Saturday afternoon walk in Kolkata - June 18 2011

I went for a walk between monsoon showers with my rebel canon a couple blocks from home. Such fun to interact with my neighbours and try and capture a sense of where I am living.

I live on a main street six lanes wide so the first few shots are decidedly urban. Streets quickly become people-centric a block from this main street.

A typical city bus, which I have yet to ride. The metro is 25cents and gets me most places.

Man with flowers. He is a friend to the flower seller - it seems most flowers are sold as offerings for alters.

Man with family making 'roti', whole wheat flat breads. He is cooking over coal fire.

The Indian people have an amazing eye for design and colour. I am in awe at the feast of shapes and colours.

The buildings and homes in my neighbourhood tend to be built pre-1930 and truly reflect the aging effects in this harsh climate of intense tropical heat and monsoons.

Workers on the top of a delivery truck.

Delivering a heavy load.

She is watching the festivities below. There was music and a band stand erected with lots of food, flowers, and cooking in the street.

The strings of orange and yellow are calendula flowers. People appear to be lighting candles and incense for a celebration.

The food here is really beautiful. You can get pretty much anything desired, if you have the rupee notes.

This lovely young man is a friend of the cauliflower seller. He insisted I take a picture of his friend, and then posed for this great shot. The people are friendly and they love to have photos taken of their friends :).

Many of the lanes are very narrow and flood completely up to your thighs in a high monsoon rain.

A sitar maker and his sitars. People sit on the floor for most activities.

Shalwah kameez outfits. The women (read yours truly) wear these outfits and sarees. Colours, colours, colours! The women are really great at putting together their outfits.

So great indeed!!