I arrived with my Sri Lankan Tamil friend, Devarhajan Mahessawaran (I committed the name to memory) at Calcutta customs fairly tipsy on whiskey (it's a long but interesting story).
As all the other passengers from the same (and only) flight were also tipsy and reeking of alcohol, there were no problems.
I quickly sobered up in the parking lot, though; it was so surreal.
A taxi driver offered us a cheap price, but on condition that we walk to his taxi, which for some strange reason (welcome to India!) was parked all by itself in the middle of the vast airport parking lot.
Now, I expected beggars, but there were only two kids, and both looked pretty healthy- and dirt poor.
The girl was maybe ten, cute as a bug, and all smiles.
I suppose she was a street kid as her hair had not been brushed in ages and was in big matted dreadlocks.
We gave the kids some money.
I felt that I was on another planet, and indeed I was.
The rural ride into Calcutta in the old Hindustan taxi was one of the most bizarre experiences of my life.
Of course there were cows in the road and all that, but not in the way I imagined.
This landscape I had never seen before- not in any dream.
Going into Calcutta I was expecting hell on earth.
And yes, it was very poor and run down.
But that doesn't explain it.
There was an ambiance to the city that was heady and heavy; there was something about this place of gritty buildings and alleys that was beyond my comprehension.
And it wasn't oppressive or frightening.
In a word, it was magical, and I felt like a space man arriving at an incongruous destination.
But after a few days in Calcutta, it grew on me.
People were so friendly.
Yes, I'm not going to lie, it was dirty and run down, but it had a special magic to the city.
There was lots of farm animals freely roaming the streets.
Our hotel was actually quite nice for the price (under $10 per night).
The staff was great and they spoke English.
We took a taxi tour of the city.
Cost about $5 for the full day.
The taxi driver was very helpful.
He took us everywhere.
There isn't a whole lot to see as far as buildings, but there was many interesting people to watch.
I love people watching.
We visited some old Indian temples and shrines.
The food was incredible, but you have to be careful on what you eat.
I would avoid street stalls even though some of the best food is there.
Restaurants are usually safe and sanitary.
Another piece of advice would be to avoid giving money to beggars.
It sounds cruel, but once you give money to someone, everyone else will want some too and you will be surrounded by beggars.
Keep an open mind and just enjoy the city.
Completely different from western culture, but definitely worth the trip if you ever get out that way.
As all the other passengers from the same (and only) flight were also tipsy and reeking of alcohol, there were no problems.
I quickly sobered up in the parking lot, though; it was so surreal.
A taxi driver offered us a cheap price, but on condition that we walk to his taxi, which for some strange reason (welcome to India!) was parked all by itself in the middle of the vast airport parking lot.
Now, I expected beggars, but there were only two kids, and both looked pretty healthy- and dirt poor.
The girl was maybe ten, cute as a bug, and all smiles.
I suppose she was a street kid as her hair had not been brushed in ages and was in big matted dreadlocks.
We gave the kids some money.
I felt that I was on another planet, and indeed I was.
The rural ride into Calcutta in the old Hindustan taxi was one of the most bizarre experiences of my life.
Of course there were cows in the road and all that, but not in the way I imagined.
This landscape I had never seen before- not in any dream.
Going into Calcutta I was expecting hell on earth.
And yes, it was very poor and run down.
But that doesn't explain it.
There was an ambiance to the city that was heady and heavy; there was something about this place of gritty buildings and alleys that was beyond my comprehension.
And it wasn't oppressive or frightening.
In a word, it was magical, and I felt like a space man arriving at an incongruous destination.
But after a few days in Calcutta, it grew on me.
People were so friendly.
Yes, I'm not going to lie, it was dirty and run down, but it had a special magic to the city.
There was lots of farm animals freely roaming the streets.
Our hotel was actually quite nice for the price (under $10 per night).
The staff was great and they spoke English.
We took a taxi tour of the city.
Cost about $5 for the full day.
The taxi driver was very helpful.
He took us everywhere.
There isn't a whole lot to see as far as buildings, but there was many interesting people to watch.
I love people watching.
We visited some old Indian temples and shrines.
The food was incredible, but you have to be careful on what you eat.
I would avoid street stalls even though some of the best food is there.
Restaurants are usually safe and sanitary.
Another piece of advice would be to avoid giving money to beggars.
It sounds cruel, but once you give money to someone, everyone else will want some too and you will be surrounded by beggars.
Keep an open mind and just enjoy the city.
Completely different from western culture, but definitely worth the trip if you ever get out that way.
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