Monday, 28 October 2013

Airports and Arrivals

Hey everyone!
Yes I am finally safely in Kolkata! So the 7/8 hour flight from Heathrow to Delhi wasn't too bad. They actually had a great selection of Hindi films, sadly not the best Bengali selection. Food was served twice and I actually thought it was very nice. So the flight went faster than I expected and contrary to Air India's reputation on the international flight I couldn't fault them. I then got my bags and found my way to where I needed to be for the connecting flight to Kolkata, and had a 4 hour wait. A few annoying things about Delhi airport though. Firstly all toilets have toilet attendants who ask for a tip, now as a foreigner coming to the country I am unlikely to have small amounts of rupees to tip with and so after disappointing one toilet attendant, in my politest Hindi, I refrained from using the toilet again until on the plane. Another thing is that there are many shops before the security screening and I spent Rs. 30 (roughly 30p) on a bottle of water only to end up throwing half of it away assuming I couldn't take it through. The vending machines also don't take anything larger than a Rs.50 note which meant I couldn't get a drink, luckily though all terminals and gates have water fountains like they have in primary schools in England, dotted all around so they're really useful.

Anyway I arrived and was met at the airport by my dance teacher in England's Father and the driver from the dance school. The hour or so drive through Kolkata was actually taken up mainly with my franticly trying to let you all know I was ok and in true Bengali style some random but poignant political debate. Perhaps it is after years of watching Bollywood movies that the traffic and driving here didn't phase me. I was also told that seatbelts are only worn in the front seats in India because the cars drive so slowly due to crazy amounts of congestion that they're not needed. Car horns of course pretty much have conversations of their own on the streets here. It's a never ending car horn frenzy. I'm staying in South Kolkata so not the centre, so the shops and streets, from what I've seen so far, aren't as colourful as perhaps they would be in the centre. None the less there is an endless array of saris and salwaar kameez's to make up for it. Contrary to the many stories you hear the smell of India didn't hit me like a wall, it just smelt like Southall back in England. The heat did hit me though. It's just coming up to winter here and it's still 30 degrees Celsius.

I'm staying in a room attached to two of the main classrooms of the school. There is also a small kitchen, a bathroom and a toilet. I spent most of today sleeping and resting and getting things sorted a little. I had lunch at my teacher's house, South Indian food I believe and she is bringing me dinner in a little while. I am hoping to venture out to get some bottled water soon, when I can find someone to come with me!

For now I shall leave you with some photos of my room :)




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