St. John - US Virgin Islands

Four-day trip to America's Caribbean, US Virgin Islands. Short trip (which is becoming a feature of most of our vacations..) but what an incredibly beautiful place!

Day 1 - Reached St. Thomas and took the ferry to St. John. Rented our car at St. John, got essential groceries and checked in to our studio at Estate Concordia. A loved the Grand Vitara and the drive up the winding roads! Took the day just to chill, and get used to the place. Awesome location of the studios, up a little hill and so close to the beach. We loved the studios, they were exactly what we had wanted, not fancy and close to the mountains and the sea.We tried the Concordia Cafe for dinner. Few vegetarian options as usual, but we loved their tofu.

Day 2 - Salt Pond Bay beach and a very dry & hot hike up Ram's Head trail but we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly nevertheless. Since we had a kitchen in the studio, and we had stocked up on basic groceries, we managed breakfasts and lunches in the studio, and went out for dinners. In the evening, we drove to the Maho Bay campsite, and had dinner at their cafe. More tofu. Also watched a glass blowing demonstration there.

Day 3 - Got rained out for the first few hours of the day. Then headed out to the Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins, Trunk bay and Maho bay beaches. Also went on a long drive from one end of the island to the other. Finally, dinner at the Shipwreck Landing restaurant. We absolutely LOVED this place, easily the best place we ate at while we there.



Day 4 - Late in the morning, we took the ferry back to St. Thomas and flew back home!

Aranyawas, Ranakpur Jain temple and Maharani Bagh

Snowed in today, again! I spent a considerable amount of time today, catching up on some travel research and reading some travelogues. I think I am going to start documenting our travels from here on. What I want to do first though is to write about some interesting trips that we have already taken, before I forget all the details.

A while ago, thanks to a couple of A's bacchpan ke saathis, we were booked into this place called Aranyawas in Ranakpur, some 90 kms away from Udaipur, Rajasthan. Cottages, cabins and rooms tucked away in the mountainside. It wasn't fancy, very rustic, yet charming. Wish we had stayed there longer than a night. Nothing can beat the awesome poha and chai that we were served in the morning, while sitting outside, taking in the beauty of the suroundings.

On the following day, we went to the famous Ranakpur Jain temple, a beautiful marble temple, dedicated to the first Tirthankar, Adinatha.

After spending a few hours at the temple, we headed to Maharani Bagh, a place recommended by A's brother, for lunch. The food and the place as such, were just great. Freshly made makki ki rotis were out of the world (see below, left). I hope we can go back there again, and maybe stay there for longer.

Some Mardi Gras Cheer..

I got back to work today.

Our activities committee had organized this small party to mark Mardi Gras day. Purple, green and gold colors and a big slice of King cake.

To SS, with Love

It's been five days since we heard that you are no longer with us. I was outside shopping, when I got the call from R. After that, everything went blurry. Nothing was making sense and the tears wouldn't stop flowing. Now, I think I have accepted it as something that cannot be changed or undone and have stopped replaying what might have happened in my mind. I still have trouble sleeping at nights and I insist that A sleeps after I have fallen asleep, but I will be ok in a while. Everybody is scrambling around to make sure that you reach your parents as soon as possible. It's been hard, you know, trying to focus on what needs to be done and controlling emotions at the same time. I think everyone is going back and forth.

Yesterday, I finally plucked up the courage to speak to your parents. I think my words sounded really shallow. Nothing that anyone says can make it any easier for them. Your father and sister were uncontrollable. I could not say anything to pacify them. Your mother said that she didn't want to cry atleast for your sake, because you had never liked people to cry and get emotional. But I think she broke down at the end of our conversation. I shudder at the thought of what's going to happen when they see you. I will pray..

The last few days, I have been thinking about you all the time. About the time we spent together during our childhood, when we were growing up, when I lived with your family for a year or so, college years and, finally, when all of us came here together to this country. I think my earliest memory of you is playing 'Ram-Lakshman-Sita' with you and V at Kodam. And 'Bon-Bon' candies! A starting laughing when I told him about this. I, actually, googled and showed him that there were, indeed, candies called 'Bon-Bon' when we were kids. A says it must have been a Madrasi candy...bah! Anyway, this was in Nungam. All the kids wanted this candy, we used to love them. I guess, V always got to pick what he wanted since he was the youngest. So, that left you, R and me. I don't know what the older kids were upto. Both of us picked the candy of choice, and saved the wrappers. When R came along, we gave her some other candies wrapped up in Bon-Bon wrappers!!! She was so mad at us when she found out! And I have some vague memories of all of us playing at the Gill Nagar house as well.

No family gathering is going to be the same again, without you. I will always remember the fun we used to have during festivals, especially Diwali. Getting together in one house, getting up early for the oil-bath and crackers afterward. WWF (you and V were so much into it), Super Mario, Formula One talk, all the leg-pulling, these are just few of the things that I will always associate with you. All the weekends, during college years, that I spent with you and the others.

And when we came here - we shared something special, didn't we? Atleast the first couple of years, when all of us would take the time to call each other up and have those long conference calls. And the trips - Niagara, Atlanta - they were so special. Can never forget them, especially Niagara. You drove all the way and back, and laughed at R & me, when we took the wheel for a few miles. You said we drove too slow. I am a lot better now, you know. No trip with everyone is going to be the same again.

I am also feeling a lot of guilt. That I didn't make more time for you. Or anybody else. I have been so wrapped up in my own little life, always postponing making calls, taking people for granted, thinking that they will always be there. And to think we met you just over a month back. Meeting you after so long had made me feel so good, and I wanted all of us to get together soon. Like old times. But you are gone....just like that.

I miss you too much. RIP, SS.

MSMT 2.0

I guess this sums up what many of us felt about this version of Mile Sur Mera Tumhara..

Mile Sur Mera Tomorrow? Fail

Wonderful Weekends

We had a great time last weekend - an old friend, a day trip out of town, some awesome food and drink and a lovely surprise!

I have to write about this place called El Serrano that serves great Latin American food. We found it last year on one of our weekend getaways and we loved it so much that we had decided that we would go back, even if it meant driving more than a hundred miles for a meal. SO, we went back, exactly a year after and it didn't disappoint. But after trying it both for dinner and lunch, I would say dinner there is something else altogether. The adjoining tapas restaurant Culturas seems interesting too.

We also stopped by this little town called New Hope, not exactly a very happening place, atleast not this time of the year but it was quaint and it was really nice walking by the little antique shops. We were told that it is more lively during the summer and has a decent nightlife. This town reminded me of Woodstock, another place we stopped by for a few hours last year. We had to take a picture of this guy there..

A New Hope

Already an entire month into the new year!

Ice Skating is funnn!

And so much easier than skiing! Definitely going back to the rink soon.

Haagen Dazs ne hag diya (it crapped)

I have never really been a big fan of Haagen Dazs or ice-creams in general for that matter so when my cousin sent me a forward with a subject "I am never buying Haagen Dazs again!!!" my first reaction was that doesn't affect me I anyway don't buy Haagen Dazs. I was in for a rude shock when I read the e-mail though. It contained two links:

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/randomaccess/entry/sorry_indians_not_allowed1 

http://shreykhetarpal.blogspot.com/2009/12/does-haagen-dazs-not-need-indian.html 

Apparently, they opened a franchise in Delhi and then went on to do a preview only for people who carried a non-Indian passport. Here is the banner

The owner of the franchise is an Indian which makes it even more enraging. We were upset about Indians being discriminated against in Australia ... this is the national capital!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dal-Baati, Chaach and Mango milkshake........we had a good thanksgiving.

Dilemma over the Kapoors!

RK or SK? When a friend asked me this question (even if it was in jest), I couldn't come up with a definitive answer. Such confusion!! I really like both of them, loved RK in Wake Up Sid and really have had a soft corner for the other Kapoor for a while now. Sigh!

I remember those times when the only actor name that I really cared about was SRK's, considered myself a true fan, saw all his movies, serials, knew all his movie songs, had a huge poster of his on the wall of my room and watched DDLJ atleast a dozen times. I didn't care that he wasn't the best looking actor in Bollywood, that half the people I knew couldn't stand him, that he really overacted at times and, later, upon learning that I had been a big fan of his, that the husband cracked jokes about him & Karan Johar and a certain Lux advertisement that I have never seen. I really don't know what it was about him. I don't feel the same now but then again, I don't feel the same about any of them actors.

Since I can't make up my mind, I will let my affections vacillate between the two of them Kapoors. What times, I say!

Vacation Cravings..

..are satisfied. Books, movies, occasional trips outside, two mile walk-runs, food,.......it's bliss.

I can't believe that it's already day 5 of my break. A much needed break and I'm loving it. For once, we are not rushing out the door to catch a flight or to make that road trip (not that I don't enjoy those vacations but I always need some extra time after to recover) or have chores lined up. For so long now, I have been craving for such a vacation with no major plans, mostly chilling with books.

For the first time in years, I read a book like I used to during school summer vacations back home in India. And I'm so kicked about it. I could concentrate on a book (without other thoughts floating around in my head) and complete it within a day, without falling asleep after reading two pages of it. I spent considerable time at a local book store a couple of days ago, remembered my Landmark days and came back with a few books that I have been meaning to read (Unaccustomed Earth - Jhumpa Lahiri, A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini and The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga). I finished the Lahiri book. Though I liked it, it left me feeling wistful just like the Namesake movie had. I will be going to a couple of other bookstores soon. A wants me to get Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh and I want to get some Chetan Bhagat books as well. I haven't read him at all and want to know what the hype is about, atleast before the movie is out.

Goodbyes are always hard..

*sigh*

And now I start another chapter of my life.

Goodbye 2009

2009 has been a very eventful year for us...a mixed bag, started off on a not so bright note, got better through the months and it looks like it is ending well. Nevertheless, I can hardly wait for it to get over and to welcome the new year in. Yay to 2010!!! And yes, I am pretty much hogging the space out here. To those who do read this blog and are expecting a post from A,...I think he's going to keep up his earlier posting frequency of a couple of times a year. Crunch times at work only allow for several hours of soccer every weekend and managing soccer clubs on Wii FIFA post-dinner every night. No time for blogging for the busy man. As you have probably realized, I'm the one with all the extra time.

In the past, I have thought about what we have done in a year, where we went, whom we met, activities and the like. This is the first time ever that I have thought about what I have learnt over a year that's gone by. Quite an eye-opening year. Thinking about all this has for some reason reminded me of the self-improvement books that my Dad used to get me when I was a kid, hoping fervently that I would turn out ok :-). I'm putting it down here because I feel like it and hoping that I don't have to keep reading what I have written to remember it in the future.

* I cannot demand anything out of my life. I cannot just stop and say ... "enough!"..., I have to keep going, putting in my bit towards whatever I want to achieve and believing that everything will make sense in due course of time.

* Things do have a wonderful way of falling into place.

* I have to stop being such an incessant worrier........ and have to learn to cope with stress. I cannot let it get to me.

* I was very lucky to have A and my parents by my side, walking with me at every step through my first real crisis as an adult (I am not talking anything big here but not something that can be ignored either).

* It is important to spend quality time with our families. I didn't realize that I can still get extreme bouts of home-sickness.

* I lost my paternal grandmother this year. I could not meet her before she passed away. Wherever she is, I hope she knows that I will always be grateful.

* My maternal grandfather was a far more interesting person than anybody in the family today. Someday, I will read and try to understand his books.

* I don't obsess with depths in friendships anymore. I am, finally, capable of appreciating and enjoying all levels of friendship without feeling superficial about them in my head.

* While a career may not mean everything to me, it does have major significance in my life. It keeps me sane. I might feel differently about it later perhaps.

* The Sun is the boss! No, really. I keep our blinds up in the living room. The moment I see the sun out, I grab a book and run down, to soak up the sun and to synthesize the big D.

* I am more careful about what we eat now, thanks to both mums and, ofcourse, K ben. My kitchen is more organized. I have stocked up on the badam, sesame seeds, flax seeds and quinoa. Curd made at home tastes better and I don't buy the "desi" yogurt from the local Indian stores any more.

Here's to 2010, it's right around the corner.

The perfect blackout!

Our latest love..cupcakes from Crumbs. I'm happy to write that A is as crazy about them as I am. Their bestest cupcake (atleast our favourite out of the ones we have tried) is the Blackout, followed by the Cappuccino cupcake. Must try!

What's Your Raashee?

No..this post is not about the movie. We did watch the movie and well, even my love for Priyanka Chopra, could not make the 3 plus hours and the innumerable songs any easier to bear. This one has been brewing in my head for a while now. A sleepy me picked up Linda Goodman's Sun Signs from our bookshelf, first thing on Sunday morning. Triggers-

1. N, X & Y are having coffee and discussing something.
Z (enters the room..) : Whoa! Nice to see N talk!!
N rolls her eyes, smiles, continues conversation.

2. J: So tell me about you & A..how different/similar are you guys?

N: J..we are quite different, A is not as quiet as I am... for one.

J (smirks..): N..you are not quiet!

N: No?? Ok..maybe in a big crowd or with new people?

J (thinking back,..searching old memories): Hmm..maybe..

3. R: No.. you cannot be a Leo! You don't seem like one at all!! Leos love attention. I can't stand Leos.

N: Sorry but I am a Leo...a quiet one.

*Sigh*

So I went and read some Linda Goodman. Few lines from her book that I want to bring up here-

1. There are no introverted Leos. There are only Leos who pretend to be introverts.

2. You may find a few lions who keep their ruling Sun dimmed and go about being strong, dignified and determined quietly. Don't let that soft purr fool you.

3. Leo is a fiercely loyal friend, a just but powerful enemy, creative and original, strong and vital - whether he's a quiet or a flamboyant lion, for there are both kinds.

So there. I am a Leo, the quieter kind.

For those who are interested in such matters, there is such a thing as the moon sign. And mine happens to be Cancer. That explains a lot.

I promised A a year or so back that I will not dwell on such matters for too long. So end of post. There you go, a post entirely about "my zodiac" and "me",..who needs more proof that I am, indeed, a Leo? :-)

Our first Halloween pumpkin

Inspired by the pumpkin carving pictures on FB, we made our first attempt at it.

Where is my award?

Angry, frustrated, emotional........I'm all of that and more. It's getting harder by the day.

New York City..

After so many years of indifference towards it, I have to admit that I have started to develop a sort of love for the city. Not so much to want to live there but enough to want to go there every now and then.

Snapshots of another interesting weekend..



I have had my fill for now.

The Mrs. has been baptized!

It's taken 5 years of goading, urging and at times offering to watch chick flicks in return but it has finally happened. I have seen an entire Manchester United match with N while she was equally engrossed in the match. We went to watch the Liverpool Vs United match at Nevada Smiths yesterday and though the result (of the match) was not quite what I was hoping for, the reaction of the Mrs. was brilliant. In her own words - "I was stuck in a sports bar with no distractions so had to watch the match and I really liked it. We should come here again for other games and next time we come I want to wear a United jersey." And that's not all, as the game wore on, I saw her clapping at good tackles, sighing at near misses and here is the icing on the cake, she sang and clapped her hands to - "If you hate the bloody scousers clap your hands, if you hate the bloody scousers clap your hands, if you really %^&*^& hate them, if you really %^&*&#$ hate them, if you really %^&%*&^ hate them clap your hands", both during and after the game. And now, with my heart filled with joy, teary eyes and choked throat I can finally say, the Mrs. has been baptized!

Disclaimer: The author may have twisted some facts for dramatization.