It was Republic day; so we had planned to go early to Airport expecting heavy security in Delhi. We woke up at 4:30 and went towards Airport at 6:10. Reached airport around 7:10. We were traveling in the same flight as Anirban & family. Got our stuff checked in and then waited for Anirban & Mridu. Anandi bought a chips packet at 5 X normal rate. Anirban & Mridu and Anirban's Parents came at around 8:00. Anandi got friendly with Dadi (Grandmother; Anirban's Mother) . After security check-in when we were finally going to board the Airplane; Anandi almost screamed: Yeee! we are going in the Airplane.

Till the plane was at the Airport; Anandi kept saying: why the Airplane not fly; Airplane please fly; Papa, ask Airplane to fly :) 

Flight experience was ok; I did some work (worked on a Rails project), and read a book on my Kindle. Anandi was shouting, screaming, opening the tray and doing weird things! Shikha was mostly trying to sleep. We ate sandwiches.

We reached Kolkata  at around 11:30; took taxi for New Market. The taxi driver told us that market would be closed as it is Republic Day; so we went straight to have lunch at Park Street.

After lunch, we wanted to take a small steamer to Howrah; but again everything is closed it seems for Republic day. We took taxi to Howrah station. We waited for Steel Express at Howrah discussing about books, finding milk for Anandi and discussing work etc.

Steel Express Chair car was really good with better leg space and overall much better experience than the flight of similar duration in the morning. People were friendly, food was good (see I am a foodie!). There was slight delay, but we mostly reached on time at the Kharagpur station. The platform there is the longest platform in the world.

© Chandresh Pant