"PROCESS OF THE SALE OF "RUDOLPH COTTAGE"

PROCESS OF THE SALE OF "RUDOLPH COTTAGE" :-Thursday(24-9-2009): Mr G.Muni Reddy arrived along with the house broker Mrs Dora.D'sa at my residence at approx 1000 hrs and we discussed the documentation matter. Mr Reddy had consulted his lawyer and insisted on some ridiculous documentation for proof that i didn't have any "HIDDEN OR ILLEGITIMATE" heirs to my assets.I agreed to meet the lawyer and an appointment was set in the evening.Mrs D.D'sa and myself caught a rickshaw and made our way to the lawyers office which was close to our residence.The Lawyer, Mr M.Byregowda scrutinized all my original documents, cross-questioning me and finally came to the "Million dollar question", proof that some other sibling of mine is not in contention for my parent's assets.I explained him the ridiculous "Probate procedure" that i had to undergo in Mumbai , besides paying a enormous amount of "Revenue tax" since my mother had not made a will and many of my shares were in her name as i was sailing during those years and couldn't be in Mumbai for share certificate documentation before the arrival of "Internet" and "DEMAT ACCOUNTS" made share trading child's play with a little money.. To have an illegitinmate brother or sister would only indicate that either my dad had some hidden affairs, not uncommon or that i was an "Illegitimate child" having a different father ! By looks, i definitely don't resemble my father and so do lakhs of other kids ,since, genetical inheritance can be from any of the family descendants, right from great great grandparents! I wonder what made this lawyer ask me such stupid questions,the first time in my life that i have been asked this, luckily, he missed asking me to undergo a "DNA TEST" for "AUTHENTIC PROOF"! Anyhow this stupid matter was resolved and we came to some agreement finally deciding to make a agreement on Friday(25-9-2009) in which Rs 20,00,000 would be credited to my account in "Vijaya Bank". The final and ultimate payment would be on the tenants vacating the house , which would be latest by the 1st week of November 2009. Friday(25-9-2009):- As usual after my early morning walk from my house, admiring the beautiful and cool climate of bangalore while walking through "Ring Road" periphery.Had a cup of tea at the local restaurant "Sagar Samrat" reminding me of my days in the "Off-Shore Industry" ,and strangely this restaurant is the oldest surviving restaurant in this locality where restaurants have either changed ownership or closed like musical chairs.Finally sat down on my tenant Baiju.Joseph's computer through which i have posted these "Sale process blogs" and my usual hobby of "Blogging", both, nonsense and sense.Honestly, i did pick up a bit of "internet usage" from Baiju.Joseph and and my camera video operations from Jatheesh.Nambiar, besides ,wathching them on computers was greek to me, as i am basically a "Blogger(Writer)" just using the "Internet" as a typewriter.Later had a shower, dressed up and proceeded to M.G road, as usual by bus, the only instance where i use a bus since purchasing my motorbike.Luckily, i got a express bus and the crowd was less with me managing seating accomodation.The bus ticket to "Shivaji Nagar" was 12 rupees and approximately 1/2 hr from Banaswadi.The distance from Banaswadi to MG Road is similar or less than Prabhadevi to Fountain in Mumbai, indicating the convenience and importance of Banaswadi to the main epicentre of commercial Bangalore.Caught a rickshaw from Shivaji Nagar and alighted at Mayo Hall building visiting "Vijaya Bank,Mayo hall branch".I thought that the Bank opened at 1000hrs as in Mumbai but was early since they open at 1030hrs.Inquired with the bank manager regarding the transaction faclilities of remittances and was surprised at the advancement in "Banking Technology".Applied for a "Multi-city cheque" facility and received the same within 1/2 hr, later strolling down Bangalore's famous down-town locality.The "Economic Apocalypse 2008-09" is very evident in Bangalore as the pubs offering 50% discount were empty and i felt embarrassed to be the only person drinking "draught beer" at 1100hrs, a real surprise, since normally these pubs are crowded with collegians enjoying cheap drinks and "pool", typical of the present generation. Took some photographs and a video for posterity as i doubt i would be a regular visitor to Bangalore after the sale of my residence, as there are numerous other city's in India that i have yet to visit on the "Solo Backpackers agenda".Had a snack at "Kentuicky Fried chicken" at Brigade road and later walked down to Shivaji Nagar. Caught the 300E bus to Banaswadi and again lucky to get a seat, as Bangalore's public transport is a nightmare compared to Mumbai.Usually, the rich and the middle-class have private transport and its only the poor and students that form the majority of bus passengers in Bangalore.The very big plus point about Bangalore is its excellent climatic conditions compared to humid Mumbai, even in the present condition of reckless housing commercialisation.Thanks to "Rudolph Cottage", i could tour entire South India besides making Bangalore my second home. "I told you that horse would win syndrome":- Having spent donkeys years at the "Horse-racetracks' its common to have fellow punters and tipsters to say after a race that they had predicted that "Horse A" would win, with they themselves not wagering a "tenner"!After negotiating the house sale deed of "Rudolph Cottage" i have got numerous offers of inquiry from prospective buyers, a case of "Late news being stale news". House broker Mrs D.D'sa finally arrived with the "Agreement of sale" document at about 2100 hrs as there was some delay in drafting the agreement. I did the "Proof reading" and noted the mistakes to Mrs D'sa, also adding a clause .Finally the "Sale of Rudolph cottage" was accomplished and i really felt sad, but then, in life, "Changes in life are normal and unavoidable, except once dead". Saturday(26-9-2009):- House broker Mrs Dora.D'Sa told me in the morning that we would have to go to advocate M.Byregowda's office near Indira Nagar to sign the "sale of deed" agreement document. We left our residence at 0945 hrs, walking our way to buyer Mr G.Munni Reddy's residence, about 15 mins walk from Banaswadi.We then went to the lawyers office in Mr G.Munni Reddy's car with his son driving, reaching the office at approx 1045 hrs. the entire "Comedy of certificate examinations" began all over again with lawyer M.Byregowda's law partner questioning and examining my "House Documents". Later , convinced that "I RUDOLPH.A.FURTADO AM THE HEIR AND OWNER TO "RUDOLPH COTTAGE" they finally made the "AGREEMENT OF SALE" deed.The final "Agreement of sale deed" was signed on computerized stamp paper, a new innovation to me.Later at approx 1230 hrs we departed from the "Law Firm" and got a lift by Mr G.Munni.Reddy to Vijaya Bank's H.B Branch. Visited Cousin Sheela.D'Souza's residence on the other side of "Ring Road", an extension of "Vijaya Bank colony" approx 5 minutes walk from my residence and and had dinner over normal conversations with Sheela and her kids Sharon and Brandon. Sunday(27-9-2009):- Visited Jayshree.D'Brass's residence just a few minutes walk from "Rudolph Cottage" also meeting mum's aged eldest sister, my aunt Urban.Ferts ,my cousin Maysee and Jayshree's daughter Jerusha .Family discussions and gossips were discussed over lunch and i finally departed to my residence. Biju.Karian dropped at my residence in the evening and it was a few drinks at the swank garden open air restaurant "Bhagini" on "Outer Ring road". We later went to the swankiest eating place in Kamanahalli locality called "Casa Piccola" situated in "HRBR Layout" for a sumptuous dinner. Thanks to Biju, i got to know the "Eateries" and "Watering Holes" of Bangalore much better although some of the more "Bachelor establishment's" discovered by me remain a " SOLO BACHELOR TRADE SECRET" , one of the most infamous being "Brigade Gardens" before the ban on "Mujra Dance music".                  Monday(28-9-2009);- Visited Biju's residence in the morning and later came over to my place in his vehicle and took most of mum's old clothes to Mother Teresa's "Nirmala Shishu Bhavan" near Lingaraja Road for donation to the destitute.In Mumbai i normally donate to "Asha Dhaan" at Sankli Street near Byculla.Presented Biju with a " Brass moulded Crab Ashtray(Star sign for Cancer)" purchased in Maputo(1988),advising him to quit smoking and later keeping the crab astray as a memento.The massive "Turtle shell' that i had exhumed in Vadinar creek(Gujarat) in 2000 was given to him as he does collect articrafts and memento's akin to my own residence in Mumbai.This "Olive Ridley Turtle shell" would have been wasted as the "B.N.H.S" in Mumbai refused to take it as a collection in their archives, permitting me to keep the same. I had actually carted it all the way by plane from Vadinar to Mumbai to donate it to the "Bombay Natural History Society(B.N.H.S)" of which i am a life member.Later i again carted this "Turtle shell" from Mumbai to Bangalore by plane, hence this turtle which could be 100 years old when alive, navigated the seas and when dead its shell has travelled by air.I had discovered this entire turtle lying dead in the boggy marsh of Vadinar while on my regular evening "Bird-watching" walks after duty hours on the supply vessel, later taking its rotten shell to the tug and conducting my own 'Post Mortem". It was a tedious process "Curing " the stinking shell and i honestly dedicated a lot of my spare leisure time as a "taxidermist" on the "Turtle shell". In the evening boarded a rickshaw to Bangalore Cantonment railway, boarding the "Udyan Express" with a few physical memories of "Rudolph Cottage" in my luggage.                                                                        Friday(29-10-2009) My Last visit to "Rudolph Cottage" :- Left Mumbai for Bangalore by the "Udyan Express" (Coach S11 seat 23), the reason i remember this seat so vividly is because this could be my last normal journey to "Rudolph Cottage), my second home in Bangalore.Alighted as usual from the slow running train at "Channasandra Station" near Banaswadi on Saturday(31-10-2009) at approx 0745 hrs and trekked my way up the "Kutchaa terrain" to "Main Ring Road". As usual "Vodafone" didn't put me on roaming and hence had to inform them from Bangalore , a real pain in the ----.Had a lassi at "Thirumala refreshment shop" and its proprietor dialed "Vodafone" and  instructed them to activate the "Roaming Connection". In the 21st century where even a common labouror requires a "Cellphone" i wonder the reasons for the "Vodafone Staff" failing to heed my requests in spite of personally visiting their new office in "Mamata Bldg(Mumbai)".Entered "Rudolph Cottage" and if "Weak Hearted" and not involved in the profession of "Stock Investment and Horse-racing Speculation" then would have been a candidate for a "Heart attack". "Byju .Joseph & I.T Professionals" had left my residence worse than a "Tabela", unfit for even the joy-ride pony's of Mumbai, utter disregard to cleanliness and professional ethics. Somehow sorted out my basic needs and arranged my residence also connecting the "FM Music Set" which the "Hi-Fi P.G's" had dumped along with clothes fit to fill a shop. Played my life-saving F.M.Music, Bangalore's most famous channel being "Radio-Indigo" and began to make sense out of the mess created by human chaos. Contacted Biju.J.Karian and Leonard Aarons for a get-together at my residence as i thought that the "House Sale deed" settlement would be done at the earliest and hence would have to vacate once "Rudolph Cottage" was sold to Mr G.Munni.Reddy. Later Real Estate agent Mrs Dora.D'sa came over to my residence and informed me about details regarding further developments on the sale of "Rudolph Cottage". A cycle "Raddiwala" happened to pass near our residence and i called him and cleared a part of the monumental clothing mess. Later went to "Akana", a "Dubai Ishtyle" restaurant near Banaswadi and had a "Mutton Biryani", as good as "Lucky's" at Bandra. Came home and relaxed with music. Later Mr G.Munni Reddy and his son Mr Venugopal Reddy came over to my residence and we discussed about the final sale and also various grievances from both sides. Mr Reddy said that he would cut the "Evergreen Mangrove tree" tomorrow morning and that the final sale deed would be done by end of the first week of November, a real time delay for a person like me, living all alone. Biju and Leonard came over to my residence at approx 1600 hrs and as usual it was "REMINISCENCE C.C.S Days" and "Shipping" along with Vodka.

Later we drove to Kammanahalli and ordered some chicken kababs and came home, continuing our "Booze Session" amidst the house mess. After the departure of Biju & Leonard i later went to sleep, using the "Mosquito net" as a bedsheet but just couldn't sleep the entire night awaiting dawn with the company of "Indigo FM Radio(91.9FM)".                                                                                                Sunday(1/11/2009);- Got up and had a bathe later dressed and made my way to "Vincent Pallotti Church" for the 0800 hrs mass. Had my breakfast of "Idli/Wada" at a restaurant near the church before attending the mass. After the 0800 mass purchased some "Madras pappads and pickle" and later a newspaper and walked the 15 mins journey to "Rudolph Cottage". At "Rudolph Cottage" got hold of some labourors and got my entire house cleaned and re-arranged. Mr.G.Munni Reddy got his labourors and cut the beautiful evergreen tree but left the guava tree and as always happens, progress or change of ownership always has its consequences. I really felt sad at the demise of this beautiful evergreen tree, offering shade to the entire cottage and a landmark of that narrow road. But then, i am also a firm believer in the saying, "ITS BETTER TO HAVE LOVED AND LOST THAN NEVER TO HAVE LOVED AT ALL". Later had lunch at the new "Gokul Restaurant" situated on the opposite side of "Ring Road". Came home and had a siesta to the beautiful music of "Fm Radio Indigo".Later in the evening visited Jayshree.D'Brass's residence also meeting Aunt Ubba and normal family conversation .Later at 1900 hrs went to "Akana" for their "Chicken Roll" and after a "curd/ice-cream" drink at Thirumalla restaurant headed to the cybercafé near Banaswadi bus-stop from where i have typed this blog.                                                                                                                                                            Monday(2/11/2009):-Didn't sleep the entire night and woke up with "FM Indigo(91.9)" at 0500 hrs and had a bathe as usual.Dressed up and proceeded for my "Single Day Solo-Touring" of Mysore, something i have done upteen times during my stay at "Rudolph Cottage". Caught a bus at Banaswadi bus junction upto Shivaji Nagar depot(Rs 11), and from there a connecting bus to Majestik(Rs 10), making me realize that bus travel is quite expensive in Bangalore.Booked a train ticket to Mysore(Rs 42) and thanks to my physical fitness managed to jog and catch the train on platform No 5 at exactly 0700hrs, an "Usain Bolt Ishtyle sprint". I have done this train journey numerous times since 1995.Passed through "Ramanagram station" made famous as the shooting location for "Sholay" and its pristine rock hills can be visible from the train. Had a breakfast of massala dossa at Addur station and the train reached Mandya station at 0905 hrs , late, due to traffic signals.

Alighted at Seringapatam station and caught a rickshaw to "Ranganathittu bird sanctuary"(Rs 50 fare).I was amazed at the topographical changes done at "Ranganathittu", absolute tourist mode, with a restaurant and car park inside the sanctuary premises at the same time preserving the serenity of this wonderful bird paradise.Went to the "Boat Ride" booking counter and found out that i was the only tourist with a minimum requirement being for 10 people, otherwise the boat can be hired privately at Rs 250! Waited and strolled around this familiar small exotic spot of natural wilderness finally coming across some professional media photographers on their way to board a boat for "Shooting" with "Zoom Camera's".I requested them for allowing me to join the photograph group and they agreed and hence it was a wonderful memorable rowing through the calm waters of the Cauvery river. The two photographers were busy "Shooting" with their "Nikon" and "Cannon" camera's while i did some video-taping of this unique site. The boat rower was himself well versed with the various birds and explained us the same, the new comers being the Pelicans.

The Photographers had specially come to photograph the Pelicans for a news article titled "Return of the Pelicans". I have seen Pelicans as total "Dullards" in the Mumbai zoo( Childhood Adda)with their wings clipped and walking clumsily on land. The "Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary" proved to me the beauty of seeing nature in the Wild, absolutely indescribable and graceful. The pelicans were mostly huddled on a single tree and kept flying and squawking with their huge beaks aking a grotesque humanlike deep breathing sound.Saw some crocodiles swimming gracefully like "Floating logs", total camouflaged to the average human eye and "National Geographic's" images came flashing on memory. The Aquatic and migratory birds of "Ranganathittu" are used to humans and hence i was surprised when we approached a pair of River Terns sitting on a rock in the middle of a lake within 3 feet with the two photographers busy clicking as also our human presence and noise least effecting these birds.After approx 45 mins of rowing and "Shooting" we finally came ashore, one of my best "Bird Tours" on wild-life safari's. Left Ranganathittu at approx 1100 hrs and walked through the scenic road besides the Cauvery river onto the bus-stop. Caught a jam-packed local bus to Mysore at approx 1145 hrs, months since i last travelled on such a crowded bus, akin to Mumbai's local peak time trains finally reaching my destination near the zoo at 1240 hrs.Walked my way to the zoo and was surprised at the change in Mysore's skyline with new building constructions in progress and my old local restaurant demolished.

Entered the zoo and also observed some changes as i am very familiar with the "Mysore Zoo" after Mumbai's "Byculla zoo".Made my way to meet "Old Friend, Timbu" and he seems to be hale and hearty as also his offspring, a grown male elephant who demonstrated te same by exposing his overlong penis to the public. Took some video's and then made my way out of the zoo as i had specifically come to see "Timbu". Later had lunch at "Maheshwari Restaurant", excellent mutton Biryani and mutton head served on banana leaf and downed with "Indus Pride beer"(Rs 215).After a gluttonous meal walked to the railway station and booked a ticket to Bangalore(Rs 42). The train left Mysore at 1545 hrs reaching Bangalore at approx 1845 hrs. Lucky to get a bus immediately from Majestic but then i got a taste ogf Bangalore's notorious traffic jams and so a normal 45 mins journey elongated into 1hr 15 mins approx! Tuesday(3/1/20090:- Probably due to extreme tiredness of roaming the whole day, hence slept for the first time for at least 4 hrs since arrival at "Rudolph Cottage". As usual got up at 0530 hrs, had a fresh shower and went for the usual morning circular (Race-Track walk) around "Ring Road" with a "Chai" at "Sagar Samrat Restaurant".The Rock and pop music scene in Bangaloe seems "Thanda" compared to Mumbai as discussed by a casual acquaintance at the restaurant.This gentleman sporting a la "Michael Jackson Ponytail" is a regular tea drinker at "Sagar Samrat", a teacher at "Baldwin High School" and a part-time musician. Went home and later had "Puree-Bhajee" at "Gokul Restaurant" and later visiting cousin Sheela's residence to invite her for "RUDOLPH COTTAGE HOUSE CLOSING CEREMONY"! Ain't i good at inventing occassions for "Parties and Get-togethers"? Whilst returning from Sheila's residence i realized that i had forgotten my specs at her home, a forgetfulness that has cost me numerous "Umbrella's" and "Sunglasses" since school days.  Luckily i had forgotten the specs at Sheela's residence and hence went back and collected it.Later visited cousin Jayshree's residence and informed them about "RUDOLPH COTTAGE HOUSE CLOSING CEREMONY" get-together of family relatives.Cooked some fried prawns(Rs 150 half Kilo) and had lunch washed down with vodka/sprite, a la Russian Ishtyle.Remember the carefree days at this cottage where i learnt cooking out of necessity and the miles of cycling around Bangalore.Mr.G.Munni .Reddy came home at approx 1430hrs along with his son Mr Venugopal.Reddy and informed me that the "Transfer of Residences and Registration" would be done on Thursday(5-11-2009). I decided to hold "RUDOLPH COTTAGE HOUSE CLOSING CEREMONY" on Wednesday(4-11-2009) and invited Aunt Ubba's children Jayshree and Sheela with their families and Uncle Godwins daughter Maisy.Later rang up Biju and inquired if he was coming home and he answered in the affirmative and as usual we met at my residence at approx 0630 hrs.We later went to Kamanahalli from where i booked my bus ticket(Rs 1100) by a "Volvo Bus" with "Geo tours and travel" sand returned with a few beers and some vegetarian dinner for Biju's kids.We both drove to my residence after dropping the dinner pack at Biju's residence and as usual "C.C.S and Mazdock nostalgia" discussed over Budweiser beers.Biju eft for home forgetting his specs and mobile phone at my house, duplicating my infamous "Sunglasses/umbrella" forgetfulness' rang his residence informing him of the same and later went to sleep with "Radio Indigo FM music".As usual didn't get an ounce of sleep and this is my 4 th sleepless night also indirectly helping me lose weight due to the burning of energy calories. Wednesday(4-11-2009):- Waited for 0530 hrs and after a shower took a walk to Biju's residence and handed him his belongings.Came home and later Real Estate Broker Mrs Dora D'sa came home to inform me that Thursday was a bank holiday, hence "Registration of sale of "Rudolph Cottage" would not be possible unless done today. I lost my cool and told Mrs D'sa to inform buyer Mr G.Munni.Reddy that if he was not interested in purchasing the cottage than i would refund his Rs 20,00,000 part payment minus my personal expenses.Mrs D.Ds'a informed Mr M.Reddy and his lawyers about the discrepancy in fixing the "Sale Registration deed" and also my personal disenchantment with the entire "Rudolph Cottage Sale Drama".Finally Mrs D.D'sa rang me to inform that the registration schedule had been fixed for 1100hrs today at the "Banaswadi Registrars office".Real Estate broker Mrs D.D'sa and myself arrived at the "Registrars office of Banaswadi" at 1100hrs and met MrG.Muni.Reddy and his son Vennugopal.Reddy and after a long wait the two lawyers arrived and the rest was a quick signing of assorted papers."House sale and purchase registration" was done on a computer and for the first time in my life i had my photograph taken by "Webcam" and also "FINGERPRINTED" on the computer, a simple method of explaining the technological advace of "Vijaya Bank colony, Banaswadi" from village to "Technology era".Later Mr G.Munni.Redddy handed me two payment checks and since one of the checks was on "Canara Bank" we decided to encash the amount and put the entire payment transaction into my "Vijaya Bank account".We went to Canara Bank on scooters, myself and Venugopal.Reddy on one scooter while Mr G.Munni.Redy surprised me by riding a "Honda Scooter" at age 67, a la "Dev Anand".After withdrawing the cash from "Canara Bank" we came back to the "Registrars office" in Banaswadi and the final acknowledgement of payment deed was signed. Real Estate broker Mrs D.D'sa and myself then went to Vijaya Bank H.R.B.R branch and deposited the entire amount, same being acknowledged.I then paid Mrs D.D'sa her brokerage fees of Rs 88,000 @ 2% of the total sale amount. We finally came home and i had lunch at "Sagar Samrat", came home and rested.In the evening i went and purchased some beers for the family get-together in the evening. There was load shedding for approx 2 hrs, the first time i experienced it during my recent visits to Bangalore and later in the evening it rained heavily.I confirmed with cousin Jayshree regarding the dinner as the rain upset plans and my aunt Urban.Ferts couldn't make it , hence we were all cousins and their children , a mixture of youth and middle-age at the last get-together at "Rudolph Cottage".Cousin Sheila's daughter Sharon , cousin Maysie and Jayshree's daughter Jerusha decided the menu and ordered the same over mobile from a chineese take-away in Kamannahalli.The evening began with normal family discussions, eats, cold-drinks a glass of beer for the ladies and myself on "Teachers whisky".It was a very pleasant evening and excellent dinner at very moderate prices in comparison to Mumbai's chneese take-aways.Diner was finished with ice-creams and chocolates and i honestly felt sad as almost 19 years of constant visits to Bangalore would definitely come to an end.Staying in a hotel is a different experience compared to living in your own private residence, but, in life we all have to change with situations and circumstances.                                                                                                                            Thursday(5-11-2009):- Another sleepless night and i now understand late Michael.Jacksons addiction to "Sleep Drugs" since this was almost the 5th day of sleeplessness in "Rudolph Cottage", something that defies medical theories. "Radio Indigo Fm" was my companion till morning and after showering at 0530 hrs went for my usual "Race-course walk!".As usual met la Jackson ponytail Mr Vergheese at "Sagar Samrat" and "Gup-Chup" as usual , later returning home and packing most of my belongings, a huge load since i am carting back most of my "Memorablia" from "Rudolph Cottage" back to Mumbai .Ultimately, its memories that keep us sane, alive and fit, good or bad, that life. Biju rang me up to confirm the agenda for a visit to "Hard Rock Cafe(Bangalore)". Cousins Jayshree and Maysie came over to my residence in the evening at approx 1900hrs after i personally went to Jayshree's residence to inform her regarding my departure early next morning and hence to take away any valuable items before Mr G.Muni.Reddy took over the residence. They collected the bed , gas stove/ cylinder and some other items for their personal use or to be distributed to others carting the same on a rickshaw. In Mumbai "Hard Rock Cafe" at Lower  Parel was an occasional "Adda" besides "Not just Jazz by the Bay" at Churchgate. Prominent local groups always attracted a crowd including myself who visited "Hard rock Cafe(Mumbai)" on such occasions as it is exorbitantly expensive although only cycling distance from my residence at Prabhadevi.

Biju dropped in at my residence at "Rudolph cottage" and after a peg of "Teachers Whisky" we drove off to "Hard rock Cafe" at St Marks road in Bangalore."Thermal and a Quarter" the local Banglorean group was to perform for the evening, beginning at 2100hrs. They had supported "Jethro Tull" and "Deep Purple" during their tour of India, hence a must watched group on any itineraray. We reached "Hard Rock Cafe" at approx 2115 hrs and "Thermal and a quarter" were in full party gear, entrance tickets being Rs 250/Person. On entry we had a "Corona Beer(Rs315 each!)" a imported Mexican beer served with lime meant to be squeezed into the bottle, shaken and drunk. All hard rock cafe's worldwide have the same flavour and decor and if you have seen one than you have seen them all, be it Mumbai, Bangalore, Hollywood or Timbuktu.

The music was excellent and it was a pleasant evening reminding Biju and myself of our hilarious college days in the 1970's where "Movie hopping" was the norm unlike "Pub-hopping" post personal wealth and status, either famous or infamous in our personal lives. The music wound up at 2300 hrs and we later drove to some classic Bangalore Food restaurants but all were closed as Bangalore's night-life has to end at 2300 hrs, otherwise its a law and order problem to the hotel proprietors. We managed to get some typical"Delhi Darbar type food" at the "Imperial hotel" at Residency road. After dinner we drove home and Biju dropped me en-route to his home with me spending another sleepless night at "Rudolph Cottage", a strange case of "Michael Jackson Syndrome".                                         Friday(6-11-2009):- As usual had a shower at 0530 hrs and checked my packed luggage as also preparations for last minute packing of the "JVC 3/1 Radio set" that my elite P.G's had left behind as "Junk"! Cousin Sheela came over early and carted the steel bed and cane chair along with her maid to Jayshree's residence. Real estate agent Mrs Dora.D'sa came over at 0900 hrs as also Jayshree and Maysie to wish me a happy journey and a farewell after 20 years of continuous on/off visits to Bangalore, lots of memories, good and bad. Mr G.Muni Reddy came at 0915 hrs along with his son Mr Venugopal.Reddy and i formally handed him the charge and ownership of his new residence, also removing some photographs for posterity with cousin Maysie being the photographer.The huge Chevrolet taxi arrived punctually at 0930 hrs and after loading the luggage and wishing everyone goodbye and a last look at "Rudolph Cottage" we drove to Kalasipalaya tourist bus depot. It was over an hours drive in peak Bangalore traffic and finally on reaching "Sharma Bus Depot head office" at Sangeetha Bhawan and unloading the luggage had a breather with a newspaper and some snacks at a local restaurant. I was allotted seat No 20 and a boarding pass akin to airlines. "Suraj(KA-01-C-8552)" the Volvo bus was punctual and after loading our luggage it was a pleasant journey all the way to Mumbai in cool controlled airconditioned temperature, better than planes which sometimes become very chill due to excessive air-conditioned cooling.                                                                   Saturday(7-11-2009):- Reached Sion in Mumbai at 0745 hrs,the fastest time by bus that i have either reached Mumbai from Bangalore or vice-versa . Amazing, had left Bangalore at 1230 hrs and reached Mumbai at 0745hrs.Ironically a junk taxi with just 2 years left for its "Demolition fate" took me home to Vaibhav apartments in Prabhadevi, bizarre experience of the old and the new technology co-existing in harmony. Reached home at 0815 hrs with the taxi fare being a paltry Rs150 compared to Rs500 that i paid for the luxurious Chevrolet in Bangalore. Unlike Mumbai, Bangalore doesn't have taxi's on hire on roads unlike rickshaws but the same have to be booked in advance, hence the exorbitant rates as also lack of choice for competitive rates. Backpacker Rudolph definitely is not a regular "Chevrolet man" akin to choosing motels compared to hotels as money saved is money spent on sightseeing and discovery not forgetting the costliest hobby of "Video shooting" and "photography". THIS IS THE STORY OF THE MEMOIRS   AND SALE OF RUDOLPH COTTEGE.

" Rudolph Cottage" in Bangalore, memoirs and travels.

In life ,farewells are the hardest feelings, be it with humans,innane objects, pets and that place we always call "HOME".Since childhood i have led a nomadic existence, shifting residences, schools and finally the adventurous profession of sailing as a marine engineer.

The first " Muhurat construction" of " Rudolph Cottage".In the photo R-L:  Cousin Jayshree.Ferts, Mum Greta.Furtado, Cousin Rocky.Ferts.Cousin Rocky.Ferts introduced me to Bangalore city when i first visited the "Garden City" in 1990.

Saturday(14/3/1992)A view of " Rudolph Cottage" under construction.This tiny cottage built by me took a unbelievable 5 years to be completed under 3 different sub- contractors ! Unbelievable but true.

Thursday(19/3/1992): - Whenever I visited Bangalore a stroll on M.G Road with a beer in one of the iconic pubs of Bangalore was my normal itinerary.

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Saturday(14/3/1992):- Dad Louis.J.Furtado on the terrace of partly constructed " Rudolph Cottage" in Bangalore.

In 1988 we had purchased a plot of land at "Vijaya Bank Colony" in Banaswadi in Bangalore, my "brain output" as i realised Bangalore was a developing city of India.Since i was employed in the "Merchant Navy" and hence couldn't have much free-time on land i requested my mother to go to Bangalore and scout for some land plots, besides my maternal cousins,Jayshree and Sheela were settlers of Bangalore.My cousin Jayshree D'Brass(nee Ferts) was an employee of "Vijaya Bank" and since their bank was developing some agricultural land and later offering it for housing purposes to its employees as well as the public i decided to purchase a plot.It cost us approx Rs 30,000 in 1988 and it was totally barren land with half paved roads and cattle grazing in the vacant lands ,a miniature countryside of the suburbs of Mangalore, hence mum felt absolutely at home in this environment.

1998:-"Squirrel Nest" in our meter box.

We were the initial pioneers along with cousin Jayshree that built houses in this locality in the 1990's and i literally witnessed a village transforming into a township.Building "Rudolph Cottage" proved to be a 5-year plan as the initial builder stopped construction mid-way and we finally had to take the help of another local contractor.Construction work started in 1990 was finally completed in 1995, a time span in which mega-housing projects get completed ,let alone a Rs 2 1/2 lakh budget cottage.My mother took great pains in building this house in spite of all the troubles and hurdles put forward by the cottage contractor Mr Surendra.Babu and later, the second builder Mr Joseph.During the initial construction when it was half incomplete , she stayed in the mosquito infested house without electricity using wick lamps,torturous for a woman used to the luxury of electricity and free flowing tap water in Mumbai.I financed the entire purchase and construction but it was my mother who accomplished the task of getting the cottage inhabitable and not abandoned mid-way due to frustration,a common case. Traveling to and fro from Mumbai to Bangalore is no child's play, besides, our house-hold was undergoing a severe human relationship problem during this particular phase of our family life.I had just undergone a tumultuous "Engagement Breakup" in 1989 , painted as the devil incarnate, and had my back against the wall.In hindsight it seems Michael.Jackson was a lesser persecuted human than myself during this particular phase of my life, besides, in 2009, marriages are no more "Sacrosanct" forget about "Engagements".In 2011, "Engagements" are akin to "Regular Dating" with no commitments towards the institution of marriage.Luckily i escaped a "Mental Institution" during this phase almost having a severe nervous breakdown due to depression and persecution, some imagined some genuine.As they say,"Luck favours the brave" and i came out of this mess scalded and bruised but with my head held high and reputation intact. Picked up the pieces of my fragmented love life and proceeded with my profession and hobby's, gradually regaining control of normal human living.I had initially built this cottage with a view of my marriage since our Mumbai residence is only a single/bedroom hall apartment(531 Sq Ft) and future addition of a wife and possibly a kid or two later would have meant population explosion in "A/504 Vaibhav Apartments".

We had a small backyard garden. this "Hibiscus Rosasinesis" was a specimen from my garden. For a few years our cottage electricity meter box was the residence of a pair of squirrels..

                                                                                                                                                            Having a "Zero savings account" made me opt for a cheaper residence, besides, having spent my entire life in "SOBO(South Mumbai)" was reluctant to shift to a distant suburb of Mumbai for cheaper housing.The only option was Bangalore,a developing city in 1980's and thats how "Rudolph Cottage" was born. Either me or my parents could fluctuate residences between Mumbai and Bangalore, something common among salaried "Yuppie Indians" to which "Marine Engineers" belonged and i was earning reasonably well by Indian standards of wages. Alas, marriage plans ended up in "Cold Storage" and i decided to live the "Bachelor life" to the last tango in any city or place, a total nomad, the slogan being ,"You only live once, not Twice".Mum did the " House Warming ceremony" of this house inviting neighbours and her relatives, thrilled of owning her own country style house.Dad's relatives have also visited this house most prominently being Aunt Daisy( Sister Noelle Marie) who was the principal of a girls school and my cousin Wilson.Furtado and his wife Maria, settlers of Bangalore.Mum and myself frequently visited Bangalore when i was away from the ship on holidays and we really did have a nice time with acquaintances, friends and relatives.During this phase, since we only stayed here on holidays we didn't install a "Header Tank" with pumping arrangements for water and hence all our water arrangements were catered by Mr Rajappa, a man who supplied water in plastic pots to residents on his bicycle, charging a nominal sum.Sometimes, i myself would use the "Govt Hand-pump" installed near our cottage for "emergency water", pumping the same into the pots during excess household water consumption, the village style life. Living at "Rudolph Cottage" in Bangalore taught me the value of water,and self management of frugality, untaught at "Harvard Business School" ,something i took for granted at our residence at Vaibhav Apartments in Prabhadevi at Mumbai."Rudolph Cottage" in the 1990's was a genuine "Farmhouse", rustic and beautiful and myself indulging in genuine countryside living akin to holidays in my parents ancestral homes of Barkur and Mabukala in Mangalore.

                                                                                                                                                                     It was only after my mum's demise in 2004 that i installed a "Pump set" with piping and header tank ,besides keeping bachelor "Paying guests", with water being supplied by water tankers to the underground sump storage tank. "Bicycle water-man" Mr Rajappa's job has become redundant in 2009 with the evolution of "Vijaya Bank Colony" from a sleepy village in 1990's to a bustling township in 2009, with "water-Tankers" replacing human "Bicycle-water supplier's".Co-incidentally, one fine day discovered that "Class 3" batchmate since the age of eight, Mr Biju.J.Karian lived a stone's throw away distance from my residence, a strange course of destiny .I owe Biju.J.Karian my career in "Marine engineering" as we were partners in fun and mischief during the innocent era of school and college days in Mumbai with destiny playing a major role in my career as a "Marine engineer" otherwise i was studying to become a "Lawyer".During Mazdock apprenticeship days our lives went different paths with Biju experimenting on the "Hep highs" of the yuppy generation of our era whereas i was into discovering the birds and the bees along with "Outdoor activities" in the "Middle-Class atmosphere". After sailing, we hardly met each other and later my own personal problems and psychological trauma's kept me busy and away from friends and acquaintances. Biju got married and i later heard that he had migrated to Bangalore as his wife Jeeva, a medical practitioner by profession had strong roots in that city. This came as a surprise to me since Biju was an outright "SOBO Bombayite" roaming in elite upper-crust social circles. Once, sometime in the 1990's i met Biju and told him that i had built a cottage in Bangalore to which he replied that he was in the process of building a bungalow somewhere close to my residence, a bizarre co-incidence as neither he nor me ever consulted nor met each other before building our houses in Bangalore. Telepathy ! The next time i visited Bangalore, we happened to meet and he took me over to his construction site in Horamavu, just 15 minutes walking distance from my house. Biju's bungalow is a prototype of the fancy "House and Living" magazine styled bungalows, beautiful and "Classic Old world Charm" interiors with frightful guard dogs. His present guard dog in 2009 , a Rottweiler named "Shredder" has an absolute suitable name, one of the best "Rottweiler dogs" i have seen, and i am commenting after once owning a prize winning dachshund, "Lucky", besides, regularly keeping in touch with "Dog Shows" in India. As usual i discovered the nooks and corners of Bangalore on my cycle, later carting this cycle to Mumbai where i still use it and raise eyebrows in a locality where the cycle is a traffic eyesore, people forgetting its advantages in pollution control and physical fitness.

House break-in on Monday(24/6/2002).

."Rudolph Cottage" had been broken in twice by burglars and in the melee i lost my replacement bicycle and a radio ,besides the burden of unnecessary sundry expenses. Strangely in the first robbery attempt on Monday(24/6/2002) for all the trouble of breaking into my house the thieves left empty handed. My " Horse racing budget" of Rs 19,000 along with binoculars were in the other bedroom and Sherlock Holmes would find it strange that they didn't enter the other room. Later i thought that mum could use this house in her twilight years as she liked the rustic village life with a private garden, cleaning and personally sweeping the garden compound, but, life had other plans. Mum suddenly succumbed to cancer in 2004 and our household just ceased to exist as dad was already into old-age and living on memories of the 1950's whereas "Post-economic liberalization Independent India-1992" had changed by leaps and bounds within my own generation .Dad himself had been to "Rudolph Cottage" twice with me during better days and so ultimately it was just me who made the visits to "Rudolph cottage" which i had rented to a group of "I.T professionals and youngsters" after mum's demise in 2004, a sort of hostel and proud to say that some of its occupants have migrated to greener economic pastures. Finally economic sense rather than sentiments made me realize that it was stupid on my part to maintain a palatial cottage at a "Loss Rental". As a singleton i could always live in a lodge or hotel in Bangalore, besides, my attitude towards living and life had changed beyond comprehension. After quitting "Sea Employment" in 2008 i decided to "solo-travel" to other untraveled parts of the globe, the last frontier of human adventure ,hence less time for upkeep and management of "Rudolph Cottage". The decision was finally made after much sentiments and nostalgia for i realized that change according to circumstances and situations in one's personal life is the only way forward, either for good or bad depending on destiny and personal adjustments. Haven't i quit employment in the "Shipping Profession" and still managing a decent living standard on "stocks and Mutual Funds"? The name "Rudolph Cottage" was not my brain input of megalomania but my mothers suggestion as this was a house planned, built and financed totally by my toil of blood, sweat and tears at sea. The house in Mumbai is my parent's house while "Rudolph cottage" wasmy very own  "Rudolph's Cottage"! Had personally planted various plants and trees during my occasional visits to Bangalore since 1990, with the evergreen mangrove tree planted sometime in 2000 being a centre of attraction. Accidentally a bonsai tree has also grown next to the Mangrove , a freak of nature.A guava tree which was on our plot on purchase has consistently borne fruits which are truly delicious unlike the market fruits .At least at "Rudolph cottage" i could try my hand at gardening since my Mumbai flat is too small, though its "Rain-forest" is awesome! Remember visiting the "Miss World Contest" organized by Amitabh.Bachchan's now defunct "ABCL" company and bowled by Prabhu Deva's "Huma Huma" dance recital along with "Miss Greece" being crowned the "Miss World". Shook hands with famous magician "P.C.Sorcar Jr(Prodip.Chandra.Sorcar) after attending his show at the Bangalore Town hall, baffled by his World famous "Indrajaal".Attended the "I.T Exhibition" In Bangalore somewhere in 2000, one of the largest such exhibitions in India and learnt about the "I.T Industry", visiting various stalls, also winning a "T-Shirt(www.myiris.com)" in a quiz contest. Discovered the passion of "Illegal Cockfights" among villagers in the suburb of Kalkare in Bangalore, something which fascinated me after the Manila visit in 1995.  

COTTABETTA ESTATE( Tata Plantation) :- Classic "COFFEE PLANTATIONS" in Coorg(Kodagu).This estate is also a tourist resort with cottage bungalows on rentals for tourists. They also provide a jeep safari of the coffee plantation. Tour Coorg(Kodagu)  once in your life-time.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Visited the "Kodagu district" of Karnataka and stayed in Madikeri, described as the "Scotland of India', excellent forested area with coffee plantations and scenic hills with the view from "Raja's Seat" being just indescribable. The "Coorg region" is famous for producing some of India's best hockey players and soldiers, a real unique region. While in Madikeri visited "Abbey Falls" and later the "Talacauveri" , considered the "Source" of the Cauveri River and a holy pilgrimage centre for South Indians.I was surprised to observe the source of the mighty Cauveri river springing from the hillside of the Brahmagiri hills at a height of 1276 metres above sea-level into a tank on which a temple is built, geography practically experienced from the textbooks. Ultimately, memories and photographs are the only remnants of these wonderful times and travels during my residence at "Rudolph Cottage" in Bangalore, my second home. First got a glimpse of the "Sukhoi fighter jet" at the "Bangalore Air show" held at Yellahanka,the first time that i visited an "Airshow" in my life.

                                                                                                                                                                  Thanks to my residence in "Rudolph Cottage", i could explore South India with Mangalore, Ooty and Mysore being regular haunts on long holiday stays ,besides, also having visited Chennai, Coorg and Hyderabad on other stays. Also visited the World famous Gold Mines of "Kolar" in November 2000, the World's second deepest "Gold Mines" on the outskirts of Bangalore before they were closed in 2003.Toured the "Mine-shaft area" and saw the "Twin Gold mine lifts" built in 1925 and run by a huge "D.C Generator" built in 1925 supplying 2200 volts at 25cycles/Sec and operational, absolute antique. Tourists were not allowed to go down 10,000 feet into the mine Shafts and this unique antique "Mine shaft Lift" working in tandem, one lift ascending and the other descending into the mines could be a tourist attraction in its own right. Tourists go to Nepal to see "Mt Everest", the Worlds tallest mountain either by an "Air Sortie" or trekking to its "Base Camp" ,similarly, i am sure that there would be tourists waiting to experience traveling to the deepest point beneath the earth, "The Kolar Gold Mines". The Kolar Gold mines city was the first in Asia to get Electricity and the "Kolar Township" near the "Gold Mines" resemble the hill-station Ooty or England, beautiful meadows and excellent weather.

Sunday(10/5/1998) :- A day in Ooty hill station that will forever be etched in my memory bank for the simple reason that it was a day of incredible events in this tiny hill station of India. In the morning  attended the "Ooty Dog Show" and got to see some of the most unique breed of dog's which included "Fox Hound's" and "St Bernard's".The climate of Ooty is suitable for cold climate dog breed's like the St Bernard seen being paraded in the "Dog Show ring". 

Sunday(10/5/1998) :- "POLICE BAND" performing at "THE HINDU NILGIRI DERBY" on the Ooty racecourse held in the afternoon. The race was  sponsored by the "Hindu group" of media publishers. A grand event in the annual racing calendar of tiny hill station Ooty akin to the celebration of the "Indian Derby" at Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai. Notice the beauty of the surrounding hills. 

Sunday(10/5/1998) "Rudolph Cottage" to Ooty :- A visit to Ooty and attended  the " The Hindu Nilgiri Derby" at the Ooty racecourse. This is the paddock of the Ooty racecourse  where the horses are unsaddled after completion of the race. Ooty has  a  small racecourse since it is built on a hill station  and the derby afternoon at the racecourse and my entire short holiday stay  in Ooty was a event of a lifetime. In Ooty it was the horses of Dr M.A.M.Ramaswamy that dominated the Ooty racing season as can be gauged in the photo with both jockey's wearing the racing colours of Dr M.A.M.Ramaswamy.I was at the right hill station at the right time  and the month of MAY is the time where all roads in South India lead to "OOTY HILL STATION". Ahoy !  Got to attend the annual Ooty flower show which was akin to being in a section of Kew Gardens in England. Excellent flowers and a Botanist could get lost in the midst of flowers and tree's at the "Ooty Flower show".

Now i realize the reason for Kolar being dubbed "Little England" by the Britishers during their tenure in India. Also visited the "International Technology Park" at Whitefields, a "World-Class" office cum mall, comparable to the best in the World. Later visited Shri Satya Sai Baba's Ashram and although a huge sprawling institution i personally found it less impressive than the "Rajneesh Ashram" at Koregoan Park in Pune.Later wrote an article on the "Kolar Gold Mines" in the "Readers Column" of Indian Express Newspaper(14-11-2000)" which was published. It was in Bangalore that i also witnessed and realized the meaning of the famous Andy Warhol phrase:- "15 minutes of fame". An exhibition tennis match was conducted on 10-11-2000 at "K.S.L.T.A", the "Bangalore Lawn Tennis grounds" near "Cubbon Park" featuring the World's retired celibrity tennis players including my school idols, Bjourn .Borg , Guillermo Vilas ,Vijay Amritraj, Pat.Cash and Anand. Amritraj, to name the most famous tennis names of my "Youth Generation".The tickets for the "Legends tennis tournament" were expensive as is the normal case for any "Star-studded celebrity event" but the crowds were pathetic, either, due to the exorbitant tickets or a lack of interest in "Tennis" or the fact that all these celebrity tennis stars were "Retired celebrities". The tennis matches were akin to professional wrestling with gimmicks and trick shots especially by Mansoor Bahrami, although some matches were truly vintage "Borg-Amritraj-Pat cash-Guillermo Vilas". Imagine Bjourn .Borg playing "Centre-Court" at Wimbledon in the 1970's with tickets selling in thousands of dollars and women oozing infatuation whilst in 2000 at an exhibition match he plays to almost empty stands. Thats fame and celebrity of the "15 minutes of Fame syndrome". Agreed, tennis greats like Bjourn.Borg will eternally be a part of "Tennis History" but the fact that peoples "Attention Span" of their celebrities can be as fickle as a taste for new recipe's is an indicator to human entertainment and show-business."Enjoy life in the present and never regret the past, with the future being your mirror", i presume Bjoun.Borg would agree to the same.

"BALARAMA" with his Mahout at the "Mysore Placae Grounds" in 2001 in preparation for the Dussehra festival..

                                                                                        

Friday(28/9/2001):- Above is a photo of  superstar jockey of that decade  B.Prakash returning back to the paddock on 'Straight Arrow" after placing 3rd in the race.In 2001 visited the Mysore racecourse with my mum  to watch "CONTINUAL" considered the wonder horse of its generation run to no competition and no bets.The punter in me decided to return home to Bangalore  on a winning note of a memorable day in Mysore and bet on my favorite jockey B.Prakash riding " Straight Arrow" in the last race of the day. Was relieved when " Straight Arrow" just narrowly placed within the first 3 and I got dividend on my Rs 5000 " Place Bet".In 2001 Rs 5000 for a "Working Class" employee was a real big investment bet. In the 1990's upto 2017  at times my betting in Bangalore and Mumbai made other punters nervous wondering if i had "Underworld Connections" or "Insider Information"  as I was so good at the speculation sport of " Horse racing ".Finally totally quit speculating on horses in 2017 after the monetary bankruptcy/scandal of Industrialist Vijay.Mallya.

Friday(28/9/2001):- At the Mysore Racecourse paddock.Whenever I stayed at " Rudolph Cottage" then a day's travel to Mysore was mandatory and if " Horse racing season " then a afternoon at this scenic racecourse overlooking the Chamundi hills.

On Friday(28/9/2001) took mum along with me for a tour of Mysore  and we visited the "Mysore Race-course' to watch "Continual" , the wonder horse of its generation win a race ,reminisces of Lester Pigott and "Clark Gable" in Mumbai. Later visited the "Mysore Palace" and photographed "Balarama" the "One-eyed elephant" that carried the "Golden Howdah" on Dussehra day celebrations. In 2009 "Balarama" is still on the job of the "Golden howdah", the centre of all eyes on "Dussehra Day". Visits to "Ranganathitu bird sanctuary" and Srirangapatnam were almost like a pilgrimage on every visit to "Rudolph Cottage".The Elton John concert at the Palace grounds was the biggest and costliest rock concert that i viewed in Bangalore, a house-packed evening of some of Elton.John's classic songs, one of my all-time favourite singers, least bothered about his "Homosexuality tag". Witnessed some of the best "Mujra Dances" at "Brigade Road Gardens", on par with some of the best in the World, sensuous and titillating, a case of Kamasutra revisited.I will never forget the night i cycled from Banaswadi to Brigade road for a night of "Mujra dance entertainment" at "Brigade Gardens" and returning home cycling along the lonely roads of Bangalore close to midnight. 

Also Experienced being conned for the first time in my life by a "Mr A.Raja", a "Club Promoter" who extracted Rs 5000 from me , my cousins and numerous other Banglorites on pretext of "Membership Fees" for joining a newly created club , called "I.T.CLUB INTERNATIONAL" in Banaswadi.I still have preserved his "Visiting Card" as a "Con souvenir" of the first con trick pulled on me, although in later years, as recent as 2008, i would be conned of Rs 11,000 at the Mumbai race-course, the story mentioned in my blog,"An uncommon face in the crowd".

Saturday(21/3/1992) The "GOVERNOR'S TROPHY" at the Bangalore racecourse :- The Governor arriving at the Bangalore racecourse  in a car with the cavalry escort.This is a Terms race for 3 year old horses and one of the prestigious horse races in the "Bangalore Racing Calender".

As usual, akin to Mahalaxmi race-course, the Bangalore race-course was my second home in Bangalore with sojourns in the pubs of Brigade road after attending the races on Saturdays or Sundays.

Saturday(21/3/1992) Bangalore Racecourse Jockey Robin.Corner leading winner "Turkish Channel" back to the saddling enclosure:-  Became a "UNOFFICIAL MEMBER" of the Mumbai and Bangalore racecourses since 1990  with Mumbai's scenic World class "Mahalaxmi Racecourse" being my "home turf" betting ground and "Bangalore Racecourse" located in the heart of Bangalore city my holiday betting ground when visiting Bangalore during my 19 long years at "Rudolph Cottage".On 2 occasions distinctly remember betting at the racecourse and from there directly boarding the "Udyan Express"  back to Mumbai. One unforgettable departure from "Rudolph Cottage"  distinctly remember like as if it happened yesterday when  i bet  a ton on a "Dr M.A.M.Ramaswamy (B.Prakash jockey)  horse for "Place" and had a "5 -Star Place Lunch" in luxurious comfort at the  "Taj West End" hotel situated opposite the racecourse before boarding the "Udyan Express" train to Mumbai . Ahoy !  Yes i was heavily addicted to "Horse Racing" but thankfully didn't go overboard and  the sport did wonder's as a education in my present profession as a "Stock Market Investor/Speculator" , a profession with the warning ,quote,"Most difficult profession to earn easy money". .

Will also remember the "Bangalore Race-course" for my second largest "Horse racing losses" on two consecutive days , losing Rs 35,000 in June 2007, catastrophic for a working class punter.Occasionally ,had small get-together party's at "Rudolph Cottage" with my cousins and their families and also with Biju and fellow classmate Leonard.Aarons ,with me experimenting in culinary cuisine, something which i have totally given up after the arrival of my house-keeper Sabina.Dias in Mumbai.Lots of memories of "Rudolph Cottage" in Bangalore and i can't mention everything as memory fades with age and other intermittent busy activities of life.Finally i decided to sell "Rudolph Cottage" and informed everyone about the same with first preference given to any relative wishing to purchase it.Many prospective buyers inquired but as usual due to the price factor bargaining, a sale never materialized. My cousin Jayshree introduced a buyer but due to various nuances the deal did not materialize. Just two weeks ago mummy's friends daughter and our neighbour in Bangalore Mrs Dora D'sa introduced a buyer and to avoid any further "Jig-Saw puzzles" regarding the documentation of my house i decided to visit Bangalore personally and satisfy my own "Doubting Thomases" regarding the legality and up-gradation of all documents.Packed my "Back-packer luggage" and along with my documents boarded the "Udyan Express" at Dadar at 0820 hrs reaching Banaswadi at approx 0800hrs after a "stunt alightment" at Channasandra station near our residence and trekking my way to "Rudolph Cottage",a walking distance of approx 15 mins.I realise the importance of physical fitness and exercises during my travels, both in India and overseas.On reaching "Rudolph Cottage" at approx 0800hrs i first met Mrs D.D'sa and told her to arrange talks with my client at the earliest since i was to depart for Mumbai on Monday(28-9-2009).Mrs Dora.D'sa said that she had also consulted my neighbour Mr Balkrishna.Shetty regarding Mr G.Munni.Reddy's financial stability regarding purchase of "Rudolph Cottage" and that he considered him a genuine well-connected bonafide buyer.Also met cousin Jayshree and realised that "Real Estate" business in Bangalore is the profession of almost every house-wife!Jayshree's client Mr Hari met me and inquired about various aspects as i told him that i had already made a deal of selling the house to Mrs D'sa's client Mr G.Muni Reddy.Mr Hari left saying that if the house was not sold than he would be a prospective buyer,ultimately having two bidders for the house.Mr G.Muni Reddy and his son arrived at my residence at approx 1130 hrs and the talks and screening of original documents began.Mr Venoogopal.Reddy , the son was conversant in English and hence there was not much problems in sorting out the various necessary documentation.Mr Reddy agreed to consult his lawyer and reply to me in either the affirmative or negative and hence the bidding is still onn.One strange quirk of fate is that i am a rare individual who has experienced all types of "Human Living conditions".Began life in a palatial flat in "Mehrje Devji Bldg(7 years)" in Mombassa(Kenya), migrated to Mumbai into a one room chawl in "Haji Ismail Gani Building(7years)", shifted to a one bedroom apartment in "Vaibhav Apartments"(34 years and still living!) and built a second home "Rudolph Cottage(14 years)"in Bangalore.Intermittent years of a total of 25 years spent at sea on ships in various ranks and styles of accommodation, depending on the type of ship and rank.At present a backpacker traveler with a place which i call home being Mumbai.Life is really strange and interesting and its fun being "SINGLE!".

Mum Greta.N.Furtado and Self in "Rudolph Cottage"  in the 1990's

On Monday(28-9-2009) departed for Mumbai with a very heavy heart as this would be my second last visit to "rudolph Cottage", having concluded the deal of sale and having to later return for the conclusion of the sale of "Rudolph Cottage". Packed some of the "Mementos" of our 14 year "On/Off" stay at "Rudolph Cottage" since 1995.First and foremost, packed the "National G-20 video (VHS)" which i had purchased in 1987 in Singapore for approx Rs 5000, a princely sum in 1987, the latest model of its "Video generation" ,modeled by then Hindi movie star Mithun.Chakravorty. Adding duty of Rs 6715, the toal cost came upto Rs 12,000, and since i didn't have sufficient money to pay the custom officer as i had spent all my "Foreign exchange allowance wages" in Singapore the "Video Set" was kept in the "Custom Warehouse" for safe-keeping, to be collected on payment of the "Custom Duty".My parents later payed the "Custom Duty" and the video was released and a princely collection amongst our house-hold gadgets.Later in 1988 the plot of land purchased for "Rudolph Cottage" cost Rs 30,000 approx ,just approximately half the cost of "National -G 20 Video Set"! In 2009, the 1200Sq/Ft of same land costs Rs 30,0000 lakhs while the "National G-20 Video" is worth "ZERO RUPEES", having become "Electronically extinct" within a decade due to other inventions of the "Digital era of electronics".This "National G-20 VHS video" will be amongst my "Prize Collections" of "Entertainment innovation history" along with my late fathers collection ranging from the humble transistor to the typewriter, as it enlightens unforgettable memories of a forgotten era of human entertainment progress.How manny youngsters born in 1990 in the "Cell-phone Era" realize that as early as 1980 there was a premium for "Land line telephones" with a minimum waiting period of 5 years after application!I am a collector of "Memorabilia history" good or bad, profit or loss.touche!Also took the natural "Bonsai tree", packing it in a plastic polyethylene bag along with mud, the lasting memories of my gardening at "Rudolph Cottage".Boarded the "Udyan Express" with back-breaking luggage at 2020 hrs and arrived at Dadar at 1930 hrs on Tuesday(29-9-2009).The drive by cab from Dadar to my house took a crawling 45 minutes due to traffic jams as it was the immersion day of "Goddess Durga" , a day after Dashera, and hence huge processions, blocking entire traffic.Finally reached home at approx 2015 hrs, the honest taxi driver charging me Rs 70 while in Bangalore i was charged Rs 100 by the Auto-rickshaw driver from "Rudolph Cottage" to "Bangalore cantonment station".

The Last bus from Bangalore to Mumbai

MEMORABILIA FROM "RUDOLPH COTTAGE".The last voyage from "Rudolph Cottage" to "Vaib hav Apartments" in Mumbai :- I arrived on Saturday(7-11-2009) from my second and last trip from "Rudolph Cottage" in Bangalore by the luxury volvo bus named "SURAJ".A pictorial account of my last departure from Bangalore is written in pictorial form for memories of another day. I arrived home in Mumbai  with a lot of "Memorabilia" and "Memories Baggage".Brought along the "Bamboo cane table" and a "Bamboo Chair" besides small gifts given to mum during the "House-warming " ceremony of the House in the 1990's.Have converted my tiny Mumbai gallery into a small "Farm-house" with posters of horses brought from "Rudolph cottage", most significant being "Red Rum" as i had personally witnessed the "Grand National" on television won by "Step-toe" in 1986 while attending " South Shields Marine engineering College" at South Shields in England, nostalgic memories. My own garden plants ,"Mittoo" and Persian cats matahari and Matata complete the gallery farm-house of my tiny "531Sq Ft Apartment" in Mumbai. After all, a "Bachelor" can survive in a small accommodation and being "Single" is no more a handicap or a burden but helps in the art of "Self-Discovery" and study.