Dust & Dim Sum: Lost in Kolkata
okay, so, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm chai. i landed in Kolkata yesterday, and honestly? it’s a sensory overload in the best, most terrifying way. the humidity is clinging to everything - like, everything. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the pressure’s at 1011, which is…fine, i guess? feels like 23.72, temp-min 23.72, temp-max 23.72. it’s a weird, beautiful chaos.
my phone’s already dead, which is a tragedy because i was just about to document the most aggressively colorful street food stall i’ve ever seen. it’s a whole thing. like, a swirling vortex of spices and shouting vendors. i’m trying to keep my bearings, but i feel like i’m perpetually lost in a maze of rickshaws and sari-clad women.
Speaking of which, the neighbors…they’re…loud. Really loud. There’s this family who plays sitar until 3 am, and a guy who seems to be permanently engaged in a heated debate with a pigeon. it’s…immersive. if you get bored, Delhi is just a short drive away, someone told me that. i heard that the best butter chicken is at this place called Peter Cat, but i’m still trying to find it. i’m relying heavily on Google Maps and the increasingly frantic gestures of the locals.
I’m a touring session drummer, so naturally, i’m looking for gigs. but honestly, just feeling the rhythm of the city is enough for now. it’s in the clatter of the trams, the honking of the auto-rickshaws, the constant chatter of the crowds. it’s a primal beat.
Here’s the gear list, because someone always asks:
My battered Roland 808 (obviously)
A ridiculously oversized backpack (seriously, where do people even put things?)
Noise-canceling headphones (for when the sitar gets too intense)
A portable charger (currently useless)
A phrasebook (mostly filled with useless greetings)
A healthy dose of skepticism
And a notebook, because i’m already scribbling down everything.
I stumbled across this little tea stall near Park Street - it’s called ‘The Bengal Room’. The owner, a guy named Rajeev, served me a cup of lassi and told me some seriously cryptic stories about the city’s history. He said something about a forgotten palace and a cursed diamond.
Someone told me that the best way to experience Kolkata is to get completely lost. To wander the streets without a plan, to say yes to every invitation, to eat everything that looks interesting. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s where the real stories are.
I’m heading to Howrah Station next - apparently, it’s a legendary place. I’m hoping to catch a train to Murshidabad, but honestly, i’m just going wherever the current takes me.
I found this amazing little shop selling vintage saris - seriously, the colors are insane. I almost bought a whole trunk full. I’m thinking of incorporating some of them into my stage outfits. It’s a vibe, you know?
I also checked out a few places on Yelp - apparently, Mocambo is a classic for colonial-era cocktails. I’m not a huge cocktail guy, but i’m willing to try anything once. Mocambo Yelp
And TripAdvisor says the Victoria Memorial is a must-see. Victoria Memorial TripAdvisor
Seriously, the sheer volume of things to see and do is overwhelming. I’m trying to soak it all in, one chaotic moment at a time. I heard that the street art scene is incredible - I’m hoping to find some hidden murals. Kreative Kolkata Street Art
Okay, i’m officially starving. Time for some phuchka. Wish me luck.
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