Some of you may have read my buildup post about my Bangalore visit last week but this one is the one where I speak about the place in detail, or as many as I can squeeze in without making you feel like this is a monotonous affair.
Bangalore greeted me with incredible weather that stayed with me throughout the trip. There was very little sweat to be encountered because of the arid heat of the city. This meant that my throat would dry up quite frequently and that at any given time I would be carrying at least one and a half liters of water in my backpack as I traipsed around the city. And what a city.
There were a lot of plants and shady nooks in Bangalore. There were bustling streets where the traffic had no meaning or no way of being considered safe. Between dodging a Scooty that wanted my blood and jumping out of the way of an oncoming, raging and crazed Jeep Thar, I found myself sticking to the footpath and observing the people walking to the gym, or entering the metro station or just rushing about. Bangalore is not tranquil like Kolkata. Bangalore is busy, it is lively, it is disco and rock. And just as Kolkata takes its tea and samosa seriously, Bangalore takes its filter kappi and dosa seriously (that is when it isn't snacking on some thatte idli).
I suppose Bangalore was also its people. I am a member of Chuck and Berty's Song a Day and had the good fortune to meet some of the group's members when I was in Bangalore. It was nice grabbing coffee with all of you and if you ever find yourself in Kolkata then do be sure to look me up. Thank you Shikhin and Bongo for the company at Nerlu's Cafe and of course had it not been for Bongo I would not have experienced orangeade so take some brownie points there. Shikhin, a massive shoutout to you for the good guidance regarding Rapido bikes and your dry humor about Bangalore traffic.
Thanks go out to Maxxedro as well. Your enthusiasm and insistence about the time that I caught the metro and the grace with which you and your family hosted me at your place and the incredible cup of coffee your mother made me will be cherished. I look forward to meeting you again somewhere down the Path.
Finally, I have to talk about the people who made the 2nd of June, 2026 one for the record books. From Puro picking me up in the car, to that mind boggling magazine that Rico gave all of us, to goofy pictures, Megs and the apple pie and that long drawn out conversation at Puro's place in the august company of his cats, every element of the day was perfect - even the traffic jam on the way to Blossoms in the psychedelic cab. I do also want to say that next time we meet Prathi, I hope its for a longer time!
Appreciation goes to Rajashri as well. You are a lovely person to drink with and your niche Hot Wheels hobby was indeed a revelation for me. Lets hope that the creativity keeps flowing my dude.And yes, good plans do indeed happen after beer. The morning after belongs to coffee!
Perhaps this little article should now move to one final person whose presence made this trip precious. It was incredible finally meeting you Merryl. From 2021 to now, we've seen a lot happen and yet we remained goofy and sincere friends. It did not seem at all like I didn't know you when we sat opposite each other, pulverising mutton and discussing recipes and cats and books. I'm fairly sure you'll like some of the fish recipes I plan to feed you when we meet next, wherever that may be.
And with that, I bid adieu to a weird, warm and lovely city whose dosa is fluffy, whose traffic is randomness itself, whose streets go on forever and ever and whose people made me feel like I was a part of their homes.
Thank you for making this trip one for the record books. I will come back soon to a city that feels like home now.
The Bilge Master
