So long, Kolkata

We're hopping on an overnight train to Darjeeling today, leaving Kolkata after an unexpectedly long two-week stay (as opposed to our initial plan of 3 or 4 days). First, it was Russian bureaucracy keeping us here while we waited for documents. Then we found out that a few million Kolkatans go on vacation at exactly the same time that we were planning to leave, and they all planned on taking the same train. We eventually found a ticket though, so we're off to the hills.

In retrospect, it was kind of neat to spend so much time in a place we really hadn't planned on seeing in any depth. I think we eventually got a feel for Kolkata city life beyond the touristy sights and restaurants. That being said, we also made friends with the owner of the tourist cafe around the corner from our hotel, where Mal ate about forty or so omelettes over the course of our stay.

The food here has been pretty great (omelettes included). Here are the highlights, in case you happen to find yourself in Kolkata looking for some tasty eats.

- Teej: an "upscale" ($8 meals) Rajasthani restaurant, serves intensely delicious vegetarian food.
-Blue Sky Cafe: the tourist cafe mentioned above. Good, cheap Indian and non-Indian food, super friendly service, air conditioning.
-Jalebis: deep-fried crispy dough swirl things, soaked in sugary syrup. Even more delicious than they sound.
-Kati rolls: the signature Kolkatan greasy street food. It's basically a roti (thin flatbread) coated on one side with an egg, grilled on a super-hot skillet, then filled with onions, spices and lime juice, rolled up and served. We don't have the camera with us right now, but here's a suitably delicious looking picture courtesy of Google image search.