Bangalore is home to a lot of Europeans. It is a paradise for them in many ways. Helen Haywood, a home-maker and a theatre enthusiast, has been in the City for the past one year. She lives here with her husband Guenter Klienknecht, who works for the AXA Group. Born in the UK, she lived in Paris and Germany for nearly three decades. She talks to Metrolife about the City and how it has been a home away from home.
“I came here with my husband a year ago since he works here. He used to visit the City often and has even lived in Bangalore earlier. But for me, this is the first time in the City. It is different in many ways from Paris and Germany. There is a lot to explore and discover here,” she adds.
So what does she like about the City? “I think the weather is beautiful, especially when it rains and the green colour on the trees gets intense. I love the mist that thickens and surrounds the City. The weather here has been extremely salubrious and is nice to live in.” A curious person by nature, Helen loves to learn from the things happening around her. “There is so much to see and enjoy in a new country. It takes me by surprise.” Ask her what kind of food she likes and she replies enthusiastically, “I love idli, vada and dosa. I just can’t stop myself from spooning out the coconut chutney. It tastes divine. I also like the assorted Indian breads like chappatis, naans and rotis, and coloured rice.” Her favourite hangouts are South Indies and Eden Park. “My husband and I also hang out at Cubbon Park every weekend. He simply loves to walk and so do I.”
She adds, “I am also surprised by the variety of fruits and vegetables available here. I was completely unaware of chikkoo and custard apple until I came here and discovered them in the market.” Ask her what she does not like about the City and she says, “I think garbage dumping and water scarcity are worsening the City. Along with that is the auto menace. The auto drivers don’t take you in the right direction and even charge excess money.” She is also terrified of the traffic. “I am quite scared to cross the road. The motorists seem to rush through me. I hold my breath while I’m walking and crossing,” she adds.
When asked about her favourite place and what does she do in her free time, she says, “I simply love the National Art Gallery and Ranga Shankara. These two places have a serene atmosphere. I love watching plays at the Ranga Shankara. The cafe there offers a good cup of tea that I love sipping into. The art gallery is a place where I unwind myself.” How is she coping up with the language? “I only know the word namaskara in Kannada. But I would love to learn more,” she replies. “India is very rich in its diversity. And I’m still at the beginning of a new journey. Though I’m a total stranger to the culture, I like it very much. I love going to different places and reading up on Indian literature. I'm so fascinated by the way India is depicted in this literature. I have even read the Ramayana and Mahabharata. There is so much to learn from them,” she signs off.