Cheer me Up with 5 stars

 This day did not start off well. I had goals to accomplish and my mood seemed to have a different plan. I went to the dental office to see if I could have him do a consult. He was very busy and could not see me so I waited way too long for the bus. A man from the street who spoke barely any English was trying to help me find my direction(even though I was on the right side the whole time). I kept telling him “Thank you” I am fine.  

He was genuinely trying to help and it was so nice, but this was just not the area for this… I realized this area looked familiar and it was near my cousins office…I wanted to get out of there asap, but I was apparently waiting for the bus that comes twice an hour. The guy is talking to me about his studies and how his parents dream is for an engineer, but he has always loved Grey’s Anatomy….  

In the meantime, I am thinking about running into my cousin while sitting at the bus stop talking to a stranger ( a big no for them to have conversations with strangers). He finally caught his bus and I caught an Uber out of there heading to Orion mall because I wanted to go to Rajdehani for their Tuesday all you can eat special. This was a throwback restaurant for me to the last time I was in India and it is a bit commercial, but I absolutely love it. “Madam, madam, and more smiles.” I loved it.  

I decided it was time to see a movie- great theater and average movie, but when I am feeling like I just want to be alone my therapy is to go to the mall and watch a movie alone. It usually always does the trick-I guess it just calms me taking myself into the movie and out of my real life, which can be beautiful and also tragic. What is better than a great Bollywood love story, a mystery, or the human shared life experiences that film portrays.  

It feels like I am always doing the entertainment, but I do not get an Oscar or a 3 hour movie with subtitles. It is just short skits that happen throughout the day that make local people laugh, smile, feel joy, feel valued, and seen. Is this important to most Indians? Absolutely not. It is very low on the list as Indians with money do not recognize people are human just like them, but they are cleaning the floors, taking ticket stubs, cleaning the table, or a conductor on a bus. Another topic, post, or even a journal or book on the wide disparity between wealthy Indians and poor Indians.  

Anyways, It seems like I just have everyone laughing all the time-where are the cameras for my comedic behavior? I have thought this for so many years I can’t even tell you-lets just say 10 at a very minimum. But my dream of having my own travel show takes work on learning to edit videos, being super involved in social media, learning SEO, and all the tech stuff that is beyond boring and leaves me unmotivated.  

I got some disappointing news right after the movie so I sat outside by the fountain and the World Trade center….did not know that existed in Bangalore. I saw across the street a Christmas tree and the Sheraton Grand 5 star hotel. This was exactly what I needed ONE glass of wine(which I was slightly tipsy from just one glass yes) and a 5 star atmosphere, beautiful Christmas decorations, a piano player, and nice/friendly male bartender- that just about does it for me. Not to mention the lovely business men having their meetings. The 5 star hotels are the perfect atmosphere when you become old like me and matinee movies by yourself lol.  

Well I was hanging out at 5 star hotels at 25, but that is not the point haha  

Of course, it would not be possible for me to sit in one place and just read a book and not talk to someone. The piano player came to the bar after his set and he was just a lovely boy (alright I officially can be declared as old).  

He started off singing at the Ritz Carlton and now he sings 5 days a week there. He is a teacher by day and a self taught piano player by night. He gives some recommendations on events at other 5 star hotels and I am very interested. We talk about Christmas and New Years and he says that Goa is very overcrowded this time of year and he does not recommend it. He was also Christian and said that Kerala would be a good place for me-I totally agree as I love Kerala soooo much and Goa is very touristic(for locals and foreigners), but they do have some really beautiful traditional celebrations and special churches. Roy (the piano player) and I  exchange numbers and say we will keep in touch, which when you exchange numbers in India-you hear from the people almost all the time for me, which it seems like people have more of a word coming from Orange County California. 

It was time for me to take an E bike home and it was such a beautiful night-the weather at night is a bit cold, but just requires a lightweight jacket and you’re good….The moon was bright, the sky was blue, and I was ready to start packing up and head to sleep. 

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