first calcutta impressions

I arrived at the airport at 11:30 pm and had a half-hour taxi ride to the place where I'm staying-- an apartment attached to Mrs. Shome's place which she uses to host students. Everyone calls her Mou (pronounced Mo). I'm sharing the apartment with an MBA student from Bangalore (Rekha), and a college student from Vermont (Katie).

Just on the ride from the airport, I noticed some things that are different than Bombay:

- the main streets are a little emptier at midnight

- significantly more people sitting or sleeping on the sides of the streets

- 2 different billboards for a "sexologist," a word that I think would be very surprising to see in large print in Bombay. Rekha later told me that its because Calcutta is known as a city of love, and a city particularly open to love marriages.  <3

- person-powered rickshaws. They're a bit controversial because its so physically taxing on the operators...  I've read that some people want the city to ban them, but I don't think that is seriously under consideration.

-  more English signs, in general.  There's much more Marathi on store signs and billboards in Bombay than there is Bengali in Calcutta.

Katie just took me on an introductory tour of the city.  It was kind of what I expected... really crowded and overwhelming.  But also perfectly fine to walk around.  So many Indian friends in the U.S. had talked up the pollution, overpopulation and sanitation issues in Calcutta... and those things are apparent, but today the areas I visited were perfectly fine for walking around and enjoying yourself.

I also had really excellent Chinese food.  Found out that Calcutta is known for it.  Here's a picture of some Chinese restaurants with amusing names.  (The one I ate in was significantly less sketchy).  And another of me in the apartment.

 

Update on Sunday, April 12, 2009 at 8:45AM by Rameez

ok, I should not have been quite so derisive about the Peep-N-Inn, pictured in this entry.  I just had a kati roll from there... it had egg and paneer... and was extreeemly yummy.  I would never had tried it on my own, based on the look of the place, but one of my roommates made me do it.

I haven't, however, had Chinese food at this establishment... yet.

Comments

[Fatima]

Salaams Rameez.
You look well. Is it Tin Tin as in Rin Tin Tin? I am assuming that the excellent cuisine you allude to is not the economic one referred to on the billboard

[Rameez]

no, I didn't eat there. but its quite a sign, isn't it? :)

I had Chincse at a restaurant near Southern Ave (where I'm staying) called the Wall. In American terms, I'd call the decor trendy Asian-fusion. I also had some at the Saturday Club... I had to be signed in. It was a british raj style posh clubhouse with wicker chairs, gardens, staff in crisp white uniforms and lots of older men reading the paper. Its been so long since I've been to the Karachi club... I forget, is that what its like too?