all begins with L

From the heat of Calcutta to frost bites at 2134 m above sea level.
Chuck somewhere along Dr. Zakir Hussen Road, here from the rooftop of Hotel Aliment overlooking the main city, I can see Everest. A few clouds beyond, it’s China!

Yes. Surreal.

Lucky us, we met two brothers, Sisir & Nardeep who are kind enough to bring us around to the foot of the mountain on wheels. I’d be rafting this morning if not for the weakened stomach.

Bread and eggs have been my only form of fuel. It takes somekind of a character to end up here, to survive the D words and miraculously stumbled upon a Dr. Rajat on the way to the druggist. The first diagnostic procedure includes “How old is your friend, is she married?”
V has recovered, I’m still recovering.

We will be heading down to Sikkim tomorrow for real hot water and maybe a heater.

Four layers, a jacket and a scarf. I feel like a cotton ball, only freezing still.

*druggist=pharmacy

“Please obey traffic rule. Horn Okay Please.”

This is how it works here.
To avoid getting hit, horn. To beat the traffic, horn. To turn left, horn. You want to park, horn. Start the engine, horn. Stop car, horn. Stick head ouside window, horn. Spit, horn.

Paris of the East. Or so it claims. If Paris is full of shit (dog poo, ikidyounot), Kolkata is filled with everything. V once wrote in Travel/India, “it rips off your capacity to be surprised.” I can’t put it in better words.

He’ll run up to you, grab two of your arms and beg “Auntie, please auntie please auntie please… (insert bengali speak here).” Give a warm smile, a rupee or two if no one is looking. “Don’t give them, it’ll only cripple them futher.” How do they live then? Only the cow knows.

It’s madness at thirty seven degree celcius. You’ll love it here.

Naan & gee overdosed.

The Masala Trail

It’ll be an Indian summer this year!
Oh how I loathe the pre-trip procedures. (Okay, enough the death stare.) I know, I know, I’m the lucky twit.
I had to sell my soul for this though, and I’d still be dead broke when I come back. But that’s another story.

Wish I could just shrink my clothes and everything else into a day pack and pop them into water to life size whenever needed. You know, like those slimy rubber dinosaur that grows in water. Fine, I should be thankful. But now I have to figure out what backpacking means. Must it only be one bag? Fuct, how does that work.

It Was Just Yesterday

Less the wild ride, less the drama. This had characters of its own. Exquisite performance it was. And here’s the curtain call,

I once said that I’ll never have a friend as a business partner. I take that back. Q, your efficacy is infectious. You are the lady boss. I look forward to our next show.

C, our fairy god lover. I know we hardly meet this time a round. I would pause amidst all madness just to have a hug from you. It makes a difference. Thank you.

Shift, my mom said “Your talent is the one that’s going to make you rich.” The stage is yours darling. Screw the balance sheet.

Putput, you are obscenely brilliant. How much do u charge for tuition? Can I pay in rupees?

Ja, you had the other side of you laid bare. To me, you’re still the guy who scooted down the hills at three in the morning for our exam suppers . Red door gallery will always be in my heart.

Nic, I thank you despite it all.

“Permisi, kiri, kanan.” I almost forget you’re the Italian bomb. Isabella, my green tea partner in crime. I will miss you woman.

Carmit,”The ONE. Be One…” I’ll never forget that. You had me a roller coaster ride. And I love every bit of it. Write me soon!

And You had me sang a happy tune. Love You~