Not all those who wander are lost...
Like every dreamer, I too had my bucket list prepared by the age of 10. Well, I didn't know it was called a bucket list but you get the drift, I hope. I wanted to travel to every nook and cranny of my country and then the world. But life doesn't work like Aladdin's Magic Lamp - your wish is my command. I got caught up badly in the quagmire that the life sometimes throws into your path. But somewhere deep inside me, I had that dreamer alive who was waiting for her opportunity to swoop upon and be a globetrotter.
And voila, with some fortunate twists, I got to travel to Kolkata! Well, it is a start!
The best part about travelling is the feeling of removal of my comfort zone. The feeling that how much I have been missing on, how much I need to see is both unnerving and overwhelming.
Let me take you on a journey of Kolkata with my eyes -
People, People everywhere.
Delhi is barely a dot on the map of India. West Bengal is gigantic in area. Despite that, the first thing I noticed about Kolkata is that it is densely populated. The only place that matches this density in Delhi is Chandni Chowk. Or may be Rajiv Chowk Metro station. I couldn't stand and admire any place, I was swept by the crowd if I stood at any place even a second longer. But Kolkata is made of wonderfully helpful people. As sweet as Rosogulla. As soft hearted as Sondesh. I asked my hotel manager about some good places to visit and he actually took out 30 minutes to write it all down on a piece of paper for me! I was flattered.
But one mind-boggling thing was their attitude between 2 to 5 pm. The city shuts down completely as if in curfew. Everybody refuses to work, shops closed, the taxi hoods raised up, the city comes to a halt. Weird norm really!
The Tram & the Metro.
Tram is the most famous mode of sightseeing ! it is utterly slow but gives a glimpse of most of the important places of the city. It is actually a train like structure that moves on the road ! It is a good option if you have a lot of time in your itinerary and don't mind the slow pace.
The metro system of Kolkata is the oldest one in India. 1984, can you believe that ? I was in awe with the historical connection.
And you know the best part? Public transport in this city costs you a dime!
Eden Garden!
It resonates the vibes of Sachin & Kohli, Dravid & Yuvi; you really have to be here to feel this place ! The feeling is ineffable! The place breathes of cricket and cricket, as everybody knows, flows in every Indian's blood!
The Blue-White City of Chaos through the Windows of Yellow Ambassador.
The theme of Kolkata is blue and white. Except of course the eye-catching yellow ambassador taxis. Unlike Delhi's ubiquitous e-rickshaws, Kolkata's roads are fraught with yellow taxis that remind you of the 80s! I asked one taxi driver if it was profitable driving the taxi in the city and he told me that the taxi fares have been fixed by the government and have not risen for the past 5 years or so and it is an impossible task to earn even two square meals driving the yellow taxi with Ola and Uber eating up the market. He even mentioned about a strike that the yellow taxis did about 3years back to ask for a rise in the fare but the government simply refused to cooperate!
The traffic in the city is chaotic, this is saying something coming from a Delhite as there is nothing more notorious in Delhi than its traffic, except perhaps the swear words. By chaotic I don't mean that the people don't follow the traffic rules. What I mean is that people immediately halt at the red signal but as soon as the signal turns green, there is a mad rush on road, there are no roundabouts to help slow down the traffic at junctions. I think the traffic policemen should be awarded a nobel prize for handling the traffic in this city !
The dichotomy
There was no dearth of Jaguar, Audi and Merc in the city. But at the same time the sordid state of the poor and the destitute made me feel so miserable. The rich drove on, while the sides of the roads whispered the sorry stories of the underprivileged. And the sight of rickshaw pullers in the city will remind you of the British era of slavery when the Indians were treated like animals! Unlike the rickshaws in Delhi, they actually pull you instead of riding it. I was reminded of a horse carriage; it really was inhuman!
Howrah Bridge
This beauty!
'Built on the Hooghly river, Howrah bridge is the busiest bridge in the country ... ' I remember reading this somewhere for my geography exam. But it was only after being there, standing on the bridge, did I really feel that the statement is absolutely justified ! It was an indescribable moment standing on it, with the river flowing underneath, the traffic moving non-stop behind me and hundreds of pedestrians walking hither n thither going about their normal routines.
It was a place that gave me goosebumps; I stood there for ages witnessing the concurrence of nature and homo sapiens.
Besides these, in the little time I got to explore, I visited the local market of Esplanade and this marble wonder called Victoria Memorial. I tasted the famous Puchkas and jhal muri. No offence but I hated them both! I prefer Delhi's Golgappe and bhelpuri. I also got to visit the KaliGhat temple. And I tasted the world-famous Sondesh! I don't have a sweet tooth, I am more of a chaat-lover but trust me, the sweets here were heavenly!
There were a lot many places I wanted to visit but paucity of time wrecked havoc with my plans!
Thank You, Kolkata for the delectable food and all the warmth!
So Long!
