Day 18 - Bangalore

Summary:

Train to Bangalore.

TFTD:

Hari the driver picked us up on the dot and drove us to the station. Tried to get extra payment when dropping us off. Told me he doesn't drink. I told him too bad we had a deal.

Indian coffee is essentially instant coffee with heaps of sugar mixed with mystery milk by pouring it from one cup to another repeatedly. Strangely no tea at station so settled for one. "Barrista" (Using the term very very loosely) told us he couldn't make a black one. I told him to just not add the milk. He couldn't do it. Also, no sugar means only 2 scopes.

Train was fast and comfortable again. Sat next to a friendly Indian couple from near Bangalore. They were about to visit their son in California who is in IT. The wife ate huge amounts of fried foods that are sold by men who constantly walk up and down the isles. The husband asked her if she'd had enough and she snapped at him.

A good percentage of Indians who are in a class that can afford as much food as they desire are pretty round. They love their food.

Bangalore is bigger & busier than expected. Driver took us to 3 lodges before we found vacancy.

A lot of cows in the streets compared to Madras or Trichy.

Had a dispute at restaurant over the bill. I'd ordered a "Tomato Omelet" as listed on menu. They obviously didn't have any eggs so decided to mix some ketchup and couple of tomatoes into a dosai (like a flour pancake).

People frequently spit on the ground and out their windows.It was only a matter of time. On the way home from restaurant Yumi was hit in the arm. Must of come from a few stories up. Nice way to end the day.

Lodge has hot water from 6-9am. Looking forward to it as it's a bit cool at night.

Ordered room service. "Veg Noodles" After 40 minutes went down to see what the delay was. No noodles but hadn't bothered to tell us. Ordered fried rice. Took an hour to come but not fussed.

Still coming to terms with the amount of people. Population of 1 billion + with a growing middle class means that you can't assume to be able to get a seat at a restaurant without waiting, seat on a train/plane/bus within a week or a hotel room without booking in advance. The only thing that is readily available are auto rickshaws. They're everywhere.

Lodge is nice. Big old English building with lots of stone and marble. Paid 550rp but only because cheaper places were all booked.