Just got back from a trip to Kolkata. Ever since I got back, I have been fielding questions on the city, what it is like, the ethos, the culture etc.
To my mind, nothing sets it apart from any other Metro in our country. The sights and sounds around this place are a subtle reminder that you still belong to this great nation. As with any other place in India, Kolkata cannot do without the quintessential potholes, roads (or the lack of), traffic chokes, crammed buses, dirty surroundings etc. Nothing really different here.
Having said that, there are a few things that define this place:
1. Food - Awfully bland. Even the spiciest of dishes has to have a dash of sweet. Chilly Chicken had a funny and pretentious taste (the camouflage made it appear deceivingly HOT). Salted Lassi tasted suspiciously sweet! I am told that the food here is a reflection of the nature of people. Truly impossible for a loyal Hyderabadi to last long here.
2. Metro - Fastest, cheapest and undoubtedly, the best means of transport. The penetration though remains a lot to be desired. Also, someone pointed out that the Metro platform is supposedly the cleanest place in all of Kolkatta!
3. Weather - Perpetually sticky, regardless of the rise and fall in temperatures. I showered thrice a day in a vain attempt to stay dry and fresh,
4. Womenfolk - Dear God, you have been totally biased in saving up the best for WB. There is something about the women here, no adjective can truly measure up the beauty. I think you made up for all the lack of spice in the food here. I retained that awkward gape (exclusive to us, men) every time a thing (truly, with no disrespect) walked by. Wait a minute, are you thinking, "Thou shalt not gape"?
I am not the travel-and-explore kinds, so may be there is more to the city than met the eye. But what the heck, I liked the place nevertheless.
