Quirky Bangalore.

Some favorite Bangalore observations of culture and idiosyncricies that often make me chuckle...and at times flustered....or both...

1. Nobody has change. Coffee shops, chai stands, grocery stores, pharmacies, you name it. Even if the bill is 18 rupees and you had the guy a 20 rupee note, they ask- "Do you have change?"
2. "Have you had your lunch?" No matter the time of day a common small talk is not, "How are you?" or "How about this weather?" but "Have you had your lunch?" My favorite time someone asked me this was at 6:30 pm. um yup, had lunch.
3. Plastic bags are called carry bags. Take out containers are parcels. Take out is take away.
4. White sugar. It abounds in every tea coffee or dessert. so so sweet. I must admit, I miss the global conglamurent of Starbuck's. I don't need venti, tall, non-fat, skinny, flavor shots, americano, espresso, cappacino, mocha-banana-chocolate frappucinos as options, but a plain coffee with milk would suit me fine.
5. Indian Restaurant menus. It is all to common for indian menus to not only serve Indian, but interesting variations of Italian, Continental and Chinese. Very long menus, most items when ordering are unavailable. Wine list- 30 wines all with detailed tasting notes. Noteably, one or two wines are actually available.
6. Ketchup. Pizza, samosas, and other snacks are almost always served with ketchup packets.
7. "Tell Me." This is a common phrase for "What was it you'd like to ask me.?" This one I love. short, direct and to the point. However, sometimes it is said in the middle of your sentence or question. I am trying to tell you!
8. Trash. I haven't been anywhere else in the world where trash piles are anywhere you wish to create them. no garbage bags. and recycling...well...
9. Laughter yoga. Founded from a gentleman from Bangalore, laughter yoga is sometimes present from a group of men that gather in Cubbon Park. When walking in the morning, they greet one another with a hearty "Ho! HO! Ha HA ha!" Highly entertaining and makes me laugh typically as well. Guess it works!
10. Modes of Transportation. When walking, sauntering slowly is key. If walking fast, even for exercise in the park, people look at you like, "what's the hurry?" However, behind the wheel it is a whole new story- everyone wants to get to where they are going as fast as humanely possible.
11. Horn, Ok, Please. Honking horns is not rude, is not necessarily pushy, or to show aggression. It is a way of life. I am here, thank you. I am driving up the one way street the wrong direction-beep.beep. Most vehicles are tattooed with painted words, "Horn ok."
12. "Do the needful." A common phrase used by Bangaloreans meaning to "please take care of this or so you can do ____." My first time I heard this I was in my yoga class and as we started to do tree pose. the yoga teacher said, "I am going to go to the back of the room so you can do the needful."
13. Playboy bunny. That's right. The insignia is everywhere on shirts, sweaters, caps, cars- men and women both wear it like it is a Nike symbol. Perhaps the connotation is unknown?
14. Bike law helmet. Law states that motorcycle drivers must wear helmets. However their wives riding saddle side and there three kids wedged in between do not.
15.  Dump Trucks. Some of the most elaborately and beautifully ornate artwork that I have seen in the city is displayed on the dump trucks. Another amazing India paradox.
16. Sidewalk sales. The only place in this world where you can find inflatable pool toys, watermelon stand, and crystal chandeliers for sale on the side of the highway.

Contrary to the hat, I don't even like Krispy Kreme.

 

At least it meets India standards for veg.

 

The Jared of Krispy Kreme?



 

Bangalore's confused helmet laws.

 

One of the many trucks, with extra LOUD horns.



 

 

You're home, I'm home.

Lori is just finishing a Ten Day Vipassana Silent Meditation Course. Yes, you read that right...ten days, no talking.  I'm amazed and proud that she was able to complete this challenge. I don't know much more on how the experience was, other than I just spoke with her as the broke silence this morning, she is doing very well and she returns home tomorrow morning.

Little did I know this ten day experience was just as much for me as it was for her. I had a chance to spend time playing lots of music, reading books, I actually exercised quite a bit (very proud about that one), went out many nights with friends and simply enjoyed some great quiet relaxing time.

I called the office to check on Lori 3 times during the stay. The first time a woman gave a nice report on how she was doing, the second time a guy in the office said 'she's fine.’ As I asked for a bit more details, he said, 'she's very fine'. Well, ok, thank you. It took a conversation with my driver for him to remind me that it is a silent meditation center...they probably don't talk too much. Great point, Imran!

Throughout the last week, I was reminded of how much I love my wife. I spoke with her today for the first time in over 10 days! It was a short, but amazing conversation. It almost felt as if we had just met and I was speaking with her for the second time ever. Needless to say I am so excited to see her tomorrow, excited to be home.

My love for my wife is stronger now than the day we met or even the day we were married. Living away from our home in the US for that past 15 months may be a reason for this bond we have, and it only continues to develop. But what I realized first hand this week is that a home is not a house. Its where your loved ones are. Setting aside the physical space you live in, although comforting; home truly is where your pets, your parents, your sisters your children or your spouse is.

My parents and I visited the Taj Mahal a few weeks back. You can simply feel the love that was put into constructing this monument by walking up, around and through it. This structure was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took over 20 years and 20,000 people to complete.  At the site of the Taj there are two tombs, one for Shah and one for Mumtaz, right next to each other. I share this not to be dark or mortal, but perhaps Shan's vision was for the two of them to be side by side for eternity, to be home - forever. The calligraphy at the main gate to the Taj reads:

"O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you."

Setting graves and quotes aside, I'm ecstatic to see my lovely wife tomorrow. I'm excited to be home.