I will try to describe places that I have lived or visited that have left a lasting impression on me. I prefer cities that are close to large water bodies: either beside a river or bay. I prefer a modern city with a rich tradition of art and culture. For vacation, I prefer places where time has come to a halt or places that are steeped deep in history or are situated in a wonderful natural setting.
Calcutta: The
city of joy , the
city of Sanjoy. Yes, Calcutta, now Kolkata, is my birthplace, city of my childhood, young adulthood, the city where I spent my growing up days. I love the vibration of the city, the passion of the people for politics and poetry. The city is steeped in rich culture. There are theatres, art galleries, museums, literary societies, debate halls, coffee house. There are problems but there is a certain element of dynamism that inspires me.
Kharagpur: I wouldn't be where I am today had I not gone to Kharagpur or KGP as we used to lovingly call it, the home of the Indian Institute of Technology. A small town compared to Calcutta, it claims its position on the world map due to two facts: it has the longest railway station in the world and the institute.
Pondicherry: this is small sea town in the south of India. I went there 25 years back but I can still smell the burning incense sticks in the prayer hall of Sri Aurobindo’s sanctuary. The silence of the place is deeply invigorating.
Shillong: this is a small hill station; capital of a northeastern hilly state in India called the Meghalaya (translated into English means Abode of the Cloud). Needless to say this is the place with the highest annual rainfall recorded in the world. With manicured golf course, small streams and waterfalls, flowers, orchids, lakes, the place is just like a picture.
Darjeeling: (of world famous Darjeeling tea fame) is another hill station as well as a district in the state of West Bengal, India. This is known as the Queen of the Himalayas. Extremely beautiful. I have memories of seeing wild mushrooms growing on the mountainside or waking up early in the morning to go see sunrise brighten up the Himalayas or suddenly experience cloud beneath me over the valley. The hike to the mall, the city centre was interesting. Life was easy, very easy. I am willing to give up a lot to simplify my life once again.
Now coming outside of India, there are 5 cities, not in any specific order that I have enjoyed visiting:
Paris: where tradition and modernism, culture and engineering (Eiffel Tower), art and science have all mingled. I just love this city, its museum and with the river flowing through it. A Chinese friends rightfully translated this from a Chinese poem, "Silently, the Seine runs across Paris, as if a delicate jade hairpin worn by a beautiful woman." Yes, the river is an integral part of the city.
New York: what can I say? The only other city outside Calcutta where I feel at home.
San Francisco: This a city with a different charm. With the Golden Gate Bridge giving the city its distinctive landmark, I love the fisherman's wharf, the tram ride (by the way, Calcutta still has a functional tram network), the art districts, access to the wineries up in the Sonoma county, and excellent food. There is something special about this city.
Montreal: I have never seen a city so clean and never felt so safe. Modern day architecture fits in well with the smooth functioning of the city. They have a parallel city underground to deal with the harsh winter climate.
London: again, I like the architectures, museums, parks. Lots of things to do/see. And then there are the fish and chips.
Other notable places in my book:
Brugge, Belgium, a quaint little town with canals running through the town, cobbled roads and lace stores.
Lisse, Netherlands, particularly in April-May when the flowers are in bloom. How can I forget the train ride between Amsterdam and the Hague through the carpeted tulip fields?
Den Hag (or the Hague) in the Netherlands. I just loved the access to the North Sea and being able to walk on the 5 Km promenade and see the sunset at 10 clock in the evening
Luxembourg (the most beautiful country I have visited till date)
Quebec City in Canada (a city that has two layers - an upper city and a lower city)
1000 Islands on the border of Canada and US (the water so deep that it has a beautiful blue color)
Sedona (a place so romantic and mystic) in Arizona desert
Sian Kaan a world heritage site in Mexico where I saw sea turtles and a vast expense of the turquoise green Caribbean Sea
Appalachian National Scenic Trail (US's longest marked footpath, at approximately 2,178 miles) this is where I have hiked many a weekends (there are beautiful hidden swimming holes)
The
Rhine valley and the
Black Forest in Germany
Kashmir (Switzerland of the East) with its Dal Lake, beautiful flower gardens, ski slopes and valley
Taj Mahal or
Chichen Itza, monuments in the Seven Wonders list.
I am sure that I have experienced jaw dropping scenes (like I remember one night as I saw the lights coming on in
Evian, the famous French Alps town on lake Geneva as darkness fell on the lake or the chalets hanging on the Swiss mountains like pictures pinned on a board, or the monastery where they train St. Bernard rescue dogs up in the Alps in the Swiss-Italy border or watching a light-and-sound show in a 500 year old fort in India or Mexico) but they are skipping my memory right now.
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