Cave paintings and kabadi

October 16.

Breakfast with the French group, who have definitely warmed up a good deal to me. Babbu and my driver, Tinku, pick me up, and we set off for Old Kanker and walked around, seeing several temples, and cows, then happened in on a school with kids praying and singing the national Anthem. I […]

Hankering for Kanker

October 15

Up at 3:40 and off at 4:30 to the airport, with my boxed breakfast, for my 6:35 flight to Raipur. On the plane I met an orthopedic surgeon who has relatives in Chicago and come sit there with some frequency. He gave me his card and invited me to call him if I […]

Kolkata, Day Two: Flower Markets, Ghats, Synagogues, Pandals and Street Scenes

October 14

Slept longer than the night before, and I think I may be back to normal, whatever that may be. Coffee in the room. Service at the Oberoi Grand is terrific. I like the hotel a lot, better than the newer, more opulent Oberois in which I’ve stayed elsewhere.

After an excellent buffet breakfast […]

Let the trip begin; Kolkata, first day.

October 13

Too tired to sleep long, so I am up at 5:15. Ordered coffee in the room, check emails and work on the blog. I have pieces of my birthday cake cut boxed for Partha and my driver. Here is a view from my balcony.

And here’s the shabby lobby.

After a lavish breakfast […]