We shd have Rama sing for this one!
www.midomi.com
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007
MarathaHalli
I have been in Bangalore for only 8 months. Yet to figure out which one is the most beautiful part, but I definitely know the worst part. MarathaHalli. I will post some pictures soon but this blogger summarizes what I feel.
Current Status of road-over-railway bridge: One side was completed 5 months back. The other side is yet to get done, because the central part which runs over the railway line needs to be built by the dept of railways. It is understandable that it would take 2x time when there are 2 govt. depts involved.
Market Area: Marathahalli's market area is unique. It caters to the poor people (these stalls are right on the road), the rich (there are dazzling brand showrooms, interior decoration and furniture shops,), and the middle class. There are several shops which sell "Nike" shoes for 100 Rs, "Van Heusen" shirts for Rs. 199.
Traffic: In theory, the roads are wide enough for 2 lanes on each side. One of these is used by hawkers, people walking on the roads . There is a bus-stop here (no shelter, there is only one small sign). In the evenings, the number of people waiting for a bus runs into hundreds. Buses are usually overcrowded. I saw some old people in the bus, some of them with faces pressed against the rear glass.
Footpath: Exists, but is unusable for several reasons. 1. Very uneven pavement 2. Open drains 3. Other intermittent blocks, like electric poles, support for electric poles.
Powercuts: Street lights are not on because of powercuts.
Rain: When it rains, (even if it does not pour), drains overflow on to the roads.
Wineshops: Throw cheap liquor and poor construction workers into the equation and imagine now, you are walking on the footpath, and there is rain and powercut. Your evening walk can become pretty unpleasant.
This is Maratha'Hell'y.
Current Status of road-over-railway bridge: One side was completed 5 months back. The other side is yet to get done, because the central part which runs over the railway line needs to be built by the dept of railways. It is understandable that it would take 2x time when there are 2 govt. depts involved.
Market Area: Marathahalli's market area is unique. It caters to the poor people (these stalls are right on the road), the rich (there are dazzling brand showrooms, interior decoration and furniture shops,), and the middle class. There are several shops which sell "Nike" shoes for 100 Rs, "Van Heusen" shirts for Rs. 199.
Traffic: In theory, the roads are wide enough for 2 lanes on each side. One of these is used by hawkers, people walking on the roads . There is a bus-stop here (no shelter, there is only one small sign). In the evenings, the number of people waiting for a bus runs into hundreds. Buses are usually overcrowded. I saw some old people in the bus, some of them with faces pressed against the rear glass.
Footpath: Exists, but is unusable for several reasons. 1. Very uneven pavement 2. Open drains 3. Other intermittent blocks, like electric poles, support for electric poles.
Powercuts: Street lights are not on because of powercuts.
Rain: When it rains, (even if it does not pour), drains overflow on to the roads.
Wineshops: Throw cheap liquor and poor construction workers into the equation and imagine now, you are walking on the footpath, and there is rain and powercut. Your evening walk can become pretty unpleasant.
This is Maratha'Hell'y.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Palmaneru
Within 2 hour drive from Bangalore on NH-4, there is small town called Palmaneru. As long as you stay on NH it is a nice drive. We saw some mango groves (ofcourse, we tasted mangoes, fresh sugarcane juice) and lush green fields.
It just feels nice to be in a village. People are warm and seem content with their lives.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Costs of Stuff
Just FYI
Refrigerator 250 l whirlpool - 16000
Gas Stove 4 burner Prestige - 4000
Sony TV 29 inch - 19500
Microwave - 4000
washing machine - 11000
Queen size cot + mattress - 22000
Shopping is not a big hassle. Do it on saturday or sunday afternoon. Thats the best time; less traffic. not a lot of people in shops so the sales guy spends more time with you. As always, do some research before going to the shop. They can rip you off if you dont know the rough costs.
Car is the biggest cost. Given the intrest rates, I decided to down pay.
Refrigerator 250 l whirlpool - 16000
Gas Stove 4 burner Prestige - 4000
Sony TV 29 inch - 19500
Microwave - 4000
washing machine - 11000
Queen size cot + mattress - 22000
Shopping is not a big hassle. Do it on saturday or sunday afternoon. Thats the best time; less traffic. not a lot of people in shops so the sales guy spends more time with you. As always, do some research before going to the shop. They can rip you off if you dont know the rough costs.
Car is the biggest cost. Given the intrest rates, I decided to down pay.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
AAAAARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Frustration is getting the better of me. I have had fights with several people already. Things just dont get done. period.
Some tips... just to lessen your frustration. Not that I didnt know these things, the reality of these things hits you hard.
NEVER expect anything to be ON TIME.
examples:
1. I got my car after 3 days delay (w/o license plates; w/o RC book; these I am yet to get)
2. Appointments are typically delayed by a day or two. Traffic is one of the reasons.
3. The parking space in the is not sufficient for my car. (I shd have guessed it) and Alternate parking spots are not assigned without at least 2 weeks delay.
Get your car ASAP. Haggling with auto guys can get on your nerves. (Besides, they dont come where you want to go, you have to go where they want to)
Before you come, try to get a house. Dont take the guest house option some companies provide. Most guest houses (service apartments) are crap. Ask to be put in a hotel instead. Remember, everything you order, you will be promised next day delivery.. understand it is usually 2-3 days.
LAST but not the least, TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC TRAFFIC!!!!! Beware.
Some tips... just to lessen your frustration. Not that I didnt know these things, the reality of these things hits you hard.
NEVER expect anything to be ON TIME.
examples:
1. I got my car after 3 days delay (w/o license plates; w/o RC book; these I am yet to get)
2. Appointments are typically delayed by a day or two. Traffic is one of the reasons.
3. The parking space in the is not sufficient for my car. (I shd have guessed it) and Alternate parking spots are not assigned without at least 2 weeks delay.
Get your car ASAP. Haggling with auto guys can get on your nerves. (Besides, they dont come where you want to go, you have to go where they want to)
Before you come, try to get a house. Dont take the guest house option some companies provide. Most guest houses (service apartments) are crap. Ask to be put in a hotel instead. Remember, everything you order, you will be promised next day delivery.. understand it is usually 2-3 days.
LAST but not the least, TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC TRAFFIC!!!!! Beware.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
good food! and overhyped apartments
After trying some junk north indian restaurants around here, I finally got to taste very good south indian food. We tried Malgudi, (check this review: http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Malgudi_Restaurant-52864-1.html)
I agreed with the reviewer. Food was really good and very different from the usual fare (Dosa, vada, idly) . Get Neeru Dosa, akki rotti and with kaju curry.. very good.
I went with a broker to check out a few apartments. I had heard good things about all of these. Broker was a few minutes late and he could not arrage keys to one of the apartments. He showed us Raheja Residency. The buildings are looking good from outside, the apartments themselves were crappy.
The search continues. Need to buy a car soon.
I agreed with the reviewer. Food was really good and very different from the usual fare (Dosa, vada, idly) . Get Neeru Dosa, akki rotti and with kaju curry.. very good.
I went with a broker to check out a few apartments. I had heard good things about all of these. Broker was a few minutes late and he could not arrage keys to one of the apartments. He showed us Raheja Residency. The buildings are looking good from outside, the apartments themselves were crappy.
The search continues. Need to buy a car soon.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
karnam's day out in Bangalore
Went to check out the distance between my office and EGL. It is about 45 min drive. The volume of traffic is not as much a problem here as how narrow the roads are. I feel Hyderabad has wider, better and cleaner roads.
There is a tonne of construction activity. There is a metro rail track under construction; The start of this project has got delayed 3 times already and is expected to be complete by 2009. Wonder how much it will help ease the traffic congestion though.
There is a tonne of construction activity. There is a metro rail track under construction; The start of this project has got delayed 3 times already and is expected to be complete by 2009. Wonder how much it will help ease the traffic congestion though.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
First day
After 20 hr long horrible flight, finally reached Bangalore. We got adequate help to load the baggage into a small indica. This one had a carrier on the top, so 3 big bags were tied on top. Did part with exactly 1 US dollar for help from 3-4 people. They asked for more, didnt have change.
Anyways, this apartment is quite close to airport. Didnt look as well as I expected it to look (from outside). It is an individual apartment building. However, the facilities are adequate. There is telephone, internet, hot water, TV etc. 2 bedrooms and nice furniture.
There is kitchen downstairs and we just need to pick up the phone and order food or anything else. They get it for us.
Felt very nice about the variety of channels I can watch. Was pleasantly surprised to know that all sitcoms I used to watch in US, like seinfeld, Friends, Frasier, Simpsons... everything is available on Star World. Only issue would be wresting the remote from her. In addition, there are lots of old hindi movie/song channels. Should keep me busy for sometime.
I got up very late this morning and had breakfast brought to the apartment and am still lazing around. Until, I get out of this place, I wont think about missing US.
So far so good.. may be better.
Anyways, this apartment is quite close to airport. Didnt look as well as I expected it to look (from outside). It is an individual apartment building. However, the facilities are adequate. There is telephone, internet, hot water, TV etc. 2 bedrooms and nice furniture.
There is kitchen downstairs and we just need to pick up the phone and order food or anything else. They get it for us.
Felt very nice about the variety of channels I can watch. Was pleasantly surprised to know that all sitcoms I used to watch in US, like seinfeld, Friends, Frasier, Simpsons... everything is available on Star World. Only issue would be wresting the remote from her. In addition, there are lots of old hindi movie/song channels. Should keep me busy for sometime.
I got up very late this morning and had breakfast brought to the apartment and am still lazing around. Until, I get out of this place, I wont think about missing US.
So far so good.. may be better.
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