Kolkata, India

That's where I am at the moment. What a place to start off in India (for the first time). I guess until today I was struggling to fully comprehend this place. I mean it is so different from everywhere I have been.

Taxis are still old school Indian manufactured cars (just like the old Indian movies, not the new Bollywood). Road code is hardly any. To get from A to B without bumping into anything is the mission when you are in the road. Street I'm staying in is hardly wide enough for two cars to pass, nevertheless it is crowded with people, taxis, rickshaws, beggars and sellers. Makes me laugh when I thought back: I have to cunningly avoid this certain beggar lady with a kid asking for milk money - I mean she wouldn't take "no" for an answer sometimes! Moreover, both foreigners and locals here think I am Indian because of my Sri Lankan appearance. Would have been great if I could speak some Hindi. Nevertheless, when it comes to buying something there is the constant bargaining. I did discover that it is bad luck when the first costumer of the day leaves the shop empty handed, so the shop owner will drop the price down to whatever it is necessary so you would buy something. I bought a Lonely Planet Guide Book (I was just having a look really) for one third of it's selling price! But I must confess, I did get ripped off here more times than I would expected to. Oh well, once the lessons are learned it would hardly repeat twice; I hope.

Today I feel much more comfortable, I guess I am finally prepared to accept the way of life here for what it is. Now it is not too bad, and I see why some foreigners tend to live here or spend weeks or months. It is active, fast phase, and almost a struggle and a challenge to get anything done here in Kolkata, specially the mare survival. But the relaxation/peace that flows underneath it all is the magic. It's all chaos outside, but the flow itself is at peace. I guess it is the faith in the unknown that gets people through - or the faith in Gods that would hopefully make tomorrow alright for them...