Today, I spent all morning ironing clothes, putting together my toiletries and packing for a trip to Calcutta with Chikoo, someone I've known for 13+ years, and her mom. Chikoo is a Bengali who was born in Calcutta and who spent the first six years of her life living there. Having her grandparents staying there, she's made several visits to them over the years. She's always spoken to me passionately about Calcutta, its food, its little shops, its sweets.
We've wanted to visit Calcutta together for years now- to roam the streets, to stop by every street food stall and try what they have to offer, to drop into the little stores that sell silver jewelery- and here, finally, was our chance to. If there was anyone I'd want to visit this city with, it would be with Chikoo.
Our train, the Howra Duronto, was to leave at 5:15pm from CST (Chatrapatti Shivaji Terminus). After a looooong walk along platform number 18 to find our compartment, I climbed in- suitcase and all- to find her sitting there with her parents. My parents and Ilina came to drop me off too. It was an air conditioned train and we sat there, waiting for the train to set off. With many goodbyes and vigorous waving, the train took off and there we were, grinning broadly at each other, hardly able to digest the fact that this trip was actually happening.
The train ride was quite a comfortable one. We were showered with an unending barrage of food. Tea, a sandwich, soup, breadsticks and finally, dinner. We were accompanied by an uncontrollably naughty girl of three and her mother. Although out bottoms began to ache from the lack of movement, we were cosy and excited and nothing could wipe that smile off our faces.
My picture for today is of three pairs of feet belonging to the little girl, Chikoo and me.
We've wanted to visit Calcutta together for years now- to roam the streets, to stop by every street food stall and try what they have to offer, to drop into the little stores that sell silver jewelery- and here, finally, was our chance to. If there was anyone I'd want to visit this city with, it would be with Chikoo.
Our train, the Howra Duronto, was to leave at 5:15pm from CST (Chatrapatti Shivaji Terminus). After a looooong walk along platform number 18 to find our compartment, I climbed in- suitcase and all- to find her sitting there with her parents. My parents and Ilina came to drop me off too. It was an air conditioned train and we sat there, waiting for the train to set off. With many goodbyes and vigorous waving, the train took off and there we were, grinning broadly at each other, hardly able to digest the fact that this trip was actually happening.
The train ride was quite a comfortable one. We were showered with an unending barrage of food. Tea, a sandwich, soup, breadsticks and finally, dinner. We were accompanied by an uncontrollably naughty girl of three and her mother. Although out bottoms began to ache from the lack of movement, we were cosy and excited and nothing could wipe that smile off our faces.
My picture for today is of three pairs of feet belonging to the little girl, Chikoo and me.
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