It was time to start my Indian adventure and kicked it off in the third largest city, Calcutta or 'Kolkata' as it's now called, in the state of West Bangal. I knew this was going to be a big culture shock going from New Zealand to here and boy was I right!
Even on leaving the airport, I was swamped by people trying to get me in their cab or sell me something. The airport is quite modern which is a contrast to the poverty and slums that are around it. The cute yellow taxis are everywhere and provide much needed colour, the 'Ambassadors' are similar to an old Morris Minor, some look newer and some more battered.
I checked in to the hotel for a good nights sleep and up early to explore the next day. The Hotel Celesta is near to the airport and about 13km from the city, pretty modern and made sure I stocked up on bottled water as the water here is too dangerous to drink.
We hailed a cab down and headed off to the first stop, one of the temples by the river called Belur Math. The drive there was an experience in itself! Basically, there appears to be no rules, they drive fast, constantly beep their horns, weave in and out of each other and let no one in, barely missing pedestrians who equally just walk out without warning. Together with cows and stray dogs, no air con, it makes me an interesting ride!! It's sad to see but the city is really filthy, dirty, dusty and litter everywhere! I can see why the city got nicknamed the "black hole" of Calcutta.
The Belur Math temple is a light relief from the craziness of the city. A peaceful oasis on the river where people come to pray and relax. I even saw people washing their clothes here and bathing in the polluted river that runs through the city.
Next it was on to the Pareshnath Temple, another oasis in the madness. As we pulled up their were a group of young boys playing cricket in the street. They hit the ball over in to the temple so I went to fetch it for them. They said "thank you Uncle"! I guess an endearing term for someone older, haha! The cab driver waited for us as we headed further south to the home and tomb of Mother Teresa.
"Mother House" as it is known is just off the Main Street down a side street. Again, a peaceful place and a place of pilgrimage for many people and nuns who were there. We got to see where she lived and worked for most of her life. Her tomb is there, a small museum and the living quarters of the missionary. She lived in this tiny room all her life, never used a fan even though the room was above kitchen and would get very hot. It was very simple with some religious items dotted around. Quite surreal being here but I can understand why her work was so needed here as it's very poor.
Leaving the house, we walked back on then Main Street towards the main shopping district of Park Street through hundreds of tiny shanty shops and makeshift sheds selling everything from tyres to fabrics to food. The smells and craziness of this walk is quite hard to describe!
The South Park Cemetery is on the corner and only 50 rupees to enter. This was actually recommended on Trip Advisor as an unusual place with grand tombs and headstones mostly for the British Empire. It's an eerie place with huge tombstones, mostly from 1800's to late 1990's with very British names mostly of people of importance or high ranking. One was David Smith who I think most have been some kind of Captain.
After here we grabbed some food from a decent restaurant and headed to the parkland where the Victoria Memorial and Fort William are based. It's a huge parkland but again spoilt in parts by the large amount of litter everywhere. Lots of beggars and poverty sadly lines the streets around here. There was one section which was quite bizzare, must have been a lovers corner and suddenly just lots of couples kissing and embracing! The Victoria Memorial is a huge white building and quite impressive, as is St Paul's Cathedral nearby which you can enter for free.
By this point it was back to the hotel for a good wash and to relax before my flight to the holy city of Varanasi on the Ganges. Calcutta....what an introduction to India! This was a city of contrasts, which I'm glad I've done but 1 full day I felt was enough even as a seasoned traveller! I think it was good to get a sense of some of the poorest parts of India and to really how lucky some of us are.
