I am William Rodriguez, an Anglo-Indian from Calcutta, the metropolitan city that once served as the capital of British India. We, the children of mixed marriages were previously called the wheels, the cranks, the levers of the empire building machinery. Our religion, customs, dress and even manners were more identified with the British than with …

I am a blue striped lightweight cotton backpack boasting the brand name Richie Bags that my 26 year old owner had picked up from a luggage store in Brooklyn. But little did I know what thrilling escapade awaited me, as Steve, my owner and companion had planned on a hitchhiking tour from the city of …