Kolkata (Calcutta) - On the streets

Calcutta is a whole different India than anywhere else I've been. Its incredibly old and dirty, and its packed with beggars everywhere. I saw a bunch of amputees and lepers. Its also not photography friendly at all. Almost everywhere we went there was a big "Photography strictly prohibited sign". We went to a temple of Kali (the god that the thugees and Mola-Ram worship in Temple of Doom) and it was a traumatic and unforgettable experience. We were forced to remove our shoes and socks, and then walk several blocks through the red-light district of Calcutta (one of the most disgusting streets you'll ever see) barefoot. The cobblestones were slimy and covered with everything imaginable, including a good amount of dog feces and human urine, as everyone just pisses everywhere. The filth squishing between your toes is not easily forgotten. I should also mention its incredibly hot and incredibly humid, so everything and everyone is covered in condensed humidity, sweat, and filth. The temple was packed with people, all pushing and shoving and yelling through tiny little passageways. The smell was something that really can't be described. We visited the shrine to the god and got the hell out of there. Unfortunately there was no photography allowed, so no picks of this madness. There was nothing and nowhere to clean your feet after the walk back, so the socks went over filthy feet.