Bangalore, Puttaparthi, Hampi

On January 8th, I came back from Kerala. I left for Bangalore on April 18th. 3 months and 10 days - for me, that's an eternity to just remain in Pune. Operation South America was on - and, I am proud to say, that from my side, the preparations for my mission have been nearly accomplished. Now, i'm just waiting for the damned stamp on my visa allowing me to enter their countries.

Bangalore has pavements. Not the best pavements in the world, but compared to Pune, your chances of being run over by a moving "element" (read cows, bulls, goats, along with cars, scooters, etc.) are far less. Bangalore was worth it for my two cousins, my aunt, and meeting up with my friends. The sindhi 1st floor party where i was literally shoved a bottle of beer up my mouth...that part i'd rather forget. let me clarify - i don't mind the beer part that much...it's the shoving up my mouth, that i have a problem with.

Baba has stopped giving darshans in the morning. But on thursday, as i sat in magnificient, magnificient Puttaparthy, he chose to come out for a few bhajans and the aarti. i still can't get over his automatic car which transforms his seat into a wheel chair. after bhajans, he went out, and as we waited outside for his return, i got a very nice darshan of him. It was 42 degrees in puttaparthy. I had planned to stay on for the afternoon darshan, but after i ate my nice punjabi lunch, i sat on a bench and started reading. next thing i knew, i was lying on the bench, and kind of hugging my book and....yes... SLEEPING. when i opened my eyes, i was drenched in sweat, and noticed that onlookers were taking a keen interest on me. it's when i noticed that i could almost fry an egg on the bench, that i decided that the morning darshan was good enough and made my way back to bangalore in the nice ac car. yes, i also had a translation assignment to complete... i work when i travel...or should i say i travel as i work? i don't know? :)

what does a bus driver do when he accidentally lets a toll receipt fly out of his window? he gets down to look for it at midgnight, and when he can't find it...he obviously goes on reverse gear in the highway!!! yes, that ought to solve the problem!

what do you do when you're done with visiting a temple and want to tell your group "let's go back"...
well, the man in the white dhoti and red pagdi had the answer. he shouted:
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" at the top of his voice at the entrance of the temple for more than 10 minutes. his friends, unfortunately for everyone, didn't get his meaning.

and the village girls? how do they let you know they like what they see? yes, yes...Vishvesh and i got checked out by village girls! :)
well, it's obvious...they look at you and shout "TIC TIC!! TIC TIC!!!"
unfortunately, we didn't speak this secret language of looowwee! and so, we were unable to retaliate.

finally, what do two chyuts who think they are ultra-modern (strong indian accent) indian boys do when they're out in 42 degrees heat? well, they cycle around Hampi! yes, we definitely got our indian genes intact - we're as mad as the remaining billion!

but, cycling and walking and crossing the river through huge pillars after getting fucked by the boat guy...although all that in terrible heat...was simply put - awesome. and so was just sitting 7 hours at mango tree restaurant and doing..well, absolutely nothing. :)

ps: the picture attached is a gift from my cousin Shivani - a painting of the Little Prince.