Exploring Mumbai

Though I have been born and raised in Mumbai, it’s very rare for me to go around sight-seeing in the city. This trip of mine wasn't exactly that but quite close.

My friend and I set out to explore the various "bazaars" of Mumbai, especially "Zaveri Bazaar". We had no clue where it is located, but getting directions is never an issue in Mumbai. While walking down the streets, we noticed that the heritage Victorian buildings were being re-touched.

We wandered past the Crawford market, which is a hub of wholesalers and retailers selling everything from artificial flowers, plastics, toys, stationeries etc. Just around this market, is the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule market which sells fresh farm produce, imported cheese, chocolates etc. The entire web of markets sprawls around the Jama Masjid, which is beautiful ancient Mosque. We paved our way through the narrow streets filled with people and lined with old dilapidated buildings. Surprisingly though, the entire place was cool and breezy even at 4 pm. We strolled past Mangaldas market, which is the largest indoor cloth and dress material market in Mumbai. And there was Zaveri Bazaar, the place we had been looking for all this while. Zaveri bazaar, the bullion market of Mumbai sees over Rs 100 crore business every day. The entire street gleams with gold and diamond jewellery displayed across a myriad of shops lined up on the street.

After wandering along for a while, I had some delicious juice from one of the juice stalls on the street. It was heavenly blend of carrot, beetroot, mint and Indian gooseberry priced at just Rs 15 with a refill included. I totally loved it. We also had some "Ragda pattice" (potato cutlets in spicy chickpea curry), which was very different from what we normally have. You can find numerous choices in food at unbelievable prices all across Mumbai.

Tired of walking, we then headed off to Marine lines, to watch the sunset. I couldn't help notice the striking difference between the two places, one pouring out of its seams with people rushing through the streets as though on an urgent mission while the other being plush, calm boundless with few people enjoying the view. It was indeed a great way to unwind. We strolled along the shore, which seemed like an endless stretch only to realize that we had walked all the way from Girgaum to Churchgate and then to CST where we boarded our train back.

I had never expected a visit to Mumbai could turn out to be so interesting.

Why?

Why does one have to get married? Why does a girl have to leave my parents? Why is a girl not treated equal to a guy? Why should she leave a perfect and blissful life? Why it's always the girl who has to adjust? Why is marriage a compromise only on the girl's side? Why?

Kudos to Kesari!!

Here I am. Back after a long long time. Well, this post is really special as I am just back from a vacation to Thailand. I find it worth mentioning that the entire tour organized by Kesari tours was totally amazing. It couldn't have been better. I am particularly impressed by the quality of service, the choice of hotels, the food, the people and the entire tour itinerary as such.

One of the highlights of the tour was the ease with which Kesari managed to take 34 women (of whom there were people who have never traveled alone) to a foreign land and give them the Thailand experience keeping in mind their origins. They managed to serve Indian food all over the trip for people who might not be able to adapt the Thai cuisine. At the sametime, they managed to win the hearts of the young women on board who preferred to experiment with Thai cuisine.

I am totally in love with their concept of "My fair lady" tours, which focus on women who have always lived their lives for others, giving sacrifices all along. These women who have always lived for their husbands and children finally get to live life their way in this tour. And trust me, it is an out and out hit. The tour has been carefully designed to suit the Indian woman and allows her enough outlets to be herself. The tours is filled with reasons to show off your talents via the various dance competitions, the fashion shows and the Paithani competition. The daily dress code and awards for the best dressed add excitement to each day. Truly, this tour helps a woman rediscover herself.

Another important highlight of the tour is Mr. Aadesh Bandekar, the highly popular Marathi TV celebrity especially among the women. He adds the celebrity touch to the tour. With his witty comments and jokes, he helps every woman break out of her own cocoon and truly enjoy herself.

I truly appreciate the sincere efforts of Kesari to make every moment of this tour memorable. Kudos to Kesari!!

Diwali...Away from Home

This is the second Diwali in a row which I am spending away from home. It makes me wonder sometimes "Is all this worth it compared to what we are missing?" "Are we hurting our family by being away?" Probably we are. I cannot imagine how it must feel to see a family member move away. It would create a void that you will experience in every nook and corner of the house, which deepens every moment and which nothing else seems to fill.

Diwali means so much for each of us in India. Diwali is when there are colors and lights everywhere, Diwali is when the air is full of aroma from the delicacies cooking in every house, Diwali is when you visit all your relatives and friends, Diwali is when your cell phone is stormed with texts from everyone you know, Diwali is when you shop for like crazy, Diwali is when you sleep in the bustle of fireworks and wake up with them, Diwali is when there is happiness and excitment in everyone around. Well, I have missed every moment of this bliss for 2 years now. This when I truly want to be at home with everyone.

My Diwali started with a hectic day of work and to add to it, a critical production issue. Finally, I managed to leave office at 8 only to find myself all alone for the rest of the night. It was pretty depressing. The next day wasn't that bad though. We met some friends, went for shopping and also attended an office get together.That was all for Diwali 2009.

Hopefully, I will spend the next Diwali at home.

Brownies....Yummmyyyyyyyy

Tired of routine, I was thinking of trying out something new. Just then, thought of baking something. We have an oven in our apartment, but had never used it. Neither did I know, how to operate it.

So started with pulling up the operating manual for the oven from the Internet. After figuring out the basic baking steps, me and my roomie went out to buy a cake mix. Picked up a Hershey's choco-walnut brownie mix and a baking tray from the near by department store.

I was all excited about baking a cake for the first time, given that I am just an amateur cook and cakes are not the easiest thing to make. With my fingers crossed, I prepared the mix and started the oven.

After about an hour, my apartment was clouded with the aroma of fresh yummy brownies. I was delighted to see them come out perfectly.

Yes, the brownies were perfect! Operation successful! :)

Where's my wallet?

A day after my project launch, when we were done with most of the work, we decided to chill out and headed to eat out. We had been indoors since morning and hence wanted to breathe some fresh air. So we went out in search of a place with a patio. The thought of celebrating the project launch on a chilly evening around the hill away from the hustle bustle of the city was so refreshing.

After wandering around a few places, we decided to go to a Mexican restaurant. This place has an impressive ambience and is well known for its Magaritas. We had an amazing time at the restaurant and the food was delicious. We then headed towards home to catch a good night's sleep.

The next day, I was heading out to buy some groceries and just then I realized my wallet was missing! I searched my bag and the entire house for it but couldn't find it. This is so weird since I generally never ever carry my wallet anywhere instead I stash some cash and all my cards in my denims. But last night I had taken my wallet, God knows why?

My friends and me then retraced all the places I had been to last night. The only place I could have misplaced the wallet was my client's car or the restaurant. And guess what? I had no idea of the name of the restaurant we had been to neither I had any clue of its location. But my client should know, so I called him up. I tried many times but he wasn't picking up his phone. Gosh! I could feel my pulse racing. How could I be so careless?

What may have seemed like an futile attempt, we started a desperate attempt to zero down the name of a Mexican restaurant with the help of Google. The list was endless as the only clue I had was the name of the town. We scanned through pages and pages of restaurant listings with no luck. When we had almost given up to fate, I spotted a restaurant which sounded like the one we had been to. Without sparing a minute, I grabbed the phone number of that place, and dialled. Yes, it was the same place I had been to. But the guy who picked up the phone had no clue about any wallet, and he suggested that I should called up after a few hours when the manager gets in.

I called up after a few hours, and yeah! they did find my wallet! What an relief! Phew!

Project launch - The night of the Finale...

After months and months of turmoil, my project was due to be launched on May 16. What initially seemed like a cake walk turned into a nightmare due to some goof up at the eleventh hour. At the night of the launch, we were stalled for almost 2 hours having nothing much to do other than wait for the things to come back on track. So we decided to venture out. It was 11 pm already and coincidentally the opening night for "Angels and Demons". All of us wanted to watch this movie, but could we do that at this moment when our project launch was at stake?
Sounds crazy right!

After debating for a while, we all decided to rush out and catch the movie. Trust me, this is one of the craziest things I have ever done.


I was not sure that I would understand the movie given that I had not read the novel. But the movie turned out to be great especially since we were watching it on its opening night in Hollywood.


The movie turned out to be longer than expected and once it was over, we had to rush back for the project launch. It took us the entire night and the whole of next day to complete the launch. Phew! What an achievement! I feel so relieved.

As they say, "All's well that ends well"