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Writer's picturePreeti Saldanha

Bangalore

Tanya ordered me my favorite breakfast - masala Idli with sambar! It was just as yummy as I remembered it from last time and I polished the full thing!



In the morning we head out to a craft fair hosted by a hundred hands. Large bright fabric was draped over the entrance and each vendor had a tent where they sold their handmade crafts. There were hundreds of tents set up selling everything from clay creations, clothing, artwork, and food. One of the first things Tanya and I could not help noticing was just how many foreigners were at the fair. I don’t think I have seen so many foreigners in one place in India so far! Tanya was doing a bit of Christmas shopping so she looked at various booths and we also tried on clothing at a few booths. I especially loved all of the hand-painted art depicting elephants, peacocks, and bulls.



One bag full of gifts, we set out to my favorite spot - commercial street for lehenga shopping. My eyes dazzled at the sight of all of the shimmery lehengas in the storefront windows and displayed on the pavement. Given that it is also the festive season, each store was showcasing its fanciest outfits! Initially, Tanya and I did some actual shopping at Pantaloons and Westside before we hit the lehenga store. Last time I had come, Tanya had pretended I was getting married so I could try on the exclusive bridal lehenga collection at Koskii! That was definitely one of the most memorable and fun experiences from my time in Bangalore.


This time I was actually looking for a lehenga for a wedding in December but Tanya and I somehow found ourselves in the bridal lehenga section again. My eyes fell out at the sight of those lehengas. They had so much work and were so shimmery I could not take my eyes off of them! I decided I wasn’t going to try any on since I don’t like it when I can’t have what I want. However, Tanya asked to try a beautiful sea foam green lehenga so I gave in as well. The one I tried was a pale green with silver work all over. Getting into the skirt itself was a struggle but the helper held my hand so I could climb into it. The outfit was so breathtaking! I was obsessed! I twirled around and around on the trial platform watching as the skirt twirled with me. The skirt was so heavy and I seriously wondered how the brides move around in them. The manager who was overlooking us at some point asked if the outfit was for the reception or other event so I quickly responded reception. I forgot that I had to play along that I was getting married (again apparently). Tanya came out of her room with her outfit on with a different story as well. I loved trying on the lehengas so much! Now I just need to find a smaller one within my budget next that I can actually wear.



Right across the lehenga shop was the Falooda place that Noel had taken me to called ShreeRaj. In my mind that is still the best falooda I have ever had and it lived up to the hype. The falooda was so good and reminiscent of how my mom used to make it for me.



Tanya is part of a wine club who was hosting a Diwali wine party in the afternoon so we headed home to change outfits and purchase a bottle of wine for the occasion. I was not sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised to find the party started at 4:30pm. A darty if you ask me.


The party was held at one of the wine club member’s houses nearby and as soon as we walked in someone was recording our entrance walk for a reel. There was a lovely display of snacks from pani puri to samosas and chips set up and of course wine! Everyone was requested to bring a bottle so there was plenty to go around. Most people were seated in the living rooms in a circle and we went around introducing ourselves. The place was very modern with high vaulted ceilings and a lovely little patio in the back that was full of green foliage.



This was Tanya's third wine club event so she recognised a few faces but for the most part we were there to meet new people. A lot of the members were on the older side so I was feeling like the real baby of the group. At some point a very smiley guy entered who seemed like the life of the party. Everyone knew him and was chatting with him so I ventured to introduce myself. It went very badly because he didn't understand my accent and asked me to speak in a normal accent. I tried again and told him to guess where I was from instead. I chatted with him for some time to learn that he worked in investment banking at HSBC and had been living in Bangalore for the last four years. Tanya then rejoined me and we all chatted for a bit until games began.



The first game we played each person placed a card on their head seated in a circle and had to guess what was on it. It was great fun but also a game of luck. Wine went around as bottle after bottle was opened for tasting. I don't even remember how many different wines I tried. At one point I remember the host saying the party had to wind down but then also giving us 3 more wines to try subsequently. The wine was definitely getting to me and I told Tanya I wanted to go out dancing. We both agreed it was too early to go home so we got a group together to go out with.


We ended up walking to Night Owl Sky Lounge for a light dinner. Krunal sat right next to me so I chatted him up for the rest of the evening mainly making jokes and roasting him. He was very charming and so cute when he smiled! At some point in the night we exchanged instas and you already know we were messaging each other after. Even more exciting, he will be in Mumbai next week so I could see him again! Night Owl Sky was a good hangout spot. No one ordered any drinks because we had all had too much wine so we just munched on some vegetarian pizza before we bade goodbye to one another! It was such a fun night out for me and I thoroughly enjoyed myself! Aunty P is living her best life!









































































































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