For those of us who loves to travel like a local, we often ditch the guidebook. A fair amount of information about the place we go to is a must though.
Travel Via The Metro
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No matter if you are staying in North Kolkata or South Kolkata, travelling the length and breadth of the city is fast with the metro rails running from 7 AM (first metro from both terminals) to 10 PM (last metro from both terminals). There are apps that will let you track the nearest metro station, and train timings. The rush hours are usually extremely crowded, so you might want to set your schedule accordingly.
Try Lip-Smacking Street Foods
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Kolkata is the heaven of street foods in India. While the city has a variety of street food intrinsic to it, Kolkata does not fend from selling street foods of some of the other states too. While you get jhaal muri, fuchka (while people use panipuri or golgappa to translate fuchka into the wider known terms they are not the same when taste is concerned), kaati rolls (egg, chicken, paneer, mutton), Kolkatan-ised noodles and fried rice, cutlets, fish fry, kabiraajis, aloo chops, begunis (thin slices of eggplant dipped in besan and deep fried), chilla, pav bhajis! Unless you have a worrying digestive system, none of these foods should make you sick.
Catch A Theatre At Rabindra Sadan
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As you visit the cultural capital of India, you cannot go back without tasting some of the flavours of the same. Book tickets for a play at Rabindra Sadan. You might not understand a word of the Bengali theatres that take place in the iconic Rabindra Sadan Theatre, but it would be an experience to take back. A lot of times, we do not need to understand the language to take back the essence of a play. Also, Kolkatans are a friendly bunch of people. You might try befriending anyone and ask about the details of the play.
Take A Stroll At Nandan And Victoria Memorial Premises
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Unlike the rest of India, Kolkatans are laid back. You will always find people strolling around in the Nandan premises or the Victoria Memorial premises. While Nandan will be more crowded, yet make you want to linger on observing the culture-lovers of the city in traditional Bengali attire (exceptions are common too), as you enjoy a serving of jhaal muri or cutlet, Victoria Memorial will have fewer people. The walk inside the memorial premises is among the greeneries, and the awesome view of the magnificent architecture.
Shop For Clothes And Accessories In New Market
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Shopper’s paradise, New Market is a place you ought to visit to buy clothes and accessories. However, it is the only place in the city where they claim you can even find tiger(ess)’s milk! The local storekeepers are helpful. Ask them if you are looking for anything in particular and they will be pleased to help you locate the right store.
Travelling like a local we usually pick up a few local phrases of the place we wish to go just to connect a little more with the people. ‘Dada/Didi, kemon achhen?’ (Brother/Sister, how are you doing?) is a phrase that will instantly help you strike a connection with the locals there. You can learn some other Bengali phrases like “Aj khub groom porechhe.” (It’s very hot today),
