Rediscovering Kolkata’s Timeless Treasures: Flurys To Yellow Taxis And Bookstore Delights — A Day of Nostalgia
On an overcast Sunday morning, I decided to take a leisurely drive through the streets of Kolkata. After all, this was the only Sunday that I’d be here in the city — so, let’s make it count! With that thought, I headed out.
The first thing I noticed was the emptiness that had enveloped the roads. The usually bustling streets bore witness to a serene solitude, and the scarcity of people lent an air of quiet nostalgia.
As the car zipped past the familiar thoroughfares, a torrent of memories from my past washed over me — it felt like each corner of this city was whispering tales of yesteryears. It was as if I had stepped into a time capsule, reliving the Kolkata of my childhood, where every street held a cherished memory.
The city buses seemed to greet me like old friends! I recalled the countless rides on these buses, that had once ferried me to school and back. However, in those days, these buses used to be nothing less than ramshackle tin contraptions, cracked and sheared in places. As I carried this haunting image with me for years, it was a pleasant surprise to see the buses refitted and painted blue, with a yellow band running through the middle.
Then there were the mini buses — those that are coloured red and yellow! These charming little vehicles, weaving through the city’s streets, have been an integral part of my memories of Kolkata. It was heartwarming to see that these buses remained unchanged, plying on the city’s streets with their vibrant colours and timeless charm.
As my gaze fell upon the iconic yellow taxis, a bittersweet pang of nostalgia washed over me. These cabs have been synonymous with Kolkata, and every ride in one of them had been an experience in itself. Before the era of app-based conveniences, these yellow taxis were part of the city’s soul. But with app-based cabs, the charm of these taxis had undeniably ebbed.
My heart swelled with anticipation as I made my way to Flurys. Sunday mornings here used to be my ritual during my time in the city, a tradition that I was eager to relive on this special Sunday. As I savoured their all-day breakfast, memories of leisurely mornings spent here flooded my mind. Life may change, but some traditions remain eternally comforting, I thought, while devouring my breakfast, sipping my tea, and enjoying the pastries that had always delighted my taste buds.
With both my stomach and heart full, I headed to the Oxford Bookstore, a place that held a special place in my heart. Before the advent of online shopping, this bookstore was where I discovered new worlds between the pages of books. As I wandered through the aisles, inhaling the scent of paper, I couldn’t help but smile. In this digital age, the charm of a physical bookstore still endures! Rummaging through the tomes of books, I felt like a time traveller, revisiting the days when bookstores were my sanctuaries.
Amid this enchanting tapestry of old-world charm, there was one new place that I was keen to explore — Bahrisons, the famous bookstore in Delhi. As an ardent book lover, I am irresistibly drawn to bookstores wherever I go. So, it wasn’t any surprise that as I stepped out of Oxford, I made my way to this new addition to Kolkata’s cultural landscape. The literary haven spans two floors, each offering its own unique experience. The ground floor has newly released books and the inviting aroma of Blue Tokai Coffee, creating the perfect ambiance for reading and working. Ascending to the first floor, I immersed myself in the classic library ambiance of the main bookstore.
So, with this I ended a long and busy Sunday, where I had the privilege of reliving the past. As I drove back, I carried with me a heart full of cherished moments and a profound gratitude for the timeless beauty of Kolkata, where the past and present still coexist in perfect harmony.
