Almost Died Thrice in Kolkata

So we pretty much almost died three times. It's torrential downpour in Kolkata, as They haven't had rain in 20 days, i8ts a welcome sight for the locals. However our journey to visit L'Arche in the slums area was pretty sketch, the taxi almost couldn't make it down the street and the flooding was ankle to knee deep. Also sketchiest taxi drive ever who also got us hit by a huge freaken bus. However we survive and the visit to the communities were very nice. There are two houses each which house 7 residents each , but during the day they have 25-50 locals from the surrounding slum area come in for the nursery or for the day. They have quite the arts and craft workshop, producing some beautiful handiwork (cards, batiks, candles, jewellery). The members invited us in for lunch, a sit down affair where we gathered in a circle and were served wonderful Bengali cuisine which was thankfully not that spicy. Overall an interesting experience in Kolkata. A lot of poverty, homelessness and chaos but balanced whit a liveliness and vibrancy that shines through. The L'Arche communities here work in partnership with Mother Teresa charity to try and make a difference to the people in need and are working toward creating a more caring and living city where all are welcome. We survived our visit, but ti was heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Today we explore Bangalore. Hanging with Venutha's family!

-kristiana