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Published: April 9th 2008
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Krest Apartments
Homestay for first two nights in Jayanagar After 20 hours after leaving Shelly Beach Rd, St Marys Bay, Auckland I arrive finally at my destination - Bangalore a 12.30am (8am NZT). Two people from AIESEC spotted me immediately and off we go. My first experience of the traffic. It’s actually worse than I imagined. I thought it would be similar to Vanuatu - but it’s like 8million times more CRAZY! No rules, few traffic lights in main city - just honk and accelerate. I have a greater understanding of why so many taxi drivers back home are Indian.
My first two nights I stayed with AIESEC member called Precious at Krest Apartments in Jayanagar - very nice! Her friend Anu, me and her went and got Traditional Masala Dosa’s for breakfast in her car which she doesn’t know/want to drive, but we order a driver to take us.
It takes SO long to get anywhere in Bangalore, many one way streets, driving a 20-40km, dodging walkers, market stalls, street dogs, cows, cyclists, crows plus more!! C.R.A.Z.Y.
Got hamburgers for a late lunch, then started drinking about 4.30pm, at Noon Wine Bar. When asked what I drink I reply “red wine” the girls reply “we take
you out to local red wine” I was taken to Noon Wine Bar where the red wine is bright red, sweet, and extremely strong…The waiter serves no more than 3 glasses per person!
We ended up with a crowd of about 15 AIESEC people drunk on red wine! SO hilarious!! Indians speak SO fast, and with their accent, and being drunk, it was totally madness. Ha ha.
Some of the locals Bangalorans soon learned I like electronica music and forced me to go out clubbing at NYX bar on my first Saturday night in Bangalore - how could I resist?! Got treated like a princess all night and was well looked after by all - brilliant introduction, just brilliant.
Bangalore has a curfew of 11.30pm - everything closes and everyone goes home.
Food - really yummy in my tummy! Breakfast - eggly (steamed sweet rice with 2 dipping sauces) and a coffee = 20 IR’s = NZ$0.65c ha ha ha. Wicked.
Water - bottled water very accessible. Most houses have filter system, as many of the locals will only drink water this way (plus boiling it too sometimes).
Intern Accommodation - living in Frazer Town
MONKEYS!
Up top of Nandi Hills in all girls flat, the boys have their own flat a few streets down. We have 6 girls in total - Mexican, Japanese, Spanish, French (who I share room with), German born Korean and myself - New Zealander. It’s a real student flat! Well lived in to say the least. Days and Nights are really hot in the flat, even with the fan going its very uncomfortable; it makes NZ summer nights mild.
Thanks Mum and Dad for the mosquito net - sounds like I am the only one with one, all the other interns are moaning about being bitten. Ha ha.
Many shops and restaurants close by, and what we can’t reach we take an auto (called a tuk tuk in Thailand). Went to the supermarket yesterday and got breakfast and dinner, milk bread etc - it's all westernised and what you don't know the locals are more than happy to help. Even found some Villa Maria Sav! 😊
Was meant to start work on Monday 7th, but instead it was a public holiday. Hindi Festival called Ugadi. We took the opportunity to get out of the city to Nandi Hills, 60km north of Bangalore. Hired a
taxi van and driver and packed 9 people (3 girls, 6 guys, 7 nationalities including: Indian, New Zealand, Netherlands, Japanese, German, Nepal and Mongolia). Beautiful 360 degree views (minus the pollution) of India, had late lunch in the restaurant at the top over looking the views. Enjoyed some local larger - Kingfisher.
Bangalore is a very happening vibrant city - and there are many misconceptions about this place. The food is safe, the water is okay if you're safe, people are incredibly friendly, and innocent.
It's a bit like living on a farm really....quite dirty and dusty, need to be careful you don't stand in poo and can zoom around on motorbikes. I think its sad that some people have this negative perception of India, it's a really neat city, and sure there is some adaption, but the culture shock and different way of life really isn't that unsimilar to mine and yours.
Tea and cookie break now.
A.
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I miss bangalore
OMG!!! you just have what I have experienced nine months ago!!!!! I really really miss the life there.. I agree that I am sad people have negative perception about India. I am sure you already starting have fun when you just arrive.. Frazer town is a good place to stay. Don't forget to go to the Arabic Restaurant there. Is my favourite restaurant!! the food there is very good especially Lassi and so funny name drink such as Computer??!!! Haha Looking forward to your next post! Take care and miss you!