Bull Temple and a meal with friends

This morning when I awoke I stepped onto the lovely little porch outside of my room. To my surprise an animal went scurrying across. I walked after it to see what it was and when I looked around it sat there waiting for me with his head turned back -- he seemed just as curoous about me. I asked about it later and my friend said it was a bandicoot. A bandicoot! I guess that like a 20lb rat. There were also some cool snails hanging out on the porch.

Seeing as yesterday I spent the entire day in a windowless conference room, I figured I'd get out and explore a little bit today. One of my friends from IBM who lives here in Bangalore kindly offered to take me around a little bit today, so we met up on Muhatma Ghandi road and went into a few shops. First stop was an old bookstore where I bought some stationary and postcards, then on to a government-run crafts store. Funny thing how they've got about 11 people working in each section with mostly nothing to do. They also seem to have designed the store for maximum inneficiency (and simultaneously maximum job creation) -- an echo of India's socialist history, I suppose.

From there we went on a walk through an enormous park that my friend called "Bangalore's Central Park." Only thing is, there's so much vehicular traffic through the park that it is fairly choked from exhaust despite its verdant beauty.

After our walk through the park we met up with her husband for lunch -- an authentic and delicious Southen Indian meal served on palm leaves. I did my best to eat only with my right hand and not using utensils except to serve the food. I used about 4 napkins for every one that my hosts used. Clearly, I have a lot of learning to do.

The three of us then piled into an auto-rickshaw, which is a three-wheeled, open-air motor scooter operated by a driver for metered rates. Whoa! What a ride. These drivers must have no fear whatsoever -- and then the exhaust that's everywhere. Wow. All of these autos are two-stroke engines, meaning they get great gas mileage, but they spew out a ton of thick, black smoke. Just being here is like smoking half a pack of Camels a day.

We went to the Bull Temple, which was absolutely fascinating. You take your shoes off and make a little donation and then wave smoke into your face. It seems like the ladies put a little red ink on their foreheads (I didn't see men do that, but maybe some do.) Then we walked around an enormous stone bull. I didn't take a picture because it seemed like it would be disrespectful, but I have some photos from the exterior, which is very impressive. All of those statues are characters -- some good, some bad -- from Indian mythology, which I think they call the Vedas.

We went for a walk through a fabulous park -- this one was way more serene and quiet and lush -- and then headed back to the hotel. I think all that exhaust really exhausted me! I took a nap and then got a little work done before dinner.

Dinner tonight was at the poolside barbeque here at the hotel. Amazing food and a great company. About 12 people from IBM from all over the world. Such a delight to be in such diverse company.