Sunday 23 October 2011

Mummy's trip to Mumbai

So, its been over 10 years since i last spent my mum's birthday with her. Since i left London when i was young, i've usually visited London on holidays such as Christmas or Easter. Sometimes, i can head over for a week or so in the summertime.  So this particular birthday of her's was special. Not only was she spending it in Mumbai, but she would be spending it with me! :) I wanted to make sure her birthday was a big hit so i organized a cake to be light when we arrived at my apartment at 2am in the morning, with a cake set right next to it.  She was totally shocked!!!The look on her face was priceless!


I then took her to Hard Rock Cafe Mumbai for a lunch......since i know the owner there, i knew he would make her day memorable :)


Then, what is a birthday weekend without some mumbai sightseeing...??




Sunday 16 October 2011

My First Mehndi!!

In honor of the upcoming festive season, Diwali, i got my first Mehndi during our family day at work!

(For some reason i can't get it to rotate!)

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Monday 10 October 2011

Every day, many children come to my car window begging for money.....last night, as i was doing some work and writing in my notebook, a small boy came and stared at me writing in amazement...when the light turned green, i quickly rolled down my window and gave him my notebook and pen...I've NEVER seen a child so happy......

Friday 7 October 2011

BANGKOK!!!


This was on our second day in Bangkok at our hostel....probably the best hostel ever..NapPack close to the famous Khao San Road! As if being me and looking different didn't scream out "tourist" enough, these shirts surely did!


We spent Sunday exploring different places in Bankok....here are some friends we met at the hostel that came along with us on the tour! Some of the guys are wearing funny looking pants because shorts are prohibited in the palace.  Guests are expected to be "well covered" from head to toe. 



 Pictures of The Grand Palace in Bangkok


 After a 12 hour long bus ride, we arrived on the island of Khao Samui!!!! So beautiful!!

Monday 26 September 2011

Its like stepping into paradise!

I haven't written a new blog in a very long time but i have a very good reason. At least, i convinced myself it was a good reason this morning. This week will conclude my second month in Mumbai and whereas August was kind of like my baptism into the country, i moved from a stage of "OMG, im in INDIA!" to "Your in India, so you better start acting like an Indian!" Life became sort of, business as usual. Even though people continued to stare at me everywhere i went, i started to get used to it. At this point, i have mastered walking while looking down at the ground. If i do not look at people, they will not look at me. Its that simple. So, every morning, instead of looking out the window in awe with how other people have assimilated into their morning routines, my head is now glued to the "Economic Times" or the "Hindustan Times" both popular newspapers that i simply cannot start my day without reading.  With only 6 months to make a big impact in my current job and only six months to spend is such a vibrant, developing nation, there's just so much to learn and too much to learn without reading the newspaper and watching the news. And since i would rather spend my t.v. time watching bollywood music videos, i figured i could spend my morning time reading the newspaper. So far, the routine has been working out well for me.  :)

So, everyday or at least every other day, i'll try to share some of the newspaper headlines that i find interesting and maybe you will too. Maybe it will help you and the rest of the work realize that India truly is the place to be right now. Well, i think most of the world has already recognized that as every time i read the newspaper or turn on the news, i hear about the growth in India and China.  India is truly up and coming with so much growth opportunity and so much potential, it is truly amazing. A great environment to be part of.  India's idiosyncrasies make it a culturally and economically unique country that appreciates traditional lifestyles and values but completely embraces modern intricacies and systems.  Someone who can strategically create an interface between the two has already "made it" in India, regardless of what platform they are working in.

Take for example, even Paris Hilton who clearly has a great business adviser. This weekend, she arrived in India to launch her new collection of handbags in India. If the message can get all the way toParis's ears, then they should at least-at bare minimum be in our ears too!


Speaking of the weekend. I spent mine in Goa...probably one of the most beautiful destinations in India. A few weeks ago i read a newspaper article that listed the "Top Ten Cities to Wake Up In".  I immediately went though the list and was shocked to see Mumbai listed as number 7 or 8.  As much as i love living here, i couldn't imagine it being the top TEN cities in the entire world to wake up in.  I immediately looked out my window, watched the rain pour with a group of cows huddled under a small tent and said "hmm"...i should be very grateful then.  I will say however that GOA should have been at the top of that list!! I never thought i would go to a place like Goa until my honeymoon. It was one of those places that you see in a magazine with a man and woman laying on a poolside chair with their backs turned to the beach. The woman in a tan beach hat and yellow one piece swim suit....the couple gazing onto a pure blue colored ocean with two bottles of Corona positioned on a low stoop.  That is what being in Goa felt like.  See for yourself!!

 

I'll definitely be going back!! .....Soon!