On Sunday when we got on our way to the Mumbai airport, we were reminded by a friendly backer (they have very good croissants here, you can't imagine) that August 1st is the Friendship Day! No idea if it is celebrated also outside India, but still: Happy Friendship Day to everybody!
We are now in Kolkata and this is an amazing place... we came here by plane yesterday, had actually a very pleasant flight with JetLite - no major problems, except by the fact that the flight had been re-scheduled one day before (we didn't know it, of course) and departed two hours later.
In the meanwhile, we met a very interesting person: a Indian musician living in New York, who came to India in order to make a doc film about the beginning of the Jazz Movement in India (1930/40s). We had a great chat, which continued on our way back from the airport, since he invited us to come with him to the city center by cab. Actually we don't know what we'd have done without him, since we soon discovered our hotel reservation wasn't valid and we had no place to sleep. Luckily, he brought us to Sudder Street, the ultimate backpacker hang out zone of Kolkata, where we soon found a place for only 300 rupees. Don't ask us how the place looks like, it doesn't matter: it has a bed and a shower. That's all you have to know.
We met a lot of extremely nice people here who were really helpful and friendly, specially our new Indian friend Sandeep and a backpacker from China called Pam. Actually I don't know what we are doing in this internet cafe, we should be out meeting more nice people! Well, just to finish: they all are obsessed by football and every time they hear the word Brazil (and even Portugal), they get crazy! :D A lot of beggers all around, some times running after us, or little chilcren coming to hug us and then asking for money... a lot of contrasts... but Kolkata remains my (Gabriela) favorite place so far...
Today we got a visa to Nepal, so it is really going to happen! Cross your fingers the Toy Train is going to work tomorrow, when we go from here to Darjeeling. We heard about some political turbulence and are a bit afraid this would change our plans... but well, this is India, one can never be prepared... ;)
Are you curious about the Indian jazz scene? Do not miss the video of "Finding Carlton", the documentary we talked about, on Youtube:
We are now in Kolkata and this is an amazing place... we came here by plane yesterday, had actually a very pleasant flight with JetLite - no major problems, except by the fact that the flight had been re-scheduled one day before (we didn't know it, of course) and departed two hours later.
In the meanwhile, we met a very interesting person: a Indian musician living in New York, who came to India in order to make a doc film about the beginning of the Jazz Movement in India (1930/40s). We had a great chat, which continued on our way back from the airport, since he invited us to come with him to the city center by cab. Actually we don't know what we'd have done without him, since we soon discovered our hotel reservation wasn't valid and we had no place to sleep. Luckily, he brought us to Sudder Street, the ultimate backpacker hang out zone of Kolkata, where we soon found a place for only 300 rupees. Don't ask us how the place looks like, it doesn't matter: it has a bed and a shower. That's all you have to know.
We met a lot of extremely nice people here who were really helpful and friendly, specially our new Indian friend Sandeep and a backpacker from China called Pam. Actually I don't know what we are doing in this internet cafe, we should be out meeting more nice people! Well, just to finish: they all are obsessed by football and every time they hear the word Brazil (and even Portugal), they get crazy! :D A lot of beggers all around, some times running after us, or little chilcren coming to hug us and then asking for money... a lot of contrasts... but Kolkata remains my (Gabriela) favorite place so far...
Today we got a visa to Nepal, so it is really going to happen! Cross your fingers the Toy Train is going to work tomorrow, when we go from here to Darjeeling. We heard about some political turbulence and are a bit afraid this would change our plans... but well, this is India, one can never be prepared... ;)
Are you curious about the Indian jazz scene? Do not miss the video of "Finding Carlton", the documentary we talked about, on Youtube:
Espérons que tout se passera bien pour votre prochaine étape népalaise! En tous cas sachez que plusieurs doigts sont croisés ici pour vous! ^^
RépondreSupprimerC'est fou toutes ces belles choses que vous avez déjà vues en quelques jours! Et il vous reste encore plus d'un mois à profiter de tant de merveilles.... Just enjoy it!
PS : Brazil (and dans une moindre mesure Portugal pour satisfaire João ;) ) Best Soccer World Champion Ever!
Hey you two!
RépondreSupprimerSorry for this totally unrelated comment but I want to let you know that I made pictures of Chico of him being at my parent's place and uploaded them to picasa. Gabi, you've got an invitation mail for the album. I know there is much more interesting stuff to do for you but I assume you might be relieved to see that Chico is fine and enjoys his vacation. :)
All the best,
Robert
Thank you very much, Rob! I've just seen the pictures. Your the best friend ever!!! We miss Francisco very much and usually talk about him. It's a relief to know that he hasn't been eaten by the other cats (or by the hedgehog) yet! =) Love, G.
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