I smelt that
warm and familiar air as soon as the airplane hit the tarmac. Though experiencing two cycles of day and
night while flying here, my anticipation for India prevented any sound sleep on
the airplane. Wiping my eyes and letting
out a few yawns, I was definitely washed over with tiredness when we touched
down. But with that first hazy look out the window, and that first whiff of India,
I felt alive and vital. Moreover, I felt grounded and safe.
Calcutta
airport can be a bit overwhelming at first, with hoards of taxi drivers and
beggars running to greet you at first sight, honks that seem as frequent birds
singing in the spring, and a traffic situation that no amount of planning or
policing can control. Despite this, the
charm of India also quickly sets in.: The warm sun, the colors of the clothing,
the vintage taxis, the unique architecture and the trees which canopy the people
on the streets. My grampa’s sister (or my dad’s ‘Chachi’) hired a driver to
pick us up. He wore a white suit, a spiffy driver’s hat, and had a moustache
that would make my Movember-ite friends go green with envy. We got in the car
and my eyes were filled with the colors and smell of hOMe.
Calcutta
(or Kolkata) was derived from the
combination of three villages: Kalikata, Sutarnuti and Govidopur. Before the
British arrived in India, these were three independent villages. When the
British arrived in 1690 they combined these into one city: Calcutta. Located in
West Bengal, Calcutta was the capital of India during British rule. Being a
port, it served as the most prominent Eastern port for import and export of
everything from spices, to teas, to jewels. Long before Bombay was developed as
a port, and before New Delhi was deemed the capital, Calcutta was the hub was
for the British. Fragments of British can still be found here: Christian
schools with English uniforms, architecture reminiscent of Victorian times, and
some of the greatest violin (and other instrument makers) are still a strong
cornerstone of Calcutta society. Now Kolkata (due to India asserting it’s
Independence through minor phonological changes in city names), it’s a city
that fills me with intrigue and wonder.
I’m
here namely for my cousins wedding, which is to take place in a week. I hear
the weddings are epic! After which I will be doing some rugged backpacking and train travels with my best friend. I look forward to sharing this journey with you…
