AGS India Immersion Programme 2017/18

Matt I'll start from the beginning. When we emerged from the airport into the warm air of Kolkata it hit me. I'm in India. My first breath was filled with smoke and dust and the cacophony of horns started and is yet to stop. Our first taxi ride was insane and taught me many things; seatbelts, airbags and lanes are over rated and honking your horn is a suitable replacement for indicators. I then learnt after the taxi that 3 people to one bed is quite normal and is an ingenious way to room more customers at once. But to be honest I did expect those things to be commonplace in India. I have found that I haven't been effected by the poverty at all really. One of my first realisations upon arriving in India was that it appears exactly how I thought it would appear with tangled 'power lines' everywhere, beggars on every corner, stray dogs roaming the street and clustered buildings resembling dirty boxes with peeling paint. This realisation led me to no...

Great descriptions of things in Kolkata, keep the updates coming! Curious how the mighty playlist is going? Andrea

Nikau  He taonga, he tapu  When you come to a place like Kolkata, your senses are immediately hit with everything the place has to offer and more; from its unique smells- albeit good or bad, the array of colours spread right across the vastness of the city, to the poverty- which you could never tell existed by looking at the smiles on each of their faces; and of course the food which, although made in poor living conditions, I guarantee is the best food I've ever tasted- you will not find any better anywhere else in the world.  If you look at the town for its beauty and not for what's wrong with it, you will understand exactly what I am talking about. To be apart of this trip; to be doing this journey alongside the 21 other young men of my school is a true blessing. Everything about this place is beautiful- it has rocked me to my inner core, both literally and metaphorically, and if there is one thing I have come to realise througho...

Zachary Morrow Kolkata is crazy, intense and full of joyful people but it is also an old, dirty and dangerous city. This combination makes sure you are never left standing still, nothing you do is boring. Kolkata is a shock to the system after the clean utopia of Singapore, the contrast between the two cities is immense and in many aspects, they are complete opposites. All the types of transport are interesting to ride for different reasons, rickshaws are an exhilarating experience unlike no other and travelling on both buses and ferries allow you to engage in conversation with locals. When I arrived in Kolkata I was swept up into a journey which I had almost no control over. This is an extremely liberating experience and allows you to fully appreciate the city and fully engage in conversation with your peers. While I have so far loved my time in Kolkata there is one issue that has had a large impact on me, this is the homeless beggars that approach you on the street asking for money, ...

William Pretty  In typical Indian fashion, we began our first full day in Kolkata with the sun rising behind a force field of polluted air serving to keep out the clean, proving the statement that India truly is one of the only cities in the world you can look straight at the sun with no harm to your eyes. As a group we made our way through the labyrinth of streets, beneath the hanging cluster of power lines, the constant throb of car horns, weaving our way towards our destination just like the cars on the roads who pay no attention to lanes or order. Our destination was one of the large markets in Kolkata, commonly known as New Market (thankfully no relation to a Grammar students' commonplace in Auckland). Being told we were going to a market made my mind generate all the clichés one thinks of a third world market. This hub both met and changed my view of these places. In one opinion, New Market possessed the superb generalisations of every Indian man addressing yo...

Thanks for all the great blog posts coming from the roof of the hotel in Kolkata. As much as we try and imagine what the chaos is like we probably have little idea of the reality. Several of the blogs have focused on the assault on the senses - often we talk about the sights and sounds of our travel destinations but it's the smells (good and bad) that can transport you back to a place years later, even when the memory has faded. Taste is another and it's good to hear that you've been sampling (or at least trying to) the local food. The Indian meal we had in Auckland was supposed to be more authentic than the regular fare at most Indian restaurants but I expect that you'll be sampling things that will never be found on those menus.  Sorry to hear that the stomach bugs have kicked in already. Leo, pleased to see you taking charge on that front and also sharing it about. I hope you've given yourself a fine! Enjoy the rest of your time in Kolkata and we look forward to ...

Another big day here in Kolkata comes to a close. Unfortunately  a few members of the group  have been smacked with a bout of sickness today. Rowan Burns, Matt Illing, Sam Lindberg, and Josh Roberts have all come down with  a stomach bug  but we hope with some good rest tonight and tomorrow they'll be back in the game by Saturday. In good news, Leo Smith is on the mend and made a strong appearance at dinner tonight. Congrats, Leo,  you're an inspiration to those following in your footsteps at the moment. I hope you're enjoying the blogs that are coming in from the boys, detailing their initial impressions of Kolkata and the variety of thoughts and emotions the place evokes. I for one am extremely proud of the way they are opening themselves and the world they are seeing to you, the readers, with such honesty and insight. This is definitely a relentless place, simultaneously uplifting and unforgiving, and operating at a level of chaos th...

Callan Adams While the taxi ride was exciting, and the initial walk around the block was shocking, after two full days here I am beginning to numb to the intensity of Kolkata. The car horns are becoming a little less blaring, the meat markets a little less pungent, and the colours a little less vibrant. It is strange being a vessel of exhaustion amongst the endless activity of my surroundings. While the city's impact on my senses fades, however, what remains strong is the spirit of the people I encounter, their teeth whiter (or yellower) than ever. Even though my energy may wane over the weeks to come, I know that the energy and joy of the people of India will give me strength to continue.

Richard Boswell  Upon my arrival in Kolkata I have been constantly asking myself the same question - when does the show stop? Surely this isn't how these people live on a day to day basis? Surely the vast majority of people don't wake up in the morning having slept in the same place they will work throughout the whole day, this place being on the side of a footpath? Most importantly, surely these people can't complete this way of life with a smile on their face? The answers, however, that I am struggling to accept is that they do do all these things, and the show doesn't stop, ever. Another aspect of Kolkata, or potentially India as a whole, that has been playing on my mind is the concept of layers. I can't help but think that although we are seeing India at its finest and at its worst to a great depth, are we really seeing India? Let me elaborate, we see people in the market or on the street selling their products and making their living but th...

Lachie Dickson Sitting here on the top of our roof as I write, the Jungle Crows and the Grammar lads interact as if we had known each other for ages. Dialogue is brief, but laughs and smiles are present among everyone. A great sense of unity between the two groups, as we reflect on what a day it has been. I was lucky enough to be shown around this amazing city by 4 awesome guys from the Crows, learning the tricks of the trade to get around this buzzing city. We were taught "the power of the hand" which somehow stopped the crazy traffic flying at you, just like magic. More importantly, though, we shared our lives and they shared theirs. They showed us to their homes, talked about their friends, experiences and showed us the good looking ladies. Without them, my appreciation for this city would not be the same. The memories created today will stay with me forever, and maybe one day we can show them our lives, as they opened their lives to us....

Ollie Only a few days ago I was watching Netflix in my bed. It feels like we have been away forever. My adventures in Kolkata couldn't be more different from New Zealand but I wouldn't have it any other way. Venturing out and walking the streets is something I will never forget. Absolute chaos. This is the only possible way I could describe it. Back in New Zealand someone tooting their car horn would draw a lot of attention but here you can't find a time were no horn is going off. This is obviously only one of many differences the two counties have. I feel very privileged to experience this trip from my own two eyes. The people here are awesome. Everyone is either really friendly or wants you to buy something from their shop. Either way it's all an experience. Meeting the Jungle Crow rugby players yesterday and spending a full day with just them and us today has been the highlight of my adventure so far. The ability to get along with these people so fluently from ...

Aaron Wyllie Day four without the bike and the withdrawal symptoms have definitely started to kick in. However, despite being a bit anxious and having a few doubts coming into Kolkata a few days ago, I've been absolutely loving it since.  Kolkata is totally manic, yet somehow the chaos just works. Driving through the streets in rickshaws somewhat resembles a hectic elimination race on the track; everyone desperately trying to reach the front, constantly pushing through gaps that aren't there. There is only one rule: those in front have the right of way, so once you are only a few inches ahead of the guy next to you you can cut in front. The lanes and traffic signals are merely a suggestion, and after only a few blocks the horn has had more use than most Kiwis would use it in a lifetime. Awesome. Throughout our short time here so far, the city has totally bombarded all my senses. While I have quickly become immune to the constant horn ...