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My daughter asked if I’d like to write through her Angela’s Bangalore blog about my vacation in India.  I thought what a wonderful way to not only have a keepsake daily journal of my time here but also to share my experience here to those of you who have ever considered an off the beaten path adventure.  So here goes!!!!

Day 2 – 6/11/2013 … I wake up and look out the beautiful wrought iron doors to hear the breeze rustling through the trees.  Then in the distance I hear the call to morning prayer and sounds of many praying together to start this day.  And I silently pray with them thankful for the smooth and safe flights of yesterday.  Once again the air is still and quiet … but not for long.  Now those who live in the trees are  Bangalore, India.  But, I get ahead of myself.

Day 1 – 6/8-10/2013 … After a tearful goodbye to my wonderful husband, Ron, I begin my long 20 hour air travel to India departing LAX on Wednesday at 5:45 pm with a layover through London, Heathrow and on to Bangalore arriving Friday at 6:10 am.  My custom form is ready except I didn’t bring Angela’s home address.  An airport employee was kind enough to call her on his cell and fill in the information for me.  Now I’m at the end of the line for the custom’s queue but shortly I’m cleared through.  The great thing is that I didn’t have to wait for my luggage …they were right there going around the serpentine.  Isn’t it a big relief when all you bags show up????  It makes me happy.

Bags in hand I start toward the exit door and there she is … my Angela.  You can’t miss her … she’s a lovely statuesque blond haired woman among all the Indian folk and I notice she’s looking about for me.  I take a moment just to look at her before I go through the doors because I haven’t set eyes on her for 8 years.  As I exit the doors she turns and sees me and starts walking towards me and everyone just seemed to move out of the way.  We were crying before we even reached each other, it was a marvelous mommy moment just to hold her after such a long time.  There we were, crying, and I could hear someone in an Indian accent say “ahhhh, that must be her mother”. Then I was introduced to Angela’s long time driver, Shiva, who graciously puts a gorgeous lei of hand strung flowers around my neck in welcome as well as a beautiful bouquet.  Shiva takes the bags, gets the car and we’re off!!! Literally.  I knew the Indian people had a unique way of driving the roads … but this was so much more than I expected.  They drive on the left for starters and there are no lines in the road for lanes … nope they just create their own lane space.  I have never experienced such organized traffic chaos in my life.  Oddly, I felt quite safe with Shiva at the wheel as he has never had an accident.  More on my traffic views another day.

Since my flight had been delayed for over two hours, we were able to stop at my grand daughter’s school which is really close to the airport and I was able to see her for a moment before she headed off to take one of her final exams before graduating high school this month – her high school graduation is the reason I chose these dates to visit!   It has been 4 years since I’ve seen her and she has grown in to a lovely young woman who is now taller than me.  We arrive at Angela’s flat, I unpack and shortly after take a nap.  We then head off to the market with so many unique veggies, cheeses and fruits.  Grocery shopping here is going to be so much fun.  After dinner I headed off to bed where super jet lag set in and I was asleep in no time.

Day 2 – 6/11/2013 … this morning we’re just going to relax.  I did take a nap for two hours and then Angela and I headed out to UB City mall where we had beautiful refreshing drinks at Café Noir.  Angela’s friend, Chandran was playing the guitar there … some wonderful 70’s and current music.  What a relaxing way to spend some time.  This may sound peculiar but in the restroom there is an attendant dressed in her Sari who finds an open stall for you, cleans the toilet and bows you in.  Then she hands you paper towels to dry your hands.  Now this is 1^st class service.  I’m enjoying getting to know Angela’s world and the people in it.

There is no way to be humdrum here in Bangalore.  After Café Noir we’re off to a new recommended market to get items for dinner.  We were beyond ecstatic to find enchilada sauce as I brought corn tortillas to make enchiladas.  They also carried Milano cookies and iceburg lettuce.  I think this will the new go-to grocery store for her.  After having my picture taken on MG Road with the crazy traffic and rickshaws whizzing by … we headed home, had dinner and then spent a marvelous almost four hours just sipping wine and chatting with Angela and my granddaughter {Angela doesn’t mention her name or show photos of her on the blog for her safety and privacy so we’ll just be calling her my granddaughter here}.

Today is Mother’s Day … I can hardly wait to see what this day brings.  Until next time … Ciao!

–Donna in Bangalore

{{hey all, Angela here.  I’m crazy busy lately starting up my first company so you’ll notice I haven’t been writing much.  Well, my saucy Mommy is in town and she is a HOOT so I’ve asked her to share some of her thoughts and experiences surrounding her first trip to India!  I hope you enjoyed it…}}

© 2012 Angela Carson and Angela’s Bangalore blog and photos