London circa 1880

Here.
Our first indoctrination to India was the car service to our hostel. He must have gone through 12 red lights (as well as the other traffic) The one time he stopped was in front of a police kiosk; the police, two of them, couldn't have cared less as three other cars screamed by us as we slowly inched through the intersection. First overall impression, as Sam remarked, "London circa 1880." They have all the antiquated cabs here and most of the area is dilapidated buildings with the colors moving from dark grey to really grey. The streets are what you would expect: Bustling, teeming with shops that seem to have stuff from 1974. Cars and motos whizz by announcing their presence with a piercing beep then continuing to stamp their departure with continuing their beeping. People speaking loudly about everything and nothing. Women in their electrifying saris stroll .
I was told the smell be the most over powering aspect, yet my nostrils have not been tickled by anything while walking around. It will take some time to settle in, but we have decided to be in Kolkata for at least two days to hopefully melt into this country; do as the Romans do, so to speak. Haven't had much time to really form an opinion so this explains the brevity of the post; never fear though, I have a feeling more in depth tales will come.