We spent a week on health reforms in the State of Karnataka. A whirlwind. Most of the time was in Bangalore, the IT and call center capitol of India, followed by a few days in Mysore, a wonderful old city with tons of character.
BANGALORE:
Bangalore, known as the garden city, has the best year round weather in India. It is in the south at about 3,000 feet above sea level. There were some huge, old banyan trees and green spaces but what struck us most was the construction. There was ongoing construction everywhere - a new subway partially built, high-rises, new highways and bridges etc. It could have been China for all the development that was going on. The traffic was miserable in the city, so we felt a little "Bangalored", but new infrastructure should make an impact over time. Our sightseeing was limited to the hour plus drives on our routes to and from appointments.
MYSORE:
A 3 hour bus ride from Bangalore to Mysore, an ancient city with loads of interest. We visited a public clinic which was staffed by a committed, very over-extended physician. She had clerical support but no nursing staff and no running water despite years of requests. Only emergency deliveries were performed as a result.
We had a couple of days to explore the city on foot and by local bus.
The 1912 replacement of an older Maharaja's Palace which was destroyed by fire. This was built to withstand fire and to dazzle the eye inside.
BANGALORE:
Bangalore, known as the garden city, has the best year round weather in India. It is in the south at about 3,000 feet above sea level. There were some huge, old banyan trees and green spaces but what struck us most was the construction. There was ongoing construction everywhere - a new subway partially built, high-rises, new highways and bridges etc. It could have been China for all the development that was going on. The traffic was miserable in the city, so we felt a little "Bangalored", but new infrastructure should make an impact over time. Our sightseeing was limited to the hour plus drives on our routes to and from appointments.
 |
| An old Maharajas summer palace which is now a funky hotel with very few occupants where we ate and collapsed at the end of each day. |
Anil, Anil, our research assistant who set up and accompanited us on all the appointments and dealt with all the driving logistics. Our hero.
Bangalore is still India so this is in the center city.
MYSORE:
A 3 hour bus ride from Bangalore to Mysore, an ancient city with loads of interest. We visited a public clinic which was staffed by a committed, very over-extended physician. She had clerical support but no nursing staff and no running water despite years of requests. Only emergency deliveries were performed as a result.
An examination room which lacked many essentials.
We had a couple of days to explore the city on foot and by local bus.
 |
| Nandi, Shiva's cow, carved about 500 years ago from a single rock and still venerated. The statue is located about a third of the way down a 1,000 step stairway down a mountain just outside of Mysore. We walked it. Painful. |
 |
| Remarkable colors for applying Hindu facial markings |
One of many stalls in a gigantic covered market -- our favorite market in India -- where you can buy almost anything.
A Maharaja's personal train car - a far cry from the ones we rode in, much less the 3rd class cars that are chock full of people.
The other end of the spectrum at the Railroad Museum
Indians are very entrepreneurial and use free space wherever they can grab it.
Here document preparation is offered.
No comments:
Post a Comment