bangalore, india

bangalore (bangaluru) is so different from anywhere i've ever visited. it is a mix of new and old, luxury and austerity, high-tech and developing world.

it has been almost 4 years since my last visit and much of it is just as i remembered.

the traffic was still crazy - all swerving cars and honking horns. thank goodness we had a driver.

i am still amazed at the number of animals that freely- and apparently safely- roam around the streets. if a cow wandered into a market area and parked itself between two cars in seattle, i am sure we'd see it on the news; whereas for bangalore, that's just another ordinary sight.
as all tourist probably do, i visited my fair share of handcraft merchants. while i did buy several lovely pashminas, i refrained from buying a rug, bangalore ruby jewelry, or a carved elephant- much to the dismay of the very energetic sales people.

in my hotel room i was in a little cocoon of comfort. the service at the taj vivanta on mg road is amazing and i felt quite spoiled there. each day, i would find a thoughtful surprise in my room. one day it was a bookmark left on my book, another day it was an arrangement of white roses. watching the presidential election results come in on cnn world, it was hard to believe i was half a world away.

leaving my hotel was always an adventure- an opportunity to see something beautiful or learning something new.

see this tree- it's a tamarind tree, tamarind paste is made from it's pods. i had no idea.

the city is dotted with beautiful temples. some large and colorful, others smaller and less ornate.

at the bangalore palace, they were preparing for the wedding of a local politician's son. the size and extravagance were amazing and a bit overwhelming.

the stark contrast between my quiet room and the vivid sights, sounds and smells outside was most evident on my visit to russell market. from the looks of alarm my colleagues gave me upon hearing of the visit, i'm quite sure it's not a 'standard' tourist stop.