or listening to music. We patiently wait. It has been a long journey thus far.

Alright time to decompress from thinking, if that makes any sense. Cross-eyed I am. Writing like Yoda I am, too.

...

Bullet points of events that happened after finally arriving in Kolkata:

• Took a bus from Kolkata Airport to BMS Guest House
  
• We each chose our own designated beds [yes, just like in the Real World, or any other housed reality show on the tele]
  
• Ate lunch c/o the kind folks at the guest house
  
• Everyone took a much-needed nap
  
• Met Surojit; he gave us a tour of the currently under-construction International Mission of Hope Society building which is to become the nursing school for CMM
  
• Took our first team group photo on the roof of the future nursing school
  
• Arrived @ CMM Hospital; Met Orejit; discussed opportunities
  
• Dinner back @ BMS Guest House
  
• End of day team meeting