All this Respect for Women is driving me nuts!

Let's not forget the seven years I've spent in Delhi, trying very hard to avoid being pushed, nudged or stared at for no reason in all public places, without exception. Kolkata is surreal that way. A Delhiite can actually get offended by the sheer lack of obscene attention she gets from guys here.

So South City Mall looks like a decent enough place to hang out, even though the teenagers here insist it isn't. We've found a hypermarket underneath the mall, deep within its basement. And it truly is hyper. Just a massive space where they're willing to sell you anything from plasma TVs to popcorn. Aquariums of live prawns and crabs line the walls of the meats section. You stare, and amost feel sorry for the blue clawed sweeties. But then the words "crispy fried" come to mind, and you're so willing to be cruel and eat up the creatures again. (My apologies, vegetarians).

Pollution is one of Kolkata's chief troubles. Diesel vehicles can't seem to keep the diesel fumes out. The way to University is headache route. *sigh*

What wouldn't a good painting, polishing and retouching job do to the city? Here it is, just sitting there, all that magical architecture crying out to be glossed and displayed in all of its magnificence. Kolkata has the potential to be world class and to draw world tourism to itself. If only I had an unlimited supply of paint, brushes and the permission...