Reasons I'd still move to Bangalore despite the disaster that was having my wallet (and everything inside the wallet, as well) stolen...

7. Kind (but sadly, inefficient) popos. Post wallet drama, I realized I had to fill out a police report so I could obtain a new OCI card (I know, I'm an idiot). I arrived at the nearly empty station, where I found the police men were all super friendly and helpful and had me fill out a "form" right away. This included the kind Sir scrambling around for a few minutes before pulling out a crumbled piece of blank white paper on which I was supposed to "write a report." I started writing and immediately was told that my report was being written "incorrectly." He corrected me and then after a few minutes, I handed over the "report" to him and he proceeded to re-write the "official" report...the worst part was, he had to write it three separate times so that everyone could have a copy. Too bad they haven't discovered carbon paper.

6. Bhagatram's galab jamun. How many times have I written about Galab Jamun on this blog? Need I say more? Oh it was also just 12 Rs. for two steaming hot pieces of delicousness.

5. Home bus ticket delivery from redBus. Probably the most efficient thing in India...I ordered the ticket from a really easy-to-use website, received a text and follow-up phonecall in less than 2 minutes and then paid 20 Rs. for the ticket to be delivered to my hotel. Um, perfect?

4. The possibility of (re)realizing my dream to (re)own a pink scooty. The traffic isn't so bad, the roads are filled with two wheelers and auto rickshaw drivers are sorta mean and don't know Hindi. Seems like a done deal to me.

3. Friends of friends. I had such a fun time hanging out with friends of friends on this trip and I think it's half the reason I liked every city I went to. From Mumbai to Chennai I've wined and dined with friends of friends. (Thanks, Caro for sharing all your wonderful friends). Also a shout out to Kirsten for being such a fun host in Chennai!

2. Google Maps work amazingly! Literally, the rickshaw driver didn't ever know where I wanted to go, but would stop random people on the street to ask them directions...this one time, it happened to be a poor foreigner who looked at me and said, "Don't you have GPS? Use it. It's amazing in this city." Boy, was he write. Thanks Google Maps for not making me (super) late to any of my interviews!

1. Soft H20= no hair fall. Um, I don't think a single hair fell off my head in Bangalore. The water was super soft. I think I'd put money on Bangalore water being the best water in India...seriously, my hair hasn't felt this good since November 11th (when I left the States to return to India). Even Pondy can't compete...now that's a surprise. Maybe anti-hair fall shampoos should just say "Move to Bangalore." :)


That's all for now. Sorry, this post was a little behind, but has been sitting in my head ready to be written for quite awhile.

Anyway, holla from Pondicherry (or Pondy to those in the "know")...