The 'hole of India'

To some Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta) is known as the hole of India. It is very dirty, grimey, littered, polluted, everything is covered in a layer of think grey dust and the buildings look like they are about to collapse. It is not pretty, lets put it that way. But I still found a great deal of beauty in Kolkata. Maybe it helped that I hadn't had high expectations as I'd only heard horrible things. But I loved the backpacker area, centred around a road called Sudder St. It is very small but you had everything that you needed - food, internet, hostels - all in one little space, cleverly disguised in little doorways and tiny shops. The best thing was the cups of chai that you could buy on the street for 4R that came in small terrecota cups that they would throw on the floor after use. Oo and it was a great place to meet other backpackers. It is also the last city in India to have carts designed to transport people, pulled along by a single person, rather than say horse, or bike. Some people say its cruel, yet for these people it is their way of earning money and gives them the income they need. But you feel pretty bad them lugging you about and then giving them like 20p.It was a nice place to recover after coming out of hospital and I got to do some well deserved retail therapy. Behind Sudder St is the hugest, most amazing market that sells anything and everything. I brought lots of spices to send home and made friends with some Indian guys who own a shop that sells the best Alli Baba pants as we call them. We went to their shop almost everyday to get something new so they brought us lots of chai and gave us a good deal as we were their 1st official customers. The fabrics and shawls here are beautiful. If Im not careful I won't be able to bring everything I buy home with me.

Kolkata is the place where Mother Theresa set up her 1st mission to help the poor and neediest of people. We went to 'the motherhouse' a museum about her life and its where she used to live. It was so interesting to read about how she dedicated her whole life to helping others, in particular those that society outcast the most like the dying and people with leporacy. When I came to India I expected to learn about Hinduism, the main religion, but I have also learnt about Buddhism (see next entry) and Catholicism because of mother theresa. Strange how in the space of such a tiny geographic area there are so many religons with strong followings.
We also went to see Slumdog Millionaire in the cinema. I know there is alot of hype about it, but seeing it in India was amazing as it has some really good imagery to describe India so I loved it. Then you come out of the cinema and you're in the middle of the craziness. Everyone in India is very excited about the success of the film, they seem really proud of their country and feel like it has put India under the world's radar. Good for them I say.