Bangalore : Markets and Chocolate for change

“Rickshaw Madam? Where you going Madam?” the question is repeated over and over again, each time I pass another rickshaw, each driver seeming to hope that even though I’ve just said no 5 times I will inexplicably change my mind and give him a fare.

This morning is Sunday morning, market morning and I have a one day stopover in Bangalore waiting for the night bus to Gokarna.

The biggest reason I don’t want a rickshaw right now is I’m enjoying walking through the local Sunday markets. So much colourful fresh produce piled high for sale, so many colourfully dressed women making there purchases for the week ahead. I love the vibrancy and life of the markets.

After a morning of market exploring I finally give into the rickshaw drivers and after the customary haggling over the price I took a ride into MG road, the main shopping area of Bangalore. The contrast is great. MG road full of Levi’s stores, McDonalds and coffee shops. Again I love how modern India has developed, yet the local produce markets remain and thrive in Bangalore, which has to be one of India’s most developed cities.

The other interesting thing about Bangalore has been the chocolate change. It seems, that it’s perfectly acceptable here, when a shop doesn’t have a few rupees change to give you chocolates instead. I now have about 15 rupees worth of chocolate eclairs in change. I wonder if I can actually pay with them?