Coffee House and More

 Recently visited Indian Coffee House and was reminded of times we used to go there in student days, because it was what we could afford. Still looks pretty similar, though it has moved one street away, from M.G. Road to Church Street. Ideal to while away some time chatting, without yuppies on their laptops (if you want those, go to Starbucks and spend more too). Or simply having your coffee and drinking it too. Simple eats are also available, like a Dosa or Bread Omelette, or a cutlet. Not too crowded, for the same reason, that yuppies have found a new haunt, and kids these days are rich.

Vintage stuff, like many haunts such as Higginbotham's on M.G. Road. Gangaram's used to be another one. I bought most of my Wodehouse books there. But my new favourites are Blossoms and Bookworm. I actually found 5 Rex Stouts there-incredible. Also read a Le Carre story after hearing of his passing away recently.

Nostalgia or Deja Vu?

Either way, a walk from Richmond circle to Garuda mall, across the length of Residency Road made me remember the days when I was a student at IIM Bangalore. Our bus would drop us at the city office on Langford Road, and we, penniless as we usually were, walked down the Residency Road to gallivant at Brigade or MG Road. Speaking of which, two iconic places that were on MG Road then, have now moved one street, to Church Street.

Gangaram's book store was brilliant, and I bought many Wodehouses there, and also a lot of cards. Also my first copy of Ogilvy on Advertising- I still have one, but this is a different copy. We spent hours there.

The second was Indian Coffee House. It used to have the cheapest snacks and coffee. Omelettes and cutlets were generally our favoured snacks.

We had to rush back to catch the bus at 7.30 again, and if we missed that, our options were to catch a red-boarded (rural route) bus from K.R. Market, a very crowded bus stop a few kilometres away. Autos were not keen to go to the IIM campus, which was once the boondocks- no more so. And were expensive.

We intend celebrating our 30th reunion after 1984 later this year at the campus. So there's more deja vu in store!

Jayanagar in Bangalore

Spent a couple of days doing admission interviews the old fashioned way, for the next batch of IMT students. But this is more about Jayanagar in Bangalore. First got introduced to Jayanagar 4th block when I was at IIMB doing MBA, because it was the nearest shopping area where we sometimes came to buy stuff. The favorite one, particularly for books and gallivanting, was MG Road and Brigade road. Gangaram's was an institution- a big bookstore, rare in those days.

But Jayanagar is a charming residential neighbourhood, and I happened to live in 9th Block during my last two years here before moving to Nagpur. 3rd block where I am staying for two days now, is also a great neighbourhood, and close to the 4th Block market. Green, quiet and well-planned. But getting out into the wilderness that is the Bangalore traffic, you tend to lose your cool and feel exasperated.

Anyway, met lots of old friends, an IMT alumna and got a chance to relive some old days, and some not-so-old days. Also ate at a place called Gufha (cave) nearby in Hotel President, which is made up to look like a cave alright, dark, torch-lit and with waiters dressed in khaki. Food is good too. Also went to a new MTR on St. Mark's Road near SBI. Good for a Sunday breakfast/brunch.