I knew going out in the morning, the streets of Bengaluru (Bangalore) would be different from the night before. It was quite loud here near the train and bus stations. I was told by a few people not to stay very long in the big cities, and Bengaluru is the 3rd largest in India. I had three goals this morning: 1. ATM 2. Eat 3. Internet.
I tried about three ATMs that didn’t accept my card and I was beginning to get worried. Thankfully, State Bank of India accepted my card and I was able to take out 4800 rupees ($100). I read this bank is the largest in India and second largest in the world.
Yesterday, I didn’t eat at all. I tried a restaurant next to the bus station here. I had a roti (bread) and two curries and no silverware. I picked up the roti to tear it in half and after a few second remembered the rule you can only eat with your right hand in India. So with my right hand I ate the rest and it tasted good. Still a little hungry, I tried another restaurant and had something similar and forgetting to use only the right had at the beginning.
This whole time I was looking for a cyber cafe. Bengaluru is known as the IT city, this is were all the software companies are headquartered, the ones that work gets outsourced to from the US and other places. My book also said there are a lot of cafes where I find internet access. I did find some, but I asked if I could use my laptop and every cafe said no. I noticed every place was very small, about 4 old PCs. I was surprised this is all they had here? I think my answer came when I saw two men using the computers. One was working in a spreadsheet, another was working on a presentation. I don’t think anyone plays computer games in this country, and that it the thing that drives these cafes in all other countries. I was surprised to see people working, not playing!
Anyway, I got a bus to Shravanabelagola. They had a wall in the station that listed all the destinations and their departure times, which was very helpful. Shravanabelagola was one of the places I wanted to go, so I decided to take the 11:45AM bus. I couldn’t figure out how to get a ticket though. There was an advanced reservations booth, but no one was using it. I figured out everyone just buys a ticket on the bus. It was a bus from the state bus company, so it was no frills but it was on time and quiet and not crowded. So far, the roads here seem better than Myanmar. Should be better for my back.
I bought a bottle of water on the way, but I think it was a refilled bottle. It didn’t seem to be sealed. That’s why the bottles say crush after use so this doesn’t happen. I guess I don’t mind too much, I didn’t get sick from this water.
In the small town of Shravanabelagola I found a nice guesthouse. Only $3, including hot water shower. The first place I visited was Chandragupta Basadi, which is a walk up a hill. This is an interesting area because it has many 1000 year old stone Jain temples, which is new for me.