a business trip to Vadodara

It has been a trip which was jinxed twice. The first time was when I had to reschedule it as I had to be in Delhi and not in vadodara on that date. The second time, it was the 4th July downpour.I am not too fond of sitting for hours on end at strange airports, where I did not have any business to be, but because the pilots wanted to cool their heels there.Neither did i want to have 'on the house' food in airports each time they announce a delay of a couple of hours due to inclement weather.I did not also want to crane my neck looking at the boarding announcements, again for hours.Hence it was that i landed in vadodara 3rd time lucky on 18th evening.
My first impression from the aircraft was very positive; lots of greenery around and the aircraft glided to a halt in a very compact airport. Saw quite a few Airforce planes parked nearby.I was told the place has a sizeable army and airforce presence.
went around the city next day evening after work.Quite a small town it really is, but the university and the sahayaji park gobble up most of it; the remaining by the 'lawrys'. Yes, it is how they pronounced a gujarathi word, meaning roadside eating joints.There are hundreds of them lining many roads and i was told that on weekends especially there is a long queue in front of every 'lawry' and my colleague there usually avoids many stretches of roads for fear of getting caught in the traffic jam of 'lawry patronisers'.Yes, it was apparent that the locals are fond of eating out and it has taken the shape of a culture thing!
We went to a temple which is being developed in a very unique style. Maintained by the army personnel, it is spread over a very large area having innumerable banyan trees.They have managed to collect very ancient sculptures of gods and goddesses and they are placed under the banyan tress.The temple as such is shaped very differently to appear as a place of worship of 5 different faiths. But then, ram sankeertanam was being sung lustily by the devotees gathered there.They have made a cave like structure and actually maintaining a fully ice linga.
Went through the old city and the typical shops full of ethnic wares. I was told that in the last 5 years that my colleague is living in vadodara, he has witnessed earthquake, riots and floods.But life goes on!
A very safe place for girls and it is actually true that mothers never worry about their daughters if they are late from school or college!Appeared an altogether different planet and 'aliens' to me!