Sunday, February 19, 2012

A long time, and a visit to Calcutta/Kolkata

It has been almost three months since I've posted anything -- I hadn't realized it had been so long -- so I guess I should explain.  The last few months have been tumultuous with many changes.  Our adventure at CSTEP ended. That deserves an entire book. But for now, we can say that there were differences in opinion about the what and how a think tank should run, and the role of social science within it. As I say, it deserves its own space, some day.  It was a roller coaster ride, with lots of ups and downs, and I learned a lot, and like to think that I contributed too, to CSTEP's meteoric rise. Not clear that all share that opinion, but ....

Anyway, I have started a new adventure, and job, with bundles of positive energy, enough to offset the previous setbacks. EMBARQ is the Sustainable Transport center within the World Resources Institute, and I will be working as Director of Urban Development and Accessibility. So remember all those posts about broken sidewalks/footpaths, poorly planned construction, and massive construction that seems to forget about people? Now my job will be to do something about them!  I have been very impressed with the caliber, experience, and passion of my new colleagues. And I will be working here in Bangalore to start and then shifting back to the US during the summer. The job will let me keep coming here as well as work on Latin America again, so it is a great next step.

But in the meantime, there is much to catch up on. So I'll start with a trip to Kolkata/Calcutta and the pleasure of street food and sweet shops....

 A food stall.
 Amartya and Vinay enjoying a samosa.
Well displayed, and with rapid turnover.
 Buying food on the street.
 All kinds of options, day and night
 Enjoying the food while dressed up for a wedding (the reason we were there).
 And on to one of the sweet shops that the city is famous for.
 Testing a new innovation with chocolate.

And then of course, the wedding reception that was the reason for our travel. That will be next.


1 comment:

domina said...

It is quite common for the people to have cup of tea and a chat in the veening ..And the demand increases with the season too(especially for winter/rainy season)..

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