Kolkata

Aaron Wyllie

Day four without the bike and the withdrawal symptoms have definitely started to kick in. However, despite being a bit anxious and having a few doubts coming into Kolkata a few days ago, I've been absolutely loving it since. 

Kolkata is totally manic, yet somehow the chaos just works. Driving through the streets in rickshaws somewhat resembles a hectic elimination race on the track; everyone desperately trying to reach the front, constantly pushing through gaps that aren't there. There is only one rule: those in front have the right of way, so once you are only a few inches ahead of the guy next to you you can cut in front. The lanes and traffic signals are merely a suggestion, and after only a few blocks the horn has had more use than most Kiwis would use it in a lifetime. Awesome.

Throughout our short time here so far, the city has totally bombarded all my senses. While I have quickly become immune to the constant horn blasting, seeing the poverty and having women with their babies pull on your arm pleading for money takes a little more getting used to. Their is no need to look for a toilet, the revolting stench of the open street side tiled cubicles can be smelt from a long way off. The meat markets however are in a class of their own, keeping down breakfast quickly became the number one priority as we navigated around the drains flowing full of blood.

Coming into this trip I thought I would be a lot more taken aback than I have been by the ever present poverty. Perhaps it just hasn't hit home yet and will take a bit more time for it to sink in. I have however found it a lot more fun than I had anticipated. Kolkata has exceeded my expectations in so many ways to date; the culture, food and people are all amazing and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the journey.