On December 8, 1930, three young Bengali activists—Benoy, Badal, and Dinesh—cloaked in European clothing, entered the Writer's Building in the former Dalhousie Square and assassinated the Inspector General of Prisons, N.S. Simpson. Though this incident was just a tiny speck in the storied history of this central district of Kolkata, it proved significant enough to create a ripple effect that enhanced the Bengali’s role in the collective fight for Indian independence. This is the reason why the place is now known as B.B.D. Bagh—in honor of the three freedom fighters who died that fateful day.

Historic colonial buildings depicting the best of British architecture are wonderfully maintained and are in full display in this square littered with street activities and rambling foot movements. The aforementioned Writer's Building, the Royal Exchange, Lal Dighi, St. Andrew's Church, The General Post Office, and Telephone Bhawan are just some of the must-see structures that would entail you to post it on your Instagram and caption it with #greatArchitecture.

On a sunny but cool morning during our first official day in India, Aileen and I wandered aimlessly at the chaotic streets of Kolkata, often finding charming nooks and crannies here and there to our delight. A short cab ride later took us to B.B.D. Bagh, which reminded me of the similar-looking colonial-dotted streets of downtown Yangon.

Crossing the streets while avoiding the iconic old-model yellow taxi cabs of Kolkata almost instantly brought me fifty years back. The whole district screams of a decades-old throwback, inhabited during the day by a massive workforce that congregates to work in the many government and private company offices, all armed with modern gadgets and technology-savvy minds.

The rest are street food vendors, ear-cleaning touts, shoe-cleaning touts, gold and silver touts, and all types of traders who will try their darndest to bother you—but once you politely shoo them away, they will give you a sincere smile in return.

Despite the swarming activities that may appear revolting to someone who grew up in a highly developed and less populous European city, I find B.B.D. Bagh more reserved than the other parts of Kolkata that we explored. I guess coming from Manila there aren't many contrasts—except during the night when we passed by B.B.D. again towards Howrah Bridge. I swear I have never witnessed such a massive exodus of commuters before, who like us, were also headed to the Howrah train station.

We regretted passing up on scores of street food stalls, because when we ended up on another street we could not locate a single dining place. We asked the locals who pointed us in different directions until we managed to find one lone restaurant beside another old building.

While waiting for our food, Aileen fell asleep for a few minutes while sitting down. Having slept at the airport the previous night, I felt completely exhausted. Maybe this is how Kolkata crept up on me. It absorbed all my senses into a state of lull; while it pleased them with new discoveries and fascinating firsthand observations of an entirely new culture, it beat me to the point I apathetically muttered to myself, "This is just our first day."

Finally, when the food arrived, I awoke from a half-slumber and so did Aileen, and we were greeted by a jovial server. I realized I should never fear nor surrender to the somnolent nature of continuous travel. This is India, Kolkata—the people here, the history teeming here, the culture oh so colorful here, the delicious food—there are so many wonderful things to experience. Benoy Basu, Badal Gupta, and Dinesh Gupta knew that very well. To the point of giving their lives so their fellow Bengalis could appreciate all of these in total freedom.

In a four-fold piece of paper, New Delhi should be jotted around the first folded part. It was day 7 or 8 of our 25-day peregrination around India when we arrived at this capital city. Still reeling from a hangover of amazement developed by our feasting of the eyes over the sight of Taj Mahal in Agra, I expect to be taken aback by New Delhi the same way Kolkata blew me away with its tremendous amount of street activities and noise. 

The first place we visited in New Delhi after the market and the food stalls near Moustache Hostel was Qutb Minar. A place circled in the map handed to us by a staff of the hostel. We thought it was an interesting place to see and since it was less than 100 Rupees away by tuk-tuk, we decided to take a sidetrip there the next day. Much to my surprise we were greeted by this soaring tower that boasts of a UNESCO World Heritage Site distinction. A recognition that in my book, suggests a stamp of a 'must-see'. 

The 73 meter high Minar is packed with a rich history and add the surrounding equally historic ancient and medieval ruins, the Qutb compound screams of a #throwback vibe that would please every tomb raider, history and archaeological junkies alike . Originally built as an Islamic monument in 1194 by Qutab-ud-din-Aibak in the immediate aftermath of the debacle that befell Delhi's last Hindu Kingdom, it is now considered as one of the finest monuments in India.  

The circling patterns dominating the minar is decorated with intricate sculptures and verses from the Qur'an. The five storey that comprises the Minar from the ground up is divided by its unique construction materials with the first three being made of red sandstone while marble and red sandstone fills the fourth and fifth levels.

The place was teeming by mostly local visitors who are friendly to the obvious foreign travelers. They would always flash a smile following the trademark Indian head-bobble nod each time I catch them eye to eye. The cloudy skies over New Delhi that time and the flocks of birds flying overhead against the Minar tower made up for an eerie but majestic scenery. Nevertheless, everything seems to appear photogenic around you, especially the women adorned in their colorful traditional garbs. 

Much has been said about the primary symbolism of the Minar. According to the New Delhi Tourism website "The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer." 

An afternoon spent here gives visitors a truly solid experience. There are also other monuments and tombs located inside the Qutb complex which will spawn one's interest. The size of the compound is bigger than I expected, as I found myself charting my own space away from the crowds at one of the ruin structures inside, while Aileen as usual was somewhere else snapping impressive photographs. We always lose each other during our Fort and other landmark incursions in India. 

Over-all the sidetrip to Qutb Minar far exceeded my expectation. I have never heard nor read about it before and what was supposed to be a time filler before we met Prachi in a nearby artist's village - turned out a far better experience and a chance for me to cross out another UNESCO World Heritage Site from my list. 

After satisfying my self from what I've seen and the new information I read, I sat at one of the benches where funnily, a trio of squirrels are fighting over a nut just behind my feet. It's my first time to see squirrels in real life at Varanasi and Agra before that, ordinarily I would let out a 'wow' and instantly try to capture it on camera for a close up shot, but this is India I muttered to myself, I better be prepared to be 'wowed' all the time.

Absolutely and most definitely I did. And at day 7 or was it day 8 of a total 25 days around India, I remember just sitting there and looking forward with so much gleeful excitement over the coming days. Oh, how I wish I could go back to that time and relive the whole India experience once again. But hey, I can always go back and bring my girlfriend next time.