BANGALORE : A CITY ALWAYS HUNGRY!!

Bangalore is a thriving city in South of India.

Very new, modern and known as the Silicon Valley of the Nation. It has many characteristics. The places and the people. A lot to see in and around the city. Like the Lalbagh Gardens, Cubbon Park, Chamundi Temple, Nandi Hills, Shiva Samudram and the list is endless. 

To be honest I have not been to many of those place or dont remember if I have been!

What I remember and like about Bangalore is my stomach. Sounds weird!!
Yes that is right, Bangalore has those restaurants, eateries, food joints, fast food and street food to explore. One cannot stop.
There are people from all Continents and Islands. To cater them, there is all kinds of food, Indian, Italian, German, French, Spanish,Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Tibetan, Parsi, Lebanese, Turkish etc

In regional food there is Bengali, Rajasthani, Konkani, Goan, Mangalorean, Oriya, Naga, Kashmiri, and the list goes on with food from all corners of the India.

Walk around the streets and people are always eating, so much to eat and so many places to eat. From chic restaurants to street food. Everything is popular. The Choice is Gigantic.

In couple of weeks I have been to Mathan, Little Italy, Parsi's , Phobidden fruit, Like that only, Bhojuri Mana, Cafe Pascusci, Matteo, Bangaliana, Friends, Beijing bites, Taj Vivanta, Toscano, Empire, Meghna Biriyani, Mast Kalander, Something Fishy, Kudla, Kubay, 99 Dosas and on and on.

Bangalore and its eat outs are worth a try. When in Rome, be a Roman and when in Bangalore, just eat :)

DIWALI THE LIGHT FESTIVAL

Diwali is the festivals of Candles
Its the night when Lord Ram came back to Ayodhya from his 14 years of exile in the Jungle. His disciples were so happy that they lit all there house with oil lamps. So that was the Mythology behind this festival.

Traditions and festivals are beautiful and so are the celebrations.

But do we celebrate Diwali the same way?
For us its three days of Lights, candles and lamps everywhere. Fireworks,delicious food, sweets, prayers. Meeting family and friends, night out and much more.

Of course its fun but it also has some drawbacks, noisy crackers making noise pollution, air pollution and accidents. Post Diwali, I read in the newspaper, only in Bangalore 39 kids had accidents and lost eyes or burnt themselves while bursting crackers.

 My nephew , 4 year old asks me uncle why do we have pictures of girls with small blouse on all the boxes of fireworks. Of course I could not answer him. the fireworks company should know that their biggest buyer are kids under 18. Also its not true that only the crackers having half naked women on their cover sells.

BOA SORTE : OPPA BOLLYWOOD STYLE

Incredible seven days with the strangers who turned friends forever.
This is Magic of traveling.

Its been a week and we joked, laughed, traveled, loved being together.
Ate Bengali, Chinese, Portuguese, Konkani, Kashmiri, French, Punjabi and Vietnamese.
We took, buses, taxis , cars and bicycles.
The journey has been amazing in three different Indian cities. They loved India and I love them.

The two very classy Portuguese girls on a backpacking tour around the world with friends and their friends. With a unique concept, hands full of creative ideas and more importantly to smile and spread smile.

I feel special to be part of their world tour and with a hope to cross each other's roads, I wish them BOA SORTE(GOOD LUCK)

To know more about them , you can visit their website :

www.ateondenoslevamosnossosamigos.com

WHOSE COCHIN IS IT ANYWAY ?

Is it Cochin or Cochim, Kochim or Kochi. That is not all, the city has many names, like Fort Cochim, Cochym, Cocym, traditionally called Kochi after the river Kochchi. In present day its also called Ernakulum. The reason is,  it was an address for history to embark itself.

First came the Portuguese among the europeans, followed by the Dutch  and then the English to colonize the place. The Jewish were there even before the Europeans. I saw a Syrian church and Chinese Fishing nets.

The Jews claimed it theirs and so did the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English. So did the princely state of Mysore.

While taking a stroll in the Fort Cochin one feels the influence of the Portuguese, the Jews  , the dutch, the English, the Gujuratis from the north of India. I heard a lot of French, Hebrew, North Indian Languages, but predominantly Malyalis.
 

So whose it is anyway!! Robert Bristow who gave it a safe Harbour or Ma Huan who gave it Chinese nets, Pedro Alvares Cabral who founded the first European capital here or the Haider Ali occupying it for the Kingdom of Mysore. Or may be the great explorer Vasco Da Gama who decided to lay down here after his last breadth.

Or may be it is of  Bunty, Ana & Barbara who loved the place.


 Yes that is true, this city is part of the Republic Of India now, however the truth is it belongs to anyone who loves and lives every bit of it.

THE BACKWATERS DAY

One of my long time wish came true when we went for the backwaters. The time when life turns absolute green.

Every thing around was green. The trees, the grass and the river too. It was so quite that we were falling asleep. But no there were noisy kids too and their parents were even more noisy.

Kerala is known for cottage industry and so our guide Mr Thampi took us for addressing how they make white Choona out of shells and coir industry.

One thing I already knew and saw for my own eyes is that every single part of a coconut tree is useful. Handicrafts, ropes, sheets, mattresses, brooms, medicine, beverages etc. Almost all; the old , the young , the educated and the uneducated work in Kerala. Kerala has the maximum network of  co-operative societies which consists of small scale industries.

The house boat took us to an Island naturally made by the 44 rivers Kerala for lunch. Served on the Banana leaf, the food was delicious but not the best I had of Kerala. We were in hut to enjoy the feast with 43 other tourist, who were mostly Foreigners and coming from different tour agencies. Next to us were an Indo - French couple with their 6 year old kid speaking French, English, Malyalam and Hindi. The French lady fell in love with the Local Kerala guy, who cannot speak. She decided to stay in India and run her own business for the tourists.

 We moved from our house boat to small boats to visit the spice gardens. In the transition a kid, 14-16 years old found love in Ana. It was love at first sight. He came and proposed with a red hibiscus flower. As we returned from the spice garden, he was standing with a love letter asking for the number. Your mobile number please, house number, country number, any number.

We moved on and back in Fort Cochin it was our favourite routine. Coffee shop, Lovely river side restaurant, drinking, eating and lots of laughing.

IN THE BACKPACK

Here I am in Cochin!

No not yet , its Kaloor the outskirts of Ernaulam! Ernakulam is another name for Cochin. Apparently, in Kerala most cities have two names. One comes from the locals and the other finds its way from the colonial period.

So after the journey in a bus with air conditioning and mosquitoes, the girls were tired and bitten. Not me as I am Indian and the racist mosquitoes do not bite me.

Immediately as planned we arrived at the jetty to take a ferry to Fort Cochin. At the ticket counter , we were confused as the guy says 750 for 3, while I was putting across 10 rupees, Barbara was innocently looking for 750 rupees. Thanks to the honest guy who did not cheat us.

It was very scenic ferry ride to the Fort Cochin. As we arrived there the big challenge was the hotel. The hotel was booked online for 1 person and we made several calls from Bangalore to change it to two persons and now we arrived at the hotel and asked for three person room. Obviously they did not have and we took an extra bed. It was really generous of the two girls whom I met couple of days before and I felt special.

THEY REALLY BRING ME IN THEIR BACKPACK!!!

So after all the lazy day of 1 and half hour breakfast for three pan cakes, making the house out of the room, the shower and the internet we were out of the hotel extremely hungry. So hungry that we pulled out samosas from the street vendors and drank coke.

Went for a stroll to see the Chinese nets, the Dutch Cemetery and meet the dearest Vasco Da Gama. Sadly he was not there.

 

In between we settled for an very expensive Lavaza in a very beautiful colonial building. The coffee and the innovative tea from lemon and mint was terrible. Certainly we paid high for the brand and the palatial building.

We addressed the Kathakali Dancers of Kerala. The legendary dancers portray a mythological epic, Ramayana.The Mohiniyattam Dance and Kalaripayattu Martial arts of Kerala.

Went for drinks and dinner which was delicious with lot of words and laughter.

It was quite late,the streets were dark . On our way back we were laughing and laughing , na na na ta ta ta bla bla bla.
Reaching the hotel I fell asleep ,while the girls were working hard on their website....

COCHIN IN MY TRAVEL MAP

How and why on this earth Cochin happen to me!!
So here is the story for where is Bunty!!

The day was bright with a clear sky and we decided to go out. It Seems hard for we three to make decisions. Tough question was sightseeing or delicious lunch. So between Lalbagh Botanical Gardens and Phobidden Fruit, we walked few steps both ways and finally jumped to a rickshaw to eat Vietnamese. Jorge had left for Hanoi and our missing for him took us there. Post that went to Lalbagh Gardens which Ana and Barbara liked so much.

Ice creams from Corner house was a big hit.

Corner House , an ice cream parlor in Bangalore , very popular for 3 decades serves Ice creams like sundaes, fudge, milkshakes etc. Barabara claimed her Choco - Fudge the best she had in 2012. Ana chose DBC(Death by Chocolate) and was happy all evening.

Quick was the rhythm and we arrived in the house to pack and a last drink. There was always a wish to see Cochin. Just could not push my self. Even when I left the house , I was thinking should I go back and bring my stuff in 10 minutes. Finally left went to drop my friends at the bus stop.  At the bus stop Barbara checked if they have a free seat and the answer was yes. There was no more thinking. Decided not to stay in Bangalore to miss Ana, Barabara and Cochin.

So had not been; my friends insisting with a bribe of Pizza, the ticket still available, the rickshaw guy flying the rickshaw like Formula one, the bus delayed by 15 minutes and my own impulsive wish; I would not have been to Cochin.

WE FOUR HOLY COWS

Bangalore

This was bangalore for me after 8 Months .
As I arrived in the city with my friend Jorge we went straight for the Spanish food. Then we dressed like Zombie for the Pre - Haloween party, Movies and a welcome party where friends came home. Lots of food like Italian, Oriya and Parsi with the bunch of friends in Bangalore all in couple of days.

Then arrived the girls early morning with a thunderstorm in their bag pack and we picked them by the Eiffel Tower, not the one from paris but a replica outside the Forum Mall.Inspired by the Parisian monument we rushed to our little nest to have European breakfast. Or may be we did not have Indian breakfast. Predominantly Portuguese cheese coming from Villa Vicosa,Alentejo in the south to Serra d'estrela in the north and much more.

After it took me an hour to clean the dishes as the flow of water was barely there in the tap. I chose to listen ,Antena 1 ,Portuguese Radio. They were my Portuguese friends saying Agora this , Eu that, A serio and muito mais.
Post that the girls are ,sorry we love to speak portuguese and now we speak only english for you.

Walked the streets in rainy and cold weather.So many pictures clicked.We took the public bus after years in Bangalore and went to MG road for coffee. Then the black code for the second Halloween evening , yes it was Halloween day and we went to party with the flooded streets.

Quite an evening as after party we drove one hour to eat Pizza and Pasta in another corner of Bangalore. In Bangalore everything shuts by 12:30 AM as the police want all citizens to sleep by then. No work is always better than less work you see. What an Irony all clubs and eateries close expect the five stars as they have the green.

The day after the rain continued and we decided to be quite in the house. Ordered Indian Food and lots of discussions. We made pictures and videos. Creativity at its height. The Jorge unwillingly had to leave early for Vietnam. Parceled Chinese for dinner as same excuse - Its raining.

We were really like the FOUR HOLY COWS , stranded under a tree for the rain : We met, shared our coffee,food and stories, danced to the flute of Krishna and left with a hope that our ways would cross sooner or later.

MY WEEK WITH ANA BARBARA

Mumbai

I say one week but its 1 + 6  days. One day,months ago I heard from one of my best friend, Jorge telling me two girls from Portugal are out on travel project. They leap cities to cities to stay and travel with friends, friend's friends and their friends. I decided to host them in Bangalore and situations turned it all and we met only one day in Mumbai.

The city which dance in the sky for Ganesha was similar to me for Durga Puja in October.

For two days I and the two portuguese gals, Ana and Barbabra were trying to fix a meeting. Finally it was Movie date. Guess what , the Bollywood movie - "Student of the Year", was a treat for the two. It was the typical two boys and a girl, love story.

Even the theater chosen by the girls - Maratha Mandir Movie theater is a classic and it has a legend that the famous movie Dilwale Duhania Le Jayenge was running housefull in this theater for more than a year.

Post the Love story, followed a lot of stories. I was so happy to meet Portuguese outside Portugal and they were asking me questions about every grain moved by an ant in India and me.

Nevertheless I also teased them about the brotherly fight the cities have in Portugal. Lisbon - Porto. Guimaraes- Braga, also the islands of Azores; the Picos - the one in the front of it. Guess what after the movie we sat for a drink - coke in a coffee shop, also called Picos in Bandra.

Then the generous girls decided to drop me at the train station of Bandra in my own country... here it begins   > > >

THANK YOU

It's been long since my last post. But the reason is technical. I am learning to be a blogger.

Before I kick start my writing, I would take a little space today to thank the person who is the biggest help behind this one. Maybe 4 years ago I had an urge to write a blog, but only now I can accomplish it.

Hence this idea is to my fellow traveler, my guru and my friend whom I look up to learn more and more in different spheres of life.

Dhanyabad Jorge Vassallo for being the biggest encouragement.

Also, I would share this with those who have been my boost to write my ideas. Special thanks to Erwan Bothorel, Pedro Goncalves, Thomas Sauder, Julie Bruyere, Ikshaku Bezbaroa, Nayan Shravan, Conor Predervile and Catarina "Cata" Vasconcelos.