My first flight from Mumbai to Bangalore back in the day, was distressing. We were traveling for an annual company conference, and within 20 mins of getting off the ground I got airsick. My earache and nausea got so acute that I wanted to scream. Eventually, we neared our destination and with a sense of relief, I looked outside the window.
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| Bangalore aerial view |
From the slums of Mumbai at take-off to a planned and organised city that lay below, here was a dramatic change of scenery! Lina who had then joined the company recently looked so proud. Apparently, Lina hails from Karnataka. "Oh, Everyone in Bangalore has their own independent bungalow with a garden and garage." she said. I looked down again and did not doubt her one bit.
New house, New move!
Today was different! We had boarded a bus from Mysore, Lina was heartbroken at having to leave a city she had grown fond of, I on the contrary was overjoyed and looking forward to seeing the independent bungalows with garden and garage. It was early morning as we drove towards the old airport road. "I remember this place, I remember this place" I cried. The locality we approached presently, had many one-storey gated bungalows, each one in a unique design and style as if to compete with the other, and folks certainly had a passion for gardening.
Our new rental home opened out to an attached terrace, set out to the wide open sky and rooftop garden. Everything had gone according to plan, and we were truly grateful that it did!
< Day 2 >
Living and working in BANGALORE
"Wish me luck!" Lina said "I'm going for an interview today"! "best of luck, you'll do well.", I replied. Bangalore is a bustling metropolis full of young professionals smartly dressed and getting about their day's work or finding one. 'Maybe, I should find one too', I thought to myself.
What can I do over the weekend in Bangalore without leaving the city?
After a long, tedious weekday at work, the real hardwork in Big cities, takes place on weekends, be it shopping at malls, going to the movies, or a night out with friends at a pub. Here are top 5 ways to make the best of your weekend without leaving the city.
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| A multiplex in Bangalore |
< Day 3, 4 >
My first day at a BPO job
The climate outside is breezy and cloudy showing signs of unexpected showers, but I'm all wound up as a clock. My job interview the previous day went well. But, having worked at a completely different job profile earlier, I had no idea what was in store. Wearing my favorite green outfit, a black handbag and a notebook for my first day at work was a good idea.
The induction hall was to the far end, so I crossed a room where a few more people were seated. and finding a coffee-vending machine got myself a hot mug of coffee. Quite unlike my small office back in Mumbai, IT / BPOs (Business Processing Outsource) companies look and work differently. Since they basically process outsourced projects from foreign countries like the U.S., Canada and U.K., work timings match that of the host company.
The induction hall was certainly over the top, and resembled a mini movie hall. The induction got underway in style with silly introductions and formal paperwork getting done. The company's ethics and other details were explained, while salary and number crunching was left towards the end of day.
" What do you think about the package?" asked another girl as we left the induction hall. "I frankly don't know what to say, since this is my first BPO job" was my frank reply. The girl certainly didn't look too happy. I, on the contrary, found the setting and facilities impressive.
Whether you are part of the workforce or here to visit, here are 10 TOP WEEKEND GETAWAYS FROM BANGALORE worth exploring.
Best time~ Bangalore has a salubrious climate from Sept to Feb~ March.
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| A rooftop house, living and working in Bangalore (a blog) |
#1 Caving adventure at Anthargange
This is a must-visit for all those who love caving and bouldering. Drive 60 mins/ 1,30 hours from Bangalore for an interesting weekend of adventure.
< Month 2 >
"Don't you just love night shifts, Angela?" asked a colleague sitting next to me. "Uhh?!, well not really, "I'm a regular 9 to 5 person" I replied. He smiled back. It was my second month at the BPO, working at irregular night hours... And it was certainly not easy. I could neither sleep during the day, nor stay awake at night. The only saving grace were the weekends we looked forward to.
#2 KGF, Bethmangala, Avani : road trip from Bangalore
With an interesting mix of curiosity about Kolar gold fields, A relaxing farmstay at Bethamangala and ancient temples of Avani, this trip is rewarding and entertaining.
< another weekend, another hike >
Working night shifts at a BPO may not be an excellent Work-Life balance, as it disturbs the natural body rhythm. After sleeping all through Saturday, I was fresh as a daisy for a Sunday morning hike.
#3 Climb Uttari betta hills
Uttari betta or Huthridurga is one of hill forts surrounding Bangalore. Getting atop the hills affords splendid views of the fields and countryside below. There are 8 stone gateways leading to the top.
The hill forts of Bangalore
< Month 3 >
I need my job and salary, but I don't want to work~ What should I do?
I realised that I had become accustomed to receiving a fixed salary every month. And undoubtedly that may be an excellent thing, as IT/ BPO's (not all) require basic skill sets for new entrants, but still offer a better payscale than most other jobs.
Some days dad and I would sit out in the terrace garden at tea-time, and talk about it. "PAL Premier automobiles Ltd was the #1 company at that time", he would say with pride. Apparently, dad had started work with a reputed auto manufacturing company at just 18 years. He was much respected and looked upon by those who knew him, for this very reason.
"There are 2 things to keep in mind", he reminded me :
1) Achieving a perfect work~life balance is an art, and as long as you need your job ~ be the artist.
2) Be Creative~ think about how you can improvise your work, think out of the box. It saves you from boredom and monotony.
#4 Bilikal Rangaswamy betta hills
Bilikal betta is a less-known, but beautiful trek through a shrub forest that abounds in elephants and other animals. The trail leads to the Rangaswamy temple atop the hills.
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| Trekking Billikal Betta (Kanakpura) from Bangalore |
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Our landlord was quite pally with us by now, and occasionally came by to say hello to dad. "I need to do some urgent renovations," he said one day, and offered us an alternate place to stay around Devanahalli. "But isn't Devanahalli almost beyond the city limits?" I asked, worried. "It's only for a short time", he said reassuringly.
So after much thought, and discussions along with Lina and dad, we finally took the offer and decided to make a good short escape from the city. The good thing about our new temporary home was that it was closer to some great weekend getaways from Bangalore.
#5 Makalidurga hill night trek
The thrill of trekking alongside the railway tracks for 2 kms, and then uphill to the summit is a fantastic and rewarding experience. Camping around a bonfire and sleeping under the shimmering sky takes it a notch higher.
< weekend workout goals >
The once little sleepy village of Devanahalli, is now an important landmark that has gained importance owing to the International airport in recent years. As a result, it has been witnessing a flurry of construction activity with new posh high-rise apartments springing up each year.
#6 Climb Channagiri hills
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| A view of the countryside and lakes from atop Channagiri hills, Nandi hills range, Chikballapur |
The Nandi hills range has many hiking opportunities. Channagiri hills better known as Chennakeshava is yet another hill within this range that is popular with trekking enthusiasts.
< days spent at Devanahalli >
At the city's outskirts and closer to nature, we lived the quiet life here... I occupied myself with simple mundane tasks like doing the laundry and cooking a meal. Lina is a good cook too. I like the way she makes fried sausages with baked beans, and she also makes wonderful jam tarts. When we have free time, a tea-party on the terrace was a great way to exchange stories and hold discussions.
The weekends are when we head to the hills.
#7 Climb Hulukudi betta hills
Is an offbeat adventurous trek, 70 kms from Bangalore. Atop the hill is the Veerabhadra temple which can be reached by a flight of stone cut steps on one side of the hill. However the crosstrek ascent is from the rugged opposite side of the hill and descends down the steps. The evening sky at the summit is worth watching.
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| A view of the surrounding countryside and lakes from atop Hulukudi betta hills, Doddaballapur KARNATAKA |
< an early weekend >
Aunt Emma comes to town
Aunt Emma, an old family friend and relative is arriving in Bangalore tonight. I always liked Aunt Emma, she is a kind and caring human being. "Oh, dearie, I have so much to tell you", she had said on the phone. It was all so sudden, but exciting at the same time and I sincerely hoped it wasn't anything serious.
At half past 9, we drove straight from the airport. "Hello", she greeted dad and Lina. She certainly looked a bit worried, so we let her get the much needed rest after dinner and didn't disturb her one bit.
#8 A weekend at Nandi hills
< another day at work >
"Working at night doesn't suit you, let's head for some coffee", said Dan, my colleague sitting beside me.
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| coffee-breaks at work |
Making friends at work
Coffee breaks☕ are a great way to interact with like-minded souls. Talking about souls, here's an interesting bit. "There's a buzz in my neighborhood about a ghostly apparition 👻," said Latha, "my neighbor says she saw a mysterious lady in white around 3 am!" "Aaare you serious?!" went Mani, who like us was all ears by now. "Well, you see" continued Latha. "It had rained, and due to water-logging the drop van stayed back on the road, while a male colleague accosted me, but stopped just short of my door. I had been wearing a complete white outfit that day🤣... and I heard the lady shriek from her window."
# 9 A road trip to Lepakshi
Read more~ The mysterious temple of LEPAKSHI : Did giants really exist?
#10 Gandikota canyon and Belum caves
A 6hrs return road trip from BELUM CAVES to BANGALORE had me all rattled up. My body felt jittery and my head hurt. "Come and have a cup of tea with me dearie." said "Aunt Emma. Nothing like an aspirin with a cup of tea 🍵 when one's head hurts.
< a week before Christmas >
Christmas 🎄is the air
It was a week before Christmas ⛄ and true to his word, our landlord had now renovated the house. I was overjoyed~ the smell of fresh paint still hung in the air, the marble floors were polished and the windows draped in new curtains.
"My Christmas to-do list includes~ baking a cake, Christmas decorations, setting up the Christmas tree, A new pair of clothes with classy shoes and shopping." I said excitedly. "Hmmm, all this talk is making me hungry, how about we pick up something to eat at the new Mexican restaurant downstairs"? suggested Lina. So we did and got Burrito rice bowls with sour cream and tacos.
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| Garden Veggies Tacos |
Hailstones play spoilsport
"Look, hailstones" cried out dad, just as I was ready to put up the decorations. It's a rare phenomenon for hailstones in Bangalore, and the first time I had witnessed one. Within minutes the terrace was crowded with the landlord and another tenant's kids jumping with glee.
A terrace Christmas ⛄ party
Dad's cataract surgery in Bangalore
Dad has been distraught of late. He's been experiencing vertigo and extreme visual discomfort. So, I made an appointment with the best eye surgeon at Manipal hospital.
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| Bangalore hospitals |
Bangalore is certainly a great destination for Health care with some of the best doctors. It's common to find foreign patients stay back for affordable and good medical treatment.
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| A cataract surgery in Bangalore |
The surgery for his left eye was done within a day and it was a big success. "No diet restrictions, you can eat anything you wish" said doctor. Dad was recovering really well! "Mr.Francis, you are now ready to fly a plane", said the good doctor during his final check-up. If words had so much power, our doctor certainly would win hands down. He was able to amp up dad's confidence super high!!
This is one of the best.. I lived in Bangalore for many years and missed few places you mentioned. I'll busy them too.. loved your small stories between the place recommendation. Awesome Angela.. during our bike ride, we couldn't speak much as it was tedious 400kms ride in a day. How to see you again and talk alot about your travel experience.
ReplyDeleteThank you 🙏 so much for your words of encouragement. Sure hope we meet next time. Enjoy 😊
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