In the thick of Bangalore

DAZED AND CONFUSED IN INDIA 1

We are making the rounds in Bangalore, by car and on foot. It's seems no matter how often you go out of the door, it's hard to orient yourself here. The city planning is virtually non-existent and the roads and streets twist and turn in a sort of maze that I have never experienced before. I can proudly say I am good at directions, but in Bangalore I feel blind. To me Bangalore defines the word mayhem. An urban jungle of cars, people from all walks of life, trash-rummaging cows, herds of goats, stray dogs, a family of four riding a motor bike, auto rickshaws, trucks blaring horns, constant construction activity and, you name it, it's on the streets of Bangalore.

DAZED AND CONFUSED IN INDIA 2

On and off switches are opposite from what I am used to in the US. Off is on, on is off.

DAZED AND CONFUSED IN INDIA 3

We eat a wonderful breakfast at the Sundance Service Apartment. It's different every morning with array of fresh fruits and freshly made Indian breakfasts. One morning, I wanted a plain omelette just with eggs, the kind manager kindly took my request and with the Indian head shake say "Yes ma'am, I'll get you an omelette". A couple of minutes later and my omelette came with loads of onions and chilies.

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In India one drives on the left-hand side. But there is a stretch of street in front of the Garuda mall that has right-hand side driving! It's utter chaos to drive on that stretch. 

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We are in search of organic milk in Bangalore. This hasn't been an easy task. I've made many trips to organic/natural grocers here but come home empty handed. Yesterday I received a tip-off about an organic milk supplier in town, Era Organics. I called to confirm if the information was true and I was pleasantly surprised that it was indeed correct, we just need to come down to the store as they have it in stock. Although the man who was on the phone hung up on me after asking how often they get their supplies replenished, I was hopeful. First thing in the morning, l got Leela ready to go as this was a long trek across town. After confirming with the driver who was confident he knew where we needed to go, we were off to Dollars Colony. After driving for almost an hour I knew something wasn't right, he didn't know the directions after all. Somehow, we managed to get to the grocery by asking people on the road. I was filled with excitement but my hopes were finally dashed. What, they don't have milk? They don't have a supplier? They never carried organic milk? They are hoping to carry organic milk?

I took a deep breath for an Om.