Kolkata: A capsule of western reassurance

I deliberately chose Hotel Kempton for its unapologetic attempt at offering first world amenity in walking distance of Kolkata's best sites.

The staff were awake and attentive at 1am and we were pleased to find a sanctuary from which to rest and ready for Kolkata explorations.  Yeah, well, almost. The sheets had rather disturbing and strategically located stains, so we asked for a fresh lot of linen which was quickly provided without complaint. On the new linen the stains were much fainter and not so confrontingly located.....

A good nights sleep ensued until the morning light, noises from the suckling dog litter next door and incessant car horns raised my interest.  My wife's dedication to sleep is far deeper.

The contrast of our room and the life waking outside was dramatic and fascinatingly illustrated in our view.

I wonder if the shaky bamboo scaffolding tied with hemp rope reaching up to our 4th storey is for cleaning our windows?!

Kolkata: the shock of the back streets

Leaving our hotel compound, We experienced the immediate full chaotic shock of the Park Street area of central Kolkata. I felt more like a voyeur than a tourist. Viewing beauty provides its own justification, but there is little beauty here. Just the fascination in seeing live animals beside dismembered ones, animal parts in all stages of preparation, cooking, and the final product being described to us a constant loud unintelligible rapid fire.

The contrasts 10m from our hotel gate are mind-boggling. The ancient and primitive sit right beside a modern ATM. Cheap handmade bangles and baubles are sold right next to the latest phones and SIM cards. The English speaking technician sells, installs and tests our purchases faster and more efficiently than anyone I have encountered in Oz!