As soon as the aircraft jolted in motion to take off from the 1D terminal at Delhi airport, I secretly congratulated myself on the second holidatly of 2013.
Until the last moment, it was on the verge of cancellation, and I wouldn't have minded it either. I turned to look at my brother in law, who despite his visa woes gave me one of his warmest smiles!
I opened the in flight magazine and started reading. A well illustrated article on kolkata during durga pojo held my attention. I decided there and then to testify the praises myself the next season of poojo. Hope I am able to do that.
Fascinating pandals, pooja bhoj, the whole ambience is enigmatic as told in the article.
I tried to start an assignment for company website content but then decided against it after some reading. Nothing should come between you and your holiday afterall!
Upon our arrival in bagdogra we were greeted by a statue of shakyamuni buddha at the exit gate. A rather ostentatious presentation for a the values of simplicity and detachment shakyamuni preached, but I was pleasantly surprised with the presence of the statue. Good beginnings, I thought to myself.
On our way to the hotel, booked by my sister, I decided to treat myself to some free dzongkha lessons from isaac. Dzongkha is the official Bhutanese language spoken mainly in western bhutan though hindi and nepali are widely understood.
Kuzu zangpo la..is the common greeting or hello..la stands for respect.
He taught me other phrases like my name is..., thank you and I want water/food...most of which I have already forgotten.
Once in the hotel, we rested a bit and decided to explore siliguri for the rest of the evening.
We took help from a rikshaw walla who doubled up as our travel guide. He took us a long way from the hotel to a tea stall, where we had sweet milk tea and cream rolls. Creme rolls always remind me of my graduation time when we used to stand in a queue to get them for evening snacks with tea. We discussed more of college and isaac's visa situation. I really hope it gets all sorted out, though its only procedural delays and regulations, yet I hope that he is able to join rachna as soon as is possible.
On the way, we came across an exhibition and taking this as a perfect opportunity to shop n have a look at local handicrafts we promptly went inside.
It was an indian trade fair initiative, very similar to the one we get at delhi trade fair, bamboo items, silk sarees, weaves and local handicrafts were available in amazing variety. Isaac bought me a scarf with intricate embroidery and I am only too pleased with it! Another interesting artivle was combs and artifacts made of buffalo horns! There were crabs lobsters birds all made of buffalo horns! Sone raw material that!
Another artist who was drawing crowd was a painter who was singing to himself while preparing abstract arts. Particularly striking was a portrait of mother teresa with a small kid in her lap.
And then it was time for tucking in the local delights. A visit to west bengal is incomplete without experimenting the local delicacies and esp the fish. We went to a hole in wall restaurent and ordered a plate of rui and aar maach with rice. Throughly enjoyable fare. I am looking fwd to some illish the next time I cross siliguri.
With a cup of Darjeeling tea right now and tucked in a blanket, writing this blog, if I reflect on siliguri..the stopover town...then here are my thoughts...
Every town has a distinct flavour to it..siliguri is quickly waking up to malls and showrooms and in a few years time will be completely transformed, it already is. It is remarkable how tier two cities across the countries are opening up to the culture of malls as opposed to bazzars and local mandis..but call it a traveler' s nostalgia or my childhood spent in small towns..I will always miss the towns. No swanky shops for me, no high end eating joints. Roadsides dotted with local specialities and local shops selling everyday utilities rule the roost for me. No advertising or pamphlets can match the chaos and clutter of a congested markets now gradually eroding out of our memories and culture...hope they survive and live long.
Siliguri for me will be the sweet tea by the roadside, the warmth of a scarf purchased on whim and lip smacking fish curries devoured with birysni rice!
Siliguri! I will come back for you again
