Slap Wombat here ~ weak poll # 3 (page 2)

Late 2004 we spent 5 weeks in Calcutta - the most impoverished city in India. 14 million people, nearly the most of them sleeping on the pavements. We stayed in a 2 star hotel. The place stinks and every night when you bathed under a cold tap the shampoo ran black off your head.

Lilian loved it. I would push her through the absolutely congested streets in her wheel chair. She rang a rickshaw driver's bell to clear a path. We made friends with all the street people. They would call out "Hello Auntie" whenever we passed.

Every afternoon we would take them all down to the local chai stall for free chai and bikkies. It was quite a social occasion and there would be a gathering waiting for us outside the hotel. I left it up to the chai stall holder as to the tab but it was never more than US$2.50.

Our favourite beggar was Mona. She would take great pride in demonstrating to us how her little girl was learning. She knew when to look sad and knew when to smile so beautifully.

Mona and her little girl made big money - 3 to 5 times that of an average worker. Mona's sixteen year old son in his American basketball shirt used to drop by occassionally.

We treasure the necklaces and bracelets that Mona gave us when we left.

Lilian has four passports with every stamp that you could imagine. That was her sixth trip to Calcutta (my second).....................

Sorry...it's late here so I'm starting to ramble. So I won't tell you about 40 years ago when she went back-packing through Europe by herself and we didn't hear from her for two months..She was on a train in Italy and she stood up and said "Does anyone here speak English.." and a young American soldier said "yes M'am".............

G'nite...Wombat

gumby

6) other please specify...... Show him my nutsack.

Either that, or I'll give him a good old fashioned nutsack shine with two coats of chocolate wax. For his mum.....I'm not sure what to do.

Gumby

juni

Great story about your mum, Wombat. You are both a blessing to each other.

Have you talked to MoggyLover lately? He has great things to say about Uncle and you.

Juni

bem

WOW! I've found a treasure here today Wombat please tell your Moms story for us! What an inspiration

Lilian has four passports with every stamp that you could imagine. That was her sixth trip to Calcutta (my second).....................
Sorry...it's late here so I'm starting to ramble. So I won't tell you about 40 years ago when she went back-packing through Europe by herself and we didn't hear from her for two months..She was on a train in Italy and she stood up and said "Does anyone here speak English.." and a young American soldier said "yes M'am".............

Oh and to answer the post Great thread Unc. 2) hug like a bear... If your gonna be a bear be a grizzly

3) share a snag (saucage)

4) settle down for a few coldies and laughs... and lots of talking

greendawn

Have a few cold beers in the Australian heat and talk with Wombat about some misunderstandings he had regarding one of the posts I had made though he later realised the real gist of what I was saying.

Slap Wombat here ~ weak poll # 3

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