A Last-Minute Detour to India

Originally, I was planning to be in Egypt during April when something unexpected came up—my brother’s close friend Sahil was getting married in Kolkata. His wife didn’t want to make the long trek across the world, so I half-jokingly asked my brother if it would be weird if his sister was his +1. To my surprise (and excitement), he said it was totally fine and checked in with Sahil, who warmly welcomed the idea.

And just like that, this Kolkata travel story began. I rerouted my travels and booked a flight to India—family, culture, and celebration were calling.

SIM Card Mayhem in Kolkata

After landing in Kolkata, I faced my first real challenge: getting connected. I had assumed, as in many other countries, I could buy a cheap SIM card at the airport. Nope. Due to government regulations and anti-terrorism measures in India, SIM cards are highly controlled and not sold to foreigners at airports.

What followed was a headache-worthy day of tuk-tuks, shared rides, and miles of walking through the local market. Without any cellular or Wi-Fi access, I wandered from shop to shop, each one telling me something different—or just saying no altogether.

Eventually, I found a larger mobile store that offered hope. They spent hours helping me—photocopying my passport, troubleshooting, and trying to register a SIM in my name. After all that, they ultimately told me they couldn’t sell it to me. Exhausted and frustrated, I finally connected to their Wi-Fi and purchased an eSIM from Saily. I should’ve done that from the start, but hey—lesson learned.

First Impressions & Fiery Bengali Breakfasts

I flew in a day before my brother and had time to find accommodations for us. I chose a quiet homestay outside the city, perfect for sleeping off some jet lag before the chaos of the wedding.

The next morning, our lovely hosts made us a traditional Bengali breakfast. It was delicious—flaky luchi (deep-fried flatbread) and aloo dum (spiced potato curry)—but wow, so spicy! And only about $1 USD per person. As we checked out, we were greeted by a cow casually strolling past our doorstep. Just your average morning in India.

Exploring the City and Catching Up

Once in our centrally located hotel in Kolkata proper, we took a much-needed nap—especially my brother, who had just landed after a long international flight.

That evening, we took a gentle stroll around a nearby lake and grabbed dinner at a local spot. While the food was rich and full of flavor, the spice levels had me sweating. My brother, on the other hand, was in heaven. We even tried those tiny, colorful anise candies offered at the end of Indian meals—called mukhwas. Sweet, minty, and surprisingly addictive.

Sahil’s Bengali Wedding

Over the next couple of days, we were busy attending Sahil’s wedding events. The ceremonies were held at a nearby hotel, and our mornings began with generous buffet breakfasts at ours.

My Solo Day in Kolkata: Mother Teresa’s Home

After my brother flew back home, I had one final day to explore Kolkata. I ventured to the eastern part of the city to visit Mother Teresa’s home and museum, officially known as Mother House.

Here are a few facts that made the visit especially meaningful:

• Mother Teresa moved to Kolkata in 1929, where she began her missionary work.
  
• The Mother House is still the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, the order she founded in 1950.
  
• Her modest tomb is located on the premises, along with a small museum that showcases her sari, sandals, and handwritten letters.
  
• Visitors from all faiths and backgrounds are welcomed in quiet reverence. It’s not flashy—just deeply human and moving.
  

It was humbling to walk the same halls where she served some of the city’s poorest and sickest, dedicating her life to compassion.

Off to the Sundarbans

Before leaving India, I squeezed in one last adventure—a weekend safari to the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest mangrove forest in the world.

Home to the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, crocodiles, and spotted deer, this watery world of jungle and delta felt like something straight out of a nature documentary. I’ll be writing a full blog post on that next, so stay tuned!

Final Thoughts

Kolkata was chaos, color, kindness, and curry—everything I didn’t know I needed. From shared tuk-tuks to wedding dances, and from spicy breakfasts to spiritual pilgrimages, the city gave me a rich slice of Bengali life.

Would I go back? Absolutely—but next time, I’m buying that eSIM before I land.

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Don’t miss my last blog about how I was detained for 8 hours in India because of my satellite phone and what you need to know to avoid a similar situation.