Hey!

So it's been another busy couple of weeks both in and out of work.

Last weekend Lucy and I decided to go to the cinema. There was a new Bollywood movie out called Tanu Weds Manu, so we called up a couple of Indian friends and asked if they wanted to go. You'd have thought going to the cinema would be relatively straight forward - but like everything here it involved a bit of drama!

We went over to a mall a little way out of town in a very smelly taxi (seriously it stank - from now on I'm getting in rickshaws only, at least they are open air!), and found that the movie was sold out. I called our friends and they said that they'd managed to book some tickets at another cinema. So they picked us up and drove us crazily over to the other mall.

The movie itself was good fun. Although it was in Hindi it was easy to follow (apart from the jokes that will forever remain a mystery!). I think we'll be going to the cinema again!

The next day Lucy and I went on a tour of Bangalore. There isn't much to see here, so it only took a morning!! First we went to the Bull Temple - as the name suggests it's a temple to cows, and in particular it has a big stone cow inside it which is supposed to be growing (a girl a work insists that her grandparents remember it being small). They have actually knocked nails into its head to stop it from growing anymore. At the temple we got blessed (I think!), I certainly drank some very funny tasting water.

After the Bull Temple we went to a Botanical Garden which was very well kept. But like everything was a bit random! Then we went to the palace, which is actually more like an English castle. Except the inside wouldn't meet English Heritage standards! It was good to see though.

Next we went to the cricket ground to pick up some tickets for the India v Ireland game the following week. I had been trying to get tickets for the India v England game since I got here with no success, so had settled for another game. However, once we got to the ground I decided to try my luck (especially as somehow we had ended up in the members offices!!). I think I may actually have winked at the guy when I asked him!! Whatever I did it worked, the next thing we knew we were being led into a room (with security on it) and were told to wait. Five minutes later a man appeared with two tickets! We couldn't believe it! Especially as they were only wanted cost price for them (about £18).

The next day we got down to the ground early and it was buzzing! We were asked for a couple of TV interviews!! Given I know nothing about cricket I doubt the interviews were used, but it was fun. Lucy and I clearly stood out from the crowd, especially with our faces painted with English flags, and created quite a bit of attention.

After lunch we went back to the ground and queued to get in. The queue was massive - it seemed like they had opened one gate for the whole crowd. It was fine one minute, then the next minute people were pushing and rushing - it wasn't nice. Lucy and I stayed in the queue for a while, but it was easy to see how someone could get hurt (if not in the queue itself, but by the police who had big sticks - and had been using them on cricket crowds the previous week). Anyway Lucy and I left the queue and jumped straight to the front. It didn't take long before we were in the ground!

The ground itself wouldn't have made it up to UK standards - for a start the seats were patio seats! However, it was a great game! I really enjoyed it, something I never thought I'd say about cricket. It was helped by the fact that we were sat near some Brummies who explained the rules to us.

This past week has gone by in a bit of a blur. Unfortunately I've had a bit of a dodgy tummy since Wednesday. It's getting better now thought (I went to see a doctor, who gave me a lot of drugs!!).

Today I'm off to the cricket again - the India v Ireland match. After the upset on Wednesday it could be an interesting game, however, I have a feeling India will just whoop their ass!! He he - get me talking about cricket!!

Tuesday is "women's day" at work. Apparently all the ladies have to wear a sari, and then the men vote on who is the best dressed. Mmmm - don't think that would be allowed in the UK!!! However, of course I'll be joining in!! Went to get my sari top fitted yesterday (luckily my cleaner came with me otherwise I don't think I would have gotten it sorted in time). Photos will follow!!

That's all for now.

L x.