Bangalore: Food Edition

Tonight we went to a spot called Rahhams about a 15 minute walk from where we are staying. First we stopped at a place called Kebab Manor, but there were no kebabs on sticks like I was hoping for and having my mind really set, the group felt it was necessary to continue walking until we found kebabs on sticks. I could not ask for a more supportive team :) Anywho, we ended up at Rahham's where there were beautiful kebabs hanging in the window! We ate kasturi kebab, kebab sholi and some chicken spring rolls with a phenomenal sauce. We also had a bottle of water that had a questionable cap. Fortunately, we had our camp mama, Rochelle, grill the waiters to make sure it was actually a sealed bottle. The bottle also advertised 300% more oxygen, so it could either make us very sick or increase our breathing capacity three-fold! And of course we ended the night with some form of ice cream--this time gelato. Fer Rocher to be exact. It tasted just like Nutella. Deeelightful!! Fun fact learned at the gelato spot: gelato was first invented in the north of Italy, close to the Dolomites. Folks would pack snow in their basements and then use it to make gelato to sell to tourists and visitors in the summertime.

So here's to food, our favorite hobby, and the wonderful people I get to share this hobby with. Thanks to India for all the intense flavors that make eating so fun and adventurous. And thanks to Ferrero Rocher and Nutella for existing!

Beauty in Bangalore!

After a wonderfully successful visit to Camp Rainbow Chennai, filled with innovative ideas for camp, some serious(ly fun) documentation sessions and only one trip to Bella Ciao--home of questionable beverages that has quickly become infamous for our SeriousFun team....anyway, after all of this magic, we are now in Bangalore. It's a very pleasant city, a bit calmer than Chennai (I know what you're thinking; wait until you go to Bombay). Just yesterday we met the team here for the first time and we are quickly seeing the incredible potential of this leadership team and this new partnership. There is a lot to be excited about--I just need to remember to soak up the whole process and journey along the way :)

We have tried some new foods on this trip including a baby corn dish, garlic chicken, ragi dosa, sev puri, and kesari bhat. While in Chennai though, we went to some of our favorite spots: Azurri Bay for Thai, Rochelle's for an amazing home-cooked meal, and Drizzle...with a stop at Baskin Robbins on the way home.

This trip in Bangalore has already been filled with Rochelle's happy giggles, Becs' enthusiasm for everything including early morning workouts, and of course Tim's witticisms. I am very much looking forward to being back in a short 5 weeks!

Touched down in Chennai

We landed around 8:30 and arrived at the guesthouse a bit after 9:30. I was greeted by a bird pooping on my head, which raised the question, is that really good luck? Whether it is or not, it smelled horrible. It also added to the long list of reasons why I needed to shower ASAP! The guesthouse got many upgrades from last year including new AC units, which was beyond exciting. However, the temperature here is pretty perfect and there was even a cool breeze.

Welp, here goes an attempt at getting some good zzz's. Tomorrow morning we'll try to motivate to do a workout of some sorts, get some groceries at the grocer on the corner and then head over to meet with our partners!! We'll also welcome Becs to Chennai when she gets in tomorrow night :)

Hello Tomorrow!

So here we are in 2014 and here I am back at Dubai International Airport. Leaving New York, we were a little delayed because of the 3-4 inches of snow dumped during the morning hours, however it worked out in our favor because it meant a shorter layover in Dubai (4 hrs versus 6). There's definitely some déjà vu as Tim and I had the same breakfast sandwiches in the airport pub at JFK, flew the same route and will be on the ground in India again--same and yet better. We're all another year wiser, more creative and more experienced. And as the whipped cream and cherry on top, we get to share this year with GPP's newest fellow, Becs, and help launch a new program in Bangalore!

Hello Tomorrow is Emirates slogan which I've been visually bombarded with this morning. It is also a perfect phrase to capture my excitement for what is ahead in this year! Next post, we will be in Chennai :)