Heading back after a hectic trip
As I wait in the Hong Kong International Airport where it is raining hard outside, I realize it has been 3 weeks since I sat down peacefully for a few minutes like this. Indeed, it has been a very hectic 3 weeks in Bengaluru. The trip was a sudden one as I had be there at short notice to be with my mother as she underwent a major surgery. Thankfully, that has gone well and though I cannot afford to stay on till she has completely recovered (which will probably take a month or two), I am glad I was able to give her my undivided attention and care for the last 3 weeks and see her through this time.
Overall, the experience in the hospital was very good. The medical staff (doctors & nurses) were extremely warm and helpful. The facilities provided really made the overall experience as painless as possible. On the administrative side, there were several inefficiencies. That coupled with a lack of basic civic sense from patient parties made it quite an energy sapping & time consuming experience in spite of the fact that the staff was very patient & trying to be helpful.
On another note, as it has been more than 2 years since I last visited Bengaluru, there were several things that have changed with the city and several others which I'd hoped would have changed with all the development but haven't that immediately caught my attention. On the positive side, the new international airport is a great relief from the previous one. I hear the bus connectivity has gone up several notches which is very good. The traffic isn't as bad as what I had heard about (I did travel around in a two wheeler at peak hours from Jayanagar to Indiranagar). On the flip side, though several new good roads have been added, the overall state of roads is still not great and is in fact abysmal in areas around the "Namma Metro" project. One thing I was amazed at is how consistently potholes have been 'maintained' in addition to new ones appearing on existing roads. Another thing that stood out very starkly is how there are 2-4 people for a job that requires just one - complete overkill of cheap manual labour. Overall, Bengaluru left me with a feeling of disappointment at how attractive things like malls have been lapped up & emulated in a grand scale but basic things like roads & parking have been completely neglected.
Anyways, for now, I look forward to being back to my home and relaxing for a day before the whirlwind of work takes over on Tuesday.
Overall, the experience in the hospital was very good. The medical staff (doctors & nurses) were extremely warm and helpful. The facilities provided really made the overall experience as painless as possible. On the administrative side, there were several inefficiencies. That coupled with a lack of basic civic sense from patient parties made it quite an energy sapping & time consuming experience in spite of the fact that the staff was very patient & trying to be helpful.
On another note, as it has been more than 2 years since I last visited Bengaluru, there were several things that have changed with the city and several others which I'd hoped would have changed with all the development but haven't that immediately caught my attention. On the positive side, the new international airport is a great relief from the previous one. I hear the bus connectivity has gone up several notches which is very good. The traffic isn't as bad as what I had heard about (I did travel around in a two wheeler at peak hours from Jayanagar to Indiranagar). On the flip side, though several new good roads have been added, the overall state of roads is still not great and is in fact abysmal in areas around the "Namma Metro" project. One thing I was amazed at is how consistently potholes have been 'maintained' in addition to new ones appearing on existing roads. Another thing that stood out very starkly is how there are 2-4 people for a job that requires just one - complete overkill of cheap manual labour. Overall, Bengaluru left me with a feeling of disappointment at how attractive things like malls have been lapped up & emulated in a grand scale but basic things like roads & parking have been completely neglected.
Anyways, for now, I look forward to being back to my home and relaxing for a day before the whirlwind of work takes over on Tuesday.