I was in Allahabad for 3 days for a cousin's wedding. It was my first UP trip and below are some things from that trip that I will never forget:
- Guns, guns and more guns- have never seen so many guns at one place. Shotguns, pistols, rifles, AK-47, sten guns. There was even a warning at the entrance of one hotel - "Carrying all forms of arms and ammunitions is strictly prohibited"
- Hospitality - People really worked hard to make our stay comfortable. Special thanks to nanha, bangali and... forgot the 3rd guy's name :D
- Nicknames- Everyone has a nickname.
- Paneer - The best paneer pakoda I have ever had. Also, it was like paneer everywhere.
- Buses - I think Allahabad stopped receiving buses in 1970. In age, the buses gave serious competition to the oldies of my family.
- Band, baja and dance - It is an amazing feeling to lose all your inhibitions, go into a trance and just dance.
- Dhoti and Kurta - Weird feeling to wear a dhoti for the morning functions and kurta for the evening ones. (It was one of those East meets South marriages)
- Filthy station - Was shocked to note that Allahabad station is filthier that Kurla station
- Bahubalis - Half the people in the city looked like a bahubali straight out of Omkara.
