Well after much packing and unpacking i finally had my bags together. Had my passport, visa, shots. I had liquids and gels in TSA compliant amounts. Took off for the airport well in advance of my take-off time. Very nice of my wife to not only drive me to the airport but to walk me to the security line as well. Leaving is bad but if there is a good side its that it makes me appreciate Mrs. Mice.
The flight to Frankfurt was long but on the upside we had those on demand in seat entertainment systems. I watched all of Aliens v Cowboys which was tolerable and most of Anonymous which was pretty cool. I slept some but I really was not keeping track of what time it was or what time it was in Frankfurt or what. I didn’t even have time to go to the restroom before I had to board my flight to Bengaluru. Though fewer hours in the air the second leg of the flight seemed much longer. Was it because there was no on -demand movies? Was it because I had less space to stretch my legs? I tried and succeeded in sleeping at least part of the time. We landed in Bangalore at 2am local time. Wow was still kinda warm and very muggy. Was very much like Florida weather. Our driver met us at the airport with a printed sign with our names. One hour drive and we were at our hotel.
It was clear when we arrived that this was a nice hotel. First thing when arriving an employee greets me with a warm Namaste. Ha ha so awesome. I feel very welcome. I must be in the right place.
The first day here started off slow, we didn’t really know what we were going to do we just knew we wanted to do something fun. Our driver took us to two different markets. The problem was both of these markets were WAY too expensive. So much for him making sure we did not get ripped off. more like made sure his buddies ripped us off. nice.
First day they ask me what do i want to do. I know already. Hanuman temple. We go. we are told to take our shoes off and leave them in the car else they might be stolen. so we do. The funny thing was. My doc when i was traveling in India forbade me from going without my shoes outside. oh well. SO we get there and there is an enormous, like 2 story tall statu of Hanuman holding Ayodia. WOW. I’ so happy. I think of the Ramayana and Hanuman and all his gifts of love for his best bud Rama. I think of my friend Ryan who loved the story as much as me and who got to go to India all those years ago. Who came home and made me dosas as best he could. I’m pretty much crying right there in the temple. Its really beautiful. Yes I’m getting the gaijin stare but living in the south bay i don’t feel as though my experience is authentic UNLESS i’m getting that stare. So… I’m happy.
Well I’ve already skipped ahead a bit 2 things I needed to mention. Did not sleep that first night. just went straight on through until morning. I went down and got me some Breakfast. I felt a little like a prince at this Breakfast Buffet because they had everything. The chef even told me they would prepare a dosa for me. WOW. I was thrilled and they were shocked I even knew what a dosa was much less want one for brekkie. That was really living for me. great way to start the trip and the day. They brought me a pot of Earl Grey and a glass of OJ. Really spoiled me. I had breakfast there every morning of that trip.
Second thing that needs mentioning is the traffic. I, like everyone like to complain about the traffic here where I live. I like to complain about the traffic even more when I am driving in the greater Los Angeles area. I thought I had seen traffic. But really that was nothing, nothing compared to what i witnessed every time we got in that auto. A million scooters and small CC motorbikes swarming everywhere. No traffic lanes, no traffic lights, passing on the left, on the right. passing and wedging yourself in wherever you can go. No crosswalks. People crossing wherever they can. No right of way for pedestrians. Just complete and total traffic madness. I loved it. I was just glad as hell I was not driving else I would have burst a blood vessel in my brain and that would have been the end of me.
On the way to Hanuman temple ppl saw Krishna temple. Jutting up into the sky. So once we had visited Lord Hanuman we went to go visit Lord Krishna. The place was enormous. Painting on the ceiling like the Cistine Chapel. statue after statue of Mr. and Mrs. Krishna. sometimes in gold sometimes painted jet black. It was very intense and many young couple there.
More Later
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