thoughts as time races by...

Wow! Time seems to be racing by at the moment. I feel like it moves past me with a combination of sights, hues, sounds, scents, memories, thoughts, hopes, and experiences. When I embarked on this journey, I thought that six months would feel like an eternity. However, I'm beginning to realize that I'll be on my way home before I know it;trying to frantically but methodically make sense of everything I've experienced while preparing for and looking forward to Christmas in the United States. I think these thoughts are coming to me because of my realization that I only have 8 days left in Kolkata! On September 1st, my friend Grace and I will be flying to Pondicherry in Southern India to volunteer our time at the Sri Aurobindo Society, an ashram that works on multiple community development, educational, and sustainable agriculture projects. I was referred to this organization by one of my former professors who is working on an international exchange program with their organization and the University of Oregon. I'm really looking forward to this experience and will be their until the 17th of September. While I'm looking forward to experiencing another part of India as well as a change of pace from the big city, I know that I'm going to miss the women at Shanti Dan whom I've come to know. I even know that I'll miss Kolkata in part; the sights, sounds, places, and people I've become accustomed to and built an affinity for. I'm beginning to realize, though, that this transition represents one of many chapters that this journey contains. Each chapter containing important lessons and experiences that will shape and change the way in which I see the world and my purpose in it. Therefore, change I must embrace.
Upon leaving Pondicherry, Grace and I plan to make our way to Darjeeling, Varanasi, & Agra. Darjeeling is situated on India's northern border and is surrounded by supposedly breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains. This is particularly exciting because the monsoons are supposed to lift from the area in September; allowing the views to which it gains it's fame. Varanasi is one of the holiest places for Hindus and many come to this city along the Ganges River to die. Finally, Agra is home to the Taj Mahal. So, there you have it, my tentative outline for the rest of my time here in India! On October 1st, I'll be flying to Bangkok, Thailand to begin yet another chapter.
I've been doing a lot of reflection lately on my time spent here in Kolkata. There have been many blessings coupled with many hardships. I wouldn't say many hardships for myself necessarily. Rather, I would say that I have bore witness to many hardships both with my ears and my eyes. I am beginning to really become aware of the living dichotomy that is Kolkata. For instance, on my walk from my hotel to the Mother House in the morning, I will often pass men 'shooting up' heroin and emaciated babies sleeping next to their mothers on the sidewalk littered with plastic rubbish. That same afternoon, I might find myself in a four level shopping mall watching affluent Indians take part in the fruits of effective Commercialism. I may speak with a rickshaw driver who comes to Kolkata in order to earn enough money to send back to his family or a woman at Shanti Dan who has lost her father to tuberculosis. I may also speak with seemingly well-off college students at Calcutta University; discussing philosophy and sipping espresso drowned in milk with a heaping scoop of sugar. This dichotomy is challenging. Both are parts of reality; but one reality seems acceptable and another inexcusable. I know that varying aspects of these realities exist in the United States as well, but their existance seems to be highlighted or perhaps more visible here in Kolkata.
I'm out of time at the moment, but I will write more on these reflections soon. Hope you are all well and my love goes out to each and every one of you.