January 2007
After
what was supposed to be a night train from Varanasi I was tired and
kind of out of it. Is it still a night train if it leaves just
before sunrise? Not really. In my sleep deprived state, I
decided to go on to Sunderbans Tiger Reserve with a few people I had
met in my hours at the station. My book (Footprint) said "You
will not see a tiger..." but it is relaxing, beautiful, etc.
Lonely Planet said "Come face to face with a tiger..." Yeah
right. Let's see, more tourists than tigers (200 or so) in a
reserve bigger than Belgium. What are the chances? Why does
everyone think LP is so accurate? Had a good time there anyway,
as I wasn't expecting much.
Next, after a brief return to Kolkata I was off on the "toy train," an old narrow guage to Darjeeling. Beautiful scenery, a very relaxed pace and great people providing interesting conversation and good food. Ever wanted to outrun a train? This is the one... Darjeeling was nice, though a bit cold. I was too cold to do any trekking, so I returned to the pollution and poverty of Kolkata.
Finally I was back in Kolkata (Calcutta) for awhile. Despite the difficulties in the city, it is a much better place than the guidebooks say. On the way there from Varanasi people talked about just passing through on the way to other places, as it was poor, polluted and a hassle. After a few days in the city I looked at someone's Lonely Planet book and realized they were usually quoting it to me rather than forming their own opinions. Is travel about seeing things as others have seen them? I should hope not. Enough of that rant. I really enjoyed the city - the crowds, the variety of scenery and feelings invoked. If it weren't for the barely breathable air, I'd like to spend more time there... One of these days. Like much of India, there were extreme contrasts that I found intriguing. On with the show.
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Next, after a brief return to Kolkata I was off on the "toy train," an old narrow guage to Darjeeling. Beautiful scenery, a very relaxed pace and great people providing interesting conversation and good food. Ever wanted to outrun a train? This is the one... Darjeeling was nice, though a bit cold. I was too cold to do any trekking, so I returned to the pollution and poverty of Kolkata.
Finally I was back in Kolkata (Calcutta) for awhile. Despite the difficulties in the city, it is a much better place than the guidebooks say. On the way there from Varanasi people talked about just passing through on the way to other places, as it was poor, polluted and a hassle. After a few days in the city I looked at someone's Lonely Planet book and realized they were usually quoting it to me rather than forming their own opinions. Is travel about seeing things as others have seen them? I should hope not. Enough of that rant. I really enjoyed the city - the crowds, the variety of scenery and feelings invoked. If it weren't for the barely breathable air, I'd like to spend more time there... One of these days. Like much of India, there were extreme contrasts that I found intriguing. On with the show.
Enjoy.
Unnecessary
Video... but since I have it... three of them. Does anyone
actually watch these things? I think not... Personally, I prefer
photos.
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date....| Exit Takes you back to the page that brought you here - probably my travel page? |
Intro Page Takes you back to this oh so clever and informative page. |
July-05-2006 --
05:47 PM Date the photo was taken. |
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