January set the tone for the year. A lot of travel, meeting people I had been missing, and some firsts. Here’s how it went.
Outing with friends
We kind of do a little outing nearby our city once a year or so. This year on 4th of January we did a little outing to a place near Moinabad, Hyderabad. We booked an Airbnb for a night for 8-10 people. We rode our bikes, stayed there with friends, cooked and had a good time overall. It feels good just to be there with friends.
Bangalore Trip
Time flies, and it’s been many years since I’ve met my very close college juniors which I see as my younger brothers. They live in Bengaluru. I had been wanting to meet them for a while, and when I saw a holiday coming up around Jan 14-15, I just decided to go. Booked an overnight bus and went. Sometimes you just have to do it, otherwise it keeps getting delayed.
I stayed with one of my other friends in BLR, in Hebbal. Hebbal is a little on the outskirts from actual Bangalore. But I kind of liked the place. It had a calm vibe to it compared to the main city areas.
Day 1 - 14th January
I Went to the Koramangala area to meet them at a place called Bamey’s Restro Cafe. Then we went to [Dyu Art Cafe]. Both were good. We spent some time talking about how we all have been doing. Looking back at all our memories, how we were in college, how their life is going on etc. It’s funny how when you sit with people you’re close to, it feels like nothing has changed even though years have passed.
It was already late around 9:30 so we headed back and planned on meeting the next day.
I went back to Hebbal, and we roamed around the area late at night and explored all the places.
Day 2 - 15th January
Went to Glen’s Bakehouse Sahakarnagar to have breakfast. Then explored Phoenix Mall of Asia in Hebbal. Later after taking rest, around late evening, I went to Kalyan Nagar area. There I again met with my brothers, we roamed around the street, we had dinner at Karim’s Kalyan Nagar. The food was good but my brothers told me that it’s on the expensive side.
Day 3 - 16th January (Last Day)
In the morning I went to Ramamurthi Nagar, where one of my brothers was staying. We had breakfast and spent the whole day in the room talking. We had biryani from Meghna Biryani, which they said was pretty famous in BLR.
Later in the afternoon, I said goodbye to them till I come next or see them again. I plan to come to BLR again after months or so. I want to keep in touch with them. These little things matter to me.
I then went alone to explore Cubbon Park. I roamed around the place and I kind of liked it. It was not that crowded and it was good. I wanted to see the Cherry Blossom trees but I guess I was too early, I think it comes in February. But again I kind of like sometimes being alone and exploring, thinking. Later in the evening I had snacks at Beijing Bites. My friend then dropped me at the bus pickup location.
It was a short trip, but it was refreshing for me. I have been staying in Hyderabad from mid 2019, and coming to Bengaluru was very refreshing. I mean the traffic was worse there but overall experience I would say was good, lively compared to Hyderabad. I visited BLR back in 2018 I guess, but I don’t remember much from that time. I am thinking of meeting my friends and reconnecting with them in person more this year. So let’s see.
Abish Mathew & Birthday
Coming back to Hyderabad, on January 18th I had a comedy show to attend of Abish Mathew. The show was good.
Then I had my normal birthday celebration on 23rd of Jan. I took a day off that day from work, because I had plans to go to Mumbai.
Mumbai & Lollapalooza
Day 1 - 24th January
I reached Mumbai via bus on 24th of Jan in the morning. Our stay was in Colaba. This was my first time visiting the other side of Mumbai. I had been to Mumbai before but never to this side, and it felt like a completely different city. The place was lovely and Colaba street exploration was very good to see. I got to see the Gateway of India, Taj Hotel etc.
We had breakfast in Cafe Mondegar, Colaba. Then visited Araku Coffee, Colaba, just to have a nice coffee. Then explored a lot around and went to Kitab Khana. Came back to the stay and took rest till evening.
Around 5 PM, went to Mahalaxmi Race Course where Lollapalooza music festival was going on. I had the ticket for normal pass for 2 days. The first day was good, a lot of artists came. It was a decent experience for Day 1. Playboi Carti came on the first day.
Day 2 - 25th January
Started the day with the Marine Drive area, stayed there for quite a while. Just sitting there looking at the sea in the morning, it was peaceful. We had checkout from the hotel and second day stay was in Bloom, Andheri East. It was a little far.
We then set out to go to Lolla later in the evening. This day Linkin Park was gonna come. We had found a decent spot to see them. Seeing them live was something. Like you grow up listening to their songs and then you’re actually standing there watching them perform. We enjoyed Day 2, clicked a lot of pictures and came back with memories.
I would say the Lolla experience was decent. Like I did not know a lot of artists but it would have been more fun if I would have known. If I go again, I’ll make sure to listen to the lineup beforehand.
Day 3 - 26th January
We were gonna come back to Hyderabad. The bus was in the evening. So we checked out from hotel around 11 AM and explored malls and places.
Looking back, a good start to the year.