About two weeks ago I was on a train heading back to Chennai from Katpadi. Once the train got fairly close to Chennai, a young man called Sam started conversing with me. He told me that he lives in Bangalore, which I then told him that I plan to visit the city very soon. So we exchanged phone numbers and he told me to get in touch when I come to Bangalore. So the day before I left Chittoor, we spoke over the phone and he also messaged me train details and off I went to meet him.
Frustratingly, I just missed the Brindavan Express - a train that would have got me there in a few hours - thanks to the very long que at Katpadi Junction; typical that it would depart as soon as I get my ticket handed to me. But another train going to Bangalore arrived 5 minutes later so I hopped on that one and felt relieved to at least get a seat. I didn't feel relieved after a few hours though when it was becoming apparent that I had got on a slow passenger train. After 6 hours, many long stops and a sore arse, I finally made it. Although most of my day was now wasted!
Keeping to his word, Sam soon came to meet me at the station. Although we had only met in person for about 20 minutes, I felt happy to see his friendly face again. We got on his bike and he took me to get something to eat. He bought me a delicious paneer wrap and also a refreshing cool orange soda (who loves orange soda? I do). Next plan of action was to find me a reasonably priced accommodation; he drove me around parts of the city, giving tidbits of information about certain buildings and the city - quite the knowledgeable man! Traversing through the busy chaotic roads of the well lit city, I had noticed that this city was very modern and very western looking; shops, restaurants, pubs, bars, plazas and most of the people wearing trendy western clothes; it almost felt like I was in a city in England. Well, Sam did inform me that British people had built a lot of this city so it's not surprising really.
After some time, we found a hotel that is situated pretty much in the centre of everything - aptly named Central Lodging. It's not a bad place for 650 rupees a night. After I unloaded my stuff, Sam took me out for another ride. We eventually stopped off at Mahatma Gandhi Road and walked for a bit. Sam showed me where some shops and restaurants are - all nearby to my hotel, then asked me if I would like some ice cream as he knows a good place. I am never one to turn down ice cream and told him, in fact, that I had been craving it for some time! So off we went to an ice cream parlour called Lakeview Milk Bar.
I had myself a chocolate sundae and Sam was absolutely right in saying that place does really good ice cream! Sam, the ever so knowledgeable man, told me that a British man had originally opened it up in 1930, then handed it to 19 year old Indian lad some years later. I also got myself a banana milkshake and once I finished it, he dropped me off back at my hotel. He said he would come by in the morning and take me out for the day. And with that, after a long journey and a bloated stomach, I soon fell asleep.
Frustratingly, I just missed the Brindavan Express - a train that would have got me there in a few hours - thanks to the very long que at Katpadi Junction; typical that it would depart as soon as I get my ticket handed to me. But another train going to Bangalore arrived 5 minutes later so I hopped on that one and felt relieved to at least get a seat. I didn't feel relieved after a few hours though when it was becoming apparent that I had got on a slow passenger train. After 6 hours, many long stops and a sore arse, I finally made it. Although most of my day was now wasted!
Keeping to his word, Sam soon came to meet me at the station. Although we had only met in person for about 20 minutes, I felt happy to see his friendly face again. We got on his bike and he took me to get something to eat. He bought me a delicious paneer wrap and also a refreshing cool orange soda (who loves orange soda? I do). Next plan of action was to find me a reasonably priced accommodation; he drove me around parts of the city, giving tidbits of information about certain buildings and the city - quite the knowledgeable man! Traversing through the busy chaotic roads of the well lit city, I had noticed that this city was very modern and very western looking; shops, restaurants, pubs, bars, plazas and most of the people wearing trendy western clothes; it almost felt like I was in a city in England. Well, Sam did inform me that British people had built a lot of this city so it's not surprising really.
After some time, we found a hotel that is situated pretty much in the centre of everything - aptly named Central Lodging. It's not a bad place for 650 rupees a night. After I unloaded my stuff, Sam took me out for another ride. We eventually stopped off at Mahatma Gandhi Road and walked for a bit. Sam showed me where some shops and restaurants are - all nearby to my hotel, then asked me if I would like some ice cream as he knows a good place. I am never one to turn down ice cream and told him, in fact, that I had been craving it for some time! So off we went to an ice cream parlour called Lakeview Milk Bar.
I had myself a chocolate sundae and Sam was absolutely right in saying that place does really good ice cream! Sam, the ever so knowledgeable man, told me that a British man had originally opened it up in 1930, then handed it to 19 year old Indian lad some years later. I also got myself a banana milkshake and once I finished it, he dropped me off back at my hotel. He said he would come by in the morning and take me out for the day. And with that, after a long journey and a bloated stomach, I soon fell asleep.
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