The old and the new

---

At weekend I experienced the extremes of India. The old world and the new side by side in the same city, and only a few miles apart.

On Friday I wandered around Bangalore's old city market. The smells and sights were wonderful. India really is a very colourful, vibrant place. The brightly coloured piles of incense on the market stalls really complemented the flavours and colours of the many varied vegetables and fruits on sale in the market.

And Czechs manage to get everywhere, with Bata shops even in India's oldest most traditional markets!!

After the market I had a thali lunch (pickles, dhal, and yoghurt each in separate little dishes, with rice and naan). I copied the guy sat opposite me to perfect the skill of eating with one hand. It tasted great but the hygiene in a lot of places seems fairly questionable. I haven't suffered from the old Dehli belly yet though, as I expected I might. It may still be to come.

In the evening, I checked out of my hotel and moved to Priyam's place for the weekend before I move on to my next destination. We went out to another expat party in the evening which was great fun, though we suffered for it in the morning.

On Saturday afternoon I went to Bangalore's biggest shopping mall, close to the IT centre of the city where Sony, Bosch etc have their offices. The shopping centre has many fashion shops, top class restaurants and a multiplex cinema. It couldn't have been more different from what I saw on Friday. And I saw how the traditional and the modern mix here - watching the girls in traditional sarees shopping in Tommy Hilfiger!.

Thanks for all you comments. Nice to know you're reading this :-)

---

Photos

City Market
Mestni trh

City Market 2
Mestni trh 2

Czech's are everywhere!
Cesi jsou vsude!

Shopping in Bangalore
Shopping v Bangaloru

Comments

[Kate S]

Hi Paul, glad the tummy is still fine after eating the street food! shopping centre looks like some of the ones in Bangkok (which you'll discover for yourself soon enough!) xx