Kolkata contrasts

It's fair to say that this is a city full of unbelievable contrasts. In the time that we've been here it would seem that we swing quite frequently between the extremes this city has to offer. I realise already that some of the experiences we've had are not your usual run of the mill backpacker ones. Just being with mum and dad who have lived and worked here for nearly 2 years now means that we have quickly ventured into parts of the city I imagine many people never discover and maybe wouldn't want too. I am thinking particularly of our christmas eve evening, where we accompainied mum and dad delivering presents to all the children from the nursery at the Freeset project. All of their mothers work for the project which means that they either no longer work as prostitutes of have been prevented from following their mothers into the trade. Most of them still live in the brothel houses of the red light district, and so it was we found ourselves making our way down these dimly lit lanes into some of the most impoverished housing I have ever seen. If you can imagine stepping through narrow doorways into damp inner courtyards which serve as communal bathrooms too, then around the four sides are little rooms not much bigger than the one large double bed which fills them, then narrow dripping stairs leading up 3 levels to balconies above, where more rooms lead off, and as you look up ceilings are just canopies of greying fabric. If you can imagine that you're getting some idea of where we were. Outside in the narrow lanes women sit on stools waiting for custom and there were not that many smiles, or 'hellos' to be heard. But the families we visited, who know mum and dad, were so cheerful and welcoming, each wanting us to stay for drinks or just stop and talk for a while. It is a million miles from what any of us know or how any of us live. I think that all 4 of us who were experiencing this for the first time found it shocking and emotional and uncomfortable, and I think mum and dad who see this so regularly had perhaps forgotten a little what sort of impact it would have. I think it I will be carrying thoughts and pictures in my head from that evening for a long time.
In complete contrast on christmas day we went to the 5 star hyatt hotel for lunch. Having prepared myself for the fully Indian experience turns out we got roast turkey with all the trimmings after all. It was fantastic food and probably the poshest place I've ever been, and we had an amazing time. Mum and dad have explained more than once that they sometimes have to pretend they live in 2 parallel universe as its the only way they can justify the two sorts of existence there is in this city. I have a much greater appreciation now of what they mean.