one month mark

Today Trina and I went into Kolkata to get train tickets to go to Darjeeling. First we went to Sealdah, and, with considerable difficulty, found the booking area. We waiting in line for a long time, to find out that there were no seats available on the day we wanted to go. We were discussing our options when the man told us to move out of line. A wasted hour. Trina called a travel agent she'd talked to to see about getting help booking our tickets. He told us to go to the West Bengal Tourist Center. So we took a cab there and waited in line for nearly two hours. While waiting, we talked to a guy from the states who's here studying sitar and yoga. He is a pure hippie. He was interesting to talk to though. We exchanged e-mails and we might meet up with him sometime during Durga Puja (which starts next week). We got our tickets (for the day we wanted). However, we only get to within a few hours of Darjeeling, then we have to hire a driver. It shouldn't be a problem though. We're going at the beginning of November and we're gonna spend two full days (with half days on either end) and then head back. I'm excited! I getta see the Himalayas!
At this point, Trina and I parted ways. She went to meet a lady from the orphanage from which she was adopted. I took a taxi to Park Street and had a delicious Indian lunch. I then stopped in at the Oxford Book Store and got The God of Small Things and had tea, and then headed back to Khardah.
I worked on that drawing of Zach for awhile (hair now 2/3 done) and then came here. Tomorrow we're going to the Indian Museum. Should be interesting.

~m