Custom made snackfood
We flew into Kolkata in the middle of the night (2am) at least there was no traffic to the Sunflower GH but our taxi driver couldn’t read the address so we stopped to talk to a few night watchmen to get the exact location. We did see people sleeping on the streets(of course its almost always hot here). We had 4 days until we were headed N to Assam so we hit the streets, tea out of disposable unglazed clay cups, a breakfast paratha, wondering around taking in the street life. And that is the thing here street life, so busy, horns honking, all sorts of vendors on the sidewalks, dodging taxis to cross streets. But first we had to get sim cards. We needed photos so we stopped at a sm photo shop and the owner came out and started talking to us over some tea he sent out for. Turns out he was in Las Vegas last year and the highlight for him was shooting a machine gun at a range and a helicopter ride. Funny what people remember. After getting sim cards we headed over to buy some flight tickets and change money. Of course getting involved in many conversations along the walk. Bengali food is different and interesting. They cook with mustard oil and use some veggies I wasn’t familiar with. Plus so much river fish on the menu (being on a huge river) Visiting the largest market (open 24/7) with a local photographer to photograph the fish and veggie market was a blast. Because we had a guide he could translate our questions to the people at the market and of course they had lots of questions for us. I had a few tops made from a shirt I brought with me. The linen here is fabulous. So many pattern choices and colors. After finding a “ladies tailor” the deal was sealed with a cup of masala chai ($7 for the sewing of 1 shirt) I had bought the fabric at a mens tailor shop. Of course they couldn’t do it there because it was a ‘ladies shirt”. We spent several more days in this manner walking around talking to people stopping for “the best coffee in Kolkata”, and eating. The food was divine and just wandering the streets of Kolkata was so fun. Kolkata is probably the center of culture in India, and it was the capital for many years. There are bookshops on the streets and Oxford Books (an indoor bookshop) was a great place to hangout and chat with Indians. We met 3 foreigners. A must visit city!!!
Adventure Traveling with Janet and Pat 