Salasar Guest House Kolkata (Calcutta)

... poor and rich, modern and old together. It's also comfortable: there are good restaurants, friendly locals and a metro to get around.

Now I am starting to volunteer for a few days with handicapped children at the Mother Theresa charity. I'll see how it goes and then go to Kathmandu. Also fortunately met some nice girls from Spain and we went to a great Pub with live music in the Park Hotel. It also has a fancy nightclub called Tantra.

... tours.

The nomads of Rupshu, part of Tibetan plateau.

Snow-peaks and high passes

Demanding trekking and incredible Himalayan scenery

Beautiful campsites in remote locations

Central Asian wildlife

Trip profile: 14 days walking with full porterage. Altitude maximum 5450

mts. average 4400 mts. Duration 19 days.

Group: Min. 04, max. 16. Appropriate local staff.

Food : All meals included on trek, in Leh only ...

... country - eloquent & respectful people Kolkata: Just spent 2 days in the big city which has a very developed part and a poorer one. Big avenues, big buildings from the colonial time (ie: Victoria Memorial). Went to see Mother Teresa's place and was amazed and admirative about the job achieved by this little woman and by the current help provided to orphan and sick kids. Funny to see a catholic person ...

... actually it contained a whole chilli wrapped in potato. Food is eaten here with your hand (the right one) although a spoon is always provided to the white folk and I haven't been brave enough to try to mix rice and dhal with my fingers yet. Anyway back to that roof, I had some great nights of card playing and animated political discussion. New Years was hilarious but certainly not the best night. Nights of drinking and talking in small circles until the small hours but the ...

... laid out for all to see. One crow got lucky with a nad! After the excitment of blood and guts we went over to Dalhousie Square which we hadn't seen last time. Funnily enough, it's a huge square! But with lots of lovely old buildings from the times of the British Raj. I was happily shooting away when from the corner of my eye I saw someone waving at me. I waved back, as you do, but as I got closer for a better shot, it was ...

... at night perhaps 10 pm; the several boys doing the cooking and cleaning were aged around 10. They wanted me to take photos of them as they got a kick from seeing themselves on camera. "Photos attached" I gave each of them 10 rupees just so they would have something to buy for themselves they were not sure if they should take the money and looked at the owner for acceptance, I gave the owner another 10 to give to the boys. I told him; one of the best meals I have had ...

... its culture and to know its people better. No time can be better than Durga Puja time to know all three of the city. During the Puja, Calcutta turns into a majestic yet fairyland city, night spots overflow, malls crowded and younger generation lives a charismatic lifestyle. He arrived in Calcutta a day before the beginning of Durga Puja that was scheduled to be from October 17, 2007 to October 20, 2007. I received him at the airport. We took the route via the ...

... problems. Yesterday I visited the Motherhouse- the House of Mother Theresa. It was truly inspiring to read about her life, the work she did. What an amazing soul. As a nun, she also took the vows of renunciation and poverty, so she had nothing to give but love. She went out to the streets of Kolkata and loved the unlovable, showed attention to those often ignored- the lepers, the sick, the dying, abandoned infants, etc. Selfless giving and loving ...

... the 'regulations' said otherwise, filled out a quick application, had a brief interrogation by embassy staff who witnessed the signature of my 'good' name and after about 30 minutes had about 24 more blank pages!!! I say 'good' name because in India, it is quite common to be asked what your 'good' name is...which roughly translates into the formal name you use in public as opposed to your nickname given to you by your family. Then set off to send yet ...

... favored India- having more desirable spices, fabrics, and resources- and how it ultimately shifted to favor England. Mostly through force, the Raj drained India's wealth in less than 300 years. Why are there no cows to be seen? Even on the little side roads...nothing. I was heading back to Sudder by a different route, thinking I'd stop by the Nandan cinema on my way back from the memorial. The liberal side of Indian life comes out in Kolkata. Considered the cultural ...