why hello Kolkata!

Last week in Dhaka was really good.
lots of time with great friends.
leaving was sad. (as my friend gill reminded me, there is loss in all change)
but it's good to have my feet on the ground in kolkata.

Its been an interesting few days in kolkata. i feel a bit like the universe (or at least the city) is conspiring against me getting settled here.

i did manage to get a SIM card - so at least i have a phone. i haven't managed to put money on the phone...so i can't actually use it much!

i can't use my bank card - but i talked with the bank today - and theoretically its fixed...but i've heard that before, i'll only believe it when the rupees are in my hand! (which canceled a shopping trip, cause why go shopping if you don't have any money)

the metro has been closed both yesterday and today when i've tried to use it (canceled today's planned shopping trip to make up for the canceled one yesterday).

finally decided which room i'm gonna call mine...and got the junk from my suitcases reasonably organized.

well - the list sure seems longer in the middle of it.

it's hot and humid.
i don't think i peed all day today, even though i drank a TON of water...cause i was sweating so much. (sorry if that's too much information!).
this city is dirty.
i feel generally a bit out of sorts (expected)
i also feel welcome - and excited to be here.

in other news, sheila already had a pigeon fly into her ceiling fan...unlucky, for both sheila and the pigeon. thankfully sarah was around to help handle the situation. final status of the bird - still unknown...we'll check in the morning to see if its where sarah left it