Who has been to Calcutta (Kolkota)?
 

What did you think? If you had it to do over again, would you return? We are vacillating, and I'd like some perspectives on the city. Would you choose it over Delhi? Guess I should add in that we aren't shoppers, so I am not interested in shopping opportunities. Thanks.

My favorite Indian city - but I have the distinct feeling you aren't me.

http://dogster5.wordpress.com/kolkata-home/

this should be enough to put you off... lol lol lol

I can't compare it with Delhi, as I haven't been there yet, but we really enjoyed Kolkataa. We did two days of Calcutta Walks which was just marvelous. We didn't have the kinds of adventures dogster did (thank goodness!) but we felt we really got a taste of the city. You can get some detail from my trip report and the photos at www.marlandc.com

I've been to Delhi a number of times and Calcutta once. I like both places and hope to go back to both. I wouldn't necessarily choose one over the other. However, if this is your first trip to India I'd suggest Delhi. I find it more relaxed, less intense than Calcutta so possibly an easier place to get acclimated to the Indian city experience.

Slums are tonnes worse but in shanty towns, the people seem to thrive and live on despite the congestion, grinding poverty and seemingly insurmountable problems.So if you
can bear the heat and the smells go for it.Some beautiful
botannical gardens and great food if you can look beyond
the obvious seediness the people are very spiritual.Kind of
reminds me of some cities in Haiti I have been to. Happy Planning.

I really enjoyed Kolkata, but I was there during Durga Puja (see http://wilhelmswords.com/asia2001/index.html ) and I think there are more "sights" in Delhi. But I'd certainly want to try Calcutta Walks if I went back.

I too have Calcutta Walks bookmarked as a very interesting looking possibility.

Smells? Are we talking about the smell of a urinal that has never been flushed for a year so it has been fermenting? Sorry to be graphic, but I remember walking by other places in other cities where there was a block or two that smelled like this. Trash I can take; poverty is understandably disturbing but something I can handle.

I really don't want to see any sights--monuments, tombs, museums. We typically like to wander about taking in the atmosphere of a place--regular neighborhoods, interesting markets, walks along rivers etc.

Thanks again.

I liked Kolkota. Was surprised that I was not at all uncomfortable. I did not find it as grim as other cities.

In India it helps to have a poor sense of smell... Note that men use the sidewalks as public urinals (they seem to think that if they turn their back to the street they become invisible). I frequently walked on the edge of the roadway instead of the sidewalk. Of course it was also smoother and emptier.

"...We typically like to wander about taking in the atmosphere of a place--regular neighborhoods, interesting markets, walks along rivers etc."

Your description of how you like to spend your time makes me think Calcutta may be better for you. There seemed to me to be more of a city center that was suitable for walking than any area in Delhi apart from Old Delhi. Delhi seems to me to be better maintained in general but one could say that this fact adds to the atmosphere in Calcutta.