Bangalore

What was originally a screwup by the travel desk turned out to be quite a pleasant experience on the sleeper class train from Goa to Bangalore. It took us over the scenic hills of the western ghats, past waterfalls, and through tunnels where the more primal of the passengers will start howling out the window. Tempted as I was to follow suit, I turned my attention back into the cabin where I shared my berth with a Harrier maintenance officer, navy seaman, and IT professionals of Bangalore's flagship industry. Apparently, no matter what discipline of engineering you've slogged through in college, you will most probably find yourself in IT sooner or later in India. We hung out and played this card game called "challenge", or as Americans would prefer to call it, "bullshit".

Having no hotel reserved, we headed to the center of the city and started looking for one. Within minutes, we were chased down by an employee of a hotel and was presented with a few rooms for a very good price, wifi included. The main drawback was that it was just above a noisy lounge. However, the city of Bangalore mandates that nightlife establishments close by 11:30 pm, something most local residents hate with a burning passion, If its left unchecked, it may also incite a now trendy, popular revolution. After a free flow thali lunch at the glitzy UB City, Dan has come full circle back to where he started his trip. I had to bid goodbye to my partner in mischief as he headed back to NY where his career will start and his fun, unfortunately, end :) Later in the evening, I met up with Sachin, a James Bond of sorts whom Dan met earlier in his trip and confirmed that he is indeed an uncommonly interesting person.

Meeting up with Sid's band of brothers: Shishir, Suraj, Ankush, Som, Bob Marley and George the next day has overtaken Goa and Udaipur on the awesome list. They say to judge a man by the company he keeps, the inverse is true as well. To receive so much hospitality across 2 degrees of separation is just undeserving. They showed me the Bangalore I wouldn't see as a tourist, like the Bangalore club, with a supposed membership wait time of 10 years, and where Winston Churchill still has an open tab. I even got to play basketball and get schooled by kids from the neighborhood, enjoying every bit of it. Thanks a bunch guys, you have made it very easy getting to the train station but very difficult leaving Bangalore!

Next up, Kerala! God's own country.