How hard are you finding it to bid farewell to Calcutta?

Craig: People say you come to Calcutta crying and you leave crying. We did not come crying, so we are doubly crying on the way out. 

Meeryung: It is very, very sad. It is like a vacuum. I told Craig I feel like there is a physical hole inside me. We’ve been so loved by people here. They accepted us and treated us incredibly. 

Craig, you’ve travelled a lot. How was Calcutta different from all the places you have spent your time in?

Craig: Well, in most posts you don’t make friends. I mean you have contacts and associates but not friends. We made friends in Surabaya (Indonesia) and we’ve friends here. And that makes it special because it is something you take with you. In fact some of our friends from Surabaya have visited us here, Indians and Indonesians, and they’ve made new connections here. 

What were your first impressions of the city?

Meeryung: It was so different. There was so much happening all the time I felt like I would not be able to breathe at first, but over the next two months that is exactly what I loved about Calcutta. 

Craig: But I think I was expecting that. Frankly, for people who have not been to India, and in my mind India was one of the most foreign places and I was a little apprehensive about coming here, Calcutta doesn’t have a good reputation. People had said to us ‘Oh my god! You are going to Calcutta? Be careful’. So when we came, I was actually very positively surprised. If you talk about very first impressions, the airport is beautiful. I had thought the airports in India would look like Howrah station. That was what I was prepared for. But the airport was nice. I came to Calcutta via Delhi, and on the flight I met the chief minister (Mamata Banerjee) and that was a positive first impression…. Apart from the sights and sounds, meeting people here was a positive impression.

How has it changed in the time that you’ve been here?

Craig: We are constantly surprised at how talented and culturally rich it is. You can go to a dinner and somebody can stand up and start singing, or stand up and recite a poem. There was one place where they had written a play! In the US or no where else we’ve ever been will you find that.

Meeryung: Calcutta leaves me amazed. The conversations in Calcutta are always interesting, I am amazed how intelligent and strong women are here. I have learnt so much from them. I feel so inspired. They are intelligent, involved in social work, they are gifted and hospitable. 

What has been the biggest surprise for you about Calcutta?

Craig: Again it comes back to the people. The culture richness and intellectual richness, and the capacity of the people, it is not something you find everywhere. And every day we met amazing people. People in Calcutta may just take that for granted and think the rest of the world is like that, but it’s not. I grew up in Florida, and in terms of beauty that place is more beautiful than Calcutta. It’s on the ocean… it’s gorgeous. And I grew up thinking all the world is that beautiful, but it is not. Calcutta may not have that kind of beauty but in terms of people, I wonder if people who grew up here and lived here think the rest of the world is like this? Because it’s not.

Meeryung: The spirituality of this place and their tolerance and acceptance of all religions and I hope that never changes. 

What will you miss the most about the city?

Meeryung: Music.

Craig: Well, mine is associated with my job, and I love my job. I will miss associating with people. 

What will you miss the least?

Meeryung: Lack of cleanliness in the city. The other thing has more to do with our post here, but I will not miss all the formality and protocol that surrounds us. 

Craig: Well, I won’t miss the pollution. I look forward to being able to walk around outside. 

What do you think is the best way to experience Calcutta?

Craig: Ironically, walking. Despite the air, walking the city is the best way to see it. We like walking cities. Going to New Market, going out on the river. Take a water taxi to the other side of the river. 

Craig, we’ve seen you paint up a storm in Calcutta, and Meeryung, you’ve performed all over the city. Has the city inspired your artistic side?

Craig: Calcutta inspired all of my paintings. I had never painted before. I had never picked up a brush. So there was something here that inspired me to start. So I will take that with me and I will always think of Calcutta when I paint. When you talk about what kind of city is Calcutta, I think would I have started anywhere else in the world? And this is one of the busiest jobs I’ve had, so it is not that I had a lot of time on my hand to experiment.  

Meeryung: Calcutta had been a blessing because in other posts you go to you give what you already have, but in this place I gave and I equally received. I performed but at the same time I learnt about a totally different genre — Rabindrasangeet, something I never knew about. I am taking that with me. I see so much possibility in taking Rabindrasangeet to the western world…. If I can find someone who can compose accompanying parts, like piano to Rabindrasangeet, I dream of carrying it on. 

Will we see you back in Calcutta? 

Craig: We have too many friends in the city not to come back. Meeryung might not like me saying this but in the next one year I will be relatively close and I will be a short flight away (from Doha). It might be difficult for her (laughs).

Meeryung: It won’t be difficult! Just get me a ticket. I don’t mind the long flight.