Only five weeks remained ... and I realized I had not been a tourist in my own city. Luckily, it was Saturday. I ate roti with a tamarind chutney with my hosts while probably discussing the most recent article my host was writing, along with relevant local family / city / national news. I took a few clementines for the road. Shoot. I remembered I had to do laundry. Luckily, the washing machine was free, so I washed the weekly load while reading Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science (I couldn't put the book down, by the way, I suggest you read it). I read a bit. I had not emptied my purse in weeks and needed extra space to carry the lens, so I nostalgically removed the theater ticket (200 rupees) and bus ticket stubs (14 - 30 rupees per ride). Finally, I took my fresh pile of clothes and I hung them out to dry on the line outside of my room in the rich terracotta-brick common area.
After a two block walk, I reached the auto-rickshaw hang-out spot. Typically, two or three auto drivers will park there and wait idly for a passenger. Some are as tech-savvy as one can get, there are Uber (and Ola) app-based taxi services. Unfortunately, I used a prehistoric Nokia phone, so I did not have the luxury of booking a ride. With a brief exchange, I explained the general Nagar (neighborhood) that I wished to visit and a defining landmark while also bargaining a fee (or insisting that the meter be used ... not every Indian city abides by the 'law of the land' to use meters, but arguing to use one is an excellent way to avoid ridiculous charges). Apparently for this trip, I was able to use the meter. Yay!
After a two block walk, I reached the auto-rickshaw hang-out spot. Typically, two or three auto drivers will park there and wait idly for a passenger. Some are as tech-savvy as one can get, there are Uber (and Ola) app-based taxi services. Unfortunately, I used a prehistoric Nokia phone, so I did not have the luxury of booking a ride. With a brief exchange, I explained the general Nagar (neighborhood) that I wished to visit and a defining landmark while also bargaining a fee (or insisting that the meter be used ... not every Indian city abides by the 'law of the land' to use meters, but arguing to use one is an excellent way to avoid ridiculous charges). Apparently for this trip, I was able to use the meter. Yay!
My 30 minute journey (less than 10 miles ... traffic is rough in this city) brought me to K.R. Market, located in old Bangalore. This is a hub for selling everything under the sun.
This image is pretty typical of the walk through the market. I am endlessly amazed by the effortless skill that many Asian folks had when balancing things on their heads (I saw similar trends in northern India and in Nepal). Why strain your arms and back when you could keep your posture and gain some extra neck strength?
Lastly, before leaving the market, I had to indulge. Tender coconuts are sold for 10 - 30 rupees and are WORTH EVERY RUPEE. It took some getting used to, but these natural water bottles (and snack on the side) have an amazing and rich taste. The group of guys in the photo below were hanging out and selling the coconuts from a bike. To open the coconut, the salesman uses a machete. This was relatively terrifying, I admit that I glanced at each salesman's hands before purchasing the snack to make sure that they still had all of their fingers. (I purchased about 5 per week, and I only saw one man in my entire stay who didn't have half of his pinky). Anyway, if you ever have the chance to experience it, please do.
I took another auto to an art gallery. Bangalore has an incredible influence of art and budding artists -- this image with the Indian street dog is the front steps to one of my favorite galleries in the city. They restricted camera use in there. (One of the strangely rare regulations that I experienced in India).
I don't think this Saturday included a visit to the science museum, but it's worth mentioning. I felt like I was in an engineering crash course, there was an incredible amount of compact detail within this building. I was walking down memory lane of the many hours I spent past midnight in the MechE lab at the University of Minnesota. Another interesting point to consider is that all of the words were in English, as well as the state's language, Kannada. Although Hindi is the national language, it is mainly spoken in northern India, so I'm guessing that's why it wasn't included here.
This is an image from the rooftop of the science museum. Bangalore was historically known as 'The Garden City.'
Back into the science museum, I found a mirror maze. There are a lot of significant things in this photo -- I got the earrings from my first hosts. The kurtha (shirt) was from my first roommate. That water bottle stayed by my side for at least 7 months (which is incredibly impressive for anyone who knows my struggling ability to keep a water bottle).
A few blocks from the science museum is Cubbon Park. This place is an oasis in the otherwise crowded and moving-towards-industrialized city. This little girl and her brother kept asking me things in a language that I didn't know. They were DARLING. We played 'feed the chipmunks,' charades, and 'throw leaves up in the air and laugh' :)
Constant construction took place -- these are bricks that I passed that would soon become the sidewalk.
Palaces! This was an incredible place that was built from WOOD. It still is intact. I enjoyed sitting and drawing the palace for a while. There was a fantastic college-aged guy around who stopped to chat. It was his birthday, and he said in honor of that day, he'd love to give me a free tour! It was great and I recommend reading a bit more on the history of this place and the royalty himself: Tipu Sultan.
As always, my home away from home and the incredible oasis of ClayStation was a great finale of that Saturday adventures (typically after Shawarma from "Just Shawarma"). I have never been more inspired by a group of ceramists. Their depth and breadth of innovative work was astounding (the incredible architecture of the space also helped -- staircase to ClayStation is below).
To be honest, it took time to warm up to Bangalore because the city is so grand (10+ million people) and sometimes I would want nothing more to do than to eat dosa with friends or hosts while relaxed at home. However, I look back and really appreciate the city exploration that took place. I hope you're enjoying the city that you live in. Be bold -- explore something new.
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for reading.