In keeping with tradition, today was a lazy day. Anand and I agreed to meet in the late afternoon to go shopping and I planned on getting as much sleep as possible.

I’ve decided I’m definitely buying a new suitcase and introducing my current one to the dustbin. I have serious doubts that it will survive the return trip to Canada. Today, Anand and I are window shopping – attempting to find out what I can expect to pay for a suitcase before I make a final decision.

We headed to Commercial Street – which is the main street in a motley warren of interconnected alleys and roads where shops exist in great numbers. The streets were packed with locals and tourists and it was somewhat difficult to move around without bumping into anyone.

We wandered in and out of clothing stores (Anand is looking for some traditional shirts) and luggage stores. Little shopping was accomplished and we called the driver to take us to FoodWorld (grocery store) so we could purchase some snacks. Loaded down with Diet Coke and Lays potato chips, we headed back to the hotel. On the way, I declared my intention to revolt if I had to eat another meal at the hotel restaurant. While we both agreed that a change in eating establishments was in order, neither of us could agree on what type of food we were in the mood for. In the end, we broke down and acted like typical North American tourists – going for the familiar restaurant we can find back home – and ate a TGI Fridays. Considering the fact that we’ve been driving by it every day since we arrived (it’s 2 blocks from the hotel) it’s amazing that I managed to hold out this long and not visit the restaurant sooner. It’s not that I wanted to eat North American food so much as I wanted a change in routine. Besides, they make great nacho’s!

Well fed and loaded down with snacks, we returned to the hotel for an early night. I flipped channels on the TV (this is only the second time I’ve turned on the TV since I arrived) for a few hours before heading off to sleep.

So long and thanks for all the fish*

For once, I finally managed to obtain a decent amount of sleep. When I went to bed last night, I had bags under my eyes big enough to cart home half of my purchases in! This afternoon, I look more human.

It’s a sad day for Anand and I today. Bill and Linda head back to the US at 8:30 pm tonight and we won’t see them again for quite a while. Anand commented that over the past few weeks, we have spent 16 hours a day together. It seems like they’ve always been here with us – laughing, shopping, eating, whining about lack of sleep, etc. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but when it does, I am certain that the glimmer of Bangalore will be dimmed due to their absence.

We met for our final lunch together in the hotel restaurant. Earlier in the lobby, keeping with Diwali traditions of giving gifts, Linda provided me a 6 day supply of Tylenol PM. Now, instead of staring at the ceiling at 6am, I can ensure that I’ll get a good night sleep when I need it. Bill handed over his remaining Granola Bar supply with a comment that if I don’t use them, I’m to follow the tradition and leave the remainders with Anand on the 9th of November.

We can hear the fireworks (which are called crackers in India) shooting off all evening. A quick peek out the window provides a birds eye view of the action. Small pockets of fireworks are being shot into the air in what appears from a distance as a random display. The displays aren’t publicly organized, instead the fireworks are shot off by groups familes, friends, neighbours and corporations.

Tonight a Dandiya dance is taking place in the basement of the building. I tried to take pictures, but it was very dark and my flash wasn’t strong enough to make an impression. All of the pictures appeared as dark grey and black blobs on screen.

At the dance, I had a small mehndi design placed on the palm of my left hand. I could only stand to keep the mehndi on for 75 minutes, so I don’t know how long the design will last or how dark it will be in 1 to 2 days. Before I leave, I would like to have an additional mehndi design added to the front and back of my right hand.

* Source: Douglas Adams, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy trilogy (in 6 parts)

A tip and an apology can go along way. We were originally told not to tip in the hotel restaurant, but service has improved immensely since Linda tipped the waiter on our last buffet bill. At the time she provided the tip, she also called the hostess over to explain to the hostess that we had been instructed not to tip, that it wasn’t expected in the hotel, and apologized. Since the tip was provided, we no longer have to wait years to be served and the staff is bending over backwards to make our experience as enjoyable as possible. Linda was allowed to order of the childrens’ menu, bottled water arrived at the table without having to be requested. Bread baskets contained warm bread and were refilled when emptied… it’s such an amazing change. Anand and I will definitely have to remember to include a tip on our bills if we eat at the restaurant again before leaving the hotel.

Today, everyone is wishing each other a happy Diwali. I found an excellent description of Diwali on the net, so rather than attempting to explain it, I’ve provided you all with a link to the site above.

It appears we scheduled our gold shopping on the proper day. It is considered to be a good omen to buy gold or silver on this day, as it is Dhanteras. Following the traditions of the new country, Linda, Bill and I purchased some items at a jewelry store on Commercial street. Anand, as usual, did a lot of window shopping. We can’t pick on him too much today, since we razzed him on Tuesday about purchasing the rug. Today, he has a get out of teasing free card – at least when it comes to shopping.

Linda, Bill and Anand had their first trip in an autorickshaw this afternoon. Lucky for Anand, Manish and I, we had a decent driver. We’re not sure where Bill and Linda’s driver got his license, but a cracker jack box comes to mind. He was an absolute maniac on the roads. However, now Linda and Bill can brag that they’ve survived the adventure of a lifetime.

Our auto ride ended just in the nick of time. The skies opened shortly after we crawled into our cars and the streets were quickly flooded. Autos became stuck in the road as their engines flooded. Motorists stopped their mopeds and left them by the side of the road as they ran for cover. In an attempt to get us to work safely, our drivers took a trip through back alleys where only one car could pass at a time. While traffic wasn’t a concern on this route, the flooding seemed more concentrated here. We were amazed at how quickly the city flooded – considering it had only been raining for 20-30 minutes. Despite Manish assuring us that it wasn’t monsoon season, it rained cats and dogs for over 4 hours before clearing and returning to the humid Bangalore weather we had become used to.

Safe and sound at work, we listened to the rain beat down and watched lightening flash across the sky.

As we left work for the evening, Linda and Bill said their goodbyes. Without skipping a beat, Linda announced that Anand was single and in need of a wife before he leaving India. Anand turned a bright shade of red and we could see the wheels churning as people tried to think of friends or family who might fit Anands’ criteria.

At lunch today, we opted for the buffet and agreed at the end of the meal that we are pretty sick of eating. While it’s not entirely true, we often feel that all we do is eat, sleep, work and eat some more.

After lunch, we headed to the Central Cottage Industries Emporium on Cunningham road. Yep, that’s it… we returned to the scene of the crime…

Linda had seen a sapphire ring in CCIE when we were rug shopping and had decided to return and purchase it. Unfortunately, the price was a little too steep and the salesman wasn’t in a bargaining mood. On the bright side, Linda did manage to pick up 2 new rugs – Kashmir ones this time – at the 47% discount we had obtained last time we were rug shopping and had an opportunity to hone her bargaining skills. She haggled her way to free shipping and a great price.

I’m very proud of myself. I managed to stave off the overwhelming desire to purchase a larger rug for our home and walked out of CCIE without purchasing a thing.

Anand shocked everyone and bought a small 2×3 rug. We were all amazed that he’d purchased anything and Linda remarked that we needed to get a picture of Anand with a shopping bag. Apparently, there are people in Winnipeg who will pay for proof that Anand has been out shopping.

— break for work —

The crew at work presented Linda and Bill with a coffee table book highlighting Bangalore. Each agent signed their name in the book and Linda told them that the book would be placed in their office for her co-workers to view.

I stayed awake until my parents called at 7am, but the line was terrible and while I could hear them clearly, I don’t think they were able to hear me at all. There was a horrible echo on the line, and a lengthy delay between speaking. Quickly, we decided to end the call and return to communicating via email. I’ll give them a call after I get back to Edmonton… after I sleep that is.

Well, I’ve broken my record of always being the one first down to the lobby for lunch. After too many nights with little or no sleep, I could barely function and was the last down to the meeting place. We headed to Jamavar, a traditional Indian restaurant in the hotel. Unlike the other restaurants we’ve visited recently, Jamavar serves a set menu at lunch. While in other restaurants, Manish has selected a few different items for us to try. In Jamavar the only choice we have is whether or not we want a vegetarian or non vegetarian meal. It was no surprise when the order was submitted as 4 non veg and 1 veg (me). Linda and Bill decided to risk the ‘heat’ and modified Manish’s original order of ‘little to no spice’ meals to ‘normal’ spice. Anand and I have been eating meals without modification to the spices since the beginning, however both of us were used to the food before ever stepping foot in India. Neither Linda nor Bill had an opportunity to develop a ‘stomach of steel’ prior to arriving in country. They survived the spice, enjoyed the food, and we’re very proud of them.

After lunch, we headed to the Central Cottage Industries Emporium on MG Road. This government run crafts store has a tiny selection of rugs, jewelry and fine fabrics compared to it’s ‘tourist centric’ twin on Cunningham road. However, the downtown store has a large number of affordable knickknacks to purchase as souvenirs.

After shopping, we headed off to work. From work, we headed back to the hotel. The evening routine has been firmly established.

Lance has completed some extensive detective work and has discovered that there is a caching problem on the Shaw web servers. If you notice any funky problems (to date, this has happened most often on the image Gallery page) with how the page is displaying, then please try back in 24-48 hours. It’s a good thing I’m not a business owner relying on a perfect web site in order to establish a strong presence and a positive reputation via a professional web site that may require frequent updates!