A Truly Excellent Day

Kolkata is everything everyone said it would be......crowded, dirty, polluted, noisy and yet we have just spent a wonderful day getting to know a little better the city we will call home for two years. Morning started early for both Cole and I. Our 'body clocks' are still a bit off. We fall asleep just fine but keep on waking up very early in the morning (5 AM) and not able to get back to sleep. This morning we took advantage of the early morning hours and walked the streets around our hotel. The morning was pleasantly warm and the streets uncrowded. Many of those who sleep on the streets were just waking and the soccer fields were full of children playing 'football' in the mud of monsoon rains and in the cool of the day. Cole really got their attention by telling them they were all 'young Beckham' as in David Beckham the famous soccer player. The boys we encountered LOVED that! Cole and I couldn't help but smile and comment to ourselves kids are the same everywhere.

After our morning walk it was time for church. We attended Grace Church of Kolkata which is located across the street from Mother Theresa's burial place. The service was absolutely wonderful. The pastor is an American from upper New York state and his wife from Holland. The worship brought tears to both of us. They even had a copy of John Piper's Desiring God as a part of their lending library. After the service there was a time of fellowship with Chai. Kolkata or Duluth, fellowship is shared over a cup of something warm!

Cole and I are determined not to take any naps today in the hopes we can get our body clocks on track. This afternoon we found a great coffee house where we can regularly go for a great cup of cappucino. They made a smooth, silky foam........almost as good as the foam Momo makes at Amazing Grace! They all got a giggle out of Cole's long legs poking out of his walking shorts. After coffee we took a long walk to the Victoria Memorial. Going through the parks you could see Sunday is the day Kolkatans take their 'promenades'. We saw many families out for an afternoon of strolling. We also saw many young couples relaxing in the parks, behind their umbrellas......oh young love!!

All in all today proved that no matter the obstacles or differences in place there is friendship and beauty in all places. Enjoy the pictures from today!