Most of you do not know but this is the World Cup of Cricket (not the cheesy US phone service), like the World Cup of soccer. Additionally, cricket is “the” sport in India, much like American football is to Americans, or for some you NASCAR. The first rounds are round robin and the top 4 teams in group A play the top 4 teams in group B in single elimination. For those you still really care, they are playing one day matches meaning each team bats for 50 overs and will try to score the most runs before getting out or run out of overs. When I was staying in Australia in 1993 I got to know and enjoy cricket while watching the Ashes. If you are still really confused or care look it up on wiki.
Enough about how to play cricket because most American either don’t care or find this sport strange. India, along with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the hosts of the World Cup. Pakistan was picked to be a host, but with a few issues regarding security no games are being played in Pakistan.
On Thursday, Australia, ranked number one in the world was playing India, ranked number two in a quarter final match. We were able to watch the first inning, Australian batting, in Bangalore before we left to come back to Delhi. On the plane ride we were getting 15 minute updates, it was very close. When we arrived in Delhi and went to get our baggage and found everyone, pilots, flight attendants, baggage people, and passenger were stopped watching the two TV screens in the baggage collection area. The airport was in a virtual shutdown. India won with only a few overs left, people were cheering in the airport. When we went outside to get a cab one of people in the control tower launched a firework from the top of the control tower, it was wild.
On March 30, in the next round India plays Pakistan, with the winner playing in the finals. There is no love lost between India and Pakistan, they have been rivals since 1947 when they broke up India into two, creating Pakistan, mainly Muslim and India, mainly Hindi. Of course there are many Muslims living in India too. So this match has a much bigger outcome than who goes to the Cricket World Cup final, it is major national pride.
Bangalore
Enough about cricket, let’s talk about travel. This week we went to Bangalore, a great city in the far south of India, like an Austin Texas. The food in southern India is so different the wonderful food I have been eating in north India.
We spent three days with Hanumant’s cousin and his family. Bangalore is the tech capital in India, most tech companies have their Indian headquarters in Bangalore. Downtown is a great vibrant place to hang out and drink, which of course we did. Bangalore also has a great new airport, but it’s a long way from the city and the train does not yet go to the airport.
Hanumant’s cousin works at Raymond, a large India based company that makes high end business clothes for the Indian market as well as being OEM for other worldwide companies. They also have a denim factory where they make the jeans for companies such as Levi’s and Tommy H. We got a tour of the business clothing and denim factories and watched how a high end suit coat goes from fabric to final suit jacket and pants, it was really cool. Hanumant picked up a couple of jackets and pants, I got a pair of jeans.
Food and Parties
I want to talk about eating in India, first the food is outstanding, and eating really good Indian food for all meals is really cool. I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat it again in the US. But when they eat is a bit more challenging. Breakfast is usually around 8 and it includes the Hanumant special, boiled eggs, toast, juice and tea. Lunch is around 2-3pm and dinner rarely starts before 9pm, most likely 10pm. My body has been adjusting to the new eating times.
Many of Hanumant’s friend and school mates live in Delhi, most nights we are out with these friends. It starts with drinks at someone’s house, then out for dinner and more drinks, and then drinks after dinner. I’m sure you’re seeing the trend here, late nights and lots of drinks.
Adventure Travel
My friend Donovan who runs Embark Adventures in Portland provides adventure travel around the world. India appears to be an up and coming adventure location. Imagine rafting a few days down the upper Ganges river, trekking in the Himalayan mountains of Ladakh, and topping it off with cultural tour of Delhi, Taj Majal, and Rajasthan.
I’m booking my flights to Ladkah this week, may have to adjust depending on the cricket schedule.
Enough about how to play cricket because most American either don’t care or find this sport strange. India, along with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the hosts of the World Cup. Pakistan was picked to be a host, but with a few issues regarding security no games are being played in Pakistan.
On Thursday, Australia, ranked number one in the world was playing India, ranked number two in a quarter final match. We were able to watch the first inning, Australian batting, in Bangalore before we left to come back to Delhi. On the plane ride we were getting 15 minute updates, it was very close. When we arrived in Delhi and went to get our baggage and found everyone, pilots, flight attendants, baggage people, and passenger were stopped watching the two TV screens in the baggage collection area. The airport was in a virtual shutdown. India won with only a few overs left, people were cheering in the airport. When we went outside to get a cab one of people in the control tower launched a firework from the top of the control tower, it was wild.
On March 30, in the next round India plays Pakistan, with the winner playing in the finals. There is no love lost between India and Pakistan, they have been rivals since 1947 when they broke up India into two, creating Pakistan, mainly Muslim and India, mainly Hindi. Of course there are many Muslims living in India too. So this match has a much bigger outcome than who goes to the Cricket World Cup final, it is major national pride.
Bangalore
Enough about cricket, let’s talk about travel. This week we went to Bangalore, a great city in the far south of India, like an Austin Texas. The food in southern India is so different the wonderful food I have been eating in north India.
We spent three days with Hanumant’s cousin and his family. Bangalore is the tech capital in India, most tech companies have their Indian headquarters in Bangalore. Downtown is a great vibrant place to hang out and drink, which of course we did. Bangalore also has a great new airport, but it’s a long way from the city and the train does not yet go to the airport.
Hanumant’s cousin works at Raymond, a large India based company that makes high end business clothes for the Indian market as well as being OEM for other worldwide companies. They also have a denim factory where they make the jeans for companies such as Levi’s and Tommy H. We got a tour of the business clothing and denim factories and watched how a high end suit coat goes from fabric to final suit jacket and pants, it was really cool. Hanumant picked up a couple of jackets and pants, I got a pair of jeans.
We toured around Bangalore and saw many great places, one that stands out the most is the 11pm ice cream run we had to do. Fresh coconut ice cream fricking rules. The drive there was a bit scary since we had only 15 mins before it closed and it was a 25 minute drive.
Our last meal in Bangalore was wonderful, authentic southern Indian food at its best washed down with an icy cold Kingfisher.
I want to talk about eating in India, first the food is outstanding, and eating really good Indian food for all meals is really cool. I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat it again in the US. But when they eat is a bit more challenging. Breakfast is usually around 8 and it includes the Hanumant special, boiled eggs, toast, juice and tea. Lunch is around 2-3pm and dinner rarely starts before 9pm, most likely 10pm. My body has been adjusting to the new eating times.
Many of Hanumant’s friend and school mates live in Delhi, most nights we are out with these friends. It starts with drinks at someone’s house, then out for dinner and more drinks, and then drinks after dinner. I’m sure you’re seeing the trend here, late nights and lots of drinks.
Adventure Travel
My friend Donovan who runs Embark Adventures in Portland provides adventure travel around the world. India appears to be an up and coming adventure location. Imagine rafting a few days down the upper Ganges river, trekking in the Himalayan mountains of Ladakh, and topping it off with cultural tour of Delhi, Taj Majal, and Rajasthan.
I’m booking my flights to Ladkah this week, may have to adjust depending on the cricket schedule.
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