----So much so for long sentences... shows the kind of lull that I am talking about----
The most recent trip that I made was to Kolkatta and then to Bangkok from there. Both new to me. Im normally not so observant of places or things (mind you, I didnt mention people here) but these 2 cities had somethings very peculiar that even I noticed them. Just a few first impressions that I would like to not forget.
Kolkatta:
- The very first thing as I head out of the airport - the terribly SULTRY weather. I have experienced Bbay's weather and that of Delhi's but they were nowhere in competition with this one. It was Horrible.
- The roads - they had a weird make. They were tar for sure but had some hammered nails look making it appear like dots all over the road. I dont know what it was. If it wasnt for the heat which fried my brain cells, I would have tried to figure out.
- The tram's track running through most of the city and vehicles coolly moving over it. Very weird.
- The taxi drivers - They are fast and rash but in full control of their vehicle. Each one of them. And they dont like you telling them to slow down. Its their town and roads and they are aware of its every turn and pothole.
- The bong people - Not a big fan of the bongs but they seemed quite helpful.
- The bong look - sitting at a cafe by the roadside one can pin point each and every 'born and brought up in Kolkata' person. They are so typical.
- The colonial architecture of most of the buildings - beautiful, very beautiful indeed. Its amazing to see the way all this is restored with grace and still in use and not converted to mere museums.
- The hand rickshaw - I did sit in one and handed him a 50 buck note for a less than 50 metre travel. Out of guilt? But I wasnt really so against this.
- Overtly congested city - some parts extremely beautiful and green and some dont give you a single inch more than what is required for you to stand.
- The full Yellow Ambassador taxis - with leather/rexine upholstery that will stick to you the moment you sit on it considering the weather, no AC but obvious, well decorated with kaali ma pictures and phoolmala, smelling of not well scented dhoop and always playing some bhajan.
- The puchkas - This I discovered much later but they were really yummy. Just that the paani was not cold and I prefer it that way. I had 2 full plates standing at a make shift stall outside the Victorial Memorial Hall. One of my bong friend told me that that is a very 'Cal thing to do' and it indeed felt great.
- Flury's - Had heard so much about it. Well, I have been to better bakeries, For ex. the French Bakery in Pondicherry, but this one had its own charm. This also was on the agenda on the second day.
- City is very well connected - taxis, awesome bus service, trams, metros, rail, cycle rickshaws, hand rickshaws. It has almost all the possible trasport systems that there are available in India.
Bangkok:
- First thing that caught my eye were the innumerable PINK cabs - Not only were they a shocking pink from the outside, but even the upholstery was a bright shade of pink.
- Language problem - I somehow manage to communicate with anybody who doesnt understand the languages that I know either through making gestures or just by some common words of English that anybody would know. But man.. these Thais, they are just impossible. You make any gesture and they act SO dumb..! And they dont know any English. Communication was quite a task.
- Extremely expensive commute - Metro, Sky rail, buses, taxis, even the famous Tuk Tuk -- All very expensive.
- They sing songs rather than just talk. Thats a known fact for mostly all South East Asian.
- There are definitely more girls there than boys. God knows what their gender ratio comes out to be.
- Shorts for girls is like a national uniform. Everybody is in shorts there. Its like a rule. But I didnt see much of plunging necklines. Mostly everybody wore regular t-shirts. More so coz they lacked what is to be shown while wearing such necklines.
- Indian girls are considered drop-dead gorgeous there (probably coz they have bigger eyes and boobs than the rest of them there).
- No body hair and that goes for girls as well as guys.
- Women mostly always have a layer of makeup on them.
- Shoes with high heels is another rule out there. Whether they are in the bus or selling peanuts on the roads or are heading for an expensive party, they are all in high heels. They can run, jump, twist, twirl and do all acrobatics in their heels. They are a pro and its a must learn from them. I tried and gave up and got back to my flip flops.
- Mankut (mangosteen) is an awesome fruit and I loved it.
- Their king is next to their God.
- That place is full of cats. So many of them there.
- Shopping is everywhere. Shopping is the second thing that Bangkok is known for.
- First being their sex industry. Its full of shows. Lots of them. Not really quite so interesting.
- Extremely patient and calm people until when it comes to eating their head with bargaining. But bargaining is a must there.
- Great hangouts for a mug/bottle of beer. Singha was strong.
- They are quick shoppers. It takes a Thai an average of 3 mins to pick up something from a shop as against the 20-25 mins that I spend deciding on one item. I can irritate an Indian so a Thai's irritation is valid, I guess.
- Everything out there is Pink. Now I know why Nokia/Samsung/Dell come out with Pink phones and Laptops. They have a huge market in places like these.
- Great respect for their elders. You will nearly always see an elderly figure on a wheelchair enjoying a swim or a game of pool with his/her children. They are never left alone.
- They have the cutest kids. Second best to those of Chinese.
Now there is more to come in another fortnight. I wish it to be a better trip.
