Back on my own in Bangalore

Sniff, sniff, sniff... my amazing travel companions are halfway home as I write. After 5 incredible weeks with Blaire and 2 stunning weeks with Jim, it's back to just me. And that means back to more than just one blog per week! But it seems that my body, and not just my heart, is quite upset by the departure. Woke up this morning with stomach pains and diarrhea, staying in bed till 3pm. Couldn't keep my eyes open, but couldn't really sleep either. Noisy street outside, with roosters crowing non-stop (first woke me up at 6am, and were still going when I left my room at 3:30pm. Yup, downtown Bangalore and there are roosters in the yard). Went from what was probably the nicest, fanciest boutique hotel the night before, to what might be the dumpiest room I've stayed in yet. (Though that might just be a matter of perspective after the places Jim has been treating us to.) The place looked much better on the website. And when no one came out to offer me fresh fruit juice as I arrived, nor insist on carrying my bags for me, I wondered where their manners were. Grimy lobby, where check-in took forever and felt like going through customs with all the questions and paperwork. Up to the third floor, junk-filled hallway, Indian man's door open across my room, sitting in shorts and a white tank-top, watching loud TV under a noisy fan. Mine a stuffy room that smells like urine. Still had glossy eyes from the tearful goodbyes just a short while earlier. Settled into bed (it was about 9:30, Jim and Blaire were being picked up for the airport at 10). Watched a little TV to have voices in the room, and had a pretty decent sleep till 6 this morning.

Just re-read that and realized how depressing it sounds! I suppose it was easier to arrive in India on my own, than to go from great company back to solo. No worries, I'm sure I'll be back into the solo swing in no time. And then Papa will be here in 3 weeks :)  Spending two more days in Bangalore (Bengaluru) before taking a 2 day train journey to Kolkatta. Bangalore's weather is actually quite pleasant given its altitude, but Kolkatta will greet me like an open oven. It's 40 degrees, going down to a refreshing 30 at night. Might have to splurge on AC.

Of course I have a lot of backtracking to do on the blog - Periyar, Varkala, Bangalore... but I'll head back to my room, write some notes from my journal, and fill in those gaps tomorrow. Photo-blog update soon too now that I have more time to spare. 

Wishing everyone a wonderful long Easter weekend! I'll try to find some good Indian chocolate to spoil myself with (if my stomach feels better...)    
Back out into the busy Bangalore streets...