BANGALORE 2

Yesterday was spent watching an 8-hour cricket match. I'm happy to report two things: I now kind of get and like watching cricket, and, more important, INDIA WON!!!

Firecrackers and crowds yelling carried on well into the night here, and groups of men and boys sauntered around the neighborhood today with their India Blue shirts and cricket bats. I actually knew enough to tease a young boy after he batted a ball with friends while on a walk today, calling him "Dhoni," the team captain who was MVP of the game. The boys stopped playing and started chattering after me in amazement. Crazy cricket lady, that's what I've become!

It is hot, hot, hot today. So what does a lily-white Seattle tourist do when she needs to get out and do something, preferably somewhere with air-conditioning?

You guessed it!

We went to the nearby mall. Small, by mall standards even here, but complete with escalators and glass dome and a cinema with an attached Scary House, whatever that means. I am going to see one or two movies before I leave India, so am scanning the papers.

We shopped at the mall. We bought some souvenirs. And, as we're American to the core and weren't feeling all that wonderful after breakfast, we found a reliable snack.

It's the Golden Arches! And I was McLovin' it.... The menu varied according to the vegetarian multitudes, which I think could be of benefit to all of us fatties in the US of A. Why not order a McVeggie, pictured above (and delish, I might add), instead of a triple-stacked Big Mac? Tasty, full of lentil-y goodness, and as filling as a Filet O' Fish. Thumbs up from me. Janet agreed.

Once my stomach adjusts, I think I'll even go back and try the McSpicy Paneer (top left). Mmmmm! Fried cheese on a bun with special sauce (I'm skipping lettuce on this trip)!

On our way home, we took a tuk-tuk (ha!), otherwise known as an auto-taxi. The fun part was that our driver turned directly into oncoming traffic in order to get us in the right direction. It was, um, thrilling, to say the least. There was at least one bus headed right for us. The good thing about the traffic here is that they honk to warn you first; none of the passive-aggressive honking when you're ticked off. If you're going to be turned to road mash, you'll be well aware ahead of time. And it's safe to say that the pedestrian is the lowest in the pecking order. If a motorbike is coming and you're crossing the street, they won't stop, swerve out of the way, or slow down for you. They toot their horn, and you're the problem. So move already!

Once back in the Ideal Home Township, a quiet neighborhood with a lot of apartment complexes but with a nice little village center, we had dessert: milk cakes and cardamom cakes and ladoo. Next time I'll have the julebi (the orange ones on the bottom), which are favorites of mine, but sticky as heck.

Washing it all down with the coconut juice from a local vendor, we slogged home in the heat. It was like pushing through porridge, and any exertion really wasn't worth it. We're now back, have eaten homemade papadums and roasted okra, and are waiting out the heat so we can wander over to the local temple.

Tomorrow we are leaving Bangalore for a few days. First, a village where Deepak's co-worker is from, and we'll celebrate the New Year (ugadi) with a tour and lunch there. Then, we'll be taken to Mysore, where we'll spend the next two nights exploring the palace and markets. Then, two more nights in Coorg, the spice- and orange-growing area.

Still can't believe I'm here, but getting more used to the idea. We are definitely in an area where foreigners are an oddity, and Janet seems to get the most attention. People ask her name, or stare at her shoes. She's putting up with things remarkably well, and is almost on the time zone. She's reading a lot, and likes idlys and fried potatoes and parathas. I am really proud of how well she's getting used to things. It's not easy here; with the heat, the overwhelming sights and smells, and the language barriers. Tonight the local neighbor girls, ages 9 and 5, who were born in Dallas, are supposed to come over and ask her to play. That should be nice for her.

As I sign off, I think it only appropriate to let you know that I'm sitting in front of the telly watching the Bollywood version of MTV. Shah Rukh Khan seems to be in most of the songs. Which, of course, I have NO problem with! All the songs have karaoke words along the bottom of the screen for me to sing along. Yay!

Food for thought: Why do Indian bananas taste SO MUCH better than the Chiquitas and Doles?

Discuss until next time.