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Moving to a new city brings with it a wave of excitement and a dash of naivety. My plunge into Bengaluru was no different. Embarking on a new journey in Bengaluru, I found myself drawn into an unforeseen adventure during the festive season. Let me unravel the narrative of why celebrating New Year's Eve or Christmas in Bengaluru malls might not be the best idea.
Fresh to the city, I yearned for serene spots near my stay where I could unwind. Being unfamiliar with Bengaluru's local gems, I sought suggestions from my office colleagues. Lulu Mall, renowned for its extravagant decorations during festivities, was highly recommended. Despite having glimpsed the mall while passing through during Christmas, little did I know the ordeal that awaited.
New Year's Eve Eve saw my roommates and me boarding the metro to Lulu Mall, dropping us somewhat close but not quite at our destination. As we treaded the remaining distance on foot, we reached the mall by 6 PM, blissfully unaware of the impending chaos.
Upon entering, the realization hit us like a wave - we had made a grave mistake. Grateful for not having used our vehicles, and having heeded a colleague's warning of a lengthy parking queue, we ventured into the mall. Our quest for a quiet spot to sit proved futile, with every food outlet filled to the brim.
When we ordered food at McDonald's, we attempted to pay, but they informed us that their online payment machine was not working at all. This was also a lesson that we should carry a sufficient amount of cash, a step we were reluctant to take due to the associated risk. The festive fever had turned the mall into a bustling sea of people.
Seeking solace, we explored decorated areas with stalls adorned with artificial jewelry, shawls, and trinkets. However, the exorbitant prices dampened our spirits. As the rain began to pour, we decided it was time to escape the overwhelming mall atmosphere.
The chaos escalated when we attempted to book cabs or autos for our return. Surprisingly, despite the presence of numerous autos around the mall, Ola and Uber services were inaccessible. We weren't alone; families and groups faced similar challenges. A revelation from a local resident explained the deliberate cessation of services by auto drivers. They strategically halted Ola services to exploit desperate passengers, demanding outrageous fares.
Our auto journey, albeit secured at a high price, took us to the nearest metro station. To our dismay, we discovered the metro service had ceased for the day. This unexpected twist left us pondering our decision to visit the mall. We booked another auto to our destination through the Ola app this time.
The challenges persisted as the auto driver, post-Ola cancellation, demanded extra money midway. In a moment of vulnerability, we acceded to his demands, paying extra upon reaching our homestay. We felt even more unsafe here when we saw that the auto driver had booked for a different auto number, but he was using a completely different auto. When asked, he said, 'Yes, that's how it is.' Anyway, we paid and left. It was a risky ordeal, heightened by the rain-induced nervousness during the journey.
Another unsettling incident unfolded at Vega City Mall when attempting to pay the parking fee, we encountered connectivity issues. The denial of cash payment and a 45-minute struggle to catch a signal painted a frustrating picture.
This Christmas, when some people went to Phoenix Mall Of Asia, they found out that after waiting for 2 hours for parking, when they went inside to see the place decorated for the New Year, they had to pay an entrance fee of 100 rupees.
In addition to my experiences, friends recounted numerous issues, including lengthy queues for parking, exit struggles, and overall difficulties associated with visiting malls on any occasion. This collective ordeal led us to a unanimous decision - avoiding malls for New Year's Eve celebrations became a no-brainer.
We have learned from our experiences, and now we make sure to share this with others. If you wish to enjoy New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, choose a place near your home or PG. Don't fall for famous and renowned places if you want to enjoy your day. And if you encounter some inconvenience, stay courageous.
