Oh Calcutta!
By zigzagbuddha
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
United States
November 11, 2007 5:44pm CST
When I was 18 my mother took me, along with my 2 sisters and my brother, on a sight-seeing tour of Asia. It was a wonderful way to learn about other cultures and people, though the pace was a little hectic... while a month or two may seem interminably long when you're waiting for something to happen, it is actually a very limited time frame when you're trying to cram so much in it.
It seemed everybody who was anybody had a guru from India to counsel and advise them. I wanted one too. And by the time we got to Bangkok, I was determined to have one. I traded in my ticket to Hong Kong along with the one back to America, for a one-way ticket to Calcutta, and since I always did exactly what I wanted to do, with or without my mother's consent, she had learned the hard way (hard for us both) that it was in her best interests to indulge my restless and reckless spirit -that way she at least knew where she might find me- and off to India I went, in search of a guru.
Seated beside me on the plane, was an Indian gentleman returning from Bangkok to his home in Calcutta. What a coincidence... he just happened to have a yogi retreat in the mountains somewhere in India. He invited me to come and visit, and I gladly accepted. When we landed in Calcutta, he took me under his wing and deposited me at the YWCA, and after ensuring that I got a room he departed, with a cheerful "goodnight!"
He showed up again early the next morning, but he wanted me to meet his wife and nephew before we departed... then his nephew wanted me to meet his friends, and, well... I just never made it to the mountain retreat. For the next 3 months I lounged in the courtyard with my new friends at their house on Rippon Street.
It was Earle's house actually, but his many friends practically lived there, and he gave me my own room at the far end of the courtyard. We all sat on his stoop 'til late every night, having many fine & philosophical conversations; the moon reflecting off the shot papers piling up and strewn about; the palm trees in silhouette against the night sky, swaying in a breeze -or not- beyond the high courtyard wall. There is truly nothing more romantic than a foreign sky!
And there was other romance as well... there was Peter, who painted haunting pictures in shades of brown. His parents had a very lovely home which I was privileged to visit. There was Farley, who every evening at midnight went home to share the evening meal with his mother. She was an elephant trainer. Yeah, there was plenty of romance. The experience has enriched my life beyond measure.
I never did find my guru, in the usual sense, but then again maybe I did, in another sense.
I have noticed that there seem to be quite a few MyLotters who live in India, and I wonder, could anyone tell me what is the name of that thing that is like a rickshaw, that you sit in and somebody picks up the long handles and goes running off (they were usually in bare feet), pulling you along behind him? For the life of me I can't remember what it was called.
And if anyone else has any 'romance stories' of their own that they would like to share, I'm definitely interested!
6 people like this
6 responses
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
4 Dec 07
Hello dear zigzag buddha friend. So it is very nice to have such a good opportunity to travel from America to India and Hongkong. From what is narrated, I can see that you love your travelling experience then and must have a lot of fun there with the few romances there in India with the friends there. It is true indeed that travelling helps broaden our eye-sight and enrich our our life. I love travelling, but I don't have enough money to travel abroad as the cost is too high for me. Thanks for sharing with us your nice and impressive travelling experience. Have a good day, my dear friend.
2 people like this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
12 Nov 07
Oh Zig so nice to meet you! I'm a yogi too. Been doing Hatha Yoga for nearly 40 years. Last winter I went on a tour of East Asia with wife and family members. WE visited Vietnam and then on to Laos where we met cousins of my daughter-in-law. They were wonderful people and we enjoyed them Very much. We rode an elephant and eventually returned, tired but with a much broader outlook on life.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
16 Aug 08
I lived in India for around a year just prior to moving to Cairo, Egypt last November. I was based out of India for work so was unable to really satisfy any of the spiritual intrigue I had in any manner that I truly wished to. I wanted to see the Taj Mahal; which to me is one of the most romantic icons in hostiry; but I justy didn't end up making it..... I wished to see the Ganges; but again cam eup short. I wished to trek through Northern India and the Himalayas; but this experience also evaded me. I pretty much remained chained to Bombay most of the time. And Mumbai is by no means a true representation of India as a whole! lol.
Regardless of all of the above, and despite the suffering and decay that haunts India at so many levels; there is a certain serenity and subliminally spiritual aura that hangs over the people and the country. I have both fond and not so good memories combined of my time there and no matter where I am in the future I have no doubt that there will always be a small part of India somewhere deep inside of me. Maybe the term I am looking for is that India is hard to remember; but impossible to forget!
And after reading through your post again, I think that you DID find your guru after all; it was just was not in the manifestation that you maybe expected! The things you have discussed and shared thus far show that you have indeed sourced some form of external guidance and light. These things work in wondrous ways! You are very fortunate.....
As for Asia; it is by far my most loved region of the world! The food, the culture, the people! Although I am Australian (And British!) I was actually born in Hong Kong; so maybe there is some subconscious or predestined affinity with this part of the world that will always pump through my veins. This city represents for me the perfect combination of the old and the new world. I have no doubt that when I eventually retire, it will be somewhere in Asia. It is a part of the world where I have always felt at home.
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
17 Aug 08
Thank you once again for the compliments! I have come so close to going to Shanghai and Beijing so many times it is not funny! Yet every time something happens at the last minute and then the plans change. I do business with China and am in constant contact with a number of people there though and do plan to get there eventually! My wife too is Asian; but not Chinese! The Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors are definitely on my list of things I wish to experience. I also wish to visit Mongolia as I have experienced a past life flashback and circumstance that has an affinity to that region. I will get to all of these places eventually!
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
16 Aug 08
I thought I was the only person in the history of Life that ever been to India and missed out on seeing the Taj Mahal! Your first paragraph has given me such a good laugh and made me feel in such good company that I am hardly even sorry about it any more!
I LOVE the way you describe the impact India has had on you! "...and no matter where I am in the future I have no doubt that there will always be a small part of India somewhere deep inside of me. Maybe the term I am looking for is that India is hard to remember; but impossible to forget!" God, that was so beautifully expressed!! I share that sentiment profoundly. And the affinity for that part of the world that pumps through your veins pumps through mine as well. I love the way you write!
One of my favorite musicians is an Indian by the name of Russill Paul. He lives here in the United States now, and leads a 'pilgrimage' into south India once a year. I hope to join him in one of those pilgrimages one day.
My son has just returned from 3 months in China. He has fallen in love with a girl there and also with China itself. He very much wants to live there, and had a very hard time leaving. And since the 3 of us (he, my daughter, and myself) refer to ourselves as 'the holy trinity', if he moves there then we all will. He is certain I will love it there too. Have you been to China?
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
18 Aug 08
HAHAHAHAHAHA! In that case you should meet my mother!!! She believes she was Attila the Hun in another life! 
She went to see a 'past life regresser' who told her she 'had been' Alexander the Great, but my mother says no, it was Attila. I believe her!!!!
So what is your wife's nationality, if you don't mind my asking. Just curious.
She went to see a 'past life regresser' who told her she 'had been' Alexander the Great, but my mother says no, it was Attila. I believe her!!!!
So what is your wife's nationality, if you don't mind my asking. Just curious.
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
23 Jun 08
What a lovely time that must have been in your life. Now you put it into words so beautifully. In just 3 minutes of reading time I feel I truly experienced a bit of those 3 months in your life. Thank you for sharing it with me.
1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
23 Jun 08
Honestly, I was looking over a friends profile (Transdisc) and read his response to this discussion. That is how I found this lovely story. I often do that, come here needing a good laugh or something similar, and will pull up a friends profile to read their discussions. I have certain friends I go to for certain reasons. Now that you have accepted my friend request (thanks) I bet I will pull up your profile when I'm in the mood someday for excellent writing.
Yes, I am a potter. One who, sadly, does not get near enough time to sit alone at her wheel these days.
1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
24 Jun 08
All that I ever do anymore is with molds because I don't have a wheel at home. I use hump molds the most and some press molds. But I do not do any slipcasting... that just does not appeal to me. I find my joy in molding the raw clay.
I have no working kiln at the moment.
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
23 Jun 08
Thank you for the wonderful compliment!!
I am curious how you came across my little story that is doing such a mighty poor job of masquerading as a 'discussion'. Hehehe.
I am also curious about your username... do you make pottery?
@positiveminded1977 (7072)
• India
7 Jul 08
It was really great reading this about Calcutta. Well, I live miles away from Calcutta, but I had a friend who was brought up in Calcutta. She told me it was a noisy, polluted, and overpopulated city. She also told me it was too hot in Calcutta. Calcutta is also a place that is full of poor people. That's why Mother Theresa chose that place. Oh dear, I don't sound that romantic, do I?
As for the thing you mentioned, that is a variety of rickshaw. We don't have it in Mangalore (where I live), but you will find plenty of those in Calcutta.
I am surprised you chose Calcutta of all places to find a "guru," zigzag. People usually fly to the Himalayas in search of a "guru." :) And the Himalayas are really romantic. I haven't seen them, but I have heard stories.
Cheers and I really enjoyed this post. :)
1 person likes this
@positiveminded1977 (7072)
• India
8 Jul 08
Now Goa is really romantic. It is lovely and green, laced with romantic blue seas. Delicious! And everybody speaks Konkani there. So, it feels like home. My ancestors were from Goa. Some missionary converted them into Catholicism. Then came the Inquisition and hundreds and thousands of Catholics fled to Mangalore. I wish they had never left Goa. Such a beautiful place! And I love the lovely mountains of Kathmandu. You missed it, but your friends were right. I am glad you listened to them. Traveling alone, even for an old, unattractive woman, is just not safe.
Your hand-pulled rickshaw is called a "hand-pulled rickshaw." :) You can also call it a "tanga," though a horse-pulled cart is also called a "tonga." I have never seen it except in pictures. I sat on a tonga (horse-pulled cart) once, and almost wept for the poor horse. So, I understand how you felt when you traveled on a tanga.
Cheers!
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
7 Jul 08
Hahahaha, no, you don't sound very romantic positiveminded! But that's okay... I had deliberately left out the more unromantic aspects of it. Yes, there was an incredible amount of poverty there, horrifying poverty actually. I wouldn't even want to talk about some of my experiences there on a public forum like this for fear of giving people a bad impression of your beautiful country that I love so well, when in fact it was just my experience of Calcutta, and it was many many years ago... for all I know things may have changed since then.
I don't know why I ended up going to Calcutta. It may have been that the money I had would only get me a ticket that far, I really don't remember. I was very young and stupid, hehehe. But it was an unforgettable adventure!
I had actually intended to make my way to Goa and eventually to Kathmandu, but I was a young, attractive, American girl and my Indian friends convinced me it was not wise for me to attempt hitchhiking alone to get to those places. They were probably right, and now that I think about it they most likely saved my life! Hehehe.
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
7 Jul 08
PS: You didn't tell me what the name of that rickshaw like thing is! Do they still have them there, pulled by guys in bare feet?? They were very fun to ride in, although I have to say, I felt pretty guilty, sitting there in comfort enjoying the ride, while the poor guys huffed and puffed and sweated in the stifling heat pulling us around!
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
12 Nov 07
Hi Zig,
I have no romance stories that can even touch that! LOL I get so jealous when I hear people have traveled abroad and didnt have a care in the world for many months. Aaah to me thats relaxation!
Also....what the hell are you doing writting on myLot???? I think you should be elsewhere with this talent. Is this your occupation? Writing? If its not, it def should be! Kudos!!
Bay Lay Gray xx
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
12 Nov 07
Well I guess I can understand that, traveling with your mother. hehe But still, I think that I would not have a care in the world if I could cross that pond and make my way around Europe. Id move to the UK in a heartbeat if I had the funds! No lie!
I have always wanted to write a book or something of substance. I guess this is my way of releasing my demons too! LOL I like how you put that by the way. I just dont know where to start, and I dont know what to write about to make it interesting to others. Ive often threatened my hubby I was going to sit at the barn and take notes, you wouldnt imagine the drama that goes on out there, it would be the perfect soap opera!
Im very flattered that you like my writing!! I just say it like it is, and hope that the point gets across. Sometimes I dont think it does. lol
I hope that you get this all sorted and some day I can buy a book off the shelf with your name on it. I could say I knew her before she became famous! hehe
So thank you Zig, its always a joy to read your threads! Keep up the great work!
Bay xx
2 people like this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
12 Nov 07
I have been a fan of the UK since probably not long after I came here to play pioneer and escape their rule! And then again, before it as well... I am quite certain I've spent many lives in that land that I love so well. I've got memories of it that aren't from this time that's for sure.
When traveling through the UK in this lifetime, it's actually very little I remember... I remember once whistling for a taxi, across some rainy square in London. I remember one delicious breakfast we had at an Irish inn.
But most of all I remember crying when we landed in Scotland, like I had finally come home. I remember the healthy Scottish woman sweeping her front stoop as we drove by, a 'rooms to let' sign out front. I remember the cobblestones of Princess Street, the castle tours. The nearly perpetual rainy mist. The green land, the sea.
And yeah, that's been a big problem for me too, knowing what to write! I once tried writing a mystery novel. I just had finished reading one, well actually I hadn't finished it, it was so horrible. And I was like, "Hell, I can do better than that!" So I set to work.
I had got about 3 or 4 chapters into when my mother read it. She said this is no murder mystery, it's a romance novel! My mother likes romance novels, but not me. I was disgusted and never wrote another word on it.
And the stuff that goes on in a barn I think would make for excellent children's story material! Hehehe. It reminds me of once when I was about 5 yrs old I think, maybe 6 or 7, whatever... but we were staying at my grandparents farm for the summer and a bunch of the pigs had little piglets. They were unbearably cute. My sister and I wanted to catch them so bad! We tried everything. Nothing worked. Not even stripping every stitch of our clothing off and rolling around in their mud holes trying to trick them into thinking we were little piggies too!
And I like the idea much better of us both having our names on a few books on a shelf!
3 people like this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
12 Nov 07
Both of us on a book eh? Sounds really good!!
I never thought of a childrens book, thats a good idea. Id probably have to go sit at a different barn though. LOL I can draw too, so I think I could even conjure up some illustrations too. Your getting my creative side to wake up. Hmmmm
You have just been all over! Somewhere down the geneology line in my family we have some Irish in us. Im not sure of how much, but I do know I have Irish ancestors. Maybe that is why Im so privy to the UK territories. I will see it before I die!!
Bay xx
1 person likes this
