Hi Everyone,
I just returned from a conference on "The Chemistry and Physics of Materials" in Bangalore India. Although I am very thankful for this opportunity, I am glad to be back in the states. The whole experience can be summed up in two words : interesting and overwhelming. Bangalore is in southern India and is known as the "Silicon Valley of India". In other words, when you call your respective computer company with technical questions, you are most likely talking to someone in Bangalore.
Bangalore is a very interesting place. Our accommodations were on the campus of one University and the conference was at a different one. Each campus reminded me of a tropical paradise - they were green, beautiful, and clean. The city however, was almost the complete opposite. The poverty that I saw in both the city and the country side is worse than anything I imagined. Its quite sad really and it tears my heart out that I couldn't help them. It has been very difficult to come back to my cushy privileged life here in the US after seeing the way that some people live in India.
The experience made me thankful that I live in the United States. It didn't appear as though there was a garbage system and it was very dirty and polluted in many places. However, the food was amazing and I was amazed at how friendly (most) of the people were. Our hosts were very gracious and welcoming. I will be forever touched by the kindness of many of the people I encountered on the trip. The trip was absolutely amazing! I am so thankful I had the opportunity to visit!!!!!!!
Now for some pictures:
Here are a few pictures I took on campus (it was a beautiful place!!!!!) :
Pictures from our guided tour to Hindu holy sites and temples:
(we had to walk up all the stairs shown below without our shoes on, there were 600 something steps)
Side note : below is the image of a man and a liger, no joke, a liger.
Bangalore:
There were ferrel dogs everywhere. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of a wild cow, but those were all over the place too.
Shops in a small village - what most villages in the country side looked like:
Just for fun:
Kellie with a "Thumbs up" - the Indian pop made by Pepsi
Below is our daily mode of transportation when going into the city to shop, eat, etc. The drivers were constantly trying to rip us off because we were Americans. I must say however, that rickshaw drivers are very talented and kept us alive on the crazy streets of Bangalore.
HUGE masala dosi from Woody's - a very good restaurant on Commercial Street.
oops . . .
So is everything 39 rupees in this store?
So that's that. Like I said, it was a great trip!!!!!!! I have a lot more photos so if there are requests, I will post more. Until then, Happy Holidays! Andy and I are heading to Knoxville on Friday and will be down in the warmth for about a week! Talk to you soon!!!!
