Strategy: Kolkata is a base for going to Bangladesh, returning, and getting on to Thailand.

Weather: Temperature averages for lows/highs is 63/85 with less than 1/50th inch of rain in March. Oklahoma City gets about 3 inches of rain in March.

Airfare: OneTravel can get me out of Madurai and on to Kolkata for $90. Spicejet can get me to Bangkok for 90.40 USD.

Transfers: Buses cost $2 USD for a 1 hour trip to town?

Hostels: Tons of cheap sleeps. Hostelworld. Lonely Planet.

Attractions: TripAdvisor, Wikipedia, Victoria Memorial (Images, Wikipedia), Indian Museum  (Images, Wikipedia), Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Shaheed Minar, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Marble Palace, more…