I booked an airbnb in blr for the whole week. It is right off 100 feet rd, by toit. I picked a higher-end place because work is paying for it and i need a little less self sufficiency while i am focused on getting my job done. I paid 61 usd per night plus fees and stuff, which seems absurdly expensive to me now. There were lots of places in the mid 30’s that looked nicer than where i am staying now, but i need less hassle, and i like the idea of being able to walk or take a very short tuk tuk back from dinner.
I rode the bike a little ways down the river and realized that the ferry is not bike capable. There are stairs to get down to the water.
I am now surrounded by a herd of goats, sitting under a ruin by the river. The goatherd whistles, clucks and brays at them to move them down into the grass again. He picks up a small stick or piece of grass and tosses it behind them to get them to move. They seem to follow his instructions pretty well.
This is one of the many ones that i am calling “working ruins” since although people don’t sleep here, they do live here. There are clay bowls and fresh rice on the ground. The family that ate here is likely one of those down in and around the river.
In case you ever end up in the early 1500s in vijayanagar , you probably can get a job as an elephant carver. They REALLY like elephants, and you would really only have to learn to carve that one thing.
Time to park the bike and take the ferry.
Turns out the ferry can take a single bike at a time, right on the nose, as long as everyone else sits at the back. I paid 50 since i didnt want to wait for the boat to fill up, but i probably got taken a little since the boat was already heading out.
The other side is way more hippie drum circle dirty european. I walked around some beautiful rice paddies, scaring off lanky birds along the way. I had my pick of three restaurants but the Goan Corner sounded familiar. It is of course stuffed with unshaven european 20 somethings trying to impress each other with alternately loudly swearing or agreeing with a yeeaaahhhh. Modern philosophers, i guess.
I ordered a cardamom lasse and alu achari, since i hadn’t seen achari on the menu here yet.
The lasse is super tart but good. I am trying not to drink it fast before the food shows up. This is probably a nice place to hang out, but the lack of breeze and the flies conspire to prompt my departure as soon as i eat. Maybe i can get a ride back.
Ok, that. Was. Amazing. Is it fair to call it my best meal in india, if i know i have a taste preference for it? Either way, i would need good food critic words that i don’t have so i will just say wow.
Food is definitely cheap here, even in touristy areas. The australians said no foreigners are allowed to buy property in india. This keeps the prices cheap. We can’t buy cars either, only rent everything.
270 for that meal
A shortcut through the rice paddy cut the return journey significantly.
I continued my trend of paying too much for other things, but i won’t say what they are because people will find out later. I don’thave the energy to argue over a couple of dollars, and these people need it more than i do.
Back to the room after the packed 10rs ride across the river, and an overheard conversation of a good price for a rickshaw to hospet (200). Cooling off, considering whether to go out again or just rest pack and shower.
Posting again, unedited
