Blogs from Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Asia

The rickshaw traveled around 1,600 km across three different Indian states to get to Calcutta (or Kolkota) on April 19. The traffic in Calcutta reminded us of why we were avoiding big cities, and was as bad as what we had experienced in Bangalore and Hyderabad. After having driven through almost 3,000 km through tough roads, cities and terrain, our rickshaw was not in the state to continue for the final 3 days that would ensure we reached Bombay in time for our flight to Australia. While we regretted stopping a little short of our target, we were glad that we were able to participate and experience the mayhem of Indian roads including both surprising acts of kindess and support from strangers as well as the craziness of people behind the wheel. Also, thanks to support ... read more

08.00 Hours Wednesday 28 March So here we are all alone in my last stop, Calcutta before I fly down to Cochin on Saturday. Feels a bit odd to be alone after all the companions of late So today I want to see the cricket ground Eden Gardens then take a ferry on the Hoogley River, take some photos of Howrah Bridge and go the famous flower market under the bridge. I set off early to try to beat the heat of the day. I walk to Eden Gardens but it’s difficult to get a good photo as the place is so big. I take the ferry across the river back to Howrah station where we arrived yesterday So I am out for 6 hours and it’s getting really hot so I head back only stopping ... read more

I was told today it was Friday, it’s a good thing I was told as had I been asked I would not have been able to give you an answer. I have genuinely completely lost track of what day of the week it is and what the date is because these things have simply become irrelevant. It is a truly liberating feeling to not have a single concern about two pieces of information which used to dictate my life and mood. Monday no longer means despair at a full week of work, Sunday no longer means the day to rest (or usually nurse a brutal hanover), Saturday no longer means party night. The only thing I keep a lose track of these days is the time and thats just so I know when to expect my ... read more

Kolkata is definitley the place to land from what I've heard about the other main cities in India. There was no culture shock to any of the 20 something volunteers. The traffic isn't so crazy and the people are not in your face. The other volunteers of lattitude are all easy going and friendly and we became close during our orientation in Kolkata. We were fortunate enough to be in Kolkata at the time of the annual Bishop's college community fair, where each country of volunteers performed a piece to the locals. Obviously we kiwis were asked to do the haka, and because neither Imogen or Fiona knew it I did the Takapuna Grammar School haka as a one man force with the girls backing me up with shaking wrists. We visited the mother Teresa house ... read more

Our last stop in India was the once British capital of India. Pete instantly liked this city better than any other city in India but he couldn’t pinpoint why. We finally decided it was due to the tree lined streets, wider boulevards, no cows wandering the city meaning no cow pies to avoid stepping in and all the yellow cabs instead of tuk tuks. When we arrived it was Republic Day, the day India no longer was under British Rule. We walked to the parade route but due to the amount of people we only saw one float and decided it wasn’t worth standing there too watch. During our time in India Pete had developed an infection of some sort in his nose and it was really bothering him. He decided it would be better to ... read more