This is a blog site set up by Raymond Watson from Belfast. The aim of the site is to provide an online record of the family trip to Calcutta (or Kolkata)India. It's starting to feel like Derry and Londonderry already. Calcutta is the old British colonial name for the city, and Kolkata is the current Indian name for their city.
Myself and Shona have been to Kolkata in August 06, to get some sort of a feel for the place before we brought our two children out. It is very different from anything that we know in the 'west', but more about that after we set foot in the Kolkata again. We will be staying for 4 months.
The flights are booked and we will leave Ireland on Jan 24th 07, and will go via London to Kolkata.
While in Kolkata we hope to do many things but the main rationale for going is as a result of Shona being nominated for a NESTA fellowship. Personally I hope to be inspired by the place and just learn and soak up as much new 'stuff' as I can. I also intend to produce a large installation piece at the Loreto sealdah school, calcutta, where our two children Toraigh and Dara will be pupils for 4 months. Over 1000 street children and orphans sleep and live on the roof of the school. (see the link site:www.changemakers.net sister cyril calcutta) Sister Cyril the head nun runs an extremely worthy project called the Rainbow Project - geared to provide hope for the poor, street children and orphans. Shona will be spending time with the Seagull Foundation as part of her NESTA fellowship award, where they are developing some very interesting projects. More on all of this later.
Siter Cyril going to school on her scooter
I hope to keep whoever reads these 'blogs' entertained - at the very least. Possibly informed and interested. Hopefully we will hear/read some comments in return.
Good luck for now
Raymond
16 comments:
Hi Raymond,
Glad to see you've set up the blog - so that we can follow your progress.
I hope the trip is successful for both you and shona and that the girls enjoy their 'new experience' and what an experience it will be!!
Talk to you very soon.
Pauline
Hello Raymond!
I´m glad of received your news. I hope see soon pics of your work in Calcutta and of the life of people and customs.
I´m specially interested in the life of the children, their education and the school.
The Saturday I will go to London for five days, I hope to learn a bit more of english for I will can express a bit best.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Rosa
Hi Raymond
Glad to see you are finally going to Calcutta. Hope your 4 month experience is great and all that you expected. We will follow your trip and wish you, shona, toraigh and dara all the best!
Love
charmaine, sean, mark and guinness!
Hi Raymie/Shona
Great that you've set up a blog. I'll bookmark it and follow progress. Like Rosa says - pictures would be a good idea.
What do the Seagull Foundation do? What's the NESTA fellowship about? Do you still have the house in Ballycastle?
Best of luck
Vinny
Watching and listening from Oz. Good luck with the adventure. Geoff
Hi everyone
This may not be the place to post this message and Shona may well kill me for it - but its her birthday today and I just wanted to say
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHONA :-)
Pauline
hey guys, good luck with the trip if i don't get to see you before you go (and happy birthday shona!)
kitty
You kept that one quiet Shona, Happy Birthday. It's not as if anything else important has been happening this week!
Hope the unpacking / packing is going well. Have you got Raymie's crap thrown out yet Shona? I'm sure we'll see ya'll before you head off!
Have you both settled to the new abode yet? I haven't noticed Chloe dandering past yet - has she found her bearings?
Hi Raymond Shona
Great to see the Blog.
Wonderful job. I will check in often. We wish you all , all the best with this experience. Love to all The Duffy Clan
Hiya Raymond and Shona!
Eventually you are leaving on a jet plane! Have an excellent time away and I hope it brings you a wonderful experience. Kisses and hugs to T and D. Be safe and come back in one piece.
All my love Yasmin xxx
Big hugs and kisses to Shona, Rambo, Toraigh and Dara xxx
P.s. Any chance of an XXL Saree?
Don't worry Rames, I'm taking very good care of your precious paintings. They will be there to go with all the other crap when you get back, love Mary
Hello! You all seem to be settling in very well. It'll be an amazing experience, esp for the munchkins! Also to let you know that Stefan did really well in his essay, he got 67%. He's well chuffed!!
Speak soon.
lots of love
eva xox
Loads of love, can't wait to see you in May. Delighted to see the girls with their friends.
Love from Mum and Ronan
Grace says, hello Toraigh and Dara, hope you're having a classy time. Can't wait to see you in May. Kiss Kiss, love ya Grace !!!!!!!!!
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