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Leaving Kolkata
Chakra Head
[info]aumshantih
The party went well. There were around 60 people in attendance, almost entirely family. It was a bit odd as I bunch of relatives I never knew I had showed up, so that was awkward, but I tried my best to talk to everyone. Everyone was well dressed and well behaved, and I got a bunch of good pictures that I’ll upload when I have access to a fast net connection. The food was fantastic as well, though some of it a bit too rich and spicy for my stomach. The Bhekti Tikka was particularly phenomenal, as was the Rasa Malai. (If teeth rottingly sweet.)

Afterwards Eddie, Devi and my cousin Bikram went out to enjoy the nightlife at the Cylon Basestar. Sadly, we couldn’t get into the dance club “Tantra” because we were wearing slippers (sna?) so we hung out in the cheers-esque bar and enjoyed the live band and drank some beer. Kingfisher is great, though after all that rich food, it didn’t settle too well.
The day after we had intended to go and see Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, a religious order that my family has belonged to for quite some time. Sadly, we weren’t able to go, because our driver decided to go missing. Travelling anywhere in this city is quite a mess. Instead we hung out here and I got to spend some time with some of my nieces. I bought “Jenga” which went over really well.

Today’s my final day here. I’m feeling a bit melancholy (melankali?) but It’s going to be good to be home. My cousin Bikram is likely getting married in about a year’s time, and my attendance is required, so I’ll probably be back soon enough. Still, leaving is always tough. I just wish plane fare was less expensive so I could afford to visit more often.
See you all on the flip side.

I feel the same way when I have to leave Singapore. I wish I could visit there more often.
One day, I'd love to visit India. Goodness knows when (or which part!), but it's on the list of places I've always wanted to visit. Maybe if Rahul goes back to Jaipur...

My sister and husband travelled to Jaipur. They liked it okay, but found it super crowded and crazy, with all the horses, elephants and camels intermixed with ordinary traffic.

Visit Kerala, I swear it's amazingly gorgeous.

tx4blogging

—srsly. You write this stuff up very well, and it's interesting.

Is Lal Toofan drunk in any quantity out there? I don't remember it being lots better than other Indian beers or anything; it's just that I only ever saw it once in an Indian restaurant, and it has a sufficiently badass name that I always remember it.

More something-or-other-ly: is there some creepy underlying vibe that slippers are too Indian, not Western enough?

I haven't heard of that beer, I just drank Kingfisher while I was there. And a lot of whiskey. Dear goddess, so much. I had sampled an interesting indian whisky called "Antiquity", which wasn't half bad.

I'm sure the slipper thing had a creepy anti-desi vibe. Hell, the Calcutta Club, the oldest private club in the city, won't let anyone into it who's wearing native dress. Talk about neo-colonialism..

I stumbled across your LJ via the random LJ module and I really enjoyed the way you wrote about this trip with random insertions of geek references. I hope you continue to post regularly from hereon - I see your past posting appears sporadic over the years.

Keep your towel handy ;)


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