A Welcome to Bangalore

An exciting short stay in Bangalore

A welcome to Bangalore!

On our way back from the south, Mandy and I decided to break our journey in Bangalore, one of the largest cities of India. All seemed normal as we joined the other passengers heading for the station exit. The large station had a smart façade, but as we stepped outside we were flabbergasted at what we were faced with.

 

At the foot of a wide flight of perhaps half a dozen  steps a large squad of what looked like police or soldiers with rifles slung over their shoulders were formed up in a line to block access to the station. Beyond the police a large crowd was gathered and then beyond the crowd were several columns of parked buses. What was most disconcerting was the rather eerie silence - it felt like the calm before the storm! What should we do? We considered heading back into the station and waiting for the next train. Perhaps it was bravado but I reassured Mandy that it would be fine to leave the station and find a hotel - any trouble would soon quieten down.

Heavily laden with a large rucksack each and a shared suitcase, we passed tentatively through the police lines and entered the crowd a few yards beyond. As is always the case in India a young lad appeared at our side and asked if we needed a hotel.

 ‘Very nice hotel, Sir and Madam, very excellent price.’ He pointed to the five or six story modern hotel at the far side of the square. ‘The Bangalore Grand.’ We didn’t want to waste time haggling and the price seemed fair. ‘Fine, you take us.’ Just then a shot rang out. The lad quickly took our case and shouted, ‘run as fast as you can!’ There was general panic and the crowd scattered. Hearts pounding, we followed him at top speed through the melee.

When we reached the hotel we were rushed in through the front door which was immediately locked. Without the usual paperwork the manager directed us up to a room on the top floor. Guided by a porter we hurried up the stairs and we shocked to hear the sound of the windows being broken from the outside. The crowd must be throwing rocks at the hotel perhaps thinking it was on the side of authority. We had just got into our room and sat down to regain our breath when there were more shots and tear gas started drifting in from the balcony. The demonstrators must have gathered round the hotel and the police were trying to clear them. Spluttering and eyes stinging we took shelter in the bathroom. After a while we were relieved to hear the commotion subsiding and we tentatively came out to the balcony to survey the scene. By now the crowd had scattered and were nowhere to be seen.

After a few hours had passed we ventured down to the desk and asked the manager if it would be safe to go out.

‘It will be fine now, Sir and Madam. The trouble is over now.’

‘What was it all about?’ I asked.

The manager laughed. ‘Nothing unusual - the bus drivers have gone on strike for higher wages. They will settle for a small increase and it will be over - till next time!’

Feeling reassured, Mandy and I strolled into the town to find a restaurant. Somehow we couldn’t help looking over our shoulders! Feeling a bit more relaxed now we were able to laugh as we looked back at our exciting day in disbelief.

 

 

 

Reviews

[Neville]

Having been to India twice and fallen in love with her, we are planning to do the Golden Triangle next year.. Thank you for posting these amazing recollections you have Alan, you just reminded me that anything can happen there and to always expect the unexpected, because very often, it does.... All Good Things mate.... Neville

[alanwgraham]

That's great Neville - thanks. You must be looking forward to your trip. We have focused on visiting Sri Lanka which is a beautiful and varied island without all the hassle of India.
Cheers,
Alan

[Neville]

Hi Alan.. we went to Sri Lanka in 2000 just before the Tsunami hit... our amazing trip was marred when Bentota and the surrounding area was wiped out.. we lost several friends there and have never been back.. Tis indeed a most amazing island, you will undoubtedly love it.. Take care my good friend ... Neville

[alanwgraham]

What an awful experience Neville. Our daughter had arranged to do voluntary work in SL which turned out to be two weeks after the tsunami. She worked with victims and also at an orphanage. Since then back every year for a few months. Mandy and I have had three visits together and Mandy two more. Love to go back but feel guilty about long haul. If you ever have time one of my first stories on WC about the tsunami called Serendib - the land of jewels.
All the best.
Alan

[Neville]

Thanks for that Alan.. I keep meaning to write/record the wonderful relationship we established with Head Chef Endrasingh who loved to spoil my daughter every day we dined at the Bentota Beach complex... An amazing guy who's fish curry was second to none and whom I vow will never be forgot... I shall go find 'The Land of Jewels' but think I have read and enjoyed before... AGT's Neville

[barleygirl]

This is one of your best travel stories, very tightly written, getting to the point & then with the somewhat funny or flabbergasting ending not over-explained, just thrown out for the reader to interpret (which I like). As I was reading this, it hit me -- no wonder the rest of the world doesn't think it hair-raising that we in the USA live with a constant threat of gun violence & mass shooting. What goes on here is small potatoes compared to the rest of the world, I guess! *wink! wink!* Great share! Nice irony! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Betty Hermelee]

Alan; I can totally relate to this story; been to India 3 times, the last time to the South; There is always something happening there: riots, protests, strikes, avalanches, etc. Your experience in this piece is "perfect" and written well; thanks for sharing!!!

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for reading this Betty. That was a while ago. Now we prefer the safe life. It's fun looking back but now we have to worry about our daughter on a three month will cycle from France to Morroco and back. That is a story!

[alanwgraham]

Sorry Betty, will should read solo.

[Rana]

Quite a thriller and suspenseful until the end. It was dreamlike in a way, events seeming unexplainable and when they were explained, they don't match the expectation but yet satisfy, as if it all makes sense in one world but would not make sense in another. Brings a laugh of relief and keeps in pace with the reader's awareness. A short neatly narrated true story.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Rana. Perhaps I shouldn't have ticked the story box here as it is all what happened. Maybe truth is stranger than fiction! I'm aware that for many these experiences don't have a happy ending.
All the best.
Alan

[Rana]

The happy ending was expected but this wasn't- the cause of the warlike atmosphere was a matter as harmless as a wage issue. In that, truth does seem stranger than fiction. Thanks Alan, and all the best too x

[Chris Shaw]

What a welcome. What an experience to go through. A really scary display over something which seemed quite trivial in comparison. Shots fired and tear gas because the bus drivers were striking for higher wages. It passed quickly and the strange thing is, it seemed to be an almost every day occurrence. Great read Alan. You kept the excitement going throughout. We have our own problems with safety over here, but it pales with this type of incident.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Chris. I probably would have forgotton completely about our overnight In Bangalore without that fun. An Indian who reviewed this said it was just everyday life. We can be very sheltered from the real world. Thanks for reading. An argument for all inclusive - or not?
All the best.
All the best.

[Lorry]

I can't help be reinded of a very old Billy Connolly sketch after reading some of your tales Alan. I think his punchline could be used to describe your travels.
Long story short, old couple on a bench reminiscing. He says to his wife how she has been with him every step of the way through his life... First world war, recession, depression, plagues and pestilence, second world war, unemployment and old age. After rattling through the list, he looks at her and says "And you know something Agnes? You're a bloody jinx. 😀
As your tale shows so well, its also when things go wrong that end up making the best memories.

[alanwgraham]

Nice story lorry and more than a touch of truth. There's something a bit funny been going on with reviews. Maybe my fault but I'm usually ok at chasing up notifications. This was quite a memorable stopover but my wife doesn't remember much. I'm very aware that many poor folk face much worse than this everyday.
Enjoy the break and well see what the new year brings.
Cheers.
Alan

[ukko]

You are telling what happened when you were visiting that city in India, a par of Indian living ordinary life in India

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Ukko for reading this. VIsiting a foreign country always brings new experiences. This was quite memorable but for most of trip we were sharing in the day to day ordinary lives of the Indian people we met. We were lucky to spent some time in the home of an Indian family in Delhi and we learned a lot.
Regards.
Alan

[Ken Simm.]

Exciting story written well with all the hallmarks of experience.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Ken. I shouldn't have called this a story - it's an accurate account of what happened.
Cheers,
Alan

[Ken Simm.]

THought it was.