Ok so once I landed in Kolkata, it was the same thing, first the hot humid air then the smell of all sorts of pollution. The same as before but for some reason it seemed a little less this time. Maybe cause this time I had my mind set already about actually living here for a longer period of time rather than the usual visits I used to come for.
It is always extremely crowded outside the airport with every other person either asking if you need a taxi or where you are going or the coolies, I think that is what they are called (aka porters) asking if they can carry your stuff to the car. Luckily for me, my mother was there to receive me and bring me home.
So we get to the car and I notice that the driver was this old man, kinda dirty looking and dressed like he was off to the temple. After laughing it off for a while I am informed that he was from the driving center and had been driving for a long time but for some odd reason he knows the roads just as well as I do :), which isn't much.
Well coming home I think the most overwhelming things were the in your face bill boards and the amount of traffic. Unlike most cities, the traffic here in Kolkata consists of cars, buses, autos, rickshaws (with three wheels and 2 wheels), random people crossing the streets anywhere and many other things. I will post some of the traffic and billboard pictures soon. Once you get to Ultadanga, the bill boards cover almost every available building wall space. Quite different and interesting.
Also another thing that is likely to give you a headache is the unnecessary honking of cars. People here are very honking happy and will blow their horn at just about anything. You also have keep your eyes off the road as a passenger, for a while or until you get used to the fact that you will see opposite traffic coming at you from every angle. This is a city where 2 lanes turn into 5 and one way does not mean much unless traffic is directed by Kolkata Police. I was however happy to know that seat-belt is a must for most part and the click it or ticket rule applies here too :).
All this is so different from Zambia and even though Zambia may not be as developed and commercial as India and Kolkata, at-least there is a structure everyone follows and roads are empty compared to here.
Other than that I was quite ready for what was to some and frankly was very tired and just wanted to get home shower and sleep.
Well I am almost done catching up and will continue and finish off in the next one or two posts.
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