Thursday, April 28, 2011


I've been in this city for a week now and am somehow (apprehensively) trying to acknowledge a long lasting relationship with it. I dont really hate Bombay, but am highly intimidated by it. At the risk of sounding silly, I might have to confess that Bombay scares the living daylights out of me, for reasons unknown! :)

But without an option for shrugging or complaining too much, I kept confronting this city and always felt little less lost each time. I think it is the people. Walking across the Dadar station, I was simply thinking of how many people actually live in this (so-called reclaimed) piece of land? If you took this city, turned it upside down and shook it a little, you will be shocked at the number of people that will fall on you. It will be pouring people and no umbrella will save you from the infinite 'rain'. :)

But today I was getting back after shopping in Bandra, as an outsider I could not help but notice the opposites this city offers. Everything you see or experience here has an exact opposite that you will invariably come across. From enjoying free space in a grand black and yellow Fiat taxi to getting squished and smashed on a Thane local from VT at 6pm. From emptying your pockets for Rs. 3.50 vada pav for a fulfilling evening snack, to spending half your paycheck on fancy delectable doughnuts or gourmet gellatos, you do everything here... everything opposite.

Somehow come to think of it, I am not game for such a life. I am spoilt for choices and freedom that Bombay is a far fetched reality for me (fingers crossed). I know I am not cut out for the motley mix here, but at the same time I stand outside, my mind blown away by the character of this place.

Monday, March 28, 2011


In just exactly 25 days from now I am going to be leaving the amazing city of Madras, lock stock and barrel. The city is of course, extremely close to my heart; from the most awesome moments to the most embarrassing ones and even a whole bunch of scary, boring, memorable, creative, lonely, futile, fun, exciting, meaningless, weird and hilarious flashes, the city has treated me grandly and now I have to say goodbye and leave! :(

As I clear my stuff and put them together to be taken off, I actually feel strange about not having anything left behind here. Something about the city makes me feel so comfortable, that I think I am going to leave something behind for the people who move in; maybe my pillow or my most favorite book, so I have a reason to come back sooon!!

But yeah, just 25 days left... makes me want to do 25 different amazing, typical things in this awesome city. Here is my list...

  1. Buy little temple jewelery knick knacks from Sukra
  2. Filter coffee in Ratna Cafe
  3. Meals in Karpagambal Mess
  4. Catamarine ride in Kovalam
  5. Shopping in Mahabs
  6. Tibbs Frankie from Bessy
  7. Cast my last vote in Tamil Nadu
  8. Cheesecake from Jelly Belly and Winners' chocolate tart
  9. My last IPL match in Madras
  10. One awesome, soul stirring kutchery
  11. Balloon shooting in Bessy
  12. Just sit and watch the full moon at Thiruvanmiyur Beach
  13. Climb the darn lighthouse in Marina
  14. Alone time at Broken Bridge (at least this time)
  15. Wait in an endless queue for Kuzhi Paniyaram in Grand Sweets
  16. Go on the MRTS (parakkum rayil, lol)
  17. Night show in Satyam
  18. Look for all the books on my long list in Moore Market
  19. Get the Jhakkamma lady to predict my future with the wand in her hand (or kili josiyam, maybe both!)
  20. A day in Auroville (maybe)
  21. Mulberry-banana smoothie in Fruit shop
  22. Take one long ride on my bike
  23. See the Adyar Banyan tree (I have no clue where that is)
  24. Bead shopping at Bessy
  25. Watch a thiruttu DVD movie

Just some 25 things I can think off my hat, however I realized, the truth is I can never say bye to Madras!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

To blog for a blogger is something that is so inbuilt; just like for Barney Stinson to be awesome! But of course, there are some little breaks that veterans take to laze around in the name of getting inspired ;) and my stint has just come to an end. Been away, had a blast; but never stopped reading my favorite blogs.

Backpacking Ninja

Without sneaking into these lives, a day doesn't come to an end!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I went on a holiday, came back and somehow for a long time now, I have not had that ever lasting smile on my face; the smile that is so splendid that goes all the way from one ear to the other...


It was absolutely not difficult for me to get it back and stick it on my face; all I needed was three days of Rajima narrating the best story ever, Srimad Bhagavatham. Well, ideally I should have known a dozen of those stories since when I was a kid itself, but somehow I missed those crucial tell-tale sessions with my grandparents. But thankfully, I did not find it all that tough to catch up with the others around me.

For me to talk about Bhagavatham is almost impossible in a blog post; this ancient text is unfathomably profound and absolutely mind blowing. Everything from the beginning of the world to glories of the Creator to the magnificence of the Destroyer and the dexterity of the Protector and of course the acumen of those spectacular risis ; is simplified to such an extent that you are most likely to have an ever lasting love affair with the Divine and will want to go on these 3-day dates quite often. Undoubtedly, I was head over heals in love with none other than Him at the end of the tale which traced through all His grand incarnations.

Leave alone the story and the fantasy it left in my mind; the lessons I drove back home have been deep; something that cannot come across through a simple virtual bundle of text. My Bhagavatham hangover made me dwell further deep...

People around me were rather wonder-struck at me going sitting through long sessions of 'discourses' over a weekend especially; but take my word for that weekend being the best I can recall in a long long time now. The most fulfilling, the most smiling and the most fabulous weekend, that too right in the beginning of a brand new year.

Let me take the liberty of declaring, if you do take the time out for a Bhagavatham session, your life will change, dramatically. All the effort that you have to take is enjoy some fun and lively Bollywood style Bhagavatham hours with the most dynamic and awesome Rajima. Yes, you heard that right, at perfect situations, Rajima will burst out with an amazing Bollywood number that will help you further romanticize; quite the role of a situation song; certainly not that trivial and needless though.

Trust me, you are never too young for cool stuff like this; so keep your eyes and ears open and be waiting to chance upon 2 dinner and one lunch date with the Man in Blue!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Road trips for me have been massive amounts of fun every single time, no exception. The destination, music, a lip smacking snack (or many), company, those refreshing tea breaks mid-highways and the perfect highway wind, they all add to the story of a fantastic road trip; and for me these have been more than dramatic, leaving me behind with an unforgettable tale each time. Adventures more than expected and goof ups more than envisaged, these always live up to the record of being nothing short of legendary; even for you I am pretty sure.


The December of 2010 gave me more than one such amazing chance to cherish an exciting story; one that has gone by and one that is to come and blow my mind away! Just before I get over the bewilderment of one, I am ready with my bags packed for the next. My first great story of December 2010 took crazy turns, and the one that is to come has an awesome virgin-beach vacation packed within it.

I am already looking forward to an outrageously crazily exciting beach holiday with a killer half day of scuba diving and another amazing sunny day in the middle of the ocean with my dolphin friends. The winter sun is going to treat me and I am going to go ballistic bathing in the silver sands, the blue waters and the mild yellow beam. Can I possibly ask for more?!

Road trips are fancy idea, better yet if they get you to some great destinations! So take my word, its an instant mantra to charge you up and I bet, its always successful. So hit the road, no time to waste!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

After successfully completing some rounds of stressful 'exit interview' at home with mom and dad, I finally began packing my bags to leave Madras; where I was heading still seemed blur. Dumping my routine 9:30 to 6:30 job of a 'telephone operator' (PR person), made me sit down and think about I need to do next. Some serious thinking made me realize, a change is what I am dieing for.

People around me thought I was plain mad and completely ridiculous to churn out such an erratic decision after weeks of thinking. Little did they know, this was the best thing I could do to myself and my foolishly cluttered state of mind. I choose to blame my cozy table, awesome wardrobe, comfortable bed, my bright orange quilt, sinking bean bag; they all spoilt me and I realized, before I became their slaves, I ought to be leaving. A new environment is always so much more challenging; it urges me to explore... new people, new roads, new language, everything new; even the idea of crashing in a new pillow every night, gives me some kind of a high!

So all my bags were packed, and I was ready to leave!


Ever since I stepped into this beautiful city, it has been treating me to some amazing people, places, food and needless to say the most fabulous, 21st km. One week in this new city has already given me too many memories and a humongous wishlist. What I am going to be doing here, is a question worth a million dollars; but I am quite sure that I will enjoy every single day this place has to offer to me. And of course, me being me, will certainly find something interesting to do very soon. :)

A week has been sufficient time for me to have a list of my new favorites in the new city... my bright blue oshos, my green stripped ankle socks, my pink woollen shirt, the Bengaluru map (it is a must-have; the auto guys are hood-winkers) and my darling iPod. I am just thinking, life without even one of them, will be hard in this place.

I sure am missing my things, people, places back home, but the thrill of living out of a suitcase for time unknown to my own self, is giving me a thrill that is keeping me going...

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Well, ask me about it... It's been the most fruitful one week of my life, I can recall! ;) I must say, I was a bit vary about how life will be without working 9 to 7, without those regular 4 pm sandwiches, without those fabulous lawn lunches, rather depressing follow up calls and internal meetings; but I am quite happy I was in the grove to 'enjoy' already. It did not take me much to apply the art of wasting time and enjoying every bit of it!

One week has gone and I feel proud of myself; I was expecting myself to complain, sob or be a little bothered about the previous pattern of life, but I moved on pretty efficiently and began relishing the 'break', quite instantly. After a refreshing holiday, I was back home, with a long list of things to do and as always was absolutely thrilled putting them all off! I decided, the first week ought to be dedicated to bring me back the 'feel good' factor that chose to dump me the last few months.

My lovely grandma, music, people, books, movies, the salon and lots of food pampered me sufficiently. I did things I would not do on any boring weekday. I had fun revamping my wardrobe, dumping all those boring formal clothes and giving life to my colorful flip flops! Watching TV, cooking, painting, reading, writing, gave me so much joy this last one week! Overall from breakfast to my midnight snack, life was enthralling, I totally enjoyed doing nothing and felt absolutely superb about it!
 

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