Was on a short working trip in Bangalore, capital of Karnataka State India in 2006. This city was also known as the " Silicon Valley of India ", the IT nerve of India. The hotel that we booked through the agent was supposed to be 4 star rated but I thought it was more a 3 star offering. The TV channels were limited. English news were my main 'entertainment' to while away the free time at night.
Noticed that the hotel's workforce were mostly men. The receptionist, bellboys ( naturally ), chambermaids / men, telephonists were all men. In fact, did not see any female staff for the next 4 days there. Not too sure the rest of the country shared the same dynamics. Fearing the " Delhi Belly ", we drank only from bottled water. In restaurants, we ordered freshly cooked meals and avoided most salads and freshly cut fruits served at the breakfast buffet.
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| Our briyani fix |
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| Moghul food served by turbaned waiters |
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| Dinner served on top log table |
After work, we spent our time window shopping and eating around MG Road. It was on one of the ancillary roads that we were introduced a special briyani. Long grained basmati cooked with spiced chicken, egg and herbs. It was served in a metallic pot but our plates were the eco-friendly banana leaves. The smell was really aromatic and the chicken cooked perfectly moist.
Grapes were in season and the long black grapes were really turgid and sweet. Unfortunately, the harvest was small or limited and there weren't any available on our trip back the next day. Bought two other things during this trip. One was the traditional white cotton Indian tunic or the kurta pajama to don for Indian weddings. Unfortunately, there weren't many Indian wedding invites. Currently, a 'white elephant' in my closet. Second item bought was a intricately designed copper tray. Mine had a plume of radiated peacock feathers etched in it.
After our project, we took time to visit a nearby temple which we had too go barefoot upon entering the inner sanctum, albeit in mud floor. Visited the Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, a guest palace made of teak wood Deep earthy colour with gold trims and Indo-Islamic architecture. There were not many furnishings in this palace making it looked austere. The last stop was the Cubbon Park, a vast garden located in the heart of Bangalore.
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| En route to Cubbon Park |
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| Tipu Sultan Summer Palace |
Things that stood out in this trip were;
1) Meat eaters have to look out for 'Non-vegetarian' to get their fix.
2) Workforce still male dominated.
3) Auto rickshaw were plenty but perpetually under powered.
4) Great briyani, Moghul food and grapes found here.
5) English language newspapers were fun to read with its own nuances and take.
