Armenian Church

(parking next to the Gillander House (with the beautiful lions on the gate and the elephants)
We walked down Old China Bazaar which actually has 3 names and nearly bought painted enamel plates there as a farewell present for Yvonnick who is leaving us to go to Daresalam Tanzania and starts his travels in Rajasthan next Sunday.

Mr. Paul gave us permission to photograph the graves and the church and Siddiqui was so moved she's planning to stay back for service next Sunday at 9:30 since we will be in the area to do the Chinese Church, and the Synagogues (for which we have to get prior permission from David Nahoum).

We were lucky to find Mr. Paul who gave us lots of details about the Armenian Church and the Armenian school and college. The Church has one of the oldest graves of Calcutta dating back to 1640.

It is also one of the richest Armenian Churches and there are some 150 students /orphans studying in the school. Doc bumps into some of the young Armenian Rugby players at practice.
Usha plans to ask permission to do wax rubbings of the graves which has some beautiful motifs.

We also visited the Portuguese Church on the main road and waited till a little past 8 for it to open for service at 8:30 am. As Andy was in town and a late night at Roxy meant that Lilly didn't join us but promises to be there next weekend.

The Taj had some lovely chocolate boots and other piece montee by the German chef for the World Cup.

Notice: Meet in front of Statesman House 7 am on June 18th to do BBD Bag/St. John’s Church/ or Armenian Church/Synagogue… Breakfast at Taj Bengal
Afterwards at 11 am you are all cordially invited to the TARA Studio at Opera House Dharmtala, 5 B Lenin Sarani (opposite Saki Bar) to listen to a recording of Farida Parveen Folk singer of Bangladesh. She is an internationally renowned Bengali singer and you would enjoy the folk melodies of Bengal.

A special Hash is being organised at Vedic Village on Sunday 11th June.

www.thevedicvillage.com/
Vedic Village - a unique home away from home, with the flavour of the
Bengal countryside. Set in the exclusive Rajarhat Megacity - a 20
minute drive from Kolkata airport and just 40 minutes away from the
centre of the City.

An international Resort & Spa is the nucleus of the complex surrounded
by farm lands which form part of the Bungalow Estate. A place where
you can buy a farm house or just visit on holiday. To heal, renew and
reincarnate.

We car pool at ITC Sonar Bangla at 7am. Vedic Village is a 20 minute
drive away. We walk around the complex ( See photos on the website and
click on the www.calcuttahashgroup.blogspot.com Archive for June 2005.
We breakfast there and can even make a day's outing.
Use the pool for an extra Rs.100.
Last time, Zoria even went riding...
Guests pay Rs.250 for the breakfast.
Please RSVP as if we are more than 15 we can also book a bus to go there.

Neela 9830014934

7 and a half regular hashers came to the Vedic Village – Zoria gave Siddique a ride and the two of them stayed back to enjoy the pool. Doc and Natalie gave Usha a ride. I got a ride with Rajesh Nath and daughter Sana. Rajesh had organized the breakfast and there was no hibiscus tea though there were other organic and out of the ordinary breakfast items like hummus, green banana pasaruttu etc. Zoria was greatly impressed by the quick service of her eggs.
We walked around with umbrellas in the heat and saw the eco cottages with the turf on the roof and the mud huts with Shantiniketan style wall murals. There were even Worli paintings on the walls. The caretakers opened up a number of the residences for us to see.
Usha and Zoria had a lot to say about the landscape and the complex. I reeled around from the heat with not much to say despite Doc’s baiting. Aunt Siddiqui looked after Sana but we didn’t see the kingfishers.
After breakfast we drove back though not on the hour long scenic route taken by Zoria who drove with her driver sitting in the back seat and heroically managed the very congested Pakapole Sunday Haat where we found ourselves stuck at an intersection behind some trucks. We were able to feast our eyes on the fresh vegetables, giant pumpkins and jackfruit and wondered whether Doc got stuck there buying his Sunday maach when he didn’t follow us out immediately.