Russell Market II

Russell Market

Beer in Bangalore

The beer selection in India is pitiful.

There, I've said it. Some of you may not need to read any further.

But the selection is widening somewhat. Two years ago, it was very rare to see any imported beers except at the 5-star hotels. Now many bars carry an occasional Heineken or Corona. The latest entrant to the marketplace in Bangalore is Budweiser.

Beer connoisseurs will re-read that last paragraph and laugh. Heineken, Corona and Budweiser. That is not exactly a high-quality line-up. Matching that with the usual selection of Kingfisher and Fosters (India-brewed no less), and you have a beer list that runs the gamut from yellow to yellow. That is to say, very little variation. Sure, they taste different from each other, but they're all basically boring pilsners. And each has an aftertaste that you get tired of. Some (particularly Kingfisher) have a reputation for additives that cause hangovers.

I have yet to try the urban myth test for glycerin in Kingfisher where you turn a bottle upside down in water and see the glycerin transfer to the water side.

There are other beers available, but they are marketed like the malt-liquors in America. They "work every time". They'll get you hammered for the lowest cost.

Most recently, however, there is a stout on the market. It's called Haywards' Black.
And it's not bad. It's certainly no Guinness, but it is a welcome addition. It's made by Haywards, and their normal beers are not all that great, but with the addition of some black malt, they take on a new character.

In my house right now, however, there is a small stash of Westmalle, Achel, Duvel, Rochefort, Chimay, and Kwak. No, I'm not sharing. This is worth more than gold in India...and I'm saving it for a day when I need it.

Thanks to my friends in Belgium for this.

shoes and socks

This week, while talking with some foreigners in Bangalore I heard someone describe someone else with the phrase "he wears real socks and decent shoes" as if that were a really distinctive characteristic.

The amazing thing is that it is. In Bangalore at least.

People here have no qualms about wearing sandals to the office. Really. And I'm not talking about some really nice Nike or Keen sandals. I'm talking about your uncle's flip-flops.

Bull-temple Hill, South Bangalore

Nice eyes on this guru.

This is in a side temple on the way to the bull on Bull-temple hill.

Beet Harvesters

Just north-east of Bangalore, north of Hosakote, we found these beet harvesters closing up the bags. They had about 50 of these bags all ready to go. Behind the car was a huge stone swimming pool that they washed the beets in.

Pottery Town Kiln

One of the kilns in Pottery Town, Bangalore.

Pottery Town

Pottery Town-- or what's left of it.

We went to Pottery Town (just north of downtown Bangalore) hoping to find some vibrant pottery sites, full of activity and creativity.

What we saw was something that appeared to be dying. There just wasn't any life in this area. No one was working and no one was really selling anything interesting.

The only interesting thing was this pile of new pots drying in the sun, and the kilns (picture to come).

Maybe it was just the wrong time of year...

Cell towers everywhere

There is nothing like a cell-phone tower to ruin a good view, eh?

These things are EVERYWHERE in Bangalore, and yet phonecalls drop unexpectedly quite often...

Sky over Bangalore

As viewed from the backside of the ISKON (Krishna) temple. Gorgeous clouds as a storm rolled in.

I got to tour the animation studio onsite there where they are making an animated movie and TV show about the "life" of Krishna. I would put "life" in quotes for Jesus too, just in case you were wondering....

Old door in Shivaji Nagar

On Haines Road or Makhan Road, I can't recall...

Home-made potato chips in Whitefield

It looks like they're being cooked in motor oil, doesn't it? I think it's just the light on the oil making it look dark, since the chips actually look pretty nice. I didn't have any, however, so I can't comment.

Arch-fish.

Fish drying in the sun at Mission Beach in Chennai. This didn't smell as awful as you might imagine.

Chennai Fish Market

Iron stomach

Hot chilies straight and raw.

Mmmmmm, idly.

If Homer Simpson were Indian, he might crave softly-steamed idly instead of donuts. These are from the Madiwala market.

Outer Ring Road

Construction goes on, and on and on and on.

Lazy Dog

Caught at Madiwalla market early on a Saturday morning. Two vendors chatting, while a local dog relaxes in the sun.

Monkey Top

Here is a fine example of a Monkey Top. These used to be all the rage in Bangalore architecture.

One more from Mysore

 

A bit out of focus, but nice light on her face, so I'll throw it in here anyway... 

Tying garlands at the market

  

Grams and spice

 

All you need for a good dal. 

More market colors

  

Colors for sale at road-crossing market

 

Same location as the previous entry, the betel leaves. 

Betel leaves

 

At the market at the crossing in the road north of Hosakote on the way to Nandi. At this crossing you turn west to go to Devanhalli which is close to the hills. 

Location: 13°16'14.37"N 77°50'55.36"E

Holi Colors

New Mexico or Mysore?

  

Making it all look pretty

  

Flowers in the Mysore Market

  

Betel nut -- Mysore Market

 

The main ingredient in pan, and the part of the mix that turns your teeth red. I didn't know there were so many varieties and colors of the nut itself. This is where the pan vendors come to get their betel nut in bulk. 

Mysore Market, Sunday Morning

  
Sunday morning in Mysore, jump in a rickshaw to the city market. Get fleeced by the rickshaw driver (as usual) but only put up a small fight. What's 10 rupees between friends.

Enter the market and shortly find this lady sorting betel leaves. She's sitting elevated on a central platform. What I find so remarkable is the resemblance to native American women. Grey hair like this is actually not so common in India, as most people dye their hair to hide it.

She's caught up in her work, unaware of the light, the beauty around her.

Dreams for sale

  
A pile of old Lambretta scoots. Just waiting for someone to pour money into them and bring them back to life. Given that they're in India, it doesn't take a huge pile of money, just a little. The problem is then getting them to a country that will pay real money for them.

They run as little as $100 here but usually closer to $300, and require around $1000 to rebuild. Bring them to the US and they'll bring around $3000 or so depending on rarity and condition.

Dream on...

Coconuts

  

Windows for sale

  

Waiting for a rebuild

  

Pizza in a cone... I kid you not...

  
I don't think I need to comment on this... Somewhere Steve Martin is laughing his head off.