Venice

Revisiting the travelogue..

Aah travel. It is indeed fun to visit places old and new. I find that upon returning, the most vivid memories are not those of the most visited places, but rather the little things we did on our visit. I have been meaning to write about our Italy trip for ages, so I will do it now, or rather a tiny two day part of it. We visited Italy for a whole dozen days, but there is so much to tell about the lovely country that I will keep it down to one place per entry. I will mention the restaurants we are at and the things we loved to see, which will hopefully make this entry useful for future visitors.

To start right at the beginning, we landed in Rome and took a regional flight to Venice. It was about 9AM in the morning when we reached Venice. The aerial view of mainland Venice was very enticing indeed. We had booked rooms at Ca Bragdin Carabba, link here. It was a very charming inn, and the innkeeper was very hospitable. We found it very interesting that the lower floor of this former palace was completely unoccupied as it floods during acqua alta. This inn is a stones throw from the Rialto and a very short walk to Piazza San Marco, so it is very centrally located. The rooms were very nice, bigger than the average venetian room, with a nice terrace as well. Breakfast is not included, but you can get it at an additional price, though I would advise you to not eat here, when options abound on the streets.

We rode the Alilaguna water boat to Rialto, and while the boat was fast, it was quite low and did'nt offer a spectacular view. I recommend taking the #1 water boat to the train station from San Marco once. Don't waste money on a daily pass though.

I was immediately taken in and mesmerized by the magic that seemed to be in the air on the streets. Venice is breathtakingly beautiful and very romanic, with the water & gondolas and the pastel colored houses. Once we checked in, we couldn't wait to get out and explore.

We were quite hungry though, so we went straight for the food. Being in Italy, something in me craved pizza (a bad idea in Venice, I know). So our inkeeper recommended this place. This was very close to San Marco, so we decided to eat and then check out the Doge's palace. Once there, S ordered pizza and I ordered Gnocchi (another mistake). Both were decent, but didn't blow our socks off and were quite expensive.

Afterwards we headed out to visit the Palazzo Ducale. The bridge of sighs was sadly covered in scaffolding, and while it was a sight in itself, it wasn't the same. Piazza St. Marco however, was a different story. We were both enthralled by the beautiful square, and gawked awhile at the basilica. Then we decided to visit the palace. It was a wonderful sight indeed, especially if you have a thing for huge chambers and meeting halls. There were some amazing paintings of the renaissance era as well. S was more interested in the prisons however. It was interesting to see prions connected to the palace by a bridge instead of being tucked underground as in most European castles.

The two hour long tour got us all sleepy, so we decided to head back and get a little nap. We stopped at Segafredo for a cappuccino at the bar, and then went to the best gelateria in town as recommended by Rick Steves. It was amazingly good and at 1 Euro a scoop, a great bargain too. We then headed to the one supermarket that we saw and got some stuff for breakfast.. some yogurt cups which turned out to be real good, cookies, almonds etc.

Then jetlag had the better of us and we slept till dinnertime. And what better way to spend a vacation, but eat again! This time we headed out to this place. The dinner was amazingly good. I highly recommend the Sphagetti with onions, a deceptively simple dish. S liked the fish very much as well.

Then back to bed to nap!

Day 2 to be continued..

Clearing up the Clutter..

For those who know me, you probably recognize that I love a sense of order, the list of tasks with checkboxes to mark off. My mind cannot function under clutter and chaos. This is probably why I took such a long break from blogging, in fact expressing my thoughts in any more than 140 words (the twitter word limit). There was simply a lot going on and my attention was diverted. It always takes time to put the shelves back in order.

I have been wanting to write down my reviews of books and food for a little while now even if I didn't really think about penning my thoughts. I revisited my blog today after perhaps 6-7 months. Like a person stumbling upon a lost house, I wandered through the pages, looking at my own thought progression from five years ago to now, and it pleased me to see what I had been thinking about. It felt like regaining a lost part of myself. I guess it motivated me enough to write again. Maybe I will look back at this someday, who knows!

I am a big dreamer. I live in a world of my own and think about it as I walk down the street. The people on the street probably think i'm nuts, but I do love my own company. I wonder if people dream this way as well...It would be nice to see if anyone does, though I wouldn't be too surprised if no one does.

I think I've identified my genre of books and movies. It is usually the biography. Exotic cultures add more pizzaz of course, which is probably why I'm curious about oriental stories and eastern tales. I am not much of a novel reader anymore though I grew up on several. I enjoy people's thoughts a lot. To be human is intriguing in itself, and that is what is driving my reading habit these days. Recommendations are always welcome!

Cheap Eats- Rickshaw Dumpling Bar

http://www.rickshawdumplings.com/

23rd St. at 6th Ave, New York, NY

My love affair with this place began about a year ago, when their dumpling truck made its way down wall street. I would brave the cold to buy dumplings at this mini red truck despite loong lines. If you are looking for cheap chinatown dumplings at 6 for $1, this will not be your cup of tea. They are not cheap. ($6 for 6 dumplings to be precise). But boy are they delicious!


I have never had better whole wheat edamame dumplings before. These dumplings come with a zesty lemon dip that is the perfect balance of acid. They also have lovely warm soups to go with the dumplings. The asian salad is pretty good. Last but not least, the chocolate soup dumplings are a must try! Melt in your mouth chocolatey goodness! mmm!

Cheap Eats - Maoz Falafel

http://www.maozusa.com

Various locations in the city, as well as in other states/countries

Strictly speaking, this is not a NYC only joint. But it is so tasty, that it deserves a post. This place is vegetarian only. For about $7, you get a sandwich pita with falafels inside, a side of sweet potato or plain fries and a drink. This is enough food for two people, trust me, but if you want more, pay a little extra and get some friend eggplant in your sandwich as well.

The falafel is not the best in town but the more interesting part is that you get to pick what goes in your falafel from the unlimited salad bar. They have carrots, beets, picked eggplant (yum), the yummiest broccoli florets and a multitude of others. Load up your sandwich and come back for refills! There are also around nine sauce toppings to add to the falafels. The Cilantro & tomato chutneys are wonderful and you can't go wrong with tahini on Falafel.

Another thing to try is the Sweet potato fries with the garlic sauce from the salad bar. This is my personal favorite. They have tea lemonade, but I found this to be too sour. Still the food is what counts!!

Kobenhavn

As we look forward to planning our vacation for the springtime, I cant help but reminisce about our travel a few years ago to beautiful Kobenhavn. Last night, as I lay in bed, I tried to piece back the memories of the vacation past, but was a little saddened to discover that try as I may, the chronology was lost to remote corners of my memory.
This morning, I went to take a closer look at the pictures from the trip, and then it all came back in bits and pieces, as I put it down here, more so to reread when I feel like it, I guess.

I remember the lovely flight from Reykjavik to Kobenhavn. Even more lovely, we had people to welcome us at Kobenhavn. Scotts parents, Mones and Elsabeth were at the airport. I should say that their family did make our vacation all the more special and personal, right down to the amazing lunch they made for us, which we tried to repay with a homemade dinner later in the week. It was such a complete vacation in that sense, to meet and spend time with friends and family, even if it was your first trip.

Wonderful Kobenhavn.. we arrived tired and jetlagged, the crisp winter wind not being too friendly, but we had little time to sit or sleep. A quick trip to our rooms to dump luggage, then off we went from Radhusplassen on our magical journey through a fairy tale land.

We walked through the pedestrian walking street Strojkt, gazing and marveling at the open piazzas. A quick dinner of falafel & hotdogs on the street, and then back our rooms we went, to prep for an early morning.

With the morning came a wonderful breakfast, then a walk through the wintry streets. We crossed the orange roofs, coated with snow, the parliament house, and on until we got to NyHavn, the harbor to see the brightly colored houses and the trademark anchor coated with snow, again.

It was freezing, and we deserved a treat. And what other one better than Marzipan chocolates? Marzipan is like our very own Kaju Katli, only made with Almonds. We feasted on a few, then went on to see the Malmokierke, the marble church. We had picked to a little Danish vocabulary by then, Kierke - Church, Gede - Street etc.

Then on we went towards the harbor to see Amalienborg castle, the queens residence. We passed the geiphon, the imitation statue of David, then reached Amelienborg, in time for the royal changing of the guard, A tradition like at Buckingham. As luck would have it, we got a glimpse of the queen herself, as she drove though the castle gates.

Then off again we went to the harbor to get a glimpse of "Den Lille Haffrue", the little mermaid on a solitary rock. We were not even able to spend fifteen minutes with the diminutive statue, as the wind bit us from all sides and pushed us to move on. And so we did to get tea and snacks at a little place with Henrik, Mones's first son before heading out to get dinner at Mones's place.

More in the next post..

Fall..

It is indeed surprising and incomprehensible how four years have gone by in the wink of an eye.. I still vividly remember that crisp afternoon in August when I set foot in this country that I have grown to love. So many seasons, so many memories. Time goes by slowly as the minutes slip past and gallops through the days and weeks.

It has been an interesting few months, with weekends bringing new news and headlines, lots of joy and cheer and a few very sobering moments as well. Through all of it, i feel a renewed sense of faith, a sense of hope and love in the world that surrounds me, the people i know and the forces that i believe in. Human life thrives on hope, and it is the same hope I live by as well.

I have been listening to Bhaja Govindam, one of my favorite religious songs of all time composed by Adi Shankara and sung by M.Subbulakshmi. I do not know if it is her divine voice or the touching meaning of the song, which almost anybody can relate to, but it always calms me and gives me inner peace.

Some of the profoundly deep things that the song suggests are truly beyond religion. They touch on the true nature and meaning of life. I bet every one has felt in some way or the other.

The song suggests that the world we live in is an illusion, and that we have to look harder to understand the true meaning of live. When are people remembered? when do they live on? The people we remember the most are the ones that influence us in some way or the other. The Hindu concept of a chain of rebirth is based on the same idea. To break the chain, one has to attain true knowledge of "Brahman". I can certainly not give proof of rebirth, but I can say for sure that to attain permanence in this life, we have to do something that touches people in one way or more. A writer or a movie maker makes the future generations think. A political reformer paves way for a different way of life. A mother imparts to her children not just her love, but also a sense of morality she lives by.

We knowingly or unknowingly touch so many peoples lives as we go through the course of our own. We can only think about how we can make all those contacts positive, even though they may not always be. We also need to learn to be content with what comes through actions already performed in the past, they cannot be altered, much as we would like them to be.

The song tells us that the life of man is as uncertain as rain drops on a lotus leaf. The whole world remains a prey to disease, ego and grief. We do not know who our wife or son really is. Strange is this samsara. Who are we? Where have we come from?

We are born again, we die again, and are born again to stay in the mother's womb. It is indeed hard to cross this boundless ocean of samsara. Through this endless cycle, we just need to guide ourselves with our inner consciousness or god, to make all our influences positive and all memories happy. It is not an ordinary effort, but it is definitely one we should try to make..

Random thoughts

It's tax season yet again, and I can't believe I'm filling my fourth years' tax return.. where did the days go? It seems like just yesterday, my first delighted look at Boston, the first few Malden days, tiny apartment rooms, student life littered with studies, outings and new friendships. A handful of people to call friends after the two and a half wonderful years. At which point did we all really connect? Was it over the cups of coffee, the walks through the alleys on the way to work shifts? weekends? over assignments in the library? Somewhere along the way to the riverbank watching the sailboats? It is tough to say. Life is delightful in the twists and turns that it abundantly supplies, there is little time to wonder about the road not taken and likewise.

Busy days at work, nights before the TV, visits to the gym time permitting, an evening walk with a friend.. it what life looks like these days; the slow change of the cold winter to a crisp spring.. dewdrops on grass blades and the first cherry blossoms and tulips catch my eye on my morning walk.. I wish I had more time to take it all in, and I resolve to wake up early over the weekend to get a closer glimpse, but somehow sleep invades, and the sun is pretty high up in the sky before I take a step outside. I am like Mark Twain's Tom however, and Saturday morning is always pure delight, be it early or late.

New york, New york, my home away from home, is also readily accessible, and I love the walks down the streets, especially the busy crossings where the road seems to extend to the horizon.

I plan meticulously on fridays, for a busy weekend with several options for self entertainment; and then end up executing exactly half of the plan. Yet the best weekends are the ones that spring surprises on you with no warning whatsoever. Will this be one of those weekends? I wonder..

Vacation in India

It was a long pending trip, and I had looked forward to it months ahead, starting with all the shopping, the tickets and the packing. On that bright winter evening, as I drove to the airport, I felt the usual paranoia kick in; thoughts about forgotten keys and passports abound. A long flight later I landed at the Chennai airport past midnight, and then made the surreal walk to the domestic airport alone.

The domestic airport was deserted, save for a few sleeping families and a few people intently watching Sania Mirza play on the overhead television. I took my seat near the gate after an early security check and watched several flights take off before my flight was announced.

A shuttle ride to the tarmac and then an early morning flight over a lush green landscape littered with coconut trees; before I realized it I had landed in the town of Madurai, filled with excitement at the prospect of seeing my mom and dad at the gates and witnessing my best friends' wedding (Hence the domestic flight).

Hugs, laughter and a few exited conversations later, we rushed to the hotel room so expressly arranged by my friends parents, to change. A small search for the "Theppakulam" ensued, and I found myself waving to Sathish outside the wedding hall.

Meeting my friend, the bride, their families, waving to the bridegroom (also my friend) as he smiled nervously back, trying to make sense of the Tamil conversation and speeches over the omnipresent din & commotion so typical of Indian marriages, I saw my friends getting married. Even as a spectator nervousness claimed me, so I guess it must have been the same for them. The true beauty of an Indian wedding can only be felt, it is simply too hard to explain the myriad emotions, the sheer love and support provided by a family that bonds even closer as it unites in these joyous times. I was only too happy to have made it and to watch with my parents.

Jet lag finally took its toll right after, and I simply wanted to go home. And so we did, after a gruelling car ride over the pothole filled highways. I slept blissfully and dreamlessly after a long long time.

The week that ensued was the most tranquil and idyllic times after several years of my life, reminiscent of annual holidays over sunny summers. I had nothing to do, save for "conferences" with mom and grandma, read two books a day, or simply lie back and watch the fan spin as i thought about days past. The parrots were still around the coconut trees behind the gopurams, the river had a trickle of water, and the street looked the same except for the extra storeys in peoples homes.

Another week, two more weddings, my parents' 60th birthday wedding, myriad sarees, hopping sprees, a trip to Salem for a cousins wedding, a couple of days squeezed in between to meet Ambu; so many things to do, so little time. My cousins were able to make it to my grandparents place this time when I was around. We were able to get some quality time together, reminisce about our joyful childhood days and chat late into the night the way only granddaughters could with a grandmother. Me and my cousin slept like children again, next to each other. Somehow to our grandparents, no matter how old we are, we are always, and will always remain the children of the house.

Time flew by, and it was time to come back. Usually with the ones closest to us, we hardly realize what a difference their presence makes until it is time for a separation. It was tough, saying goodbye to a mom and dad who had marked their calendars to watch for my arrival months ago, and were upset, net never shed a tear for fear of upsetting me at the last minute. In that one second at the airport, I saw true love. And for that one minute, I did not want to come back. Maybe separation is the greatest gift god can give us, it is when we are apart do we realize the true importance of things we overlook when we are together.

I'm back to the usual hustle and flow of life now, yet keep looking back to those three blissful weeks when time stood still, yet inexplicably sped by before we could notice...I relive the time in my thoughts alone.

Ruminating

It's almost midnight, and here I am back again, typing at my little PC that I have grown to love. I shopped as did a million others here, on black Friday, taking advantage of the sales that retailers put out to prevent a gloomy year end forecast. This year, I did something intrinsically different, I went towards the Christmas aisle, shopping for a tree. Call it the living alone crisis. I have become bored not celebrating festivals at all, doing the same thing over and over, that I felt this time I needed my Navarathri or Karthigai (which by the way seems to be tomorrow, coincidence?) fix for myself. Hence the tree, complete with tinsel, lights and glass ornaments. The last time we had a tree was about ten years ago or more, me and my cousins being whimsical as ever, making a makeshift tree out of tropical evergreens (as they all are) and homemade ornaments. I still remember our presents under the tree (towels with Huey, Dewey and Louie on them).

I have always loved Christmas trees, and I am still pretty proud, and keep looking up at the shimmering lights. Strangely, the tree makes me feel more at home, keeping me company, as a puppy might be.

These days I feel lonely, content, depressed yet satisfied all at the same time. I can't help but wonder why is it so difficult for people to give others a chance at their own life. Everyone has their own two pence of ideas, given any topic, whether the other person needs it or not. This is so connected to our culture, which is why I love to hate it at times. I sometimes love my disconnect and revel in it as often as I do feel it and get that invariable urge to pick up the phone and call somebody or keep my T.V. on for company's sake and remain sleepless until early into the next day.

Culture, society, rules.. why do they matter? why do we care? I can keep up with anything, as long as it does not interfere my lifestyle. The moment it does, I do not like it anymore. I am happy with not knowing who my neighbors are, yet smiling and wishing them good morning, or holding the door open for them. I love hanging out with friends, as they don't tell me what to do with my life. It is my own to live. I just hope and wish that we (including me) learn to accept things as they are, and not want things to change for us, unless it involves us and only us. Then I guess it is a different story.

San Deigo

Last week I made yet another journey to the west coast, which I am falling in love with. California has a sweet charm of its own, so different from whats out here in the East; Laid back people, the palm trees, great weather, scenic vistas & pretty Spanish names, whats not to love? It really feels like vacationland, so much that it makes me wonder, how do people ever get work done?

This time the trip was preceded by moments of anxiety as I made my way into sunny Mexico, across the bridge to get that visa stamp on my passport. What if they needed more documentation, I kept thinking. But all was well, and a glimpse of Tijuana later, I was back in the mainland. We visited the Sea world and the other usual tourist spots spread all around the city map. I loved Old Town as well, as it reminded me of the village houses back home & I adored the mesmerizing display of craft work. The seaport village was nice too, with its paved roads and boardwalk offering a nice view of the bay bridge (not the big red one) and Coronado island. The lunches and dinners were great too, thanks to the culinary expertise of the Gaslamp's many restaurants. In short, it was great fun. It made me think about how fast time flies. To think I was in San Diego this time last week.

Diwali is coming up, and it makes me wonder what lies in store for the day. It has been four years since the last one I enjoyed with family. Why is it that we Hindus celebrate Lord Krishna killing Narakasura as our best festival of the year? Shouldn't Pongal, the harvest festival account for more? but it never did, somehow. Diwalis in India would mean a bountiful feast, lots of 'bakshanams' (ghee filled sweets and savories) , a time when you could consume the sweets before they were ceremoniously offered to Gods unlike the other festivals, firecrackers galore, TV shows, new movies, meeting friends, grandmas house in the evening with cousins... Diwali was always a happy time.

Last year's Diwali was memorable. It was Diwali, the American way. Potluck lunch, lots of variety, a day to wear traditional costumes, poker and a movie. In short, a good weekend with added surprises. Will we have half a good time this year, with all of us staying so far apart? I wonder.. and I hope and pray..

October

So here you are, probably bemused by the color change, or you must have guessed by now.. This is October, the month of Halloween, the hallmark of a fall harvest, the time to make the trip to the mountains to view the lovely colors of fall in resplendent display, go pick apples as I have done time and again in the crisp New England air. October is also National Breast cancer awareness month, a month to take a few minutes to visit your physician for an examination if you are a woman like me, or to encourage someone you know to do it instead of being lazy.

Time magazine had its cover story dedicated to Breast cancer awareness this week, and it took me by surprise that one in every eight women will be diagnosed with Breast cancer this year. The full story can be viewed
here. It also stunned me to see that the highest incidence of cases was here in the US and the highest number of deaths due to breast cancer were in my home country. Yet, upon reflection, over the last few years, we have seen it happening several times to someone near and dear.

Cancer, unlike many other diseases cannot be totally prevented. Genetics do play an important factor, but its likelihood of occurrence or its potency can be reduced with a few simple measures:

1. Learning how to do a good examination, is very important. With the ubiquitousness of you tube and Google video that brings home several funny clips on demand, also comes the added advantage of seeing and leaning how to do an exam decently. If you haven't' already, do take the time check out the videos.

2. Get yourself an ashtray; a nice expensive crystal one. and extinguish that cigarette once and for all. Smoking is a known carcinogen. But well, if you are a smoker, heart disease is more likely to come and claim you in a New York Minute.

3. Lifestyle changes. A good balanced diet and a moderate amount of exercise will not only keep your arteries unclogged , but also help with other bonuses. Thirty extra minutes of walking five days a week can help in ways unimaginable.

A few simple steps can one day save you or a loved one. So do remember to schedule time in your calendar to make the trip to your doctor's office. Visit the official site for more information.

Birthdays

Another year, and yet another birthday.. This time, I had almost forgotten that it was coming up, before being reminded my the ones most dear. Somehow, they manage to reach out to you well in advance; to call you and feel happy for your presence, which somehow validates your existence.

I remember the birthdays of long ago, looming with the anticipation of wearing a colorful dress to school . A couple of days before the birthday, I would go shopping with my mom to choose a box and fill it with the candy that everyone loved. (In India, you had to treat your friends on your birthday, not the other way around. It still puzzles me.). Compliments accepted graciously, I would distribute the candy to eager classmates after they sang the most popular song in the whole world. Closest ones would get two pieces, of course. Then there would be the birthday party, with the homemade egg less cake and favors.

As school days mutated into college days, the scene changed a bit. No more candy boxes. Surprise parties hosted by friends who somehow felt that the birthday cake was not a thing to eat, but rather a buttery face cream for the birthday girl. Sweet presents and good times. You had to treat your fiends to a birthday feast at a good restaurant though.

Birthdays here were not very different, except that the "treats" dwindled but the celebrations persisted. Wishes flew across the internet, doubling the total messages on my scrapbook or wall in a day. A myriad of wishes, sometimes a simple "happy birthday", sometimes a personal email, or a call from a close one at midnight, they made me feel happy, loved & wanted, especially when I was not too exited (it's not the twenty first one, you know)

I was also able to catch a Broadway show this time with a good friend. "Les Miserables". We were both taken in & mesmerized by the beautiful art direction which cleverly reflected the Paris of the Nineteenth century.

Overall, it was a wonderful day, making me feel nostalgic, happy and loved all at once. Thanks to all the wishes from everyone near and dear.

Book reviews

So here I am back again, with perhaps a ton of things to say after my long hiatus. I have done so many things over the past few weekends, read quite a few good books, watched my share of movies and worked hard as well, that this would promise to be a loong entry if I do not filter through what I have to say.. so here goes.

Let me go over the few books I read; the one similarity between most of them being their Asian origins. I thank the five hour long journeys across three states over the course of two weekends for introducing me to them; The first was "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri.

I do not need to introduce this Pulitzer prizewinning artiste, but for some reason the plight of Gogol and his unfortunate name made for a much more pleasant and intriguing read than her "the Interpreter of Maladies". I loved the shattering of the stereotypes, the longing for a loved home back in a familiar country, tacitly expressed over chaat made from rice puffs. I could relate to the Gangulis in more ways than one, Ashokes' happiness over new opportunities, the start of a new life in a new home so far from home, Ashimas' initial apprehension which ebbs so much over the course of time that her old home becomes a stranger, all the ones she knew being gone a long time ago. She cries over the home she loves in a land that was once alien but is no more. Certainly the things we miss the most over the course of life are usually the ones we take for granted. Gogol resonated with me long after I put the book down. Of all the characters in the book, the protagonist was the least expressive, but managed to convey the most.

The second book was a comic strip novel called Persepolis; the author Marjane Satrapi had described Iran and the revolution so beautifully through her childhood eyes. What was it like to be at war, lose loved ones & live through it? What was it like to live in a country that did not support a free mind?

Iam now reading "The House of Blue Mangoes" by David Davidar, A book I have fallen in love with even over the first hundred pages, for it describes to my the very villages I grew up in, the very same traditions & customs, long tucked back in a corner of my mind, slowly emerging through the magnificent Imagery. I recollect the festivals of my youth, the temple fairs & my anxiety to get there before they sold out, Chitra pournamis (full moon day celebration) on the river banks, swimming against the current & ex foliating with the soft river sand, drining fizzy rosewater and sweet coconut water, running through the irrigated rice fields in a shiny silk skirt and so many such little memories, smells, tastes made during times I faintly recall. My mind wanders so much that I pause for a whole fifteen minutes between chapters sometimes; slowly churning up those childhood days and perhaps unique experiences. It makes me quietly wish for a pensieve to store all our most cherished memories to revisit when we wanted to, but then I realize not too soon that the pensieve does already exist in our minds & hearts, and it's what brings back the small bits of joy into our minds to ruminate over..Memories do sweeten as we revisit them...

The Grand Canyon

Las Vegas

Last week, around this time, I was sitting abroad a nonstop flight to Vegas. The start of a vacation is always happy, with all the anticipation and joy of meeting people and seeing new places. As I keep buying tabloids at the airport, I took along three Time magazines, strictly warning myself not to pick up another $2 trashy tabloid. But alas, what caught my eye this time was "A thousand splendid suns" by Khaled Housseini. It was so poignant and touching that I did not put it down until I saw the greenish glow of MGM grand through my cabin window. The man in the next seat was actually willing to take a bet that I would finish before we landed!

It was the first time that I experienced such scorching dry heat. The air was hot, seeming to arise straight from the desert dunes. It baffled me how in the middle of such a barren desert, an incomparably wealthy oasis had sprung up. Vegas has every pleasure man could possibly want, all at a price.

Each casino had its own decor and ubiquitous smoke. My favorite was the Venetian, with its gondola rides, to be seconded only by the Bellagio for its conservatory and fountains. I don't know if it was the place or the fabulous company, but I was in the best of spirits in a long time.

We took a ride out to one of nature's most beautiful creations, the grand canyon, the next day. The drive was breathtaking in itself, with the highway winding over the humongous Hoover dam and then through the strange Joshua (cactus) forests. One could actually picture the Indian hunter, abroad his faithful steed, galloping through the lands that he knew and loved. Eagles loomed high above, in the skies.

The sky walk was perhaps the highlight of our trip. Built by the Hualapai tribe in March, it was still pristine and not yet the tourist junction that it would soon become. Walking on the thin layers of glass over a four thousand feet deep canyon can give you the jitters initially, but soon you feel like you are flying. The sky walk also offers a great view of the nearby Eagle point; it is quite a pity that you cant' click your own pictures.

A OK lunch, followed my a bumpy fourteen mile mud ride (there are no roads for this stretch, yet) and we were on our way back to fabulous Las Vegas for our last night there, and on to Los Angleles the next day.

LA did nothing but increase my liking of California, with its scenic pathways and mountain terrain. We spent the first day at Universal studios, having the most fun at the House of horrors and on the Mummy ride, which I was petrified of until I boarded it; Day two was probably the best with a visit to the Hollywood Boulevard and Beautiful Santa Monica. We had a lot of fun battling the rough waves, and I must have swallowed at least a litre of sea water.

By the time we headed out for dinner at the Persian restaurant, the vacation was already over, and before I knew it, I was back at my desk at work. If only life had a rewind switch..

Tagged

Rules (aka Divya, kinda modified by me..)

1. Players start with 5 random facts about themselves.
2. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 5 random facts.
3. Players should tag 5(I say 3) other people and notify them they have been tagged.

1. I have a serious ADD (attention deficit disorder) when I'm watching a movie on my laptop. I simply have to look up the facts related to the movie in Wikipedia halfway through the movie. Actually, I'm at my blog in between a movie watching session, yet again..
   

2. I love to clean, first thing in the morning. Even before I brush my teeth, I HAVE to sort out my shoe closet or sweep the floor (OK, I see you rolling your eyes!)
   

3. I mute people out when 'I'm studying. In fact, I mute people out whenever I'm concentrating. I know they hate me for it, but I can't help it.
   

4. My favorite snacks & foods include sun dried tomatoes, cheesy ravioli, more gourmet cheese, multi grain bread, bananas, mangoes, pasta, anything with lentils and microwaved cauliflower. Almost exactly half the list is good; and the other half to high in calorie content. sigh.

5. I simply love shopping. Even when 'I'm not buying anything. Even at a grocery store. Even at a pharmacy. It's quite becoming the bane of my life.

I tag -

Girish, Iblog, Zero..

Just a simple weekend

Was what I enjoyed (albeit the occasional boredom) for the past two days. The last weekend was quite a whirlwind, with the fun & frolic at six flags hurricane harbor followed by something that every Tamilian around the world must have done, the inevitable trip to the theatres to see the unmissable Shivaji. The movie was decent, probably its only fault being that it stuck to expectations to the T. Definitely over hyped, yet it was not a bad three hours. The "Thalaivar" did, as always do a good job. I found the sets very extravagant, and would have preferred a simple and sweet "Sahana.." on location. But the words captivated me far more than the surroundings. Say what you may, but a blonde & fair Rajnikanth is so not hot!!

Hurricane harbor ruined my carefully straightened hair, but it did bring back memories of a few amazing times in the pool. I was not one of those students who was good at sports, thanks to my klutzy ways and clumsiness on land. Swimming was the first sport that I felt (and still feel) graceful at; and I had some very happy moments in the water, with a few waves thrown in for our benefit. It did give us a great workout as well; we all felt it in our hamstrings that night.

I spent most of yesterday doing something that I like doing solo: shopping. Perhaps because of my complete patience at this activity, or due to the lack of it with my frustrated counterparts, I have always shopped alone. The several semi annual sales thrown in for good measure by the shops did but help burn a bigger hole in my wallet, forcing me to stay at home for most of the day today.

I picked up "The Queen" to watch before bedtime, as a bookend to a silent weekend. Based on the time of Mr. Blair's ascent to presidency and Princess Diana's' unfortunate death, the queen has intrigued me for the past fifteen minutes. A temporary hiatus, and I resume my movie watching...

Quality time

It has been quite a while since I had the former with close family. The past two weeks just breezed by thanks to the company of my brother and Sister in Law. This was the first time I saw them after a timely two years since their wedding. As I was working at my co-op assignment during their wedding, I could but make a hassled week-long trip encompassing two days in an aeroplane; numerous events and parties which made it quite impossible to share but a few words with either of them.

I guess we were all satisfied at the end of two weeks of fun, tours, food and laughter. Normally known as a "quiet" person, I was surprised at the easy flow of conversation.

I think this is actually the first time that I got to spend time alone with my brother. When I was at school and he in Med school, we would meet a few weekends, yet we couldn't talk much thanks to the wide differences between us. We were quite the typical brother and sister, who had different kinds of friends and did very different things. Now that the gap has narrowed, it is easy to communicate.

The weather has been pretty good for this time of the year. Summer has officially begun. I do love the summertime for its icy frappes, cotton skirts and crowded streets. New York City somehow becomes a different place in the summertime. Suddenly there are more smiles. The subway station scorches and the relief on boarding the air conditioned trains is simply unbelievable. Then there's Sunday brunch and the cool museums.

I also love the beaches and the heat. Some of our most memorable vacations were at Cape cod and Maine. You can taste the salt in the crisp sea air, and hear the waves hit the beach as you walk down the sweet roads lined with beautiful cottages. You tend to enjoy something more only when you get very little of it. If anything, I always complained about the heat in India. The monsoon season is the best in the tropics, when you can smell the musty scent of the sand as the first rains hit the dry soil. On such days I would watch the rain from the veranda upstairs as I munched hot potato chips, freshly made by a loving mom. Oh those were simply the days.

Random

When we age, it does happen quite fast. The days fly by so quickly and before you realize it, another year has gone by and another birthday approaches. It is quite hard to digest the fact that a sweet sixteen was a long time ago, more so because of the responsibilities that people expect you to take over automatically, once you reach a certain age. These days, I can sense the pauses in conversation, as I don't want to talk about certain things. They are better left unsaid.

The city is becoming hotter. I remember this time last year, when I walked down Newbury steet with my friends, as we tried some of the fabulous culinary choices around the area. It was a carefree time, a life that I still yearn for. Somehow, things dont' feel the same anymore. New York, once so fascinating has now become routine. There are like, exactly seven places that I visit day and again. Yet, it does not have the same tranquil vibe as the Christian science center in Boston. A walk around the reflection pool was enough to pick up my spirits, any day.

The weekend was so much fun. My friends helped bring New York to life, and I struggled at one AM to keep my eyes open to enjoy the poker game that I kept cribbing about (well, thats' just me). Time flies so fast when you have company. I wish I could accumulate my days off and just enjoy them together with friends, rather than have restless weekend after weekend. I guess that it is not in my hands, like so many other things. Had they been, would it make things better? Or is the grass greener by the muddy bank? I wonder..

Another weekend

Has arrived and is almost over. I remember a time when Sunday nights would make me gloomy at the prospect of a long week ahead, after all those movie nights and game-filled days. These days the gloom is gone. So is the thrill on a Friday morning, over a highly anticipated weekend.

Of Course, Saturday mornings are always good, meaning that I can roll out of bed as late as possible and quietly sip a cup of coffee for a good half hour. But after that, is when I get restless. It is a new feeling, alien to me, something that I knew not when I was surrounded by friends.Somehow, in Boston, even a trip to the pharmacy or the grocer was fun. I loved my solo walk and back to the whole foods around the corner, now it seems rather like a mundane chore. I wonder why?

This Saturday was a lot of fun, as I spent it with my friends & their parents.. An otherwise long day became short thanks to the delightful company and interesting conversation...

I have gone back to my books, thanks to the graduation present I got from my friends. "Rebbecca" by Daphne Du Maurier.. This book was reminiscent of Jane Eyre, yet there was a mystique added to the well told story, a very English feel. Manderley remains in your mind long after you turn the last page. You are also left wondering about the elusive Rebbecca..

I am now reading "The Memory Keepers Daughter". It is extremely poignant and touching, bringing to your attention the joy and agony of parenting. To each of us, our offspring is simply the most precious.. Will you not want your precious child if she is not perfect? What if you were giving her up to protect another loved one? The book brings to life the truest of human feelings, loss, pain, regret, love... and redemption.