Come the day, come the hour, my train was delayed by 21 hours. I checked the train status on the website and saw it was delayed by 21 hours. I was a bit concerned and frustrated too. I said to myself, should I trust the website or should I go personally to the railway station and inquire about the arrival of my train. However, I waited for 20 hours and than made my way to the railway station. imgaine waiting for 21 hours at the railway station. My frustration didn't end here. What supposed to be a 23 hour train ride, it took 35 hours to get to Guwahati [Assam]. This train was a super fast carrier but it was super slow. What a start to my holidays. I arrived around midnight, found my hotel and slept like a baby.
 |
| Early morning in Guwahati Sumo - Private Vehicles runs between Assam and Meghalaya |
I woke up the next day and I found a transport to take me to Megahalya. Megahaly is about 3 hour drive from Guwahati. I know of a family whom I met in New Zealand lives in Meghalaya. Now to get to Meghalaya, you can either travel by public bus or sumo. Sumo is a 7 seater Pajero. I had to wait for 2 hours because we had to find 7 passengers to continue on our journey. Now another problem was, there are lot of tribal people living in these regions and frequently, they block the roads and create havoc in the communities. Even during Christmas day they blocked many roads. I don't know why the police is so inactive to prevent this from happening. So on that morning there was a roadblock and we had to wait for another hour for the roads to reopen. Finally, I arrived in Meghalaya. My first impression of Meghalaya was that I thought I was in Nepal. The ethic Indian looked very Nepalese.
I met up with my friend's family and we went to Cherrapunjee - south of Meghalaya. Cherrapunjee is the rainiest place on planet earth. However on this day it wasn't raining.
You can visit many attractions along the way to Cherrapunjee.
However, on our way to Cherrapunjee we visited a church. Since it was Christmas day we wanted to attend a Church service and be on our way.
We found a Church along our way. We came to know that this was the first ever church started in North East India.
After Church we were invited by a local family for a cup of tea and some snacks. They were very hospitable and invited us to join them whenever we revisit Cherrapunjee.
I met up with my friend's family and we went to Cherrapunjee - south of Meghalaya. Cherrapunjee is the rainiest place on planet earth. However on this day it wasn't raining.
 |
| Rainiest place on Earth |
 |
| Small shops at Cherrapunjee |
You can visit many attractions along the way to Cherrapunjee.
However, on our way to Cherrapunjee we visited a church. Since it was Christmas day we wanted to attend a Church service and be on our way.
We found a Church along our way. We came to know that this was the first ever church started in North East India.
 | ||
| Presbyterian Church Nongsawlia Est - 1846 |
 |
| Time for a cuppa |
My Christmas was fantastic, sadly I had to leave for Guwahati that evening. Fortunate for me I found a transport to Guwahati railway station. My next train was early morning and guess what? I slept at the railway station. Many locals do that, why not I? I thought I will add this to my experience. To be honest, it wasn't that bad. There were like 100 other people sleeping on the railway platform.
Here are some pictures from North East India.
Kolkata
My next destination was Kolkata - West Benegal. Another 21 hour train ride. This time the train was on time, but it wasn't a great experience. It was horrible train ride. There were so many people coming in and selling stuff. Like every 30 seconds someone will come and try to sell stuff. Even the Hindu holy man and beggars will hassle you for money. It was very annoying. Above all gay man will come and touch you and ask for money. If you don't give them money they leave you with a curse. They will pinch your cheeks and will say something like this, "hi hi hi dodo, pasia dedo" ... and so on. This made me very uncomfortable with their touching and behaviour. They target married people a lot. If they refuse to give them money, they will curse them that they will never have children and so on. Beside all these, people without tickets will try to take your seat. So you have to be blunt with them and tell them to move on.
My next destination was Kolkata - West Benegal. Another 21 hour train ride. This time the train was on time, but it wasn't a great experience. It was horrible train ride. There were so many people coming in and selling stuff. Like every 30 seconds someone will come and try to sell stuff. Even the Hindu holy man and beggars will hassle you for money. It was very annoying. Above all gay man will come and touch you and ask for money. If you don't give them money they leave you with a curse. They will pinch your cheeks and will say something like this, "hi hi hi dodo, pasia dedo" ... and so on. This made me very uncomfortable with their touching and behaviour. They target married people a lot. If they refuse to give them money, they will curse them that they will never have children and so on. Beside all these, people without tickets will try to take your seat. So you have to be blunt with them and tell them to move on.
Kolkata is a very busy city. It has 31 railway platform. Public transport is readily available as soon as you exit the railway station.
 |
| Howrah Bridge |
 |
| Howrah Railway Station |
The highlights of my visit to kolkata was visiting the resting place of Mother Teresa. When I read her letters, saw her humble house and processions. I was humbled by her humility.
If ever you visit such places, always do your research on the internet and save those details on your smartphone. If you have Google maps - use it. Secondly, book yourself with the Govt of India Tourism office for whole day city trip. This is very economical and you can see more destination this way.
Here are some photos I took in Kolkata.
I went to a movie theater to see a Hindi movie "Doom 3". So far this movie has raked in more money than any movies released in Bollywood. During the screening of the movie the sound went off. Wow, nearly everyone started shouting on top of their voice. When the sound came back say after 10 minutes, the audience still wasn't satisfied. They protested for the projector person to rewind the movie. Their demand was met. I was sitting very quietly and observing what was happening around me. It was like a fish market.
 |
| A Nightclub in a ferry |
After spending three nights in Kolkata I am on way to Sambalpur for New Years. My journey continues on my next blog.
Regards
ravi
