We went to Kolkata on to celebrate Diwali the Bong way.
The train journey was long. The company was 'interesting'. It is very trying to be cooped up in that limited space with unknown people, eating, drinking, sleeping, generally getting bored. Why oh why do I not meet a "Dev Anand" singing "Uparvaalaa jaan kar anjaan hai"(Ref: Kala Bazar Dev Anand, Vahida Rahman) on a train journey! We always have obnoxious kids and hyper granpas as our co-passengers.
My ideal train journey would be where there are very few people in the compartment, you have a whole side birth to yourself, you can read a book and enjoy the scenery at the same time. The hawkers hawk the right items at the right time :)
Pantry offerings were not really good. The best Pantry offerings for me have been on Nijamuddin Goa express on Pune Goa route and DQ/Pragati on Mumbai Pune route.
Kolkata seemed cleaner and amazingly free of trafic jams. Looks like the new fly overs have helped the situation. We were mainly in the five star area of Victoria memorial, new market and likes.
There was a ban on noisy crackers in the city. It was very strictly observed. It seemed very strange to celebrate Lakshmi Pooja with out a bang. But believe me it was a nice kind of strange.
Hogged bong mithais. roshogullas, shondesh and mishti doi, which only the bongs can make. What we get in Pune does not hold a candle to it.
We visited a privately owned guest house which was a haveli that had "old money" written all over it. It was fascinating to see where the other half lives. Or rather where their guests stay ;)
The spaciousness of the rooms, The “class” of the paintings, sprawling lawns, tree lined avenues, the leisurely flowing Hugali on the side, Uberpampering!
And at the end of the visit - the ghati comment - that I had was vow such big bathrooms!! hmm now you know why I am in the other half :)
We took an evening boat cruise on a river Hugali cruizing from the Hawara Bridge to Viadyasagar Setu and back.
Alas it was not a romantic ride a la Raje$h Khanna and $harmila or $aif and Vidy@ Bala@n.( A trivia quiz: how many other parent offspring duos have sung songs respectively with their love angles at same locations? I know the same duo has also sung a song at different location - the darjeeling train) The view was mesmarizing, Well lit hawara station, the mute trafic on the hawara bridge, the imposing setu and the music of the speed and water. The lilting background strains of "O mazi re..." was the only thing missing.
Yes they do have "parinita rides" available on the Hoogali ghats. ( They also have "Da Vinci Code" tours at Louvre) so there!!
The twilight softened the harsh realities of Kolkata, giving a hopeful dreamy look to the city. Small processions were approaching the ghats to immerse the devi idols. (This was annapurna not to be confused with Durga or Kali), the river looked mysterious with the reflections and dancing lights. The mood was introspective, contemplative …
The gardens laid barren,
Will flower again in spring
For my Spring ravished garden,
Whom should I ask for blooms?
My heart felt like singing “O re Maazi!”
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