real as it can get

I got to spend one chilled out day in Rishikesh doing nothing. sometimes i wonder how long this paradise wil last, the way we are depleting these god given havens. This is the last we will see of this in its real state- because soon, these will be artificially created as holograms (i-holo/ i-mirage?) you can pay for to enjoy in closed rooms between work hours next to your cubicle. And its going to be a deal.

Bipasha, Suchira, Arjun and of course Jura- thanks! I say its a good way to grow up, Jura- start traveling as early as you can!

real as it can get

I got to spend one chilled out day in Rishikesh doing nothing. sometimes i wonder how long this paradise wil last, the way we are depleting these god given havens. This is the last we will see of this in its real state- because soon, these will be artificially created as holograms (i-holo/ i-mirage?) you can pay for to enjoy in closed rooms between work hours next to your cubicle. And its going to be a deal.

Bipasha, Suchira, Arjun and of course Jura- thanks! I say its a good way to grow up, Jura- start traveling as early as you can!

mumbai taxi

I could do a theme on Mumbai for every 1 day trip I make here. I'm picking on the taxis this time.

The taxiwalas are an endearing, ever helpful lot. And they love their machines like no one else- which are aging, low roofed Fiat padminis with all the stickers tatooing them, and their masters hold onto the door with their under-arms least a giant hand might swoop down anytime and snatch the baby away. To avoid the scalding door in summers, you'll spot taxis with 'welcome' arm rests hanging over the door.

They zip down the roads, nearly missing anything in the vicinity- like they were never made for contact. In the backseat, there's me in the centre- holding onto anything for my dear life.

mumbai taxi

I could do a theme on Mumbai for every 1 day trip I make here. I'm picking on the taxis this time.

The taxiwalas are an endearing, ever helpful lot. And they love their machines like no one else- which are aging, low roofed Fiat padminis with all the stickers tatooing them, and their masters hold onto the door with their under-arms least a giant hand might swoop down anytime and snatch the baby away. To avoid the scalding door in summers, you'll spot taxis with 'welcome' arm rests hanging over the door.

They zip down the roads, nearly missing anything in the vicinity- like they were never made for contact. In the backseat, there's me in the centre- holding onto anything for my dear life.

flickjunkie

dus kahaniyaan, aaja nachle, om shanti om, saawariya, I am legend, beowulf, goal, jab we met, the messengers, the kingdom, breach, hannibal rising. Recommended are jab we met and breach.
Resolved. Watching flicks in the hall beats tv and dvd.

flickjunkie

dus kahaniyaan, aaja nachle, om shanti om, saawariya, I am legend, beowulf, goal, jab we met, the messengers, the kingdom, breach, hannibal rising. Recommended are jab we met and breach.
Resolved. Watching flicks in the hall beats tv and dvd.

Xavierians of '91

met my class mates at the school reunion after 16 years. I could cry just thinking about the way we were back then- scampering through the corridors all through our formative years. Apart from the paunch, mustaches and showing scalp, we're still the same. Here's to last night-

ride the time machine with me
we were the loud wilder lot
and still are- jeez what a racket we made
and we made each other back then

we swapped cards, talked shop
or just recalled ourselves

its like having found
pieces of ourselves
take my best wishes
give me that smile
it takes me to higher ground

you are a part of me
that floats away, but never broken away
let our hearts meet, hold me tight
Now get out there and shine

I'm listening to 'Everything' by Michael Buble here. When the chorus plays, I'm thinking of the Xavierians of '91.

Xavierians of '91

met my class mates at the school reunion after 16 years. I could cry just thinking about the way we were back then- scampering through the corridors all through our formative years. Apart from the paunch, mustaches and showing scalp, we're still the same. Here's to last night-

ride the time machine with me
we were the loud wilder lot
and still are- jeez what a racket we made
and we made each other back then

we swapped cards, talked shop
or just recalled ourselves

its like having found
pieces of ourselves
take my best wishes
give me that smile
it takes me to higher ground

you are a part of me
that floats away, but never broken away
let our hearts meet, hold me tight
Now get out there and shine

I'm listening to 'Everything' by Michael Buble here. When the chorus plays, I'm thinking of the Xavierians of '91.

kerala

We survive yet another hurried trip through Kerala in trains and cabs. But the beautiful topography doesn't let the exhaustion get to you like it would anywhere else. Your appetite inflates here and you let the sin take it's course- at least 3 every meal!

I relate better with my relatives now. I understand them better as individuals now unlike through our previous visits when they were more like family that just had to be visited. Wow- time changes things. My malayalam brushed up quite a bit in those 7 days- but by the time I was really getting the hang of things and managing to put a sentence together, it was time to leave.
The landscape hasn't changed in decades and it still rains like it used to.

kerala

We survive yet another hurried trip through Kerala in trains and cabs. But the beautiful topography doesn't let the exhaustion get to you like it would anywhere else. Your appetite inflates here and you let the sin take it's course- at least 3 every meal!

I relate better with my relatives now. I understand them better as individuals now unlike through our previous visits when they were more like family that just had to be visited. Wow- time changes things. My malayalam brushed up quite a bit in those 7 days- but by the time I was really getting the hang of things and managing to put a sentence together, it was time to leave.
The landscape hasn't changed in decades and it still rains like it used to.

through Jaipur, Ajmer and Pushkar

Jeevan -Hey man long time. How are you?
me -Fine. Tu kaisa hai?
J -Chal rai yaar, lets get out of town and talk.
me -Sure.
J -Abhi chal.
me -Ho, ho, ho... Done. Let me get my digi and we're out of here.

What started as a short 100 km drive out of town to talk our brains out, turned into the longest unplanned weekend driveout; more of a pilgrimage, to two holy shrines in Rajasthan- Darga Khwaja Sharif in Ajmer and Brahma ghat in Pushkar // limits ko thoda push kar yaar//

For quite a while now I have been looking forward to spending time in Jama Masjid- barely 15 km from home and it never happened. It re-lived now with my forehead on the steps of THE Darga 400 km from Delhi. Pushkar, another 14 km off, should have been visited a few months later. The right time to be there is October-end for the cattle festival- oh yes, with loaded cams. The drive to Pushkar was more interesting than Pushkar itelf which now has a Mcleodganj-esque ambience to it. Nevertheless, Brahm ghat is worth spending time at. In Ajmer, a good place to stay is the rtdc hotel. There's enough parking space and the rooms are well spaced out. We shot down our plans for Jaisalmer; all thanks to the shear stupidity of even contemplating on it in a 3 days window!
The toll through Ajmer and Jaipur is 60 bucks and its worth the money for the totally fab pave; 168 km of absolute glide- that's what it is. With the non-stop drive back from Pushkar to Delhi in one shot with just 2 stops for tea, methinks my endurance limits have moved a few notches higher. Do carry cash. A lot of petrol pumps still do not plastic- they rather paper. Nuf said, now for the pics. I've clicked enough building and monuments so this time, we'll focus on the local people.

Hey Jeevan, dude, all creds to you- You made this happen.

through Jaipur, Ajmer and Pushkar

Jeevan -Hey man long time. How are you?
me -Fine. Tu kaisa hai?
J -Chal rai yaar, lets get out of town and talk.
me -Sure.
J -Abhi chal.
me -Ho, ho, ho... Done. Let me get my digi and we're out of here.

What started as a short 100 km drive out of town to talk our brains out, turned into the longest unplanned weekend driveout; more of a pilgrimage, to two holy shrines in Rajasthan- Darga Khwaja Sharif in Ajmer and Brahma ghat in Pushkar // limits ko thoda push kar yaar//

For quite a while now I have been looking forward to spending time in Jama Masjid- barely 15 km from home and it never happened. It re-lived now with my forehead on the steps of THE Darga 400 km from Delhi. Pushkar, another 14 km off, should have been visited a few months later. The right time to be there is October-end for the cattle festival- oh yes, with loaded cams. The drive to Pushkar was more interesting than Pushkar itelf which now has a Mcleodganj-esque ambience to it. Nevertheless, Brahm ghat is worth spending time at. In Ajmer, a good place to stay is the rtdc hotel. There's enough parking space and the rooms are well spaced out. We shot down our plans for Jaisalmer; all thanks to the shear stupidity of even contemplating on it in a 3 days window!
The toll through Ajmer and Jaipur is 60 bucks and its worth the money for the totally fab pave; 168 km of absolute glide- that's what it is. With the non-stop drive back from Pushkar to Delhi in one shot with just 2 stops for tea, methinks my endurance limits have moved a few notches higher. Do carry cash. A lot of petrol pumps still do not plastic- they rather paper. Nuf said, now for the pics. I've clicked enough building and monuments so this time, we'll focus on the local people.

Hey Jeevan, dude, all creds to you- You made this happen.