Saris & Serenity

Chickpet (that's the area)
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Another day off & another adventure...............

This time to go & buy a sari for yours truly. Vinu, came with me & in the morning, we headed off into the city by bus. First we wandered around the area of Shivaji Nagar & looked at a few shops & a market, then we headed over to Chickpet - the silk road of Bangalore. We got invited into various shops to see their wares, but you had to remove your shoes first then sit on the cushioned floor whilst the shop assistants showed us numerous saris. Many of them were so beautiful & ornate, however, I chose (true Cag style) to buy a very simple one - burgandy with a gold border. I was very pleased with my purchase & now everyone wants a photo of me wearing it !!!

Chickpet....apparently more crowded during the week !!
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For lunch, Vinu & I ate in a small eatery and had a very tasty masala dosa - a deep fried pancake filled with veg & a chillie sauce...YUM ! Vinu then suggested we go & visit her aunt in the countryside, about an hour outside of Bangalore. Sounded a great idea to me, so we walked to the very crowded (& filthy!) Market Bus Station & caught a bus to Chennahalli.

It was nice getting out of the city & once we had reached our destination there was a noticeable peacefulness and serenity about the place. It was a small village set back from the main road NW of the city and very much like some of the villages in Central America.

Holy cow again !
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I met Vinu's aunty (who is also her grandmother! ......yeah I was confused at first, but basically, Vinu's dad married his mothers' sister...or something like that anyway ?!!). Anyway, I was invited into her house (Vinus' mum was there too) for something to eat & drink. In this respect, the Indians are incredible with their hospitality & will give you their last grain of rice if you were to visit. It is also considered very rude if you do not accept, therefore I ate a plate of rice with a delicious bean dahl, followed by a coffee. It's no wonder I'm not losing any weight !!

Commercial Street
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After the 'light' refreshment! Vinu showed me around the fields at the back of the house where an old couple & their son were separating "ragi" (a small black seed that they grind to make a type of flour) from the chaf. This was done by the old man standing on a plank of wood suspended between 2 blocks and holding the container of ragi into the wind. The chaf then blew away & the ragi fell to the floor, where the old lady was sweeping it up. This was continously repeated until all the ragi had been separated. I think the old lady had the worst job as there was so much dust about......poor thing !

Impounded bikes outside the police station !
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After watching them for a while, we walked back to the house for a drink, then along with Vinus' mum, we walked back up to the main road to catch the bus back to the city. I was certainly the star attraction in the village, eyes peering at me from everywhere...getting used to it now again  !!

The bus ride home was nice.........I sat by the window & saw the light gradually fade & smelt the smells of the city (mostly motor vehicle fumes!) and listened to the sounds of the city (mostly horns honking !!). It was lovely....a pungent feast for my senses ! We arrived at the bus station then had to change to another bus....this was manic & I'm glad I was with someone who knew their way about !!!! People & buses everywhere & I didn't have a clue which bus was going where...fortunately vinu did !!!!

Market stalls
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Got home eventually at 1930, Knackered....... but having had a great day & a great adventure !!