#1 Arrival in India

Hi Everyone,

After 3 days of travel and a 5 year absence I have arrived back to Kolkata, India…

After 5 years many things have changed…I arrived after two very long flights with a 8 hour lay over between them on Sat. My friend Dibyendu met me at the airport. As usual I had a little difficulty with customs and my big bags but it all worked out ok and the officials were very nice…After a 25 mile ride I arrived at my room.

I was beat…I bought some peanut butter and jelly along with bread and had something to eat in my room , then I took a hot shower and went to sleep and did not wake up until Sunday morning.

My first place that I went to was St Stephen cemetery..

Here I visited a wonderful man who looked after me on many of my 26 trips to Kolkata , Uncle C …along with the Daughters of the Cross Sisters who are all buried here…my Friend Dibyendu escorted me here and we put flower petals on all the graves just like I have for many years..it’s something that I like to do to start my trips never forgetting the people who have helped me over the years but now have gone to Heaven..

My visit was very nice…There is a family who lives here at the cemetery as caretakers that I have known for over 20 years…They were all so Happy to see me again…All the children of the family have grown up now..I brought them some sweets to have..

At 6 PM I traveled to St Ignatius Church for Mass..The inside of the old famous church was just painted..It looked beautiful..

Sitting in the church I gave Thanks to God for looking after my family, especially my boy , and helping me find my way back here again..

I also Thanked God for all of you who reach out to help me with our work for the poor each year…

I am Happy to be back here again but please understand that even if I come here a million times I will never understand India… I just let my heart guide me and hope that God looks after me…..as most everything is over my head and not easy to do…

Please see a few photos below..
Ray O