(Jan. 6) After a day of lazing and Dostoevsky, it was time. We gathered in the Sapphire conference room at the "Senator" (the name of our hotel; yeah right) and my host parents were the first to show up by far, actually meeting us in the lobby before it was even close to time to start. After an awkward and informative meeting about cell phones and foreign registration (which, if we don't fill out properly, might result in the same trouble last year's group had: a dramatic airline worker ripping up their tickets and the Indian government preventing them from leaving the country), we drank some tea, said a tearful goodbye to our other CSBSJU compadres--particularly Courtney and Kate!!!!--and moved on out.
My host parents are a couple in their late sixties/early seventies named Swardesh and Sheela Basu. However, they prefer us calling them the Bengali terms for "uncle" and "aunt"-- our host dad is Kaka (Spanish speakers, no smart comments) and host mom Kakima. They both happen to be American citizens as well, as they lived in NYC for many years. They were economists on Wall Street working for Leeman Brothers (before they became scranjulous, naturally) and it served them well in life. Kaka wears a sweater over a collared shirt, a newsboy hat, and smart shoes. He is a huge sweetheart and tells us we do not even need to go school because HE will educate us about art, history, literature, poli sci and Bengali language. I feel he will emerge as the jokester of the family. Our mom, Kakima, is also sweet but in a rather frightening way. She is very direct and goal oriented, concerned about our needs and what is best for us. I like her, but I am still wary. However, I can tell the nervous-pervous-ness will soon pass, as it did with Sucharita. Indians are considerably more blunt, and I, a sensitive Minnesotan sort, am unaccustomed to such forward mannerisms.
As it turns out, we live in a PALACE. Our home is in the northern part of Kolkata, practically a city of its own, named Salt Lake City (which I am sure is very confusing to the average globetrotting Mormon). Kaka explained that we live in a high profile neighborhood, not just for the wealthy but also the high in status. It looks veeeery different from the rest of India I have experienced thus far. Becca and I share a room; Tiffany and Brenna share a room; Drew shares a room with a young professional on the roof of the house through the open rooftop garden. Kaka and Kakima have a housekeeper/cook named Anima who is adorable and doesn't speak English. Her daughter and husband live here too and work a bit for K&K but do other things too. K&K also have a driver. (While writing this section, I realized that even though that's technically what they are, the term "servant" weirds me out.)
Our first dinner was a bit more relaxing. For some reason, I have been fearing since I applied for India that my host parents would force me to eat spicy foods even if I explain I can't really. Happy day, they say if it is too spicy, I don't need to eat it! That actually released quite a bit of anxiety I've been harboring. Spicy food makes me so nervous...and it's unavoidable. Anyway, night night, sleep tight, and don't let the small children bite off your fingers.
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