We were all fired up for a trip to Starbucks. Any of their coffees were a special price of 100 (£1) rupees, less than half price. We had a special voucher which we presented to the Barrista. We asked her nicely for the most delicious coffee that they had which was included in the offer. We handed over our vouchers as proof of the offer. She looked at them and said in a very polite voice, "Good morning Sir and Madam those vouchers are for the 6th of October, it says it there ... however today is the 5th! Come back tomorrow."
We searched for a food pitstop and found a potato and egg curry. We are eating as vegetarian as possible here as we have seen the butchers where the meat comes from! After talking to the friendly stall owner about cricket, we said thank you, paid up and continued exploring. We met a young man who took us to the hotel he worked in to show us around. We met him whilst studying how pakoras are made.
Our hotel were looking after our bags whilst we explored. We eventually collected them then fell asleep on the comfortable hotel seats. We woke up and it was time to hit the road. We said a temporary goodbye to the lift man and sauntered off into the distance in search of Mother Teresa's House.
One masala chai later, we had found it. A very unassuming building on a main street. We were welcomed in by the Sisters, Mass was taking place so we stopped and listened to the beautiful singing. There were many photos, newspaper articles and quotes adorning the small museum paying tribute to her life.
We saw her bedroom and desk where she wrote many letters from and we visited her tomb.
We felt very privileged to have visited her home and to learn more about what she believed.
More masala chai was consumed before we continued on our journey to an area preparing for Durga Puja (big Hindu festival) We tucked into huge portions of veg chowmein and watched Kolkata go by. When we arrived at our final destination, Sealdah station, it appeared as though the rest of Kolkata had too. So big, so busy. How will we ever find our platform, train, carriage seats...
Tonight we leave the chaos of Kolkata behind. They call it the City of Joy and we can see why. People have been very welcoming to us, wanting to talk ...
"Where are you from? How long have you been in Kolkata? Is this your first time in India? Where are you going? Can I talk with you about your country? What is your name? Do you have children? What is your job?" Etc, etc, etc
We are enroute to Darjeeling this evening. Our chosen transport, The Darjeeling Mail train to NJP, which left the station exactly on time. Well our coach did but the train is so long, the last coach probably left tomorrow.
We searched for a food pitstop and found a potato and egg curry. We are eating as vegetarian as possible here as we have seen the butchers where the meat comes from! After talking to the friendly stall owner about cricket, we said thank you, paid up and continued exploring. We met a young man who took us to the hotel he worked in to show us around. We met him whilst studying how pakoras are made.
Our hotel were looking after our bags whilst we explored. We eventually collected them then fell asleep on the comfortable hotel seats. We woke up and it was time to hit the road. We said a temporary goodbye to the lift man and sauntered off into the distance in search of Mother Teresa's House.
One masala chai later, we had found it. A very unassuming building on a main street. We were welcomed in by the Sisters, Mass was taking place so we stopped and listened to the beautiful singing. There were many photos, newspaper articles and quotes adorning the small museum paying tribute to her life.
We saw her bedroom and desk where she wrote many letters from and we visited her tomb.
We felt very privileged to have visited her home and to learn more about what she believed.
More masala chai was consumed before we continued on our journey to an area preparing for Durga Puja (big Hindu festival) We tucked into huge portions of veg chowmein and watched Kolkata go by. When we arrived at our final destination, Sealdah station, it appeared as though the rest of Kolkata had too. So big, so busy. How will we ever find our platform, train, carriage seats...
Tonight we leave the chaos of Kolkata behind. They call it the City of Joy and we can see why. People have been very welcoming to us, wanting to talk ...
"Where are you from? How long have you been in Kolkata? Is this your first time in India? Where are you going? Can I talk with you about your country? What is your name? Do you have children? What is your job?" Etc, etc, etc
We are enroute to Darjeeling this evening. Our chosen transport, The Darjeeling Mail train to NJP, which left the station exactly on time. Well our coach did but the train is so long, the last coach probably left tomorrow.