It's Nov. 7th!  I have moved to Jadevpur, South Kolkata!  And, guess what!!!???  It is a holiday here in India!  Yes, it is Bakarrah Eid, which is the day that Muslims slaughter animals.  It was so interesting to make our way across Kolkata yesterday in the Emmanuel Ministries Calcutta bus.  All of the children from Pauline Bhavan, my new place of residence, the dorm parents and various other friends/family that were dropped off along the way!  You couldn't miss the line ups of both cows and goats that have been slaughtered since we passed them yesterday.  Somehow it seems ironical to live in a country where the two major religions have such differing beliefs.  Hindus don't eat or kill animals, neither do Buddists, but Muslims have slaughtered them here today!  Guess what else!?  Thurs is a holiday, too, because it is the birthday of the founder of the Seik religion (they are the ones who wear the turbans)!  Yes, it is a wonder anything gets done in this country!!!  And, you aren't the only one thinking that!

I am in a race against time, so I want to keep this brief.  I am completely unpacked which feels really good!!!  My bedroom was settled before my light got turned out very early on Fri night.  The geyser (how you get hot water) was installed today as was the mirror in the bathroom.  I feel really set up!!!  Then the tailor came for permission to bring the curtains for the living room/dining room as well as the cushions for the chairs and sofa set (wicker), purchased second hand several weeks ago, or at least it seems so.  The promise of the cushion covers is that they will come tomorrow.  I had to come into the bazaar, shopping area, to get more curtain ring and find an internet cafe.  I still don't have a source for cooking in my kitchen, but I am having lunch daily with the kids downstairs.  I have an electric kettle and a toaster for breakfast, and generally supper.  I don't want to eat rice twice a day . . . Bengalis do!!! 

I need to hurry back to tutor a couple of the kids tonight.  I am trying to get to know Zubani and Moala, both from Nagaland who are the houseparents at Pauline Bhavan.  It seems that helping with homework three nights a week will be a good place for me to slot in.  We will do that M, W and F as those are the days that I play to be over here during the day.  On T and Thurs I plan to be over at the office.  Hopefully Tues I can be involved with Pavement Clubs and working with teachers in the afternoons in whatever way!

Don't have time to proof this carefully, so here's hoping!!!