life in Bangalore

Well after a top weekend sunning it in Goa, it was back to work this week with a bang!. The craziness of the airplane, having 3 attempts to land at Goa airport are nothing to the crazy driver who took me to work yesterday. 'traffic' he said, 'no problem' he said as he speeds off down a dirt track on a short cut known only to himself. Me thinks he regretted those words, as his shinny car came off second best to a bus minutes later!. Thankfully no one hurt, accept his pride - but was definitely safer to walk yesterday....

Today the city is on partial strike, something to do with the film industry in Bangalore ... The upshot is that normal chaos was multiplied by a factor of ten. Its total madness out there. I'm not sure if a driving license is required in India, but I sometime doubt it... and might like to suggest it might be a safer way forward.

Plans for the weekend, none to press ... but I think Mysore may well be on the cards, watch this space.

Ps.... Happy thanks giving to the yanks I know!

Weekend in Goa

Went to Goa this weekend .... Was fantastic, can't tell you how good it was. There are no complaints from me with a sunset like this!. More information to follow... but two things stood out!

Firstly how nice the place is, and secondly how mad it was landing @ the airport there. The pilot had to make no less that 3 attempts to land ..... not a place to go if your scared of flying!. The only other downside is I misplaced the mobile .. can't say it as was stolen, I think I just lost it on the beach! Hay hoo small price to pay :)

India oddity

India is indeed beginning to interest me. Yesterday I had a meeting with the local service management people. Now service management are renowned for being prim and proper, if not a little over zealous. I would even venture so far as to say some live in a little ivory tower. So it came as some surprise, that to find the local community's hidden location was a little adventure all of its own. To visit I had to cross a building site, in the dark dodging 30 foot craters dug for foundations, dubious health and safety, let alone scale a barbwire fence and knock three times on iron gate .... all to say hi to these people. My little Indiana adventure makes me think were all equal after all.... since in the final analysis all I have to deal with is rodents and miggies!.

Anyways mixed emotions for the rest of the week - Goa bound I am to enjoy the sea and sunshine. It took all of 2 seconds for me to agree to part with $200 for a flight, given the nightmare week I've had here. Anyways I'll be staying at this modest establishment for the duration of my trip :) .... Pictures will of course follow!.

But also this weekend is a note of sadness, my friends ships back to the states... So from the Yank its bye bye Bangalore or 'cluster fuck' to its friends. Have a safe trip and happy thanks giving...

post diwali weekend

Well, after the purchase of a something that resembled a traditional indian outfit - Diwali was indeed alot of fun. Lots of fireworks, bright lights and smiling faces on show. The only downside was the onset of so many fire crackers made the city sound like a war zone. My own cellerbrations went the familiar way, I donned the clobber and went for a drink!. It just so happened that, that drink was with people who were flying home the following weekend, so yes you guessed it - it got messy!. Two night clubs and a bucket load of ale is testimony to that....

However it gets worse. India is a country were if you have cash you can do what you like (within reason I guess). So under the influence, the high speed rickshaw racing began around the late night streets of Bangalore!. Not satisfied with this, a few rupees changed hangs, and guess what yours was indeed driving - O what fun I can tell you!. Picture the scene 'monkey in a rickshaw'

Anyways, satifisfied with the excitement of the nightlife and rickshaw racing I decided culture was the way forward for Saturday. I dragged my friend from bed, and demanded we hit the sights. The Tipu Summers palace was first on the list - was disappointed with this, as I'd been led to expect more.... But the temple next door was a cracker! . A short rickshaw ride later this was followed by the Bull Temple. Now I really liked this place, thought it had lots of character, I mean were else in the world would you find a 30 foot bull in the middle of a temple?

A funny thing happened at the bull temple, as some local chap decided to shove his baby @ me and demand a photo of me holding her.... No idea what that was about, but seemed only polite to oblige. From the temple it was off to the market. Now my friend with me is a yank... Now yanks are not renewed for there comprehension of the English language in the way that we might understand it. However, that aside imagine my surprise to hear a description of the hustle, bustle and chaos of Indian market life as a 'cluster fuck'. That is indeed a new one on me .... 'go figure!'

All in all much enjoyable weekend, making full use of 'crazy rickshaws' O and of course the obligatory ale!!!!

Happy Diwali

Happy Diwali, the festival of light starts today. I'm quite excited about joining in the festivities. Although, it has to be said that Bangalore resembles more of a war zone this morning, due in part to the sheer volume of fire crackers going off all over the place. Not that I've ever been caught in a fire fight, but its what I image the constant sound of small arms fire would be like...

Anyways today is a nice sunny day, the chaps I'm training are on holiday and I'm off sight seeing after work. An early finish is well deserved give the amount of hours I put in recently. Plus its about time I took advantage of that cocktail lounge.

Watch this space for some photo's of local land marks, O and me in traditional costume! Monkey out (and ducking for cover!)

The adventure continues

Well, I've been here nearly a week and I'm into the pace of life. I was VERY crook yesterday, not sure with what, other than to say it wasn't pretty .... nor was any enjoyment had to boot.

The weekend was a bit mad, after traveling 3 days to get here (combination of delayed and missed flights) I find that half the company was here already. The Ops lot in particular seen to want to party hard ... So guess what I joined them. Not really a renowned party destination Bangalore, there's still be plenty to do... Although not yesterday. Besides which not sure how impressed I'll be when people start to ship home @ the weekend.

Despite the delays, the trip out was a tail of two halfs. Outbound from Heathrow was good if a tad alien. Having been used to backpacking my way round the world, business class is somewhat odd to say the least. That said, the champagne went down well, as did the very nice chardonnay. In contrast the short hop from Sri Lanka to India was crap ... Might be cos I missed my plane, but defiantly nowt to write home about. Free alcohol aside, easily the highlight of the trip was getting a chance to read in quiet for the first time in years... I'm reading Dan Browns Davinci Code ... well into it. Is brill to have time to sit and read... not done that in years (yes I can read for all those who are wondering)

Anyway no real sight seeing to report, however here some's pic's on my hotel room. I'll post some more after Diwali tomorrow ... got me a nice top to wear :)

Today

Today can be described in very simply terms ... Extremely hung over. In fact I'm @ the point were I might vernture to say never drinking again.