Sleepless in London…..

Since he moved to London, he has had many a sleepless nights. Infact he thinks this is developing into a sleep disorder, but not serious enough to call a doc. What does one do when one cant sleep – watch tv, read, eat, think….?? He has often spent many a night over the last three years wondering what other people must think of when they cant sleep.

Here is a corny thought that comes to his mind (many a time) when he looks form his window – Is it possible that someone in the world is looking up at the skies and sees the moon at that very moment and thinking the same thoughts? He then analyses his thoughts, and decides that its is not only corny but also stupid. How is it possible for someone living elsewhere in the world to be looking at the moon at that very time? Wouldn’t it be a different time zone? and given the British weather, he was lucky enough to spot the moon this month….

He still humours himself with the thought – Is that person his soulmate and will he be lucky enough to meet that person? How can he find that person? He supposes writing a blog is atleast a first step to the search….

Dadi ki seekh

Over the years, after my gran passed away, I have realised the great qualities she had and the tremendous influence that she made on my life. She was a simple lady from a village. She had never learned to read and write but always valued education. She was a strong believer in moderation – of all things – talking, eating and sleeping. She believed in doing her own work and lived her principles all her life. She was also a forward thinker and I got m first glimpse of it as a child.  I used to be obsessed with astronomy, palmistry and all arts used to predict one’s future. Every Sunday, I used to grab the morning newspaper turn right to the weekly star sign predictions. At every given opportunity I would stick my palms out and ask for my future to be interpreted. I was always curious to know what the future holds and what I could expect. I had bought a book to study the art of palmistry. One such morning while I was lost in the newspaper reading and re-reading my horoscope my gran came up to me and started talking to me. She asked me what I was reading. I replied and she listened (another one of great qualities). After a while she called out to me and told me something I shall never forget in my life. She asked me to show her my palms. While she held my palms in her hand, she gentle folded the fingers of my palm to make a fist. She then said that is your destiny and that is your future, right there in your hands. You are responsible for it and it’s up to you to make what you want out of it.  

It was said so simply. It was said by a lady who had come from a background and an age of people who had lived their lives by such predictions and various other superstitions, but she thought differently. Her wisdom and thoughts will always stay with me.

Paris snaps

I realised something on this Paris trip – Im a very bad photographer – either that or I’ve always photographed extremely critical people I can mess us snaps like its no one business. I can never fit everything into the snap – chopping peoples heads off or my speciality darken things beyond recognition but my best quality is blurring snaps. The advent of digital cameras has been a real boon for me – as my “posers” (no pun intended) have to hold their poses and after ten tries I do manage to finally get some semblance of a photo. Here are some of my efforts in Paris:

Versailles gardens 

Arc D’Trimpohe - 2

L’Ouvre 2

ET by night.jpg

A weekend in Paris

Aug 24 -28, 2007

One of the very few bank holiday weekends in England and I was wondering whether I would be able to take a holiday on this one at all. My trip hinged on my visa interview that was scheduled just a day before my expected travel to Paris. Thankfully the French embassy gave me a visa, though it did take them the best part of a day and I had to take a day off work. But worth it considering that its a multiple entry 6 month Visa – so expect this category to be filled up with a lot more stories. I was very excited because I was visiting Paris after nearly 15 years; this was my first trip on the Eurostar and my last trip to Europe was over a year and a half ago. The Eurostar trip was strictly okay and it was as any other train journey would be, so in a way it was a let down. But the advantage is that you leave from pretty much central London and also reach the heart of the Paris. Reached the Gard D’Nord at around mid day and then made my way to the hotel. Here, I made an error in judgement and got off and Gard D L’est which was a kilometre from the hotel (per the directions) and I thought it would be good to walk it up. What I didn’t realise was the kilometre would be accompanied with my luggage in tow on a hot humid day. After about half an hour of walking I was cursing myself and when we finally reached the hotel I almost cried as there was a Metro station called Daumensil was just metres away from the hotel. Checked into the hotel and found the room to be very cramped. If I was to stretch my arms out they would have touched the walls. To be fair though, the hotel room was the only thing that was bad. The staff was very helpful and provided really good advise on what to do and what to avoid. The breakfast was also edible, which goes a long way in my opinion in describing the quality of a hotel. I was getting a really bad feeling that this may be one of those trips where anything that can go wrong will go wrong. But thankfully, that was not the case.

Day one was basically spent on Champs-Elysees and near Arc D’Triomphe. The road is beautiful and the Arc itself is also quite spectacular. In many ways it reminded me of the India Gate in Delhi. I know you may think that how can there be a similarity in something that is more than five and half thousand miles away? But there is – As this Arc is also a tribute to the unknown soldier, this Arc also has a number of roads leading to it, this Arc also has some spectacular views all around it and this Arc also reminded me of the scene from Rang De Basanti where they are driving around the India Gate saluting the flag. After soaking up the sights we went into the Lido for the famous cabaret show. I had heard a lot about it and had a lot of expectations (think that is a trait that often causes grief). It was well done and in fact they have set up dances to showcase dancing styles from across the world. There is a ice skating rink that comes up as part of the extravaganza and a man riding a real-life horse on stage!! There is also a part where men dancing with elephant heads and women with various hands plastered on their backs. I don’t know whether religious fundamentalists would take this depiction very kindly. All in all a good experience enhanced by the bottle of exquisite champagne. 

Next day we visited all the tourist hot spots – L’ouvre, Effiel Tower, Notre Dame, Invalides etc. We visited the places and did not enter them. Each one has a valid reason – L’ouvre was earlier an emperors castle and has been a museum for about 200 years. It stretches about 16 kms in width. They say if you were to stand in front of every piece of art contained there for a minute, it would take four months to cover the museum. We then headed to Notre Dame. Finding it was a bit of a nightmare and instead ended up at a cafe and had lunch. This was washed down with beer and topped up with a choc crepe. Finally just when we had almost given up hope of finding it we saw a glimpse of the cathedral. Its beau-ti-ful! I cant explain in words it has to be seen to be believed! On our way to the Effiel Tower we stopped at the Invalides. Finally headed for the Effiel tower. Just before leaving for France, I had read a newspaper poll that said the Effiel Tower was rated as the biggest disappointment by tourists! Yipes. But in my opinion this honestly isn’t the case. It nothing great to look at during the day, but its the night that makes it an absolutely sight. The queues here were so long, it would have taken us almost a day to get on. I needed to take a wee and this being a tourist hotspot I could smell the hygiene long before I reached. So much for the famous french sewers! (Apparently they have sewer tours! YUCK!) Just then I saw a beautiful place that just had to be graced by me – the Hilton! God bless their souls.  It was approaching evening so we headed for a river cruise. But then it struck us that Paris by night should be a lot better. So we decided to wander some more before we took the cruise. First we went to the Trocadero – which is an elevated site opposite the Effiel Tower. This gives good photo opportunities to tourists. After that we decided to go for a drink. As luck would have it there was a bar by the river that had set up a lounge in the open. It was such an a-w-e-s-o-m-e atmosphere! Let me try to describe this in one sentence. We were at the foot of the Effiel tower by the river seine, a setting sun and light breeze, with exotic French music, on a sofa sipping a mojito!! I think I’ve captured most of it there. After reluctantly leaving the lounge we headed for the cruise, which was just as nice. Paris by night is indeed more amazing. It was pleasantly surprising to see couples, groups of people just sitting by the river drinking, eating, laughing & even dancing (by the latin quarter). No fancy restaurants, no tables or chairs…. Such an amazing city I thought to myself, and instantly pictured my friends and me at those very spots. Perhaps some day…..soon!!  

Day three was spent in more sight-seeing stuff. We went to the Chateau de Versailles. Its a 45 minute train ride from Paris and definitely worth a visit. The palace was residence to Louis XIV (I think). I don’t think the palace itself is great, when compared to the ones in India, but the attached gardens are the really stunning. They have a huge lake at one end and there were people rowing boats in it. This is one place I remembered from my childhood visit. Amazing considering my little retention prowess. After spending the best part of a day there we headed back to our hotel and left in the evening for the Bastille. This place was listed on Lonely planet as a good place for cafes, restaurants and bars. The french are fond of their food on the run and often tend to pop in for a quick cafe and a bite before they head out. The cafe in turn tend to churn out some good fresh food. Some people even spend hours at the coffee tables reading, talking, or generally staring out the world that rushes past them. My friend ‘I’ had said about Paris – Its like the Calcutta of Europe! Bastille is a nice place a bit like the run down version of Leicester square. We ate and drank as the french would considering it was our last night there had a really time.  

The next day was my last in Paris but I have a strong feeling that this will not be my last trip to the place…! 

Chhod Aaye Hum Vo Galiyaan

This song by Gulzar always plays in my mind when I’m a bit low and keep thinking that those wonderful times will never come back…. 

Chhod aaye hum Vo Galiyaan 

Jahan Tere Pairon Ke Kawal Gira Karte Thay

Hanse To Do Gaalon Mein Bhanvar Pada Karte Thay

Teri Kamar Ke Bal Pe Nadi Muda Karti Thi

Hansi Teri Sun Sunke Phasal Paka Karti Thi

Chhod Aaye Hum Vo Galiyaan ..

Jahan Teri Edi Se Dhoop Uda Karti Thi

Suna Hai Us Chaukhat Pe Ab Shaam Raha Karti Hai

Laton Se Uljhi Lipti Ek Raat Hua Karti Thi

Kabhi Kabhi Takiya Pe Vo Bhi Mila Karti Thi

Chhod Aaye Hum Vo Galiyaan ..

Dil Dard Ka Tukda Hai Patthar Ki Dali Si Hai

Ek Andha Kuan Hai Ya Ak Band Gali Si Hai

Ek Chhota Sa Lamha Hai Jo Khatm Nahin Hota

Main Laakh Jalata Hoon Ye Bhasm Nahin Hota

Ye Bhasm Nahin Hota

Chhod Aaye Hum Vo Galiyaan ..

Blogging n me!

I have just been introduced to the “blogging” world by one of my dearest friends. Since the time he suggested I start writing, I wondered about the theme of my blog and how I would express myself to the world out there. I started thinking 

I thought of accents, aptitude and acceptance;

I thought of buildings, bridges and birth;

I thought of calendars, customs and choice;

I thought of drinks, dinners and dreams;

I thought of economies, energies and evolution;

I thought about fantasies, friends and fate;

I thought of gifts, greatness and God;

I thought of health, hope and happiness;

I thought of independence, imagination and I

I thought of knees, knuckles and kindergarten;

I thought about loneliness, life and love;

I thought about music, movies and memories;

I thought of numbers, nations and news;

I thought of olives, oceans and oblivion;

I thought of preachers, perfumes and poetry;

I thought of races, religions and reflection;

I thought of surroundings, senses and soul;

I thought of temper, taste and time;

I thought of usual, universe and utopia;

I thought of values, visions and vagary;

I thought of wealth, wisdom and women;

I thought of yesterdays, youth and yeaning; 

I thought of ……  Its amazing that when you start to put your thoughts down there is so much that flows into your head. I didn’t think that I would be able to complete more than a few lines and here I am sitting in the middle of the night and pouring out my thoughts. Well after putting in so much thought into it I decided that the theme of my blog should be something that is universal, something that everyone can relate to – food. I also add something that is dear to me – poetry and shairyi. A sample of the poetry you have seen above, now for a little of the shairyi, well I cant say that its my own – something that I heard, so ‘aarz kiya hai’“Khush shakal voh hai yeh aur baat hai,

Par zaheen log hume hamesha pasand hai”

A memorable dinner

I had gone home after almost a year. I know that before I had left for London, the bar used to be one of my favourite haunts. There were 5 of us Z, A, I, M and me. I guess I just wanted to re-live some of those memories. Or maybe some part of me wanted to visit and ensure that I was able to deal with things as they stood. Not much had changed since the time I had last visited the place. We headed to the restaurant after a round of drinks at the bar. The restaurant serves Chinese cuisine and is pretty decent at it. I have had better food, but this dinner ranks as one of my all time memorable ones. The restaurant has a general section along with some wonderful booths – you know the kind separated with doors the chinese walls. Initially they gave us a table in the general area. But given the fact that every 2 minutes or so we would burst out laughing, we were very politely asked to move to one of the booths. I think that his only gave us a license to laugh louder! I don’t remember too much of the conversation, but I do remember one of the most hilarious incidents of the night. After some deliberation, we had decided on what we wanted to order for dinner. Along came a waiter and noted it down. One of my friends, A, asked him a question. He asked the waiter – what kind of restaurant it was – as in what is the theme of the restaurant. The waiter replied that it is a Chinese restaurant. The next part it was done with all seriousness and a straight face as is his forte. We had all been so busy with our conversations that we had not even noticed. A then proceeds and say very matter-of-factly, if it is a Chinese restaurant why are they playing South-Indian music? I tell you the restaurant walls must still be echoing with our laughter.