Bangalore Buzz: Humidity, History, and a Whole Lotta Chai
okay, so. bangalore. i’m still peeling the city off my skin, honestly. it’s…sticky. like, permanently. i just checked and it's hovering around twenty-eight degrees, feels like thirty, and the humidity is clinging to everything like a lovesick koala. you’ve been warned.
I’m a touring session drummer, which means my life is a constant blur of airports and questionable hotel breakfasts. This gig landed me in Bangalore for a few weeks with a band called 'Static Bloom' - super weird name, surprisingly good music. We’re playing at this place called The Humming Tree, apparently it’s a big deal. Check it out on TripAdvisor if you’re into that sort of thing: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g319723-d1638883-Reviews-The_Humming_Tree-Bangalore_Karnataka.html.
But enough about the music. Let’s talk about the vibe. It’s…intense. Like, a beautiful, chaotic, sensory overload kind of intense. The traffic is something else. Seriously, you need a PhD in aggressive maneuvering to navigate those roads. I nearly got run over by a scooter carrying a stack of coconuts. Twice.
I’ve been trying to soak up as much of the culture as possible between rehearsals. Spent a morning wandering around the Bangalore Palace. It’s surprisingly…underwhelming, to be honest. Pretty architecture, sure, but it felt a little sterile. Someone told me that the royal family still lives there, and that they’re notoriously private. Apparently, if you try to take photos of the windows, you’ll get a very stern look from a security guard. Drunk advice, probably, but I’m taking it as gospel.
Then there’s the food. Oh, the food. I’ve been living on chai and dosas. Seriously, I think I’m 50% dosa at this point. Found this amazing little place near my hotel - it’s called MTR, and it’s apparently a Bangalore institution. Yelp reviews are insane: https://www.yelp.com/biz/m-tr-bangalore. Be prepared to queue. It’s worth it. Trust me.
I’ve been trying to find some decent vintage shops, but it’s proving tricky. Most of the markets are just…stuff. Lots of cheap clothes and plastic junk. I did stumble across this tiny little store in Koramangala that had a few interesting pieces, but the owner was a bit… intense. He kept trying to convince me that a sequined Nehru jacket would “bring out my inner maharaja.” I politely declined. I’m more of a “slightly rumpled drummer” kind of guy.
I overheard some gossip at a coffee shop (because, of course, there are coffee shops everywhere). Apparently, there’s a really cool street art scene developing in Indiranagar. I need to check that out. I’m always looking for inspiration, you know? Even if it’s just a mural of a giant dosa.
If you get bored, Mysore and Chennai are just a short drive away. I’m thinking of taking a weekend trip to Mysore to see the palace there. Heard it’s way more impressive than the one in Bangalore. I’m also looking into some local drumming workshops - gotta keep those chops sharp, right? Check out this local music board for events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bangaloremusiccommunity/.
Someone a local warned me about the auto-rickshaw drivers. Apparently, they’re notorious for overcharging tourists. Always negotiate the price before you get in. Seriously. Don’t be a sucker like I was. I paid like, three times the going rate to get to The Humming Tree the other day. Lesson learned.
Honestly, Bangalore is a bit of a mess. But it’s my mess right now. And I’m kind of digging it. Just…bring a towel. And maybe a dehumidifier.
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