I have been waiting over the last couple of weeks for inspiration to write about what it is like to begin to live in Bangalore. That inspiration hasn’t come yet. But some of you are curious about things here so I have assembled some photos and videos for you to look at. They are all from in and around the IISc (Indian Institute of Science) campus, where I am living and working
We live on the second floor on the lefthand side of this apartment building. It is on the University campus. It is one of 10 apartment buildings that look just like this. Scattered throughout the campus there is other housing for faculty and students.
Links to three very short videos:
1) A beautiful and interesting video that Andy made of some tailors in Yeswanthpur which is a neighborhood just outside the IISc campus, click here.
2) Bands of happy healthy looking monkeys move around the campus. People mostly ignore them, and tolerate their mischief. It is fun to watch them. To see an example of that, click here.
3) The early evenings are FILLED with bird sounds. For this video the sound is the main feature so turn on the sound. Click here.
Links to three very short videos
1) A beautiful and interesting video that Andy made of some tailors in Yeswanthpur which is a neighborhood just outside the IISc campus
2) Bands of happy healthy looking monkeys move around the campus. People mostly ignore them, and tolerate their mischief. It is fun to watch them. To see an example of that click here
3) The early evenings are FILLED with bird sounds. For this video the sound is the main feature so turn up the sound
Not bird song but you are the main atraction! Your hair is coming out nicely and I really like the shirt and parasol!! It will be interesting to find out when you’ll be ready to write as before, though. Maybe never, as long as you stay in India, you have a lot to do and images say it faster.. Or could it be about finding your new identity? Solitude? Probably not the time for that! Enjoy! Both of you!! Out best greetings.
Yes the shirt and Parasol should be familiar to you. I like them too. I don’t know about the writing- why it is gone or if it will come back. Maybe it will. Greetings to the rest fo the family. I hope you are all well.
Thanks for the greetings! I’ll tell everybody! Juppi Jansson asked about your being in India yesterday. We (Lydia, Sten and me) have been through a normal flu that takes about a week. Francine is now entertained by David who finally showed up. Lydia is selling her things in Arvika and going to move together with Erik. Sten still believes in people, and has difficulties in understanding why some of them are so agressive and stupid. Well, they are just human, I guess. I’m still trying to get a fresh angle to that, and perhaps even write about it. Thinking about you, daily!
Sorry about your family of flu. I am crossing my fingers, hoping that I don’t catch any flu or other type of infection until my immune system is working full force, which won’t be for a few more months, they say. Thanks for the updates on your girls! Apparently life is going on.
Hi Saskya – I hope you’re both settling down nicely and you’re finding the setting much more relaxing and productive and restorative.
Those are beautiful photos! I remember those Gulmohar trees, which used to dot the areas around my school in Sivakasi, over 30 years ago. Not so many such trees in Chennai where I grew up later. If I remember correctly, as kids, we used to eat parts of those fiery orange flowers that fell on the ground. They were an interesting sour. I still remember the taste 30 years later.
Thanks for sharing your memory of the Gulmohar trees. I am curious about tasting the flowers now. I’ll ask around about it. The aren’t flowering much right now. It isn’t quite relaxing and productive yet because there is so much that is new to figure out. But I think it will get that way.
I enjoy these posts and videos so much so thank you! Its funny that when a person moves away, even one who is not often seen, it feels like a loss. So this is fun and interesting!
I am glad you enjoy them!
Yes, I known the feeling of someone missing from the surroundings.
Thank you so much for the pictures!! Is this a permanent move or time limited? You look well Saskya. Happy to see you living a adventurous life. Love, Marcia
I am glad you like the pictures. This is a long term move!
I am feeling pretty well. I am being careful becuase I am still immunocompromised, but I think I might be feeling “normal.”
PS I loved the videos. You look great Saskya!!
Hint for viewing pictures better. On a mac, hit cmd + about 6 times until the pictures almost fill the page. The font is then huge, but there isn’t that much text. Then you can see the pictures better. Maybe that’s CTRL + on a PC.
Or, if you right-click on a picture, you get a menu and you can “Open image in a new tab.”
Wow! Amazing!!i esp love the videos!! How is your culture shock? Love from Joyce
I am getting comfortable and learning my way around, but it still does feel like a strange dream.
Thank you for the descriptions of your lovely visit.
Hi, Saskya, I love that you’re away from the craziness in the U.S. and enjoying the unique craziness that is India! I immediately thought how you will love it for the fabrics and Andy for the tailoring, even before I saw the video. Enjoy the delicious vegetarian food, too. Keep us informed.
It is a hugs contrast to be here, and even within everyday life here there are huge contrasts. For example, yesterday I was visiting a research lab in my building. It was full of shiny high tech equipment and computers. But the technician working in there was wearing a dhoti and had dusty bare feet.
The IISc campus, with its monkeys, trees, and rich natural habitats, reminds me of the IIT Madras campus. The contrast between the city and the campus is striking! Are there deers around too? We had deers at IITM.
I haven’t seen deer here at all. But it seems like a perfect place for them. I’ll ask if they are around.
Hi Saskya,
Congrats on your move to IISc. The monkey sliding down the pole was cute to watch — and it makes me miss being at the zoo.
Best of luck with your research program at IISc, and I hope that you stay safe and healthy 🙂
Take care,
Tim
Thanks Tim. It is still pretty strange to be here. But we are comfortable.
Best of luck adapting to life in Bangalore. How exciting! It would be wonderful to come do a trek with you in the Himalayas! I’m going to celebrate Thanksgiving with Dirk, Whitney and Caius! We’ll miss you.
Thanks Dellie. I would love to do a trek with you and Joyce. I was so impressed with the pictures from when you guys went to the Himalayas few years ago.
I hope you and my parents and brother had a good thanksgiving. I went as far as finding a pumpkin like squash, and a pie pan like baking pan, and making a pumpkin pie.
Glad that even though you’re not feeling inspired yet, you’re leaving things for us anyway. It’s nice to get a feel for where you are. The birds sound great and the monkeys are a little scary