Bangalore - 2.5 years later...

I had never got the opportunity to go back to Bangalore since leaving the city in mid - 2003, after a 4 year stay. I had stayed in touch with my friends there, and was reasonably updated of the changes in the city.

I finally got the chance to go back last week-end, due to work. The first thing that struck me was the weather - overcast, and cool. Luckily, I had remembered to carry some warm clothing, so it did not aggravate the fever that I was having.

I only got to meet some relatives and very few friends as the time was just too short. I also managed to take in the new (since I had left in any case!) Crossword store, check out the new pub - Mojo, by the same management as Peco's - and have some amazing dosas and sambar at Krishna Kafe in Koramangala.

The traffic was as bad as I had heard it was, but the crowd seemed to have improved a bit ;-)

I think I will be headed there again soon...!

Jaipur

I am back from a 2 day trip to the 'Pink City' - Jaipur. While I had work for a day, I stayed back for a day to see the one big city in Rajasthan that I have not been to, having been to Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer in the past.

I had always stayed away from Jaipur thinking that it will be just another big city. And while my trip did reinforce that thought, the city turned out to be fairly interesting.

I enjoyed traveling through the 'Pink City' (it's only a small part of the city that is pink). The neat layout, the shopping, the hustle and bustle, was fun! I also indulged in a little shopping (signs of settling down ? !)

But it falls short of the traditional Rajasthani experience that Jodhpur and Jaisalmer provide, or the beauty of Udaipur.

A pleasant introduction to a fascinating state.