Made In India

After a 7 hour stopover in Bangkok, I finally reached Calcutta, exhausted from the long day of travelling. It didn't kick in that I was finally home, until I set foot on the tarmack at the old Calcutta airport. After clearing through customs without any difficulty, I was greeted by my So Pho and So Kung (grand aunt & grand uncle) who was sweet enough to wait around so late in the night for my arrival (my flight reached Calcutta at 1:oo am in the morning). The roads were quite empty that late in the night, nevertheless, I quickly became accustomed to the Calcutta driving where honking your horn, and high beaming is quite the norm. Furthermore, you're in luck, if you're able to find seatbelts that actually function in the back seat. It's quite ironic that Calcuttans do not wear seat belts at all, considering the chaotic driving I've witnessed over the past month. When our driver brought me to my old home where I spent the first 8 years of my life, I did not recognize it initially. It took me a few minutes to remember, but slowly, I was able to recall where our kitchen was, where my parent's room used to be as well as locate our "baby room" where my sisters and I all slept every night with our Ayah (nanny). Our home has changed quite a bit since we've left it 17 years ago, and stepping foot in it again, immediately made me feel nostalgic. I have many fond memories of growing up in this house, during my childhood. My siblings and I grew up with many of our cousins who lived just next door and we used to get into a lot of mischief together. We were all very close, and I really missed them over the years, but didn't realize how much, until I came back home. Many of my cousins have moved away also, just like my family, but there were traces of our past that still remains throughout my neighbourhood. Our favourite holiday while growing up in Tangra, Calcutta was Chinese New Years. Despite the excitement and anticipation for all the festivities that will take place over the next few days, the only thing I kept thinking to myself was, "oh how I wish my siblings and parents were there to share it with me". I spent the next few days trying to live it all up, soaking in all the lion dancing and delicious food, meanwhile trying to document it all on camera so I could share it with my siblings. My hope is that the next time I'm back, it'll be with my whole family. Will blog ?soon? hopefully about the rest of my trip in India, including: Chinese New Year, Pilgrimage to Gaya, and visiting the Golden Arrow. Internet is really hard to come by these days and time sure flies!



Here are photos I managed to dig up of our childhood here in Tangra with my extended family.

When we were young...