Shoe Shopping

Our last week in Kolkata Karli and I went shoe shopping with Rozi. She needed some school shoes. All the Indian school girls wear cute little Mary-Janes - and Rozi didn't have any, and a new school year was starting for her. We'd set the date to shop. But when i got there, Rozi said we couldn't go shopping. i didn't know why though, so i hung out for awhile and then went to Prem Don (the plan was that when Karli got there later, she was going to come get me at Prem Don). Sure enough Karli showed up and said we were going to go after all. As it turned out, the reason why we couldn't go was cause the family didn't have money, and Rozi had to wait til they had saved enough for the shoes. Karli offered to pay for the shoes - if that was okay with the family (cause we didn't have any other days when shoe shopping could happen). Rozi's mom was fine with that, but wondered where Karli would get the money. The shoes cost 80Rs (about 2 dollars). Rozi's mom just couldn't imagine that we had that much extra money that we could spend so easily.

And as much as the interaction puts my affluence into global perspective, and challenges me - its also a beautiful story to me. you see, when she wondered where we'd get 80Rs from - it was so clear that she saw Karli and I as much more than just "rich foreigners." In truth she had no idea about my affluence. $2.00 - i spend that all the time without thinking - on a whim. More than once is spent 80Rs on lunch - one meal for one person! So when she wondered where we'd get "That much" money - well, it was just a sign to me that she saw me as a friend just as much as i saw her that way. It was a way that it became clear that as much as her family has a special place in my heart - we also have that place in her heart.

i don't understand my relationship with the Katun family. I know God was at work in it. I know that i am blessed for having known them. I know that God is at work in the family revealing Himself. I know God is revealing Himself to me through them. To me, my friendship with the Katun family is a miracle (that from both "sides" we were able to see past our circumstances and cultures and find true friendship, understanding and trust so quickly) - an incredible gift that i don't fully understand the value of yet - but i am so thankful for!

on the lighter side, our shoe shopping adventure went down kind of like a drug deal (at least the way i imagine a drug deal would go down based on what i've seen on TV). Rozi asked how much shoes would cost - and Karli told her that if we were there, the shoes would be a lot more if we were there (example, Gita bought some earrings for me. she paid 10Rs for them. if i would have bought them the best price i could have gotten would have been 30-50Rs, and i would have thought i was getting a good deal!). Rozi still wanted us to come along, but didn't want a bad price, so we hid behind this police stand. Rozi went and found the shoes she wanted. She came and told us how much they cost. Karli slipped her the money. Rozi bought the shoes, and came back to our hiding place. all the while we're peaking round trying to see whats going on. it was a funny moment :)