We had visas, passports, rupees, airline tickets. We flew to Kolkata, India, but landed in a place than could have been a suburb of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
People in this Indian city look like Bangladeshi, they speak Bangla, they eat Bangla food. Kolkata is almost as chaotic as Dhaka, the streets are dirty and poverty is very visible.
Yes, everybody told me this before. Thanks everybody. I just had to see this with my own eyes.
Physically it's less than 400 kilometers between Dhaka and Kolkata but historically and culturally the cities are close. Islam is the dominant religion is Bangladesh, hinduism in India. But Dhaka has a hindu population, Kolkata a muslim one.
Still, Kolkata in West Bengal was absolutely worth a visit.
Our hotel was close to the area where Mother Teresa worked. She was an impressive woman but sadly enough there is a lot to do even now.
No rikshaws in Kolkata downtown, instead hoards of yellow taxis.
But not for us since I insist on walking. I need to see, hear, smell and touch places I visit. Thus, many kilometers per day, a few complaints from my husband.
The British colonial time is very visible in Kolkata. Victoria Memorial is an impressive marble building surrounded by large gardens.
Beautiful and at the same time a good example of the sharp division of the haves and have-nots. Wealthy white people lived in an area called the White City, poor locals in the Black City. Very little has changed.
Our visit coincided with the first spring days and Valentine's Day. Millenium Park by the Hooghly River attracted hundreds of young couples (or wannabes) in their best attire. The smell of hormones clearly defeated the scent of flowers.
Old days have their charm.
So do the new.
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