Listen, I get it
You’re sitting there, scrolling through yet another ‘Top 10 Destinations’ list, right? And you’re thinking, ‘Ugh, not another generic travel article.’ But look, I’m gonna be real with you. I’ve been a travel writer for 22 years, and I’ve seen alot of places. And honestly? West Bengal should be next on your list.
I mean, it’s not just another destination. It’s a place that’ll make you laugh, cry, and probably get lost. But that’s part of the charm. (Which honestly nobody asked for but here we are.)
First off, let’s talk about the food
Oh em gee, the food. I’m not even joking. I was there last Tuesday, and I swear, I gained 5 pounds in 36 hours. My friend, let’s call him Marcus, he’s this food critic from Delhi, he said to me, ‘Rina, the momos here are gonna change your life.’ And he was right. I mean, I’ve had momos in Kathmandu, in Darjeeling, but these? These are next level.
And the sweets! Oh, the sweets. I’m not sure but I think I had 17 different kinds of rasgulla. (Okay, maybe not 17, but it felt like it.) My colleague named Dave, he’s a nutritionist, he’d have a fit if he saw me. But hey, you’re on vacation. Live a little.
Now, about the people
So, I was walking down the streets of Kolkata, right? It’s 11:30pm, and it’s buzzing. There’s this energy, this vibe. And I’m thinking, ‘How do these people have so much energy?’ And then I met this old lady, let’s call her Mrs. Banerjee. She’s selling flowers on the sidewalk. And she tells me, ‘Beta, life is short. Enjoy every moment.’ Which… yeah. Fair enough.
And the kids! Oh, the kids. They’re everywhere. They’re playing, they’re laughing, they’re selling stuff. It’s like a real-life Slumdog Millionaire, but happier. I mean, I saw this one kid, he’s probably 8 years old, selling postcards. And he’s got this grin on his face. It’s like, how can you not smile back?
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows
Look, I’m not gonna lie to you. It’s not perfect. The traffic is insane. I mean, I’ve been stuck in traffic in Mumbai, in Bangkok, but this? This is next level. I was in a rickshaw, and it’s so hot, and the driver’s honking, and I’m thinking, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ But then, you know what? You just go with it. You laugh. You honk back. You become one with the chaos.
And the heat. Oh, the heat. It’s like a physicaly oppressive blanket. But you know what? You deal. You drink alot of water. You wear a hat. You find shade. You ammend your plans. It’s not that big of a deal.
Oh, and the shopping
So, I was talking to this friend of mine, let’s call her Priya. She’s from Vermont, and she’s this huge shopper. And I told her, ‘Priya, you gotta go to West Bengal. The shopping is amazing.’ And she said, ‘But I’m not sure. I mean, what’s there to buy?’ And I said, ‘Trust me. You’ll find stuff.’ And she did. She bought so much stuff, she had to ship it back. (Check out this Vermont shopping guide best stores for more ideas.)
But honestly, the best thing to buy is the experience. I mean, you can’t put a price on that, right?
A quick tangent: the trains
So, I took a train from Kolkata to Darjeeling. And it’s this old, rickety thing. And I’m thinking, ‘This is it. This is how I die.’ But then, you know what? It’s an adventure. You meet people. You see stuff. You eat more food. (Because honestly, when are you not eating in India?)
And the views! Oh, the views. It’s like a painting. It’s like a movie. It’s like… I don’t know. It’s just… yeah.
So, what’s the verdict?
Look, I’m not gonna sit here and tell you it’s perfect. It’s not. It’s messy. It’s chaotic. It’s hot. It’s crowded. But you know what? It’s real. It’s alive. It’s West Bengal.
And honestly, that’s why you should go. Because life’s too short to stay in your comfort zone. Because you deserve an adventure. Because, well, why not?
So, pack your bags. Book your ticket. And for the love of god, bring a hat.
About the Author: Rina Kapoor is a senior travel writer with over 20 years of experience. She’s been to 47 countries, eaten 113 kinds of street food, and has a slight obsession with collecting postcards. She currently lives in Delhi with her cat, Miso.
