Advertisement
Hey guys! Welcome to the first installment of Ryan's droning travel blab! I've been a spoiled little shit over the past few years so this is probably getting a bit mundane and probably a bit obnoxious by now so I'll send a fewer of these but it does give me a fun way to ramble about my random (mis)adventures 😊
I'm sitting in a stuffy and poorly ventilated internet cafe in the heart of Kolkata and still trying to figure out how and why I'm here only a week and half removed from freezing my hands while trudging in snowshoes up Mount Seymour only a week and half ago. The last few days have blown by and already those rainy Vancouver days are drifting off into memory.
India has been amazing and after a long series of flight we finally arrived in Kolkata a few days ago after spending a night in Denver and enduring a 15 hour flight to Delhi and a 12 hour layover spent curled up on the floor of the Delhi airport in a futile effort to sleep. Though we arrived to Kolkata safe and sound sadly, we cannot say the same for our luggage which
is probably still on the luggage carousel in Delhi. With our packs lost (for now hopefully!) Jamie, my travel partner and I are living with a few books, a camera and only the clothes on our backs which has only been a minor obstacle so far.
Kolkata is an amazing city and have enjoyed it much more than I expected. Though the roads are jammed and the sidewalks croweded, the city bustles at all hours of night, illuminated by the glowing fires of the street vendors that waft spicy aromas throughout the city. We're accompanied by choruses of honking cars which we've learned to dodge with amazing skill all while balancing terracotta cups of hot chai tea and random street food ranging from samosas to dumplings to dosas.
We've spent countless hours strolling up and down the streets and alleys, sampling food along the way and observing the chaos and breathing in the aroma of the city. Kolkata is full of monuments from a legacy of British rule blended with Indian art and colour.
We're "working" alongside a group of 15 Americans mostly from Minnesota and who represent the who's who of the private and public sector
and live in a somewhat exclusive club, all connected to the same political and political leaders. All but Jamie and I are staying at the Oberei Hotel, the finest in Kolkata. An enormous chandalier adorns the lobby and fresh flowers are laid out by emmaculately dressed bellman and elegant Indian women dressed in fine silks and traditional scarves. Jamie and I have opted to stay at a dorm 20 minutes away in the Muslim quarter of town though so far, the remaining 8 beds have been empty. Despite our humble dwellings, I'm far better suited to our dingy shared flat than the luxury gated community of the Oberei. Our group has been fascinated (horrified) by our tales of street meat and exploits around town have fascinated our group who has mostly decided to isolate themselves in the hotel and nearby shopping complex.
We've been on a tour of various projects including an orphanage and school project that has become a volun-tourism rather than a constructive dialogue which I had optimistically hoped this trip would entail. There seems to be little interest in the actual people or problems that are presented and represent an extraodinary opportunity for meaningful dialogue and
problem solving but instead has resembled carefully crafted photo ops and recreational viewings of those less fortunate.
This morning we somehow managed to get invited to a private mass at Mother Theresa's convent and had a private meeting with Sister Agnus, an 89 year old nun who was close with Mother Theresa and by her bedside at her death. Aptly, the convent was extremely simple and located in a nondescript building in the middle of the city. Despite my lack of religious convictions, Mother Theresa was an extraordinary model for selflessness and compassion, two qualities I often see lacking in society. Our evenings have featured exquisite dining at private clubs and swanky apartments. Life has surely become quite interesting.
I will remain in Kolkata for a few more days before heading off to Cochin in SW India known for it's beaches and islands 😊 Maytbe my bags will arrive....
Advertisement
Tot: 0.085s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 8; qc: 52; dbt: 0.0599s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
zuzuzu72
zuzuzu72
I am enjoying your blogs, what's the chance of a few photos? Happy trails