Monday, November 14, 2005

Kathmandu to Kolkata

It will be interesting to update you on my recent Kolkata visit. I have been to this city thrice before. Once when I was 4 at my Aunty's wedding, next time when I was 10, on a winter vacation and the third time, I was actually going to Mumbai to attend someone's wedding and had to come to Kolkata and join people going to same wedding from there.


Now, I don't remember anything about my first trip. BUt the second trip was memorable. Me and my sister had good time. First of all, the whole fly to Cal was interesting. Aeroplane, sky and chocolates that the air hostess willingly gives you without telling you about cavities! What else would kids look forward to?

We stared at flyovers with disbelief, we wandered in Niko park amused and we kept pushing the puchkas ( Indian delicacy, aka paani puri) till our little tummies could not accomodate any more of the crispy puris filled with delicously sour water.


However, one thing that intrigued us both was, there was no garden infront of houses. Wait, there were no houses. It was tall buildings and some more tall buildings. Looking out of the windows of Burra Bajar flat (where my mama lives) I could not see anything... Look out from the window back home, and you would see trees and other houses and people. We wondered how people could live in such match box kind houses for a long time. BUt there were good things about Calcutta, you kept the fan on during winters :D And there was such an amazingly large zoo.


My third visit was confined to some shopping. I was buying salwaar suits for the wedding in Mumbai that I was supposed to attend. This time, it was June. The hot and sultry Cal greeted me. I kept puttting ice on my face, drinking coconut water and taking a nap in the sofa below the window whenever there was load shedding (and i managed more than 2 naps in my weeklong stay.)

The latest visit to Cal, is something I have been actually meaning to talk of. I was not too keen on going ...and I was not particularly keen to come back :D

Hmm... you know how one trip can change your life. Well, I reached Cal on 9th of October and met a guy on 11th. NOw what's special about meeting a guy in Cal on 11th?? Turned out, that I and this person were going to meet again and again and again... Until we finally get together. Folks, for a change, in this post there is nothing about customer loyalty, branding, or word of mouth. It is about me and someone special in my life. I am engaged !!!

Kolkata now is going to be home, like Kathmandu still is! I am going to know more of this city of paanipuri, rikshawawallahs of Burra bazar, the malls, the coconut water and my life part II, as Vidwata Mohta!

I promise this blog is not going to be neglected, inspite that Vid is engaged... :)) and writing much of her thoughts to him ;) ... though i have not been really regular, as Annie reminded me today...I promise the posts will keep coming... and so will you ( i hope!!)

1 comment:

zany said...

ya, Kolkatta...the C!ty of Joy..enjoy your stay ... n make each moment a memorable one...