For four rupees (eight cents), I boarded the ferry boat and crossed over to Howrah. Departing from our city's side, the boat was rather empty but many commuters were prepared to board once we arrived. This was my first boat ride on the river here. It reminded me of the times when almost all outsiders arrived by boat. I know of other carriers of the good news that traveled that way many times to this city. It was a much slower process, almost standstill compared to the jet planes of today. Yet, there is something special about transport on water.
My friend who ministers in Howrah tells me that he chooses the ferry instead of the bridge so he can pray before he crosses over to minister to the child drug addicts there.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Hooghly and Howrah Part I
Mr. Gabriel speaks:
To get to Howrah you must cross the Hooghly River. You can do it by bridge or ferry. The Hooghly is tributary of the Ganges, a sacred river in India. As I waited to board the ferry, I observed a number of people bathing in these polluted waters. Some were washing their bodies. Others had come for sacred ceremonial washing. After some festivals the riverbanks will be crowded with many coming to submerge their images and bid them farewell. Today wasn’t that busy, yet it was a reminder that in this great country many have not found the water that gives life.
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