Now telling my secret... Partly... I just spent a week in Coffrane recovering from Monday's surgery. Yes, surgery, I decided to have it but it was not necessary for my health. Result: My body is sore and full of bruises and yesterday I fell unconscious when coming out of the shower. My body will take 3 to 6 months to recover, but I should be feeling much better already in 2-3 weeks hopefully.

 

Well, the next big step for me is "job searching". I didn't say anything before but... I was made redundant by b-i right before I left for India. Now I have to go through all the ORP (~unemployement office) administrative stuff as well as writing job applications and getting interviews...

 

As promised many more pictures are available in the India photo album as from now.

As I hadn't done any shopping in the last 4 weeks in India, I suddenly had a need to shop. But first I had an Ayurvedic oil massage in the morning in an Ayurvedic center that Rita advised me to go to. The massage was OK, but they also poured one liter of oil in my hair, that was the worst thing, I must admit I really did not like it. After washing my hair 3 times at the massage center, I went back to Rita and Nisha and me went to MG road to get me a saree and then to Commercial street for some other stuff. Around 5pm we went to Marathalli to meet with Chandra as I wanted to say goodbye to her before I leave and after having dinner there we went to 16 Squares where we had desert with Gordy in a Coffee Day.

 

Today I went shopping on my own as Nisha had to go to class. But first thing in the morning I went to the fresh flower market, it was very nice. I met a couple who was selling flowers in a booth, when I took a picture of them they asked me to send it to them, they gave me their address (not email of course) and I will send them the picture. Then the woman put some flowers in my hair. I also went to the Alliance Francaise, I had read two books here, the first one almost only in the plane when coming to India, and as I was not going to carry them back to Switzerland I gave them to the Alliance Francaise librairy, they were very happy to have them. Back to Commercial street I picked up some stuff at the tailor that I had left yesterday and also bought a Indian like top for myself and some souvenirs (yesterday I didn't buy any). I also bought a Bollywood movie, Devdas, and some Bollywood music.

 

Tonight, I have to be at the airport by midnight as my plane leaves around 3 in the morning.

 

Sorry I haven't added any more pictures lately because the USB plug of the computer I use does not work, I will figure something out. If not then I'll add more when back in Switzerland.

Monday morning, 5am: Rita, Nisha, Satish, Sunny and me leave the house in the car, they drop me at 16 Squares and go to Tirupati. Today is a curfew day, it is not allowed to be out in the streets between 6am until 6pm, that is why they left so early, they will drive for about 4h30 to get to that place where they have planned to go as a "pilgrimage" to see a well-known idol in a temple. I will spend the day quietly at 16 Squares with Gordy who also cannot go to work. All shops and businesses are closed, no cars or rickshaws in the streets, no horns, almost like a quiet Sunday in the countryside except that I am now in the middle of Bangalore. I stay there for the night also, the governor Krishna kindly provided me with a room.

 

Thursday, the city is back to normal and I go to Lufthansa to try to upgrade to business class my flight Bangalore-Frankfurt. Unfortunately it was not possible because they don't upgrade the lower fare tickets. Then I take a rickshaw to go to Lal Baghs, the botanical gardens. It is a beautiful place, when you come in there is a hill and on the top a small temple. Then there are many different kinds of gardens around with different kinds of trees, animals, flowers... I saw the Lotus pond, the Bonzai garden, the Monkey playground, the flower's way,... There is also a giant tree that spreads its roots above the ground about 15 meters around itself, it is impressive to see. There I met a group of young college students who came to spend the day in the gardens and have fun, the boys were teasing the girls and vice versa, it was quite funny, one of them had a football t-shirt maked Zidane and he asked me if I knew him, we spoke for a while and at the end of the afternoon, we left the gardens together and they showed me which bus to take to go back to Brigade Rd. I didn't wait long at 16 Squares as Siddu was taking me to the movie, we went to see Guru, a new Bollywood movie - language: Hindi, we went with 2 of his friends. Even though I could not understand a word of it, I liked it, of course Siddu had to translate/summerize the most important things form time to time but alltogether I understood the story. The movie lasted about 3 hours and then Siddu drove me back to Rita's as the whole family was back from Tirupati.

For Saturday, we had hired a car with a driver to take us near Trichur to the Guruvayur temple and its elephant village. That's about 2 hours drive from Cochin. We went to see the elephants first, it was a very nice exprience, they were eating when we arrived. One would be dancing, one would be pampered, one would thow dust at the visitors, one would play with the leaves he was given to eat... I got to hug one trump and also walked under the elephant, Nisha was scared so she didn't. We stayed there a while, then we went to Guruvayur temple; only locals can go in, ladies in a saree and men in a dhoti, even Nisha would not have been able to enter it, but we had a look around and witnessed the queue of devotees waiting to get inside. We then asked the driver to take us to the only restaurant that the Guide du Routard was advising there and we had a nice late lunch. We reached Cochin  round 4.30pm so it was too late to try to go to the Dutch Palace again. Instead we went on internet and in a textiles and saree shop that was very colorful.

 

On Sunday morning we were up very early because we needed to be at 8.15 at the tourist office to take the bus to the back-waters. We met several French tourists and that was a very nice, calm trip with little boats. We saw the nature, people taking a bath in the river, lots of birds and other animals like goats, cows, dogs... We even saw an elephant taking a bath :) and different plants. Then we reached a village where we were shawn how they make the mattresses with pineapple tree leaves and we had a drink there and some time off to walk around. On the way back to the bus, the elephant was still there but lying in the river so they had to push the little boats we were on over the elephant so that we could continue our way, it was a lot of fun. When we got back to the appartment we had still 2 hours to go so we packed and rested a little before the taxi took us to the airport.

Tursday morning I went to Ajoy's to be able to format the pictures and prepare the 2 previous blog entries. This time I didn't use internet there. Then I went on internet to publish all this and on Brigade road to buy DVDs (which I'll use to burn all of my pictures), biscuits, water & bananas. I could have a shower and wash my hair in Gordy's apartment while he was at work, he had warned the receptionist that I would come. I must admit it felt good, washing my hair in local showers is not so easy really. I left the biscuits and bananas there as Gordy told me that he wanted to do some grocery shopping but never had time. Then I met Rita in her office and she drove me home where we had lunch (it was already 3pm). Soon after that we left for the airport. After check-in, Nisha and me browsed the bookshop. The flight to Cochin was a little late and our driver was not there when we arrived. We waited a while. it was night but very hot and humid. Sam arrived, he is Rita's friend. He took us to a restaurant as we were so hungry, it was my first non-spicy-at-all meal since I arrived in India. He was very talky and wanted to impose himself for the whole of our Cochin stay, wanted to plan everything, wanted to go everywhere; he got on my nerves very quickly, I soon discovered that he got on Nisha's nerves too. He was only supposed to provide a driver not to watch us. When we arrived at the appartment, that a previous district governor had lent us for our stay, I had to tell him that he was not in my plan and that we were big girls. That night Nisha and I figured out what to do on Friday and we did not get much sleep.

 

Friday morning we went to the Tourist office first to book the backwaters tour for Sunday morning. Then we took the ferry to go to the isle of Fort Cochin. We were disappointed because 2 of the main attractions were closed. The Dutch Palace and the Synagogue. Anyway we walked in Jew Town and had an excellent lunch in Caza Maria, a restaurant (hotel too) recommended by the Guide du Routard. Then we went to St-Francis, the oldest Christian church of India, on our way we saw a shooting and Nisha could see her favorite Bollywood actor, she was all excited. We also went to the Indo-Portuguese museum and then on the sea side as we wanted to see the famous Chinese fishing nets at sunset, we had a banana juice there, mmmh. We then went to a place were we watched a show with local traditional dance and martial arts as well as artist showing all the different expressions they possibly can with their face; there are over 300 expressions and each has a name, we only saw about 20 different ones. We rushed to the ferry to go back to Ernakulam. Rest of the story will be next time...

 

PS: cannot connect my camera here so new pictures will be posted next week.

Tuesday morning everything went slowly and even though I wanted to see the city market in the morning. First of all we went to the travel agency as the Air Decann website was not accepting my international credit card to book my flight to Cochin. Nisha is coming with me and we booked the ticket before we went to the market, Nisha and myself only reached there after noon. I took some pictures, it's amazing with how much care they arrange the fruits or things they sell. Then we went to Brigade Road  for window shopping and had lunch at the McDonald's. I don't usually go  but after eating spicy for a while I was not against something simple, even if it is junk food. Then we had a coffee (I got a cappucchino) and went on internet. We returned to the HRBR layout, where Rita's house is, to get changed for the wedding. The wedding was very interesting, as what I had seen before was just the last reception when the couple was already married. So tonight, they are not married yet, it was just one part of the ceremony. After the ceremony, there were dancers, and after a while we could join in. The dance we danced is called Dandiya, it is danced with sticks and it was a lot of fun. Nisha and Gordy danced together. Later, Rita came and we had dinner in banana leaf again, then we had to leave the party. We were invited the next morning to have breakfast at 16th square with Gordy, then at 10 we should go to another ritual ceremony for the same wedding. There are other rituals at 6 in the morning but we decided not to go.

 

Wednesday morning, I dressed up with indian clothes that Rita's sister lent to me. Then it was difficult to have Nisha wake up, so we were very late for breakfast at 16th square. Gordy was not feeling well so he did not come with us to the ritual ceremony. We saw the rituals, it was very interesting and colorful. After finally tying the knot, everyone congratulated the couple and we left the party to have lunch with Gordy. In fact, when we got there, Gordy had problems with his computer and I started to fix it. Around 3.30 we went for lunch, he wanted to treat us in a good restaurant and took us to a nice place, unfortunately, the food was not good at all and Gordy and I got sick from the food, even Nisha found it not good. After that Nisha went home and I waited with Gordy, we had a tea, finished to fix the computer and chatted until someone came to pick us up to go the regular Lions Club meeting of Banalore North. Gordy offered 2 sets of CPR (1 for adults and 1 for babies) to the club with the challenge of using them to help save people's lives, he also will send from the UK about 300 First Aid books and kits. We received a bouquet and a present too. Rita and Satish were there too and we went home after dinner. Then Nisha and I started packing.

I woke up on Sunday morning at the governor's apartment, he was away but Gowri took good care of me. As the mobile phone Ajoy had lent me was not working, Siddu went out to get me another one. I talked a lot with Gowri and Sourya. Sourya and Siddu were going to take me out bowling in the evening while the next Lions club meeting lasts. The driver took me back to Ajoy's and I could get changed. In the evening I went to the meeting with a rickshaw and met Gordy there. I also finally met Rita, who is going to put me up as from Monday. An hour later Krishna (the governor), Gowri and Sourya came, after a while Sourya and I left the meeting and went away with Siddu's car. We went to the bowling but as there was more than an hour waiting time to bowl, we decided to have a drink, then we went to Subway for dinner. We came back to the meeting's place when it was ended. Gowri proposed that Siddu takes me to the cinema on Monday. After greeting everyone and saying goodbye, Siddu and Sourya took me back to Ajoy's.

 

Monday morning, while I was packing to move to Rita's, I got a call from Siddu saying we could not go out, everything is closed as there are some riots and violence in town because of some political water sharing problems. Ajoy's mother barely let me get out to get some botteled water. Around 4.30pm, Rita came to pick me up and we went first to her office where I met her husband Satish, but because most offices were closed there was nothing else to do there for her so we went to her house. There I met her daughter Nisha and son Sunny. We talked a while and had dinner; then Nisha took me for a walk and we became friends quickly.

From Ajoy's I went to Commercial street with a rickshaw, it seemed like it's the place to go shopping but I did not find it interesting, the prices are about the same as Swiss prices (even on sale) and the street is short. I had lunch there anyway, I had a kind of chicken roll with cooked vegetables and spicy sauce, to smooth it they give me ketchup. Then I go to Bangalore Palace, what an error, there's mostly nothing to see inside and they steal 500 Roupees if you want to take pictures, moreover they would not let me take pictures even though I had paid, I had to insist. Anyway, from outside the palace looks beautiful, that's was the only positive point. I get back home around 5pm, Ajoy arrives later and wants to take me on his motorbike again to go to the launch of a new Lions Club. I was so scared yesterday that we finally took the car. It seems Ajoy told the whole city that I was coming, they were all waiting for me. He had also told me that I would not have to speak but when I am called to the microphone it's too late, then I also received a bouquet. Anyway it seems I got away with the task quite well. After the meeting we have dinner, lots of different food that you eat with your fingers, again it's very spicy for me, I mix some of the food with yogourt (they do it too) and then fortunately there is ice cream to smooth my tongue. Ajoy introduces me to a lot of people including  the district governor. I also meet Gordy, he is from the UK and on a business trip here, as he is a Lion, he is invited to a lot of meetings. He has a nice sense of humor and we talk a lot.

 

Saturday morning I wake up at 7am, I need to leave by 8 as Ajoy would like me to go to a Lioness meeting. When I arrive with the rickshaw, Ajoy is already there, they have planned breakfast, of course spicy food to eat with your fingers :) I am getting used to it but spicy food in the morning is really not easy for me to eat. Anyway, Ajoy leaves me there and goes to work, fortunately the women here are very nice with me. The governor is welcomed with ceremony and I also meet his wife Gowri, she wears a beautiful saree, most women at the meeting were wearing the saree. The meeting start with a dance presentation, but my camera fails to focus on the pictures :( Gordy is there too, on the stage as a guest of honor. This time they do not ask me to speak but I still get a bouquet. Then lunch has been prepared meanwhile. I eat with them and Gordy. Again I receive a lot of business cards.

 

We leave the place with the governor and his wife, we are going to a service apartments building that the governor owns, as Gordy would like to change apartment, he is currently staying too far from the city, this building is nearby Brigade Road. After visiting the apartment we have a drink on the terrasse at the top of the building and then Gordy takes me for shopping as we have been invited to go out tonight with the governor, his wife and some of their friends, we need new clothes. We pass by a saree shop and I try on sarees, they are so beautiful and fit me well, only I don't feel comfortable and have to take care that I do not step on the fabric. As Gordy need to send an email we go on internet and then I go back to Ajoy's to get changed (with the driver that the governor left there just for me) and meet Gordy at the service apartment, the driver takes us to the governor's place. He lives at the top of a building in a very nice apartment (penthouse), I meet his children, Sourya (16) and Siddarth (18). Gowri has washed some vegetables for me, it feel great to eat fresh food again :) We have drinks and eat for a while, chatting on the terrasse with the friends they invited for this evening. Around 10pm we take the cars to go to the disco at Leela, it is the most expensive palace hotel of Bangalore. We dance and drink some more, just to make it clear, I only had two Baileys there and water before that ;) Siddarth has come with us too, we made him dance. Anyway, the place closes at midnight, Gowri takes me to the gardens of the hotel, it is a beautiful place. Gowri proposes that I sleep in their apartment tonight so that Ajoy doesn't have to wait for me until I come back, I accept and let Ajoy know. Now is the time for dinner, we go to the only place still open after midnight in Bangalore, the Empire, there is a big queue to get seated but it seems we are allowed to bypass it. I am not hungry at all and just get some water, then go for a walk with Grody and Siddu. We only get back home around 3.30 in the morning.

My hotel search was not successful on Wednesday, but I had a nice pinapple juice on the way. After dinner with Chandra and the children, I had Lion Ajoy on the phone, he said he did not want me to go to a hotel and wanted to arrange some conducted tour for me while waiting for Sunday. It seems everyone here is so nice with me, Chandra also wanted to help.

 

Anyway, on Thursday morning when I woke up (I had cereals which I hadn't had for quite a while) there was a note from Chandra: Ajoy wanted to meet me and was inviting me to his house until Sunday. That day I walked a lot in Bangalore, it was quite hot but nice to walk, I went to the park and saw a few nice, well guarded, government buildings. I met Ajoy at his work at 5 pm, we left at 6 on his motorcycle (here they call it two-wheeler), that was my first time on a motorcycle and I must admit I was scared. He took me to Vidhana Soudha, the main government building, he has a pass and told the security he was taking me to the foreign affairs when they asked for my pass :) Then we went to the tourist office to get some info of what is to visit around Bangalore and we had dinner in a restaurant where there is no tourist at all, we ate in a banana leaf, quite spicy food and he was afraid that my stomach would not like it too much, but today I confirm that I am OK, I guessed I passed that test :) Ajoy would like me to attend a few Lion's club meetings. On the way back to Chandra's, he was talking to me and I was scared that he does not look at the road as driving in a big city on a motorcycle is very dangerous with all the traffic there is.

 

Friday morning, after the children went to school, I had to say goodbye to Chandra too as she left for work. Ajoy came to pick me up at 8 and brought me to his home, his mother welcomed me and I am now sitting at his desk to write this blog. I will go for some walk or shopping or sightseeing soon. Tonight I have to be back at 6 since Ajoy is taking me to a Lions meeting.