Kolkata, India
22° 34' N 88° 22' E
Jan 09, 2006 07:03
Distance 0km

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Settling in...

Text written in: English


I feel much bettter this morning.  After a walk around part of our area with Carol and Majella yesterday, I spent the rest of the day resting.  While out, I made my first purchase--a towel-- from a street vendor for Rs. 110 (about $2.50).  We then found the nearby lake which seems to be a popular park.  We drew many stares as the three of us walked around the lake, but we had no trouble from locals. They seemed excited to see us.  The lake was rather dirty; garbage gloared in parts of it.  There were, though, signs of life in it such as large lotus flowers and a big snake.  

I awoke around 6:00 this morning, much less anxious than I felt last night.  Even if I don't get my luggage, I'll be able to make do (provided someone loans me some books).  I washed with cold water using the faucet in the shower and a bucket.  It was not too bad and I feel much better.  There are 3 young Indian guys taking care of us here.  They are very helpful and friendly and procude us with anything we need.  They don't speak English well, but communication is still possible. 

It sounds like a jungle in my area.  There must be hundreds of birds around here constantly squawking--especially large crows.  

First day of classes went very well.  Our instructor, Sangeeta, is very good.  I really like the teaching mehtod as well.  Today we learned some Setswana, Thai, and Bengali.  WE were also interviewd for the news, probably because we are the first trainees in Kolkata.  This course will teach me more about lingusitics, which more and more seems to be what I want to study.  Our textbook linked psychology and linguistics, which I found oddly ironic.  

Still no word on luggage.  Hopefully tomorrow.

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Photos / videos of "Settling in...":

le belle toilette....notice the sprayer hanging on the wall. this is typical in indian bathrooms as toilet paper is not usual. hence the whole thing with the left hand. le belle douche. the shower didn't actually work. and the towel hanging is my first purchase le belle chambre. my desk/breakfast table. the only thing in my room that locked. the kitchen living room living room 2, a.k.a. where the peons slept exterior of my apartment Inside of the street shine Street shine dedicated to Shiva motorcycles were popular my street Sangeeta Banerjee, my instructor TEFL International headquarters.
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