Journey to India

Well now that we have celebrated Diwali (fireworks, lights and crackers for the kids) and also Kalipuja, very similar in activities to Durga Puja, except that it's Ma Kali. The kids have had what I consider a great exposure to Kolkata, becoming quite conversant with the luchi-walla (the guy on the corner who sells you a quick meal of luchis and potato curry for 8 cents), where to buy misti-dhoi (sweet yoghourt), and the sweet shops in general. They have bought books at the Oxford bookstore, and are quite comfortable navigating the streets, with its hairy traffic patterns. We are off to the north tonight, on a train, with six bunk sleepers. Tomorrow morning we will be in the hills near Darjeeling or Sikkim, eager to enjoy the cooler weather and cleaner air.