Ahmedabad, You Weird Little Gem (and My Quest for the Perfect Chai)
okay, so. ahmedabad. i didn’t really plan to be here. touring with the band - you know how it is - a last-minute gig popped up, and suddenly i’m staring at a map of *Gujarat wondering where the heck i am. i’m a touring session drummer, which basically means i live out of a suitcase and eat questionable gas station sushi. this trip, though… this is different.
I just checked and the air feels like a warm hug that’s slightly too clingy. twenty-one point eight nine degrees, they say. Humidity’s hovering around fifty percent, which is… manageable. I’m not gonna lie, I’m sweating a bit, but it’s a good sweat, you know? Like, exploring-a-new-city sweat.
My first mission? Chai. Serious chai. I’ve had chai everywhere, from dodgy roadside stalls in Bangkok to fancy cafes in London, but I’m convinced the perfect cup exists somewhere in India. I’ve been hitting up every little corner shop I can find. Yelp reviews are useless, honestly. People are weird. Someone told me that the chai at “Shreeji Tea House” is “too sweet for a discerning palate.” Discerning palate?! I just want something that’ll kickstart my brain after a ten-hour flight and a chaotic soundcheck.
I stumbled upon this amazing textile market - Manek Chowk - it’s insane. Seriously, a sensory overload in the best possible way. Mountains of fabric, the smell of spices, the constant chatter… I almost bought a sari made entirely of sequins. Almost. My drummer brain screamed “too much sparkle.” I did manage to snag a gorgeous embroidered scarf though. It’ll look great with my band tees, right?
Speaking of which, the band’s playing at this place called “The House of MG.” Apparently, it’s a restored haveli. Fancy. I’m used to playing dive bars with sticky floors and questionable lighting. This is… different. I overheard some gossip - apparently, a Bollywood director was scoping out the venue for a film shoot. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up in a movie! (Don’t tell the rest of the band, they’ll never let me live it down.)
“Apparently, the best street food is only available after 10 pm. Don’t even bother looking before then.”
I’m trying to be responsible and check out some historical stuff too. Sarkhej Roza is pretty impressive - a complex of tombs and palaces. It’s got this really eerie, peaceful vibe. I felt like I was being watched by ghosts. Which, you know, is totally normal for me. I’m a drummer. We’re all a little haunted.
If you get bored, Vadodara and Surat are just a short drive away. I might take a day trip to check them out. I’m also trying to learn a few basic Gujarati phrases. “Kem chho?” (How are you?) seems to be the most useful so far. People seem to appreciate the effort, even if my pronunciation is atrocious.
I’ve been relying heavily on Google Maps, obviously. But honestly, getting lost is half the fun. I found this tiny little shop selling the most incredible mango lassi. It was a complete accident, but it was the highlight of my day.
Here’s a quick rundown of my essentials for surviving a gig on the road:
Noise-canceling headphones (essential for sanity)
A good power adapter (seriously, don’t forget this)
A small first-aid kit (band-aids, ibuprofen, the works)
My lucky drumsticks (don’t ask)
A phrasebook (because I’m terrible at languages)
* A reusable water bottle (stay hydrated, people!)
I’m heading back to the hotel now. Need to recharge before tomorrow’s show. And maybe find another chai place. The quest continues. Check out TripAdvisor for some more recommendations, but honestly, just wander around and see what you find. You won’t regret it. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g297692-Ahmedabad_Gujarat-Vacations.html and https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants&find_loc=Ahmedabad%2C+Gujarat%2C+India are decent starting points, but trust your gut.
Oh, and one last thing: someone warned me about the traffic. Apparently, it’s… chaotic. They weren’t kidding.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/gujarat/ahmedabad
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