Made it... Again

Bangalore, India

I would definitely give the nod to last night's bus over the one we took a week ago from Mumbai. This was mainly due to less winding roads, and I'm pretty sure I slept until 12:30 a.m. which, compared to the last few nights, was a blessing. I was still achy, but the fever seemed to have gone at last. Still, when the driver started yelling at us at 5:30 a.m. to “hurry, hurry” and "get off," we were none to happy. Meg actually took to yelling back at him… something about him being an hour early. The nerve.

We all stumbled off and yanked the bags out from underneath, stowing them against a cement wall. Despite still being dark, traffic was in full swing, horns honking, tuk-tuks chattering. Somehow, we had failed to make a plan on what we were going to do once we arrived. Checking Google, we saw that the station for our 5:00 p.m. train was just up the road. Taking our lives into our own hands, we scurried across the road. Actually, we’re starting to learn, as crazy as it may sound, that the best strategy is to simply ease your way into the street and then... just commit, moving at a consistent pace so drivers can anticipate and adjust as they go.

Good morning, Bangalore

On the short walk to the train station, the rubble, trash and grime seemed to reach a new level. As a result, we pretty much bailed on the Indian experience today. Still not feeling well, exhausted and grumpy from a poor night's sleep, we finally ended up at the St Marks Hotel. Only advertised at 2500 rupees in the Lonely Planet, we spent three times as much just to have somewhere to shower and lie down for a while. I think the AC, clean surroundings, and hot water, though, did us all some good. We also washed clothes in the sink.

Saint Mark's lobby

Waiting on the roof for our room to be ready

Finally, around 1:00, we ventured out looking for food. Bangalore is noticeably more western than any of the other places we've seen so far -- men wearing jeans and polo shirts, women in pants or skirts, work people sitting outside cafes drinking coffee and eating sandwiches. And there were sidewalks… for the most part. Ah, what luxury.

Church Street Social Restaurant

After gathering our stuff at the hotel, incredibly, we found ourselves, yet again, desperate to meet our departing train. The fact is, we had all but given up hope of making it, stuck hopelessly in Friday afternoon Bangalore traffic. The 6 km trip took all of the hour we allotted putting us at the station after the 5:00 p.m. departure time. Still, this isn't Norway, so there was still hope. Not finding our train at the first platform, we rushed to the far end of the station and up onto the walkway connecting with the other platforms. No “16315” train listed in the monitor, so we resigned ourselves to the inevitable.

Bangalore rush hour traffic

Way too tired

Suddenly, however, I heard Dex and Kylie yelling, “It's still there!”  A couple kind souls had overheard our plight and had now rushed ahead, leading the charge to platform 4.  The train was there but pulling away as we barreled down the walkway steps, across the platform, and into the closest train car. That was close! Our helpers wasted no time asking for money, but we must be doing something right -- we made it… again! On to Alleppey!

Making friends