It took quite some time to express my gratitude towards the Garden City of India. My mind has been waved with illusions and emotions that took place in my life living in this place for nearly a half-decade. It was fun… It’s time to leave from here and right now my play list has shuffled a song that conveys the message ‘Nothing is eternal’. Be it you, me or the places that we wish to travel. If John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ had been come in our real lives, then I’ll slowly confide, ...peaceful life…
Where do I start… Where do I go from here now…? The option was of course Bangalore and living in a hill station for about 3 years had boosted my excitement for visiting a city which boasts about night life, concerts, colleges, hospitals… etc…etc. (You can actually strike off ‘night life’ from the list now)
|| Starting Stage
I took a bus to Bangalore and the city welcomed me with a blissful breeze which tugged my heart and of course… my soul. Like many of us know, most of the bus stops at Madiwala or Kalasipalaya. Being a new born baby in here, I too was surrounded by the Rickshaw drivers who eagerly waited for a prey. The Rickshaw took me around the city like they wanted me to get familiar with the places. Oh, that really helped. Finally, I reached a beautiful place called Malleshwaram.
Perhaps, I could travel down through the same lane where that college was located. The only face that comes in my mind is the shop keeper who used to deliver milk and paper. The rest is my friends who encouraged me to build up the confidence as though every person in here should undergo some sort of martial arts. Well, I’m talking about Driving/Riding. That requires terrific skill. I always believed in them and got a bike from a person who went astray a day after he handed over the documents. Documents?? Well, it was not in my name though!! So the first stage in life was to learn how to struggle and survive. And of course not to get trapped in any of those hidden fear factors.
*|| Second Stage
I missed my parents… I wished if they were with me since I so badly wanted to have my Mom’s food. But before knowing the place in depth, I was moved to a new place called Jayanagar. Unlike Malleshwaram which could boast of lot many Mess (A place where you get homely food which is cheaper than the Restaurants), this place didn’t have any of them. I had a tough time staying at that house which had just a room and we 3 proud NRI’s sharing one bed and a pillow. The water supply had the same tales to tell. Those electricity bills functioned faster than a windmill. The owner kept visiting the place to check if the house was clean and tidy. The terrace was shared by our neighbors… It goes on… The only place that used to entertain us was the park nearby. No one around… Peaceful…
*|| Third Stage
The place that I was moved from there was Kamanahalli, kind of a hub for Arabs. I found the place neat and to be honest, I loved the restaurants around there. That was the time I got an offer to work with Citi Group and started to live a life that I always wished for. It was fun… To name a few restaurants,
- Empire
- Kalpaka (They have authentic kerala cuisines)
- Sizzlers Inn
- Dominoz Pizza
I remember the workshop guy who had a tough time replacing almost every part from my bike. And finally, I took a new bike which made me realize the value of buying new instead of taking second hand goods. Because... you won’t get cheated, you don’t have to spend more money on them, and you can always expect more mileage since you will be the only user. (Pardon me if you stay with friends)
*|| Fourth Stage
The next place was Marthahalli. This was again closer to IT Park which could boast about N number of companies and few coffee day outlets. Well, I was always fascinated by the Sai Hospital on the way to IT Park. It’s an awesome built. If you happen to be in Marthahalli, do visit Bageecha. You might like the place if you enjoy Andhra style cuisines. Well, I love them. Few of the restaurants I remember are Golconda, Annapurna (Bengali cuisines) and The Dhaba. And you will find the first multiplex of the city, down the lane which is named as ‘Innovative Multiplex’.
*|| Fifth Stage
Life was getting better… Had lots of fun… Found many friends… Changed my two wheeler and of course, life was getting much better. It was time for me to move on to the heart of the city (I’m not talking about M.G Road/Brigade Road). The place is one of the favorites and would recommend anybody who is wishing to settle down here. Many of you have asked where I stay. And my reply was ‘On an Island’. I moved on to Indiranagar. Since I had to travel down to Koramangala quite often, this was the best place to reside. I guess it’s like 7 kms from here to Forum and if you travel down to the place by an Auto, they may charge you 60 Rs. Indiranagar will always stay close to my heart. The place that can always boast about N number of Coffee Day outlets, Arab restaurant (Savory), KFC, MC Donalds, Pizza Hut, Dominoz, The Village, 100 FT, Little Italy (Only Veg), Kyra, Sreedevi and many more. The place is under renovation due to the Metro construction currently. There is BDA complex wherein you get to book your Railway tickets, Bus tickets and for vehicle registration etc etc…
Did I bore you all? Shall I end the review by giving just one more point?
*|| Last Stage
Bangalore will remain close to my heart for all the restaurants, fun filled trips, friends, concerts at palace grounds, College festivals, My first European trip, My first vehicle, My house, People around me, Multiplexes, Malls and a few unknown places that I have explored from one end to the other… Just before I end this review, let me suggest you few more places/restaurants that you may find useful…
Forum Mall, Garuda Mall, Sigma Mall, Talking Headz(Hair Stylers), Empire Hotel/Paramound Hotel, Popsees, Jukebox, Imperial Hotel, Hotel Mass, Fiarona Restaurant, Via Milano, Hotel Maharaja, Life Style Mall and few more… (Can’t remember all of them now)
Colleges – Christ College, Alliance Business School, Mount Carmel, St Josephs, IIM, IIPM, Pesit, Dayananda Sagar, C.M.R.I.T, New Horizon and many more.
I learned a lot from this place… experience is the best teacher in life… that’s so true… In a while this review will get posted… I cannot write another review on Bangalore… I cannot… We all get a chance in life… I got a chance to be in different parts of our country… I’m proud… I’m so proud to be an INDIAN… I’m leaving this place… Another place… New dreams… But… friends and memoirs will pull me back… Until I meet them, it’s me N J signing off from here. Love… And, live in harmony…
