Calcutta

I spent a relaxing three-day weekend in Calcutta. I realize that it might seem like an unlikely choice for an escape from Bihar--given that the city has an international reputation for extreme poverty--but in fact there are lovely spots in Calcutta. I had plenty of opportunities to pamper myself: I stayed in a luxury hotel, ate Chinese and Indian food, drank espresso, and browsed in bookstores. I am told Calcutta is the last Indian city that still has hand-pulled rickshaws (pic upper left). The man in the upper right pic is a Paan-walla, he makes Betel-nut, spice, tobacco sweets rolled up in a leaf. Below left is a lassi shop where they serve chilled yogurt drinks in the stacked clay cups.