The Indian Experience

2006-07-05T21:20:00.000+05:30

My new blog... becharagrad.wordpress.com

Goodbyes have to be filmy

2006-06-29T12:23:00.000+05:30

"Tumko bhi
Hai khabar
Mujhko bhi
Hai pata

Ho raha
Hai juda
Dono ka raasta

Door jaake bhi mujhse
Tum meri yaadon mein rehna
Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna....."

The mountains, the city, the dogs, the friends, family....

2006-06-26T01:46:00.000+05:30

So I met with Tabrez (old xaviers friend and Plumpy's ultimate wet dream) today because he was in town - I wasn't really excited or anything - I thought it would be just nice to see him, and see what he's been upto over the last couple of years. And I think it was probably the most boring hour of my life. The conversation was zilch - everytime I initiated a conversation, he answered in monosyllables. I met him when he was with 2 of his other friends (sunny and zaheer), and they were constantly giggling all the while through - without even being stoned - I felt so weird after a point. that I literally spent the majority of the time people-watching while these guys giggled. Anyway, I guess I can't really expect everyone to stay the same...

After that hung out with Kim for a bit and spontaneously made a plan to see krrish - new Hrithik film. It's official. I'm in love with Hrithik. The film was definitely entertaining, although ripped off from 3 other superhero films - and the chopdi did look like something a raggedy ann doll threw up - but as far as hindi films go, I wasn't bored at all. And yes, there definitely will be a third part - which I will see. I paid Rs.160 to see phir hera pheri - and paid 220 to see Krrish - not to mention overpriced bad cinema food!!! absurdity!!

But it was so much fun watching the film with kim - because we totally bitched the chopdi out, and both of us were swooning over Hrithik. I did, however, miss the cheesy lower stall comments - apparently they're the best at Chandan cinema in juhu - pity I didn't get to see a movie there.

In all, a fun night! :)

Froom Boobsie's LJ..

2006-06-22T14:28:00.000+05:30

...since it's protected :

"Quote of the day:

From Stewie:

"There's always been a lot of tension between Lois and me. And it's not so much that I want to kill her, it's just that I want her not to be alive...anymore. I sometimes wonder if all women are this difficult. And then I think to myself, my God, wouldn't it be marvelous if I turned out to be a homosexual?"

hmmm I wonder if thats how A came out to himself....with a certain annoying lab partner playing Lois."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

No doubt the lab partner did, nearly every time I saw her, make me think about various ways to torture her - but unfortunately, she, in no way, can be credited for my fabulousness!!!

2006-06-22T14:24:00.000+05:30

Take the quiz:
What type of gay guy are you?

You are the committed type! You like to have one boy and you don't want to share him. You don't need anyone else but him. You're into fucking him every night and no one else.
Quiz by JustGuys.net. Take the quiz

2006-06-20T17:09:00.000+05:30

Since I've come back - it's one social obligation after another - and then finally falling sick. OK, not really that many social obligations. Just 2 dinners and the GayBombay party.
Question to all Bombayites : Is there no decent bombayite left?!! All my friends are dating psychos/thugs/de-classe wannabe models! The GB party was fun, even though it was more crowded than a virar local and for some reason the bastards at Liquid Lounge turned off the air-con. Kim and her friend Tushita decided to join me, and I think the poor girls got scared shit by the men, cross dressers and mad crowd of GB types. In anycase, I finally got to meet old friends, and one old friend (name not mentioned to protect his privacy) is dating this very verny lucknow escapee wannabe model who is using him for every paisa he has - which I absolutely do not approve of!! It was bad enough that Kavita is dating thugimaru, but seriously - are there no men that this friend has to date this disgusting thing?!!! It's such amazing motivation for me to come back after seeing things like this!

Anyway, social dinners were fun - Thai Pavillion - mmmm!! And got to meet long lost family friend who I haven't seen since I was 11-12-ish and I found out she lives in the city - which was really cool!

Spent all day today getting the guest list for the family party on Saturday night together, and cleaning up my drawers which Gangaram, for some reason, had packed with travel toothbrushes, toothpastes and shower caps. (??!!!)

Busy busy busy...still have to start shopping!!!

Sick!

2006-06-19T13:20:00.000+05:30

I have a 101 fever, I have been to the bathroom at least 7 times since I woke up and my body hurts like shit! WHY THE FUCK CAN'T BOMBAY CLEAN UP ITS ACT??!!!! Stupid pollution, Stupid weather change, Stupid EVERY FUCKING THING!!! AAAARRGGGHHH!!!!!

Yes, I hate being sick - especially when I'm on holiday.

2006-06-18T15:39:00.000+05:30

Really, they didn't need to garland me with money - I'm a gujju anyway!!

2006-06-18T15:37:00.000+05:30

Rebellious bugger!

2006-06-18T15:36:00.000+05:30

And yes, there was Jazzercise

2006-06-18T15:35:00.000+05:30

Kindergarden Graduation (Try and find Kerman and me)

2006-06-18T15:25:00.000+05:30

A dinosaur 8th!

2006-06-18T15:24:00.000+05:30

Robo-5th!

2006-06-18T15:23:00.000+05:30

Happy Rainbow Brite 6th!! (Was there any doubt?)

2006-06-18T15:19:00.000+05:30

Family fun!!

2006-06-18T15:14:00.000+05:30

A boy and his dog....

2006-06-18T15:11:00.000+05:30

The Caped Crusader...UNMASKED!!!

2006-06-18T15:10:00.000+05:30

Na na na na na...BATMAN!!!

2006-06-18T15:07:00.000+05:30

Awww.....

2006-06-18T15:01:00.000+05:30

You gotta hate the 80s!!!!

2006-06-16T18:24:00.001+05:30

Pictures don't do it justice....

2006-06-16T18:24:00.000+05:30

Tso Moriri in the day - heaven on earth - inhabited by a few nomads - we had the whole land to ourselves

2006-06-16T18:23:00.000+05:30

Aneesh Gurkha - cold cold cold cold dark Tso Moriri

2006-06-16T18:22:00.000+05:30

Salt deposits on the banks of Tso Kar

2006-06-16T18:21:00.001+05:30

Tso Kar - the smaller lake before Tso Moriri

2006-06-16T18:21:00.000+05:30

STONERS!!!!

2006-06-16T18:20:00.000+05:30

Kevin almost getting his hands chopped off by the Oot (oot = camel in hindi)

2006-06-16T18:18:00.000+05:30

Chortens at Hunder (the northernmost point before the India-Pak-China border that civillians can go to without a special army permit)

2006-06-16T18:17:00.000+05:30

Dromedaries (they have 2 humps) in nubra - Ugly as shit!!

2006-06-16T18:15:00.002+05:30

A view from the top

2006-06-16T18:15:00.001+05:30

And yet, no parking in new york city...

2006-06-16T18:15:00.000+05:30

Rainbow over Gautama Buddha - divinity or physics?

2006-06-16T18:13:00.001+05:30

No No - no picture of me (cute ladakhi kid hiding from the camera)

2006-06-16T18:13:00.000+05:30

Dana taking another pic of KK

2006-06-16T18:12:00.000+05:30

Monk blowing bubble

2006-06-16T18:11:00.001+05:30

kiddy monks

2006-06-16T18:11:00.000+05:30

Lamayuru

2006-06-16T18:10:00.001+05:30

Kate and Kev in the jeep

2006-06-16T18:10:00.000+05:30

Lamayuru Chortens

2006-06-16T18:08:00.000+05:30

Prayer flags at Leh Gompa

2006-06-16T18:07:00.001+05:30

prayer wheels leading up to the palace

2006-06-16T18:07:00.000+05:30

Om Maane Padme Hum on rocks outside the palace

2006-06-16T18:06:00.001+05:30

View of a chorten from Shey Palace

2006-06-16T18:06:00.000+05:30

Maitreya Buddha (the future Buddha)

2006-06-16T18:05:00.002+05:30

Monks

2006-06-16T18:05:00.001+05:30

...and the other side

2006-06-16T18:05:00.000+05:30

A view from the top

2006-06-16T18:04:00.001+05:30

Thiksay Gompa

2006-06-16T18:04:00.000+05:30

bus stop - how would you like to wait here in the middle of winter?!!

2006-06-16T18:03:00.001+05:30

Kevin chilling with the junior monks

2006-06-16T18:03:00.000+05:30

Wheel thingy to ward away demons (?)

2006-06-16T18:02:00.000+05:30

Spinning prayer wheel

2006-06-16T18:01:00.000+05:30

And the other side

2006-06-16T18:00:00.000+05:30

Hemis - the inside

2006-06-16T17:57:00.001+05:30

Hemis - the outside

2006-06-16T17:57:00.000+05:30

Dana and Annoying Control Freak Buddhist (ACFB) at the Hemis Gompa

2006-06-16T17:56:00.001+05:30

Road to Leh

2006-06-16T17:56:00.000+05:30

Random ladakhi dance performance i chanced upon when i went to pee in a hotel. They made the gujjus (not me) dance. Hillarious.

2006-06-16T17:54:00.000+05:30

Leh - the town

2006-06-16T17:53:00.000+05:30

First glimpses of Leh (the district, not the town)

2006-06-16T17:52:00.000+05:30

Peeing - with a view

2006-06-16T17:51:00.000+05:30

Unbelievable, is it not?

2006-06-16T17:50:00.001+05:30

Ursula - "are you taking a picture of me?"

2006-06-16T17:50:00.000+05:30

Kunzum pass - to get from Spiti to Lahaul

2006-06-16T17:48:00.001+05:30

and now you know why these kids are punished

2006-06-16T17:48:00.000+05:30

School lessons going on while going down to kaza

2006-06-16T17:47:00.000+05:30

No worries - we hitched a ride on a tractor which took us down to the Ki monastery (in the distance)

2006-06-16T17:46:00.001+05:30

Ok maybe it isn't "just around the corner" like the locals said - lost in the mountains?

2006-06-16T17:46:00.000+05:30

En route to gete (by foot) - the highest village in the world

2006-06-16T17:45:00.000+05:30

2 billys in a lorry - and they jumped out of the window 5 minutes after i took this picture - and watching the lorry driver chase them around gave us 5 minutes of hillarious entertainment

2006-06-16T17:43:00.000+05:30

Sichiling - the town at the base of dhankar - the entire spiti district has a population of 10,000 or something.

2006-06-16T17:42:00.000+05:30

dust storm in the spiti river - as seen on the way down from dhankar

2006-06-16T17:40:00.000+05:30

The stove in their house - powered by branches

2006-06-16T17:39:00.000+05:30

Shring and family - after the trek we were so exhausted we actually asked this guy in the town of Dhankar to feed us - and when we wanted to take a picture while he was cooking- they freshened up and everything - so sweet!

2006-06-16T17:38:00.000+05:30

En route to Dhankar

2006-06-16T17:34:00.000+05:30

Dhankar Gompa - far far away - and no taxis to get up there (we found that out the hard way - we ended off the bus with our backpacks realizing that it was a 6km uphill trek - we left our backpacks at a dhaba and did it - and it was super fun!!!)

2006-06-16T17:33:00.001+05:30

Tabo Monastery guest house - where I stayed

2006-06-16T17:33:00.000+05:30

Tabo (from above)

2006-06-16T17:32:00.001+05:30

Sandra - shielding herself from the sun

2006-06-16T17:32:00.000+05:30

Tabo and the mountains

2006-06-16T17:28:00.000+05:30

The tabo gompa - 1004 years old - set amidst the stunning spiti range (and joppe's back)

2006-06-16T17:06:00.001+05:30

Tabo - Welcome to Spiti - one of the best spots on my tour

2006-06-16T17:06:00.000+05:30

The bus - Jai jwala!!

2006-06-16T17:05:00.000+05:30

I tried to take a picture of these two old kinnauris - but they saw the camera and turned away. Note: the green caps are typical kinnauri topis

2006-06-16T17:04:00.001+05:30

My shitty hotel (run by bongs - it was expensive and dirty)

2006-06-16T17:04:00.000+05:30

Kalpa - Shiva's Hash Capital (and yes, I did indulge)

2006-06-16T17:03:00.000+05:30

Sangla - The town - one strip of land

2006-06-16T17:02:00.001+05:30

Sangla - " The most beautiful valley on earth"

2006-06-16T17:02:00.000+05:30

And one more...

2006-06-14T23:24:00.000+05:30

The dorm in the temple - it was mine - all mine for one night - muahahaha!! (I'm going straight to hell!)

Sarahan, Kinnaur

2006-06-14T23:19:00.000+05:30

The famous Bhimakali temple - allegedly when Kali decapitated the demon, it's said his head flew here and this is why there is a temple built here. The temple is one of the finest examples of Kinnauri 'hindu-goth' architechture with alternating layers of stone and timber - and, of course, the gorgeous kinnaur range in the background was amazing to wake up to.

The DON. Stoned. Happy with the deal he just clinched.

2006-06-14T23:02:00.000+05:30

For all you Kat-Licks

2006-06-14T22:31:00.000+05:30

The second church ever to be built in India (The first one was in Ambala)

Ek Bandar Hotel ke Bahar (A Monkey outside the hotel - it's funnier in hindi)

2006-06-14T22:30:00.000+05:30

'Nuff said?

2006-06-14T22:29:00.000+05:30

2006-06-14T22:26:00.000+05:30

Shimla : The land where Shuks is DON

And...

2006-06-14T14:35:00.000+05:30

after a gruelling 3-screaming-kids-behind-me plane journey - I'm back! More later...

2006-06-10T10:56:00.001+05:30

Leh, 10:54 am

So I'm finally in the last leg of my trip. I head back to Bombay on Wednesday the 14th, and I've become as black as a burnt tandoori chicken.

Leh, as a city, is quite dissapointing. It's small and quaint, which I ordinarily like, but is overwhelmed with hotels, travel agencies and souvenir shops - which I don't. The area outside, however, is brilliant. I've been in the mountains for 3 weeks now, and I've really begun to dislike urban centers here. The small towns (like Tabo in Spiti - which had only 3 restaurants and 2 PCOs) are so pleasant to hang out in. The mountains around you, a book by your side - it's almost a sense of Nirvana.

I've been meeting so many interesting people along the way, that I've barely been alone at any point- Sandra from Amsterdam and Joppe from Belgium in Spiti, Ursula from Vienna in Lahaul, Kevin and Kate from Guelph (or Kitchener actually), Canada and Dana from NYC with Neghi, the annoying control freak buddhist, she picked up from Tabo - it's been amazing.

I leave for lake Tso Moriri tomorrow, which is at the border of Himachal -Ladakh -China(Tibet), and is a relatively uninhabited place 4000m (~15,000ft) above sea level. The only residents of the area are Yak, snow foxes and nomads whom the lonely planet calls 'Chinese Cowboys'.

In all, this whole experience has been so enlightening - and it's something that I totally needed after 2 years of a mad New York life!

2006-06-02T18:19:00.000+05:30

Kaza, 6:19PM

The last week has been tremendous fun. Have been bussing through the kinnaur region stopping at Sarahan, Sangla and Kalpa and am currently in Spiti. Outside of the natural beauty which is so awesome (both the lush green mountains of Kinnaur and the bare cold desert mountains in Spiti are breathtaking), delving into indo-tibetan culture is an entirely surreal experience. It's almost as though I feel I'm not in India anymore.

There's so much to write..so much to tell... but internet in this town is shitty and expensive, so I'll save it for later. But rest assured, I'm alive and kicking - and having a blast!!!

p.s. I've tried and sent everybody who sent me their mailing addresses postcards, however brilliant genius forgot to date them - so look out for them.

2006-05-27T01:01:00.000+05:30

Shimla, 1:09 am

In the span of the last 36 hours, I have had dinner with a local princess (who is also the chief minister's daughter), seen a movie in a theatre which blacked out thrice bec of power cuts, and seen shekhu try to get a coffin organized in chandigarh. And this is my last night in Shimla (hopefully - if I manage to get up tomorrow morning).

Dinner last night was with two of shekhu's friends - a very young mother and her even younger daughter - and these extremely nice people turned out to be royalty. She is a Bushahri princess (a rajput clan of himachal) and also the chief minister's daughter. However, I would not have known this if she hadn't told me - she's a very sweet unassuming woman - and is absolutely adorable. The conversation was, of course, littered with alcohol (as have been most of my days here) - but was extremely interesting and chilled out. Besides, now I can actually say that I dined with royalty in Himachal :).

Went for Fanaa, the latest Aamir-Kajol film (I wanted to see it before I went forth into the boonies). Ok, so here's my take on it - in a nutshell - I liked it - even though there were SEVERAL moments where I was like "come on..!! That's too weird even for bollywood" (shooting helicopters down from the ground with a pistol? floating rishi kapoor?) But all said and done - I love both Kajol and Aamir - so I liked it. I think part of it was also because it's a small town and there's all the whistling and heckling and commenting (so fun!). And the lights went out thrice at which point the audience starting whistling even louder. But yea, it was fun.

Right now Shuks is trying to get a coffin organized. Why? Well, a business associate of his dad's came down to shimla and he organized a trip for this guy, his brothers and their families to manali. Now the younger brother of this business associate got a heart attack and passed away in manali. And we found this out right after we got out of Fanaa - so the whole evening was spent talking about malpractice and how random death can be. I mean seriously, this dude was apparently fit and in great health - and now, suddenly, he is no more. freaky.

And I have a splitting headache.