Venue: Kolkata

Delhi to Kolkata flight is barely two hours. Yet it is so different in character – it is a whole new world – or shall we say a whole old world. Here is what a Delhiite makes of Kolkata on his maiden visit.

Sticky Weather

Say hello to the sticky, moist, heavy air the moment you step out of the plane at Dumdum airport at Kolkata. It is close to the sea and weather in Kolkata is muggy around the year.

(No) Udibaba

Not everybody says “udibaba” as opposed to how it’s commonly shown in Bollywood films. You may end up saying “Udibaba” yourself when you see a train like tram in Kolkata running in the middle of a road. Rumor has it, Kolkata trams are going to be converted to AC trams soon.

Mishti

Every nook and corner has a sweet shop and mithai is generally not sold in kilos. Most of the sweets are priced per piece. Sweets in Kolkata are incredibly affordable. Rs. 5 – 10 is common price for a piece of Sondesh in Kolkata and it’s extremely tasty. Like they say “Everything is a little sweeter in Bengal”.

Happy Durga Puja ??

No, they don’t say that in Kolkata very often. It’s not like how it is in Delhi when you say Happy Diwali to everyone during the festival. Even Happy Pujo won’t cut it. You say nothing during Pujo, just go out with buddies and watch in awe, all these beautiful pandals. Post Dusshera, the classical greeting in Kolkata is “Shubho Bijoya”.

What….No Frooti or Cadbury gift packs?

Only three kind of gifts are the best gifts for Durga Puja. – 1. Clothes, 2. Clothes and 3. Clothes. Unlike Delhi, there is no concept of fancy gift boxes of juices, cookies and chocolates being exchanged. Save it for other time of the year. Clothes, or money for buying clothes are the only and traditional gift items for Pujo.

Give me Yellow

Taxi (alright… ok… cab) culture has caught in Delhi NCR in last few years but it has been a regular and affordable mode of transport in Kolkata for almost forever. Though AC OLAs and UBERs have swamped the city now, you hail a reliable and cheap yellow taxi and hop on to experience the real Kolkata.

Devi on the road

Unlike Delhi, girls are not going to give you THAT LOOK if men accidentally touch them in a crowded Durga Puja Pandal. The whole city is out for Pendal hopping during Durga Puja. Specially, famous Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata get a lot of visitors. It is unavoidable to accidentally touch each other. Women here don’t label you a pervert for that. Way to go, Durga!

The Old World Charm

Kolkata has still retained it’s old world charm. The houses, streets and bazaars will remind a Delhiite, of Delhi that used to be. Life seems easier and less challenging in this city. Kolkata is City of Joy they say!

Simple men

People in Kolkata are relatively less conscious about their looks. Women are fashionable everywhere but men in Kolkata are way simpler than in Delhi. Mens Fashion in Kolkata (for a regular guy on the streets) is limited to simple plain shirts or tshirts and trousers. Though as a norm everybody wear new clothes during the festival. Men buy new Kurtas for Durga Puja.

(No) Ice ice baby

Kolkata doesn’t have a culture of boozing in cars – nobody knows tailgate parties here. No wonder we didn’t get ice cubes for our whiskey here. Since pubs and bars in Kolkata are way cheaper, guys don’t need to do their “own” arrangements.

Hope this post works as an ice-breaker for a trip to Kolkata. It is fun and very holiday with loads to dos packed in. The city definitely works better for you if you are with a local.