Street scene near the Howrah bridge

Kolkata, India – Here are pictures from my first trip out of the country in 3 years. I had a pretty epic traveling run from 2003-2007, but as I got busier at work the travelling had to slow down. My last trip was to Morocco in 2008. The long wait gave me time to plan though. What I came up with was a 2 month trip through India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and possibly a few more countries in between. After taking off from Miami and a brief stop in Thailand to get my visa in order, I headed to India, where I’d been once before for a week in 2005. I was excited to get more time to explore one of the largest, most populated, and incredibly diverse countries on the planet. Here is the set of photos from my first stop, Kolkata (Calcutta), one of India’s the four great urban centers.

Nothing to see here. Just a guy with his flock rolling through Sudder Street. Sudder Street is the main backpackers hub, packed with travelers, hotels and people offering you hash

This guy pulled alongside us in bad traffic on the way from the airport and drove next to us for 10 minutes trying to have a conversation with me. Usually the first question everybody has is: “Where are you from?” When I say Miami they always say, “Oh near California?”…Nah.

Watch out for the rickshaw drivers, they’re faster then they look. I got smashed in the head by one of the metal edges in front of the “driver” while I was looking down at a map. I almost got concussed

I might have walked by this guy 150 times in my 4 days in Kolkata. He said he was a tour guide. The only advice I would take from a dude missing teeth is who has the best candy

His mom ASKED ME to take his picture then told me I had to pay her. I bought him some food & candy instead

Family shot. Gotta love the 2 older guys choice of pants

This is exactly how I felt every time I rode a bus in India

The kitchen staff of a really good no-named hole in the wall lunch spot I ate at everyday

After observing the morning chicken market where the cooks come to get the days food I decided it might be best to lay off the bird for a little

3 popular street corner businesses in India: Barber, Dentist & Ear Cleaner

These street kids were playing something like paddle-ball with a can of coke as the ball

A proud parent on the street outside the Marble Palace

A rickshaw river catching an afternoon nap

This group of kids were super nice and tried (unsuccessfully) to explain to me how to play cricket

Same kids playing street cricket. Got a little to close for the picture and god nailed with the ball on this very pitch

Same kids playing street cricket. Got a little to close for the picture and god nailed with the ball on this very pitch

This guy asked me to take his picture then told me it wasn’t good and made me take 3 more

He must have had a date that night

One of the very few women that allowed me to take her picture. Every old man and child begged me to take pics, but the women weren’t down

One of the very few taxi drivers I had that had any clue where things were. Normally they just say “yea i know” then 3 minutes into the ride start asking which way they should go

Doin’ work

These kids were apparently very upset I took this guy’s picture

Casual Friday has a whole different meaning in Kolkata

Casual Friday has a whole different meaning in Kolkata

Another picture request. He asked to give him the pic, and I kid you not, when I asked for his email he said “Facebook.”

Some guy sleeping near BBD Bagh. This is a common thing in India. People are passed out all over wherever there is shade (because its 100 degrees) and it isn’t just homeless people