The Search for Adventure

Summary: With Anna gone for the weekend, I went in search of adventure. After seeing two potential apartments this morning, I made Hazrat Ganj base camp and wandered around. I found some protected monuments, but failed to locate where the citizens of Lucknow gather on a Sunday afternoon.

All alone! Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.
And when you’re alone there’s a very good chance
You’ll meet things that’ll scare you right out of your pants.
~Dr. Seuss, Oh! The Places You’ll Go

Anna’s in Delhi this weekend to pick up Elizabeth, which means I’ve been left alone to get lost and explore the city (and slowly fill in my mental map of Lucknow). Don’t worry, Sadna (our landlady) is here to watch out for me and make sure I’m safe. Twice she called me tonight: once to see if I needed any domestic help (as Deepmala doesn’t come on Sundays and she wanted to make sure I had food), the second to make sure I bolted the door.

I went with Sadna to see about a room in a nearby house this morning. The room was furnished but cramped, and I’d have minimal kitchen access. Another concern is whether I’d have living room access, as I may do some work from home at times. (This may be a decent option for 6 months, but will probably be difficult when Anna / Elizabeth leave.) Afterward, Sarita (the owner) showed me a one bedroom set (i.e., with kitchen and bathroom) across the street; this entire apartment had only one opening to the outside world: the door. No windows, just concrete walls. (Such design is because houses tend to be built up against one another here.) Hopefully we’ll find some better options this week.

Afterward, I decided to explore Hazrat Ganj, because (1) it’s supposedly the downtown area of Lucknow, and (2) I’ve been there a few times already, though briefly. It was pretty deserted and most stores were closed (Hazrat Ganj is closed on Sundays), and, after a few turns, I quickly found myself in the electronics area. Taking a turn at the roundabout, I noticed that there were only men in my general vicinity, as I was in the automotive district. No, I actually never felt threatened or unsafe, just uncomfortable (oh, the stares!).

I turned at the main street and followed the rickshaws, hoping to find a bustling market area. No luck (empty promises!), but I saw a road sign pointing toward Aminabad (but where, exactly?). I walked further and found some protected monuments (the closest thing Lucknow has to tourist attractions). There were numerous empty buses lining this largely deserted tomb / monument, and I found myself surrounded by men dressed in white with white caps on their head. (Muslim, perhaps? Was something happening nearby? Where?)

Walking continued, past a massive globe (I’m so far from home, in more ways than one!), another few monuments (Neil Gate and Victoria Memorial, anyone?), and roundabout after roundabout (how confusing and dangerous are they trying to make things?!). I eventually found myself back in familiar surroundings.

I’m pretty lucky I have a pretty good sense of direction, as the only existing map of Lucknow is nothing less than Google Maps / Earth. Even though I never truly knew where I was today, I never did actually feel lost, as I always had a general sense of where I came from. Therefore, today’s endeavor to get lost and/or find adventure was largely unsuccessful, and I’m still wondering where people hang out on Sundays.