Friday December 19

Our plans today included going out for a late lunch with my brother, sis in law, niece, nephew, and nieces's son. This was going to be Sudip's treat. We picked a couple of restaurants and were in the process of discussing which one to go to, when we got the news that a taxi strike was in place from 6AM to 6PM.

There were 6 adults and a 5 year old, brother's car holds 4 maximum, so we were going take the car and a taxi. So we started discussing the feasibility of doing trips but even the nearer of the two restaurants would be at least an hour round trip.

Finally settled on take out from Tero Parbon, a restaurant famous for home style Bengali food. The younger generation didn't care for this choice at all. First they wanted Chinese and secondly they didn't want to eat at home. We went ahead with the plan anyway due to the logistic issues.

My brother and I went to the restaurant and did the ordering, had a gala time ordering everything under the sun and more, so much so that the restaurant manager kept telling us that some things were redundant. Of Course we didn't listen to him. We probably ordered all our childhood favorites, things that our mother used to cook so well.

As we were waiting for them to put the order together it dawned on us that other than the cash Sudip gave us we didn't have any money between the two of us ( at least I had my credit card). Amazingly we came literally within pennies of that amount including tax and tips. It's always an adventure in Kolkata.

The food was very good and there were little to no leftovers.

The rest of the day was spend in picking up loose ends, visiting my oldest aunt, packing, eating a light dinner and then going to bed.

Our last night in Kolkata, always sad leaving behind my relatives, childhood friends, and the vigor and life that the city offers at every step.

Location:Kolkata