Last official day in Kolkata

---

Saturday

Mike got a good night's sleep, after he realized that when he woke up at 1 a.m., it wasn't 5 a.m., which he thought!

Again, our friends from JU met us and spent their afternoon showing us some of the sites. Mike's first experience with REAL Kolkata traffic. At one point, he wasn't sure if he was falling asleep because he was tired or because of carbon monoxide poisoning!

First we went to the New Market, which is fairly old, open, bazaar type market. Our first experience with numerous beggars and potential 'tour guides' of the market. Did buy a couple of things, were shown even more. As soon as you express interest in any one thing, the merchants pull out quantities of samples, unwrap them, lay them on the counters, and then begin asking what you'd like to pay. of course, they start at the top and you start at the bottom. The trick for us, as Americans and tourists, is to know what's a good amount--and to walk away and let them reciptocate with a counter offer. Thank goodness, we had a couple folks with us who knew some values and what was too much and spoke the language.

After visiting New Market, we wandered on down Park Street and were treated to a great lunch at the Bar-B-Que Restaurant. Chinese/Indian cuisine and delicious! We had kung pao fish, chili prawns, naan and paneer, pan fried chili fish (you can tell Mike had a hand in ordering this menu!), vegetable fried rice and cold Kingfisher beer! More good food--we certainly have been treated royally this trip.

Then to the Victoria Memorial, via a downpour and a walk around most of the building. We had to buy the tickets at one entrance and actually walk about to the opposite side to enter. Viewed the building, portraits, a nice "history" of Kolkata (from the Raj point of view...). Really enjoyed the beautiful flowers in the middle of the 'winter'. Lovely grounds.

Ended the day back at the JU Guest House with tea and a nice final visit. Sukhen joined us at this point as Chuks (his exchange partner) will be leaving at midnight for the airport. We fly to Mumbai (Bombay) in the morning but will be back Thursday night. Sushil very kindly is keeping a couple of bags for us (mostly full of purchases) so we don't have to take them across the country and back. Thanks, again, to everyone (Ajit, Sushil & Sukhen) for giving up their Saturday to us!

---

Photos

Walking towards New Market
Lots of outside stalls before you get into the building that houses the "official" New Market merchants, permanent store fronts.

Lots of colors
Brightly colored wares.

Saree shop
The shopkeepers were kind enough to pose for us, even though we weren't buying!

Overhead shot
Just stuck my arms up and snapped!

Old style front
They've kept up the old front of the market--in Victorian style.

In the restaurant
This was a big restaurant--an overhead loft above this room and at least two rooms to the right. Just as the guide books say, lots of servers helping, dishing the food out to you, refreshing drinks--very nice. Great meal, and good conversation!

Gardens around Victoria Memorial
Lots of flower shots coming up!

Gardens
More big, beautiful dahlias!

Flowers
Not sure what this plant is but it provided barrier at the back of many of the gardens--very pretty hanging flowers.

Us in front of the VM
All should notice Mikes' chivalrous act of sacrifice ,on his right shoulder,where he made sure Sue was covered by an umbrella during the rainstorm.

Bronze placque
and Susan--this is at the base of the statue of Queen Victoria seated.