Day 3
Monday morning had us having a typical South Indian breakfast of dosa, idli and sambar at the canteen. While R and M happily enjoy long forgotten treats, S politely refuses to try anything ("No, 'sank you").
We decided today was a good day to go into Bangalore proper, and took the 11:30am shuttle to IISc. From there we hired an auto to take us to MG Road. I was more nervous than I ever remember being in an auto rickshaw, but maybe that was because I had S on my lap and felt like I had to hold on to him for dear life! I insisted we use pedestrian crossings and wait until we had the right of way - my, how I have changed! Taking care of 3 in this crazy city is a whole new ball game. The first thing I noticed was the new metro station "Mahatma Gandhi" that was just underway when we left in 2007.We went to Blossoms on Church Street, our old used book store. I could have spent hours in there. I DID spend hours in there! R and M got some Tinkles (a favourite Indian comic), some chapter books, while S got some picture books (Transformers, Clifford, and Charlie and Lola) and a Mickey Mouse numbers activity book (wanted to start it right away; he is already on page 4). I got a vegetarian cookbook and some stories to read to the kids, and I think Gagan just browsed. We were all starving, and some light rain had started, so we popped into next door to Kathi Zone for Indian wraps for a late lunch. Then we hobbled along MG and Brigade looking for an electronic thing Gagan needs, unsuccessfully, and finished with some ice cream. We had some trouble securing an auto back to IISc for the 5pm shuttle, but finally someone agreed to take us for Rs.35 more than what it should cost, and we had no time to bargain. We got caught in the rain en route, and I whipped out those parkas I packed that Auntie Marilyn had given to me ages ago. Thank you, Auntie M! It was quite a monsoon downpour, but we managed to only get a little wet (Gagan a lot), but it did feel much colder than we were prepared for.
