What a Day!

I am spending the weekend at my sister's place. When I came my niece was sleeping. I too decided to take a short nap. When she woke up after an hour she demanded 'mummy' and I started distracting her by various tricks, then I asked her to say 'masi' (aunt) and for the first time she said masi! Of course, I am in the seventh heaven.

Then in the hot summer afternoon she fancied a walk. So, we went down and I was strolling with her in a shaded area. I was singing (and I dare to sing only when I am completely alone, my husband, and everyone else, tease me endlessly whenever I hum even by mistake and I don't blame them) mein pyasa tum sawan, mein dil tum mere dhadkan, ho na? I must have paused a little while, cause Vasu crooned hun tou! Then it became a game between us, now she sings both the verses Ho Na, hun tou. Oh! What a day it has been. (The rough translation of this song is, that I am singing "You are my pleasant rainfall, you are my heartbeat" and then I ask, "are you?" That is where Vasu chimes in "I am")

And I wonder what kind of a lousy masi I am that I never blogged about Vasu's and my shopping trip together. My brother-in-law was admitted in the hospital sometime in the last semester (it was not so serious but it needed hospitalization). My husband and I alternated with the baby sitting duties. My sister had completely freaked out with worrying about her husband and our complete lack of baby sitting skills. But Vasu and I decided to chill out. There is a mall next to the hospital and we went shopping! I am always on a lookout for decent formal shirts and we entered a shop. There was music playing and Vasu had a lot of fun dancing. I picked up what I consider my best shirt till date and later for the first time I bought some jwellery for Vasu. Now usually I can never for my life pick up decent clothes and Sesha's expert comments make it all the worse but I guess picking up the dress also depends on the right company!

PS. I took the picture off after reading this.

May Seems to be so Far Away ...

I am going to miss these roads all through April

By my standards I have traveled a lot since December 2006. First there was this college trip to Khurpatal, then we went to Sikkim at the end of the month and were in a train on the new year eve (loved it!). Then in Feb we went to Shringi Vatika and then I went back to Shringi Vatika again in the beginning of March with my younger nephew to get my cell phone back.

Now there are no trips planned till mid May (hopefully we will go to Prashar Lake in May). And there is lot of work to be done in between. How am I going to survive in April? Well, maybe by taking it out while playing table tennis.

Not Good Technically But I Love the Picture Now

Sunset at Khurpatal

We were coming back from Nanital to Khurpatal in December 2006 (this was a college trip) when I noticed this glorious sunset and took the picture (Nikon Coolpix 3200) from a moving jeep.

Obviously, at that point of time the actual scene was crystal clear in my mind and I was pretty disappointed with the picture. But now after 3-4 months, this picture reminds me of the actual sunset and I am much more forgiving about its technical flaws (don't ask me what they are, I just know this one looks flawed).

PS. A damn busy week ahead (even till now it has been very hectic). Not sure how much I would be able to blog, worst still, I have not been able to read much (blogs or otherwise).

Too Many!

I wonder what I was thinking when I went ahead and acquired not one, not two, but four blogs! Must have been out of my mind.

It is such a task to try and maintain just one! Travel Tales from India remains my true love for the obvious reasons. I am thinking of merging the photoblog with this one. Or is it better just to delete the photoblog and post whatever photos I want here, which is anyway the plan. What I am thinking as of now is to put the photo here (once a week or so) and copy the comments and then delete it from the photoblog. Not sure what to do, anyway I guess it hardly matters either way.

Delhi to Manali on a HP State Transport Volvo Bus

When I went to Shringi Vatika (Himachal Pradesh, HP) the second time to get my cell phone back, Sesha did not come with me (he has less number of leaves than me). When Sesha is around, I almost always end up traveling on a Khatara (uncomfortable) bus.

This time around my younger nephew came with me. He is quite tall (6 feet 2 inches and still growing) and he would have been quite miserable if the seats are cramped. At ISBT (Inter State Bus Terminus, Kashmere Gate, New Delhi) when we started inquiring for deluxe buses to Manali, we were told that there was a Delhi-Manali Volvo available at 8.26 that night. The tickets for this bus are sold from the first floor of ISBT.

We headed to the HP counter. The first floor at ISBT was much less crowded than the ground floor. It was just 6.30 in the evening but still the only seats available in the Volvo were for the last row. We decided to take it. Since, we had to get down at the tunnel before Aut, we were given tickets up to Bhunter. I paid Rupees 1590 for two tickets and my nephew immediately remarked, "Bua (Aunt in Hindi) there you have already spent almost the price of your cell phone." The bus was supposed to leave from platform 6.

We went to platform 6 around 8.15 and there was no sign of a Volvo. After a few minutes we asked a bus conductor of another bus and he pointed out the Volvo standing near a wall and said we should head there as it is almost time. After depositing the rucksack in the luggage space we walked in.

This was the first time for both of us in a Volvo and the bus looked comfortable and spacious with lots of leg room, till we reached the last row. The last row seats were really cramped in the Volvo but luckily there were just three of us for 6 seats and we could spread out on two seats. My nephew was in the middle seat which opened up to the aisle, so he had some leg room. I was on a window seat (not originally but since no one turned up I moved to it) with the next seat vacant.

They play a movie in the bus that runs till 12 at night. On our trip they played Bhagam Bhag, a truly silly movie and many passengers grumbled that they can't go to sleep. I am OK with silly movies occasionally.

Otherwise, the journey was comfortable. However, on the return journey we had to travel by various Khatara buses and to his credit he never complained even once.

Accomodation in Lachung (North Sikkim): What Does Basic Mean?

Sunrise at Lachung (North Sikkim)

We visited Sikkim in December 2006. Sikkim is a small state and we managed to see a bit of East, West and North Sikkim. Lachung is in North Sikkim and it is a small and beautiful place. Usually, it is the night halt for going to Yumthang Valley. I remember when we were booking our trip to Yumthang Valley, the lady at the counter said, "Lachung mein utne facilities nahin hain, bahut basic hai" (Lachung accommodations are very basic and lack facilities.) Puzzled, I asked what do you mean by facilities, she said it has no TV, etc. And I was grinning to myself, I anyway don't want TV, feels like my kind of a place.

Now a few days back, I got a query from an Indiamike member, asking about Lachung accommodation and food and was it very basic? That is how I thought of doing this post.

Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of the room where I stayed at Lachung. Sure, it was not a fancy room but it was quite clean and without carpet. I prefer budget hotel rooms in India without carpets. The carpets (in budget hotels) are usually quite dirty and contribute to a very gloomy atmosphere within the room. Hot water was only available in a bucket but that is OK with me. And there was no TV.

The food in fact was quite good, more like home cooked meal, always served hot. And the stuff that they cook in Lachung travels with you from Gangtok. So, it is quite common to make room for eggs, vegetables and a few chickens on the roof of the shared jeep!

My Gadgets Have a Will of Their Own

After a looooong time I got to know that my laptop has finally started working today. I had actually given up on it. Also got my camera (the new one) back. Thought it was my lucky day, the gadgets are coming to their senses. Only to find that my camera CF card is giving Error 99 whatever it means. Google search reveals that this error could be due to anything, lens dirt, contact points, card itself, battery contact ... Well, the camera goes back to the Canon service center.

Call Center: What Call Center?

This time when I was in Shringi Vatika in Himachal Pradesh (March, 2007) I had this conversation with a young lad in his twenties. The conversation took place in Hindi but in spirit, here is how it went.

Young Lad: I wanted to ask you the last time itself but didn't get time. See, I completed my 12th a few years back and now I am wondering what should I do. Do you think doing a computer course would help. There is a private institute in Banjar (nearest town).

Which road to Take?

Me: Umm, what do you want to do the course for? As a help for your own business (he and his family own a small business) or what?

Young Lad: But doesn't your husband work in the private sector in a computer job?

Me: Yes, he does, but he is an engineer ...

Young lad: So where did he study?

Me: An engineering college, called umm IIT ...

Young Lad: I know ITI ...

Me: Err ... IIT is different ... but ... he is basically an engineer ...

Young lad: So, what do you think? Shall I do the course?

Me: Do you know someone who has done this course?

Young Lad: Yes ...

Me: So, what are they doing now?

Young lad: I have not seen the few that I know getting any jobs ...

Me: Why don't you do an English speaking course? There are many jobs in the call centers.

Young lad: I think doing an English speaking course makes a lot of sense ... even for dealing with foreign tourists.

Me: And call center jobs are plentiful ...

Young lad: But what is it that you are talking about, what is a call center?

Me: ... Ummm ... a call center is ... let me see ... when you have a problem with your phone company or you want to know something from your bank, you call this place where people are paid to answer phone calls ...

Young lad: I will have to think more about it, but seems like a better idea, I anyway do not like computers much ...

Me: But why don't you stay here? You will not like a bigger city for sure.

Young lad: Tourism is very uncertain, seasonal ...

Me: But in the next 10 years it can only grow in this region ... kaam nahin hoga (it is not going to go down) ...

The person becomes thoughtful and then we start talking about something else.

I have no concrete solution for the person I talked to. But I do have a wish, that people who want to make a decent living may not always be forced to move to a bigger city. May he find courage to stay back and develop his own business and may the tourism in the region grow. I know, that would mean more crowd and litter but when it comes to making a living vs. crowd, I don't know what to wish for.

Grinding Wheel

The structure in the picture houses a water based grinding wheel at Shringi Vatika. When they release the water, it is fun to watch the wheels turning, a silly video but still I thought I will share.

Three Magnificient Himachali Dishes

Nettle (Kungis) Soup, can you believe that this is made out of Nettle plant (Bichoo Jari)? Steve, I asked them about the antidote but they said the plant is not growing as of now.

Sweet Rajma (Kidney Beans) with lots of Ghee

And Sidhu, made of wheat flour with a very tasty filling (don't ask me what, looks like chutney but tastes much better), this is a baked dish and has to be tried if you are in the region.

Looks Like Heaven!

Prashar Lake: Picture courtesy Yash Raj of My Himachal

I saw this picture first as the banner of My Himachal's tourism section. I am hooked, I am smitten, I am completely bowled over. I immediately wrote to Avnish (the anchor of My Himachal) and got a very encouraging reply from him. He put me in touch with Yash Raj and I am trying to figure out when can we go.

The lake is apparently 30km from the road-head (near Mandi in Himachal) and though vehicles ply, we will of course like to trek. Only, I don't think I can walk 30km in one day. But I am sure we will find a way around all this. So, I sincerely hope, sometime in May I will be there.

After looking at the picture can you blame me for being smitten?

PS. When I asked Yah Raj can I use his picture at my blog, this is what he said "yes its not a question to ask to fix any of my pic into ur webpage or into da blog...these pics anybody can use coz himachal is not only mine ..."

11 Story Structure and I Missed It!

Priyank writes about a small village near Shringi Vatika that has 11 story structure devoted to the saint of the same name. He has a wonderful picture of it too. Gaurav has also been there has a picture too (Both the pictures of the tall structure are quite similar, the same three people but in different poses, I wonder if they were part of the same team?)

Now if there is such a tall structure near Shringi, I really need glasses now. Why couldn't I see it? Priyank, Gaurav, if you happen to read this post, do tell me more exact location of this beautiful structure. And I think I need to go back once again (but no cell phones or cameras left behind this time, what to do?) The big qustion is when?

Some More Pictures from Shringi Vatika and Around

Here are some more pictures from Shringi Vatika. There is more snow this time around. I also have to conclude my cell phone saga but that will be the matter of a later post.

A Small Video from Shringi Vatika, Himachal Pradesh

March 10, was a rainy day at Shringi and my Nikon Coolpix 3200 allows me to make videos. This is the typical view from the window of the Vatika and I just loved the ice formation on the tin roof. But it would fall off after a while, whereas I wanted it to grow and grow and grow.

Back with My Cellphone from Shringi (Himachal Pradesh) Again

Snow in the Garlic Fields: Village Sojha, Himachal Pradesh, India

So, I am back from Shringi once again, with my cell phone this time and I combined it with my general break from blogging. There was more snow around the place. I have tons of pictures (but with old Nikon coolpix point and shoot, the new one is in servicing). Have a lot to write and pictures to upload but before that I have to take a class tomorrow and have to attend to it first. But regular posts will commence now.

A Short Break

Seeking Inspiration

I never felt the need to take a short break from blogging before. But for the past two days, try as I may, I have been unable to blurt out anything! I have been busy before (last semester I had a lot of teaching) but my head was always full of things to shout about. But for two days, the mind has been drawing a blank. So maybe, on Monday, I will write a new post. Or who knows, as soon as I have written this, I will break the jinx.

Happy Holi

Here is to wish you all a very happy Holi. The best thing about Holi is saying good bye to winter for me.

The color of this band that I use to tie my hair was black before I ventured out to have lunch that was hosted in my block. I thought by lunch Holi would be over.

Tibetan Review

Vistet left a comment on my journal article blog post and gave me a link to a very interesting article on travel guides on Tibet. I guess it would be interesting to read a travel guide about a place where you have lived all your life. All those mistakes, the cultural misunderstandings that can creep in, would make an interesting read. Here is a short quote from the article.

Sample humour ranges from the awful pun "The Daily Lama" (a proposed newspaper) , to unintended Sinic typographic error "All loads lead to Lhasa ..."

The Cell Phone Saga

Sojha, Near Shringi Vatika, I Surely Would Like to Go Back!

By now, I have told to countless people that I left my cell phone in a taxi on a trip to Shringi Vatika in Himachal Pradesh. The next thing that I tell them is that the taxi fellow gave it back to the hotel owners and I have to go back to get it back :))))))) No, it can not be posted back to me for ... insert a good excuse here, the owners of the hotel are old, there i no post office nearby, I do not want to trouble them, etc.

When I told this story to a friend he said, "The taxi guy gave it back! Now that is surprising." The first time it happened I ignored it.

Then the second time my father's colleague well in his 60s, replied' "Write about it, tell people there is still hope for India. Many have given up on our country." That made me aware of the fact that what I was taking for granted, i.e. the taxi fellow returning my cell phone was quite surprising for others.

Then yesterday while having lunch at office, two of colleagues said the same thing again, "So the taxi driver returned it?"

Now is it that so surprising? Only one colleague, who himself has traveled a lot said "Well, it is quite possible in Himachal Pradesh." Why, at Shringi, I would leave the room open with my DSLR lying around. I will of course not do this in Delhi or many other places but a small town in Himachal Pradesh is still safe enough.