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You are here: Archive » Solo Travel: Part Three

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ARCHIVE

Solo Travel: Part Three

Published 19th May 2011

By Mark Allen Bangalore. Possibly one of the most congested cities in India. The bus station can only be described as 'organised chaos' at the best of times. Platforms have sub-letters, going right down to the T's and V's, each with about 15 routes on them. To travel 10km across town takes nearly 2 hours in rush hour. I've never seen anything that insane, but it seems to just flow in a way that it's been doing for years and years. This is only one of the many bus stations too, with others dotted around the city whisking people to all areas of Karnataka. On my second day, I decided to get out of the hustle and bustle, and visit the national park which is situated on the edge of town. Getting lost as was the usual affair, I eventually got on the right bus, which had some 60's Bollywood film on the go. Two young guys next to me got chatting, mainly about why I was on my own, and what the girls were like in England. They convinced me to come and have lunch with them, and also wanted me to come and meet their dad, who was in hospital. I was very confused by this...why would they want me to come and see their ill father?? But I went along and visited anyway, as I was open to any and all experiences. We ended up in a very posh private hospital, and it was amazing to see such a contrast from all the dirt and dust. I think they just wanted me to meet their dad, being the 'cool foreign guy they'd met on the bus'...also my mad hindi skills were clearly super impressive.... Crazy experience in Bangalore numero 2. On the bus back from the national park (huge, but didn't see anything spectacular...as is often the way) I met Kevin (real name Jhootsa), and got chatting away as you do when you're the only white guy on the bus (Bangalore also isn't very touristy, so that gets you more attention). After 30 minutes we decide to grab a chaii, as he's waiting for his brother. One thing leads to another and it's decided that I'll stay at his house for a couple of days. 'How much are you paying for your hotel?' 'Ermm...like £4 a night?' 'That's too much! You come and stay with me!' Again, this was a little extreme, even for my wild actions so far. I had also planned to leave my bag with him whilst I went to Ooty (incredible hill top town). But, I trusted him, and I'm so glad that I did. We chatted loads about teenage/young Indian life, the economic and social pressures, and even things as simple as dating girls. He was struggling to pay for his tuition, which is in the region on £300 a year, and his parents supported him any way they could. He also told me that I'd changed his outlook on tourists/westerners as a whole, and that I was really different to any other tourists he'd spoken to. It was a truly humbling experience and something I'll never forget.

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