Chandigarh Chronicles: Where the Concrete Blooms (and My Drumsticks Got Lost)
okay, so chandigarh. i didn’t really plan to be here. touring with the band, you know? one minute we’re in delhi, the next… well, the next involves a slightly questionable bus ride and a whole lot of chai. i’m your friendly neighborhood touring drummer, by the way. name’s leo. and i’m currently operating on approximately three hours of sleep and a diet consisting primarily of samosas.
it’s… different. i just checked and it’s drizzling a bit, a sort of persistent, misty dampness that clings to everything. not exactly ideal for keeping my drumsticks dry, but hey, adds to the atmosphere, right? the air smells like wet concrete and something vaguely floral - probably from one of the ridiculously well-maintained gardens. seriously, these guys take their greenery seriously.
and the architecture! le corbusier, right? i’m no architect, but even i can tell it’s… intentional. all these straight lines and open spaces. it’s a bit sterile, maybe, but also strangely calming. i spent a good hour wandering around the Rock Garden - that’s a must-see, by the way. completely bonkers, made entirely of recycled stuff. someone told me that Nek Chand, the guy who built it, did it secretly for years, hauling junk in the middle of the night. wild. you can check out more about it here: TripAdvisor - Rock Garden.
my neighbors? if you’re itching for a change of scenery, *mohali and panchkula are practically next door. easy day trips, i guess. i haven’t ventured out yet, too busy trying to find a decent cup of coffee. seriously, the coffee situation here is… challenging. i’m starting to understand why people drink chai.
“Don’t trust the auto drivers near the Sector 17 market. They’ll quote you double the fare, guaranteed.”
that’s what a very stressed-looking woman told me while waiting for a bus. she looked like she’d seen things. i took her advice and downloaded a ride-sharing app. much safer.
and speaking of Sector 17, that’s where i lost my drumsticks. i swear, they just vanished. i was grabbing a bite at this little place - can’t remember the name, but it had amazing parathas - and when i went back to where i left them… poof. gone. i’m blaming the pigeons. they’re everywhere, those little guys.
“The Sukhna Lake is beautiful, but watch out for the monkeys. They’re cheeky little thieves.”
that was some drunk advice i overheard at a roadside stall. apparently, they’ll snatch your snacks right out of your hand. i’ll keep that in mind when i eventually make it to the lake. i’ve been meaning to check it out - it’s supposed to be really peaceful. you can find some reviews on Yelp - Sukhna Lake.
finding decent vegan food has been… an adventure. most places are heavy on the dairy. i did stumble upon this little cafe, though, called “Green Revolution” - pretty good smoothies and salads. Local Chandigarh Food Board has a decent review.
overall? chandigarh is… unexpected. it’s not the chaotic, overwhelming India i was expecting. it’s more… organized. almost too organized. but there’s a certain charm to it, a quietness that’s kind of refreshing. i’m still missing my drumsticks, though. and desperately craving a decent espresso. maybe i’ll start a busking gig just to fund my caffeine habit.
if you're looking for a place to stay, I heard that Hotel Mountview* is pretty decent, though a bit pricey. Booking.com - Hotel Mountview has some reviews.
okay, gotta go. the rain’s picking up. and i think i hear a pigeon plotting something…
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