Oh Kolkata!

So here i am finally in India..and loving it! Sure there is in your face povety but after months of reading and preparing, i was expecting a lot worse. Call me hearltess but i find the 'talk to the hand method' works pretty well for those persistent touts/beggers. I guess when in Rome....

India really started on the flight from bangkok. Meet some hare-krishnas on their way to just north of here for pilgrimage. After chatting to one of them I was offered a 'place' in the taxi to come and join them.Thanks but no thanks..Though i do love their food and chanting... Also on the flight 98% of my fellow plane travellers were indian. First time i've been on plane when people were getting up for a walk seconds before landing and seconds after landing people were getting out of their seats to open the lockers! One couldn't but help feel sorry for the poor thai hosties trying to restore some order.

I just love arriving into a new place late at night and Kolkata was no exception. I was meet by two guys from the hostel who ushered me into their white 30 year old 'ambassador' (looks like a big brother of the morris minor). All the taxis here are yellow ambassadors and I keep expecting to see Noddy and Big ears driving by. The ride to the hotel through the surprisingly empty streets (empty of people that is but hundreds of dogs) was eye opening and reminded me of being in mad max set. On the way i saw my first dead body, cruised passed a bollywood dance party and negotiated a herd of goats..Only in India i guess...stay tuned..