an eye opener.

i think my feet grew two sizes yesterday. when i crinkle my toes, it feels like all the blood in my feet is going to burst out of my the enormous blisters have formed on my heels. that being said, my first day exploring bangalore was a success.

after a late night reading, it felt good to sleep in and wake without an alarm. after breakfast and a quick shower, i rushed to safina plaza to meet Annabell for the first time. from safina plaza, we roamed commercial street and admired textiles and trinkets.

and i made my first purchase in India:

after commercial street we went to malleshwaram, the oldest part of bangalore. i was on sensory overload with the noise of the city streets buzzing in my head, the taste of fresh, creamy coconut on my tounge, the smell of jasmine and sandalwood hitting my nose, and the picturesque scenes that were transpiring before my eyes. i was enchanted.

the city has such a vibrant culture. At about 5:30, Feline had us over for a little dinner party. I was able to meet some new friends, Olaia, As'il, and Shruti. it was almost surreal. here i was, in a new country, laughing with my new girlfriends, listening to unfamiliar music and fanning myself from the mosquitos and heat. it felt so European...although, perhaps that was because i was the only American.

after dinner, we went to get a drink. mind you, i hadn't been home since 10:30 in the morning. i was a little wary, as all the girls were dressed up, but though...ah, what the hell...i could use another drink, and i liked their high-energy company. what i didn't realize, that "going to get a drink" meant going to a vegas-style club.

now, let me just take a moment to remind you...all day, i'd been shopping for little goodies, walking in "old town" bangalore and sweating my ass off. as we pulled up to the five star hotel and waited in line behind a girl with the tightest mini-skirt i've seen since college days, i realized how underdressed and out-of-place i was. (and how diverse india can be!!)

the club was...well...vegas. bodyguards stamping your hand for admission, flashing lights, cabanas, a lit-up pool, and straight up tits and ass. the only reasons i knew that i was in india were: 1.) the music was hindi-rap, 2.) the men's dance moves were a mix between michael jackson on crack and bollywood, and 3.) the party ended at 11:30. i couldn't help but laugh the entire time. people watching was priceless. in fact, one man (the skinniest Indian i've ever seen-which is really saying something) not only had his friends throw him up in the air, but shook his non-existent hips and karate kicked his way onto the dance floor!

the whole night was so entertaining and it was so nice to be with such incredible ladies, but i was exhausted by the end, and so happy to lay my head on my pillow at 12:00 sharp.

and that was my first day exploring bangalore!

peace, love, throbbing feet.