The maze of uncertainity

Just last week, one of my brother's staff, a software developer, sort of interviewed me , on a personal cum professional level.

Him: "Akka (i.e. big sister) how long have you been there in this industry ?"

Me: Almost close to 15 years now

Him: More question on the kind of work I do in my current work space, and on what I work on, which language, difference between onsite works that go on in a product industry and a service industry in IT etc etc....

Me: Answered each and every question with my limited experience and knowledge.

Final question came.

Him: Have you ever regretted being in this industry for this long ?

Me: Every.Single.Day

A little big background about him. This guy is a newbie and has only an experience of an year or two in the software development. His parents want him to come back to farming. He is still withholding his decision of whether he should go and do farming or continue with his IT job. I think he was trying to get some experienced person's view of how life would be if he had to give it all up.

I keep getting those kind of questions from my brother's staff, who mostly are freshers or people with limited experience who wants to gain experience in service industry and then switch over to some big companies. But no one ever has asked me that final question. And I didn't even blink a second to answer him back. To say he was surprised was an understatement. He obviously saw the benefits I have accrued of being in this industry for all these years.There are lot of people who wanted to join this industry. I wasn't one of them. Hell, I wasn't even interested in studying computer science. That was what was offered to me based on my marks and every one, every single person in my family, my relatives, you name them, sort of pushed me to it. Because it came on its own. I don't regret that. Even if it wasn't my subject of interest, I was offered the course in a silver plate and it also gave me a job even before I finished the course. What is there to complain. Responsibilities beats interests. Especially in a middle class struggling family, there is no other option. You kind of get that mentality while growing up.

What started as a job for a scheduled couple of years to sort out the financial problems went on and on and on. And still goes on. One thing led to the other and I could never get out of it. I have my loans, my expenses which grew by leaps and bounds as my salary grew. The government always knows how to get back the money from you  in the form of taxes :) and the salaried and middle class people are the mostly affected. I ain't complaining, it is just the way it is. And this job gave me the much needed asylum when I was literally stranded one day with nothing. It gave me the courage and money to go back to safety, regroup, fight and come back, of course at a huge cost. It even gave me the opportunities to travel around a little. So I don't regret it.

What I do regret it is that I still can't find a way to get out of the maze I have created. I wanted to teach, that was my life long ambition, goal or interest, how ever you put it. Now I don't know if I can. I don't know if I have lost my touch with the younger generation to  be able to teach them. With the kind of technological advances, I think they will teach me a thing or two about everything. I don't know if I do know anything other than coding and designing (and I am pretty average at that). It has been this way for sometime. I am not sure where the path is going to lead. I still try to keep on searching for a way out. Till now I have hit a dead end due to various reasons. I think I will find what I need eventually. Till then all I have is hope. And well my job :)

Almost a month later

Yesterday, Thank God, the doctor removed the plaster of paris. I was feeling much better except for the slight pain from time to time which I wasn't sure if it was due to the healing or the plaster of paris which got loosened up and was pricking from all sides. Add to that my first niece starting picking it up and there were holes in some places too.
When we were in the Casualty section to remove it, the guy who came with the driller (which did look a little scary) was amazed by the artwork on my plaster (thanks to my first niece) and then he was like, well I would like to add to it too and took his pen and started drawing lines. He and my brother shared laughs while I groaned. Men!! or should I say Boys!!!
Now I am back to Crepe Bandage and I am feeling much better, except that I am unable to apply too much pressure on that leg. I have to now start walking normally, because it is still a little stiff with all that pressure from the plaster and not to mention the swelling (which is still slightly there, but the doc confirmed that is is normal). Since I am here , I rather finish off Diwali and then plan to go back to Bangalore after that week (which is a sort of agreement because my family wants me here for two more weeks, just because the doc said that it will be completely healed in another 2 weeks). Sometimes they can be a little over bearing :). Now that I out of the crutch and the plaster, I am itching (even literally too) to get back to the normal walk, dance and run...I know, I have to take it slow and I am doing it...but still...being an invalid does really suck. 

A week later

After the panic I had last Monday, I guess I am feeling much better after I gave myself some pep talk about how to get it under control, like using my book reading to divert my attention when I feel the need to touch my leg, or to play with my nieces or concentrate on some posts that I might want to write etc. It did help and I haven't had so many urges to itch (except for once or twice, where I had to use some innovative ways to use utensils to satisfy that urge).

And now comes the argument of how many more weeks I have to endure this. As of today it has been one week and even though I have been able to walk around , albeit very slowly and with some effort, I still feel some pain now that the bandage has loosened up a bit. My bro is saying that the doc said that I have to use it for 3 weeks, I argue it for 2 weeks (that is what I heard him say honest to God truth) and my dad is going with my bro. I told them very strictly that this is the final week I am gonna sit in this bandage after that if I don't get to see the doc I am gonna try and rip it off myself and go back to crepe bandage. So by next week I should be able to do another checkup and see how things go. I wish my leg would listen to me and heal itself faster. As much as I got comfortable with it, (am able to now turn and sleep on one side) I really don't want to hang around with the plaster of paris thing.

Let us see how this goes. Getting bound up like this is no fun (unless you like being pampered, which I don't like one bit). So better be safe y'all. 

I am gonna go crazy soon....

Its been too long since I had a panic attack like the one I had yesterday night. The whole house is asleep and peaceful, but something is closing in on me and I am unable to breathe. I am feeling too hot to even breathe and my chest feels heavier. I wake up with a start only to realize that I am trying to touch my left leg and I find something else strong closing it. I really really want to touch my skin where I got hurt but I am unable to and I try to break the mold. That is when I realize that I am panicking over the fact that the plaster of Paris that I got done yesterday morning (during a review with the doctor here in Coimbatore). It is restricting me in a way where my normal crepe bandage did not do and I dont like it one bit.

You would have known the circumstances that led me to wear this damn thing. If not, here it is. Is there any word for feeling panicky over something like this? I don't like things that stifle me. Main reason for my over sized baggy type clothes. I feel like it is cutting off the air from my lungs even if it is slightly tight and I don't give a damn for propriety or looks. I need comfort first. I was doing fine with the crepe bandage and the holder that the doc gave  me earlier and after a week I felt that the pain had indeed reduced a bit and the swelling to come down. But according to the doc here, if it had been p.o.p (plaster of Paris) then it would have half healed by now. So he has me on this for next two weeks. I don't know how I am gonna manage this. If I get more panic attacks like this, I am gonna break it on my own and go for the crepe bandage if that means it would take another 2 weeks to heal. I need my sanity.

A week so bizzare

I go to Decathlon to get myself a pair of shoes (for my next trekking trip ;) ... keep guessing on that..coz we are still undecided on the place..once that is finalized, will update about it) and what happens there ? 'Sorry Madam, we do not have the Women's shoe of your size, you can try it in the Men's section' :( I know I have a slightly bigger feet, but at least I manage to get some (limited availability) slippers from Bata. I knew there was a reason I got those slightly smaller shoes from U.S which caused me so much pain during the recent trip. They have till 8/8.5 but not 9 for Women. So I end up buying a Men's shoe for me.

After almost a month of my Wayanad Trip, my toe nails started to form pus and pain now. Of all the times it chose..it chose when I am going for my aerobics class (yes, I have joined , again and I dont know how long I am gonna last this time).

Today was the worst. My favorite coffee mug from the coffee day (which I got for free) broke. Actually I hit it against a table by mistake and it broke :(. That was the only convenient cup for the amount of Tea they serve us in the office for 7 Rs. Now I have to use a bigger one.

Last but not the least, on my way back from my class, I was walking on the right side of the road and one idiotic two wheeler (a biker actually), trying to overtake a car, came too close to me and hit me on the left arm with his bikes handle bar and now its swollen. God!!! I didn't realize he came that close until he hit me. I can take a lot of pressure but this is too much. I wonder what is left over for the week and I am dreading it.

Stay safe and take care. Ciao. 

Shortlived happiness

I knew that all my happiness is short lived just like everything else in my life . OK, that was a little dramatic...but I am entitled for it.. You know why? Because I had an accident just on my way to office and it really sucks. 

Who the effing throws an unwanted helmet on the road? yes, some IDIOT, who the eff* runs their vehicle over it thinking it is a plastic... Yeah that's ME. Stupid me. Poor vehicle, it did not know how to handle it and it threw me over just very close to my office. Thank God there was no traffic. 

Now I have bruises all over and a bloody knee.. GOD...its the incident that hate more than the pain. I was neither rash today or ecstatic. Just plain dull driving.

So yes, take your happiness whenever you can. It can be short lived :)

Zipping through the streets

Its been a while since I used my two wheeler and after having it ready over the weekend (petrol was very low), today used it to come to office. It made me remember why I like the two wheelers :). I can just zip through the streets like I am flying past it. I sure did turn heads today, but not for the usual reason that happens with other women. I know they turned back to look at me to curse :) and rant about my rash driving. Yes, I know today I was a little over the limit. I was like a kid with a new toy. I love driving in my car, no doubt. But I learnt driving in a two wheeler. May be because I know I can cause only a very small damage to others with it than I would do with my car (if things awfully wrong) and the main person who will be facing the maximum damage would be me. I am fine with it. What is life without some thrill or suspense isn't ;) On an afterthought, I think I love driving. period. Two wheelers give me more with respect to time and distance. I will still prefer to use my car once I sense that the pollution is getting to me.But it is always a nice thing to know that you have a choice between the two.

Yesterday with my car, it took me one hour to reach the office because I started at 9 am. But today it took me around 10-15 mins max. And I still haven't got my mirrors installed in my Activa. So I had to turn slightly while trying to overtake on the right. That actually slowed me down a lot of times :). Once I was in the parking lot in the office, I was ecstatic. All I did stop short of doing was to get down , jump up and down and clap my hands and say "Yaaaaaay!!!!!" just like my 2nd niece. I was literally behaving like a kid and I know that might sound stupid but I was glad that such a small thing of driving my loved vehicle after a long time could give me this small pleasure :) 

Branching out again

irukara blog ellam pathaadhunu innoru blog vera :). But this time it is specifically for the travels that I had made and will be making in the future. All the posts that were there in this blog related to my travels till now, have been exported to word press, which I had wanted to do for a long time now. So that there will be a one blog just for my travels. So here is my new blog (which is also added to the list on the right hand side) => http://theoccassionaltraveller.wordpress.com/

This blog is my first attempt and will still be the one used for my ramblings and tantrums and stuff like that. So do keep coming back.

Until next post. 

The Driving Woes

Ever since I moved back to Bangalore, I am using my car for my transport, when actually I hate going alone in a car to the nearby places. But the weather and my concern for my health made it mandatory that I use it irrespective of my dislike. But that in turn has added more irritants to my list. Especially when driving to work. This week alone, I was near the end of my limits in patience, just because of people's attitude, no difference between status, education ...nope, nada, zilch. They are just plain insensitive people, who don't care about others a bit or have a little bit of common sense in them.

It was this the other day when the road was jam packed and it was moving inch by inch and a auto driver tried to squeeze in and we all had to break. During that time, my car's mud guard hit his auto. You know there wasn't much space at all. So, in that case how much of an impact would that have made. Hell, he was trying to squeeze in. He should have expected it. But then he got out and started yelling at me. I kept my poker face in place and assumed as if he was talking to someone else and was looking at him as if he has gone insane :). That really got to him and I still didn't care. After some time due to the constant honking around, he had no other option than to go ahead. Not even a single scratch or an impact and for that he was overreacting. God. I followed him, too close for his comfort, to just piss him off. I don't know why I did that, but I did, till I got my irritation down and before a two wheeler wheeled in between us.

Today, another auto guy try to squeeze in near the back of my car and he hit my car. I was like, yeah well if its urs, then its bad, if its mine, its ok is it ? but I didn't want to have anything with those fellows. Well, next time they are in front of me, they better watch out. I don't make a good enemy, especially when I am all riled up and boy, am I waiting for the opportunity with these auto fellows. They can be real mean, just because they don't have insurance and you are in a car. Well, my car is hardly a little bigger than his auto and if he is having a complex out it, he better learn to handle it. I might not have the patience all the time.

The other day, very near to the office, there is a three way and every one is in a hurry to go everywhere and the place got jammed. I stopped my car so that the other two ways have gone their way so that people don't crowd from every side. But guess what, the autos and other cars from behind me are trying to overtake me and go their way. Am I mad to stop there and wait for everyone else to make some way ? I don't understand the mentality of some people. I was so pushed to get down and play the role of the traffic person who usually stands there. And then one person got down and he did the work which I wanted to do. I am not that person who will jump out and do that. If only I had that confidence to do it. I would have earned more enemies in life than friends I think.

Today again, there is a clear board for us to proceed in one way and the other way is supposed to be closed and people are supposed to use the other route, because some road work is going on. And this being a very narrow road and a lorry parked for clearing the mud and all, the cars and tempo from wrong side totally blocked me , because mine was the first car during that time and after giving them way for 15 mins (mind you, 15 mins at 9 am) and when I honk at them to give me way now, they started yelling at me. And one fellow office goer started to yell at me for going ahead when there is no space. Well dude, you don't know how long I have been giving way for others. Now I want the courtesy returned. I refused to give way and one auto fellow started to fight. I was like this is one way and who asked you to come this side ? Don't you see the boards? Then another auto fellow came down and asked him to make way and then I had to squeeze in and proceed and all because these idiots came the wrong way and wanted me to go back because I was in the wrong path..i.e. with respect to them. God, my blood was boiling at that time. I wish I had stopped, taken them to the board and asked them to read it for me. For a moment, I saw them all as the rude child in school who needed a firm hand.

The more I drive to office in my car, the more my patience is being tested. I need to find some way to handle this. I don't want to give up because of these idiots and suffer the cold. But then there must be some other way to handle it. If not, well, then I don't have an option to give them a piece of my mind someday and see how it plays out ;)

I have decided that....

I am gonna be a Minimalist...God, the pain of packing all those stuff to move from Hyderabad to Bangalore, most of which I did not even use...that is when the thought occurred to me, that embracing minimalism will be a good one. But then when I reached Bangalore and saw all those luggage and when I started to unpack them... well that is when my thought turned to a decision. Don't hold me to it in the near future though. But I am really really gonna try that. I don't even understand my need to buy these books any more because I read mostly in my iPad, but still I go and buy those books. I am usually a very bad shopper and will not shop especially for clothes but suddenly I have around 25-30 set of clothes, whereas I used to have only 15 max every time. How nice it was to have one suitcase which had my essentials and I lived almost 3 weeks only with those and I could have continued to live with those alone for quite some time. But seeing all those things (and most of them are two in number because I maintained two homes for almost 6 months now) gaaaah...I don't know know what to do now. I don't want to recharge my digital TV (whose account has expired for almost 6 months now and I get daily calls from the company on why I am not recharging it) because I don't watch it anymore. I use my internet facility almost for everything.

My first order of this month (or what ever is remaining of it) is to clean up this mess. Coming home to a leaking roof, a soap filled suitcase (all the soap from a new packet of handwash that I had shipped got spilled in the suitcase, but thankfully most of the damage was to the umbrella and some towels, both of which are washable. I dread to think what would have happened to the books that lay above them), and to all these luggage lying around, I am so tired of just seeing these. This is one of the reason that I don't like changing....its like my work environment, everything is comfortable, cozy, adjustable...so no need to look for a change. And when I do, I see how much luggage I carry (not only physically...)... I am a materialist, I love having things that give me comfort, but now that has gone a little bit too much. Ok..now I am gonna start with dumping up all the unwanted clothes and bring back the count to 15. See ya...

Good bye Hyderabad

It feels very odd, to say good bye, officially. Personally, I couldn't wait to say it to someone recently, but then that was because things had gone from bad to worse and there was no way out of it. Officially, its been very long since I wrote a mail with a few words of thanks. And to get not one but two farewell lunches... Well, it felt weird. I was (or am) the one who was still up and about in the same place for the past 10 solid years and I have said good bye's and farewell's to quite a lot of people, including my friends who went away and came back. But this is my time to say adieu to my friends and acquaintances in Hyderabad. Of course, I am not much for those feeling-emotional-sort-of emailing person. So it was said with some simple words, but which comes from my heart nonetheless. The people I said 'thanks' in my email are the ones who really mattered to me and who definitely made my stay here a memorable one. I have long lost the art of missing someone or something, more so that I have become a little careless even. So it goes without saying that I don't feel much emotionally leaving this place, because I know one day I might have to take that decision and I would have to move ahead. The only unexpected thing was that this happened even before I completed a year here. Even though the technology has shrunk the world, there is nothing like knowing a person in person. And I am glad that I got to know a few people here in person and have become close to them in the duration of my stay.

To my friend here in Hyderabad, whom I have known during my first stint in U.S, getting to know her more has been a real pleasure. Thank you once again (I know you will read this post some day :)...) both for letting me know the amazing person you are and also including me in your group of friends too, who have since then become my friends too and have welcome'd me to their quirks so whole heartedly. May all your wishes and dreams (at least all your iWishes) come true and I am eagerly waiting for the month of November :). Hope you can make out for a trip to Bangalore before that.

The manager of the team here, who helped me out with my hostel hunt and all in the beginning till I got hold of this place and was comfortable in my skin, Thanks to you. You and your team have been very very supportive and I am glad that I was able to help you out in my own ways with my knowledge of the domain which was pretty new to your team.  This stay here has made the release of our product a much better one.

To my tea-friends. I did not say it lightly when I said that I have grown much when I have been here. Because to get myself acquainted with new folks, the way I have got to know you people, is something of a miracle to me. But most of that credit goes to you folks, for making me comfortable too. Thanks for that.

I haven't had much chance to go around the place (I don't think I will do that, because being in Bangalore also I never did that..) but to watch the places I had wanted to, like the Golconda Fort, Zoo etc with my sister, this time, well, I am glad I could take my sister's family around here.

Now that my vehicle and luggage have already been transported, the only remaining piece is me. I will be leaving Hyderabad today and this is my 2nd stint in this city, after around 12 years. I am not sure what future holds or actually where my future is, but I am glad that I was here this time around.

y'all take care, Until next time....

To be or not to be here...

Suddenly there is a change in the weather, not only literally, but also figuratively. Everyone wants me to be back in Bangalore, both official and personally. I have been thinking about it for a few weeks now because its nearing a year in a couple of months and I need to decide what I am going to do after that. A slight hesitation on my part and every one pounced on me and as usual even before I can think of anything that would make my stay here a little longer, I am starting the process to move back.... Gosh!!! Talk of plans...

I have been going back and forth to Bangalore and Coimbatore every month with almost one or the other reasons. And my time here in Hyderabad has been pleasant and effective (more so officially than personally ;) ...please don't tell my manager). I have got new friends and I have been a little more open to new people and I am a year older now...that would mean more maturity to handle things and feelings. My alone time, with nothing to do, has allowed me to think a lot. I have been in Hyderabad during its best season ;), remember I escaped to Europe during its hottest months. Now its raining and colder (not like the biting cold of Bangalore..but a chilling cold).

I would definitely miss my close friend here. She has been a big support to me when I had no one and without her this place might not have been the same for me. Thank you dear, you know who you are :). I definitely owe a great deal to you. And remember to ping me when you come to Bangalore or Coimbatore. And once you are ready to go for trips let me know, we can plan something. You know that I have experience in handling kids now :).

When I needed a much needed break, people around me helped me get it with the least resistance and there were people around to help me with it too. I got to be alone and yet not lonely, which is primarily what I wanted in the first place along with some new faces and friends thrown in the equation. I finally got to see the Golconda Fort which I had missed during my initial stay 12 years ago. I would miss taking my niece to the zoo here which is much bigger than the one in Coimbatore or Bangalore.  But anyways, I can take her whenever she is ready to travel with me alone. I am really thankful to all those people who helped me during my break and for my break.

Where I thought, it might another month or so to move out, now it seems like its gonna be a couple of weeks. Why is suddenly every one eager to move me back to Bangalore...??? I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and I wish that there is something good about to happen again ;)

I would always cherish my stay here in Hyderabad no matter given the limited amount of time. It was a cushion which made my emotional fall a little better and gave me time to come back with a bang. I have not cried even a single time for the older reasons which I used to have when I was in Bangalore. Going back now I know that I wont be the same person who left that place and that a new and slightly confident person is going to be back in my home. Sometimes its just a journey away from the normal flow of life that is needed to see a few things in perspective. That is the reason I love to travel once in a while, because that always give me a sense of discovery both emotionally and physically. I am sure that going back to Bangalore is just another leg of my journey and I feel that my destination is somewhere else. I might be wrong too..but that is just what I feel now. 

Welcome Back and Send Off

I never thought of it when I booked my ticket to Bangalore. But ironically, when I am here to send off one of my friend to her dream country on her new job, I am also here to welcome my other friend on his not-so-new job and a life of stability. I am so happy for both of them, that I am waiting for their treats. Well, I already completed one, and waiting for the other ;). Don't be surprised to find that I came all the way to Bangalore to be treated...Well , a woman got to do what she go to do, ain't? Jokes apart, its my way of showing them that I care for them. I care less for the treat, I don't eat much anyways. I am not good in communicating my thoughts through voice, but writing them, I can do that. So here it is for one my two friends.

To the one going to the 'far far away' place and your dream place:
 All the very best for the new chapter of your life. You have worked hard for it and in the process lost a lot too. I can already see the happiness in your face. And life out there isn't going to be any easier than it it is here. But I know for sure that you will find the way to overcome the hurdles, as you always do. Just don't panic, as you always do. Whenever things get hard or tough, just remember you have fought tougher battles. Things can only get better from here on. I am supposed to be the sense of reason for you here and not tell you that life is going to all glory and cozy out there. Nope...that is a dream. Life is tough anywhere only if we chose to see it that way. Forget the past, but not its lessons and know that you are much more stronger and smarter than you think. I won't be following you in Facebook, but I hope you keep in touch and tell me all about your adventures, of which I am sure. Its perfectly normal to feel unsure of things that you are going to do when you go there. But you know how to get aid ;) so you have nothing to worry there. I think you might miss your temple visits here. And you know that you wont get free food in the temple's everyday there isn't? I bet you will miss that too. You won't be missing your friends, because you already have enough of them there and there will be someone who will be ready to listen to you (and whine ;)...). And please do not burn agarbathi's and lamps (and in turn burn the sheets) .... we don't want to see you in the TV addressing the media that it was just a mistake and was not meant to do any harm to anyone :D. I hope you know when I am kidding and when I am serious here.

You asked me if I would miss you and I didn't answer it. Because I don't believe in it. I know you wanted to hear that because  you wanted to mean something to someone and it would have given you happiness if I had said that I would. But I didn't want to give you a false hope. We have enough history between us and enough parallel's in life, that it will be difficult to not miss you, if you want to put it that way. You were there when my life took a nasty turn and I wouldn't forget the days when I had to take asylum in your home and you were so ready to take care of me and never expected anything in return. You also know that if you need anything, I am just a phone call away and I would do what ever it is in my power to get it done for you.

When you are settled down and ready for a normal life, please start driving there and 'do not' harm any pedestrians or motorcyclists and drive faster to address the minimum speed there or else you will get arrested :D. You know that we might not get you a gift, for the only history that anyone getting a gift (or a rather a send off gift) has the habit of coming back and we 'don't' want you coming back, not for our sake, but for yours actually. You still have that handbag I hope ;).

All said and done, have a blast in life for god's sake, enjoy life in a new way but stay grounded and try doing something new. The only person who can make you happy is YOU. I am addressing these here, because I know you would read it and you might want to hear my voice (or rather my words in your voice) when you need a word of strength. All the very best and we are very happy for the new journey in your life and pray that it would give you peace and contentment in life and we are glad that we are still part of it.

.

Are Women crazy or just fun?

After reading the post, 'Women are Crazy', I couldn't help but write this. As a woman I should be Appalled (see capital A), furious about what was written. But all I could was 

Why ? Because
a) It was written by a man, and that is just his side of the story. He is definitely entitled to have an opinion isn't.
b) It was not based on any research study or anything. There was no experiments conducted on a set of women to really establish those facts. Most of them are from personal experiences and hear say stories
c) Most of it is 'true'. No doubt about that. What points exactly.... well that depends on the individual.
and finally
d) it was 'FUN' to read.

I have had quite a few fights with my friends when they have these kind of comments on women. For e.g. the one discussion we have had every now and then is 'women are the worst drivers'. And I keep arguing it. Every.Single.Time. Based on a small set of women they have seen, they form a correlation between women and driving. Well, since there is no theory established on that based on the various experimental studies (yea yea I have been reading about these stuff recently..) its just their opinion. But again, I would still argue with them the next time they state this. Because mostly its fun to argue and secondly, if I don't they will always assume that what they said is correct, which is not the case here.

There was this one incident, where one guy who had visited our U.S office from another country had to extend his stay for another month. He (not an Indian) was telling me how his girlfriend made a big drama when he told her about his extension and finally she agreed to it after so much reluctance and when he promised to get her something from U.S. And said to me.. 'oh women and their drama...!!!'. He had no idea that he told it to the last person whom he shouldn't have done that. I asked him if his girl friend had agreed to his extension without saying anything or protesting, would he have felt good about it? He wasn't sure (well because something like that never happens right?). So then I asked him if he would think that since she was OK with his extension, will he feel, even may be for a few seconds, that she might be OK with their separation and that she is not bothered about him or doesn't love him enough to want to be near him. Now, he started thinking.. and said that may be he would have felt a little bad about it..(and then drown a beer and things are alright for him.. Men!!!) Then I told him that the way women behave that way is to make you feel that you are wanted and that you are loved (in turn boost their ego exponentially, even though they crib about it a lot). They may be perfectly fine with the separation and they might have their own work to do, but that little drama added some spice to his life and in turn is a way to remind him that he is cherished and missed in her life. If she was angry that he should be back at any cost and blah blah blah ,...then yes, he should look for someone else. But all she did was whine a little and give in to him. Without that drama, life would be boring.. no? Now, he got a little confused and was wondering if there is more to a simple whining ;). I know I was playing some mind games there but well as long as I get my point across !!! (hey, I am a woman after all)

No doubt, women have so many layers of mystery. You don't know why they whine for things that seem very silly or simple. Why they ask you questions that might be very irrelevant to you for a situation. Why they try to find different meanings for a single simple sentence that you deliver. Why there seems to be no simple answers to anything you ask. Why they use tears as a weapon, when all else fails. Too many why's. But guess what, without those, if they give it you straight, then  may be men will treat them like one of them. They lose the mystery element that is part of being a woman. The balance is lost. It might work well with friends. But in relationships, it would get boring after some time wouldn't it? Being too predictable is not good. This doesn't mean men don't have their faults. Ask any woman, she would say that all men prefer sports to wives/girl friends, after marriages they prefer to go on tours with their friends rather than family (which is totally a 180 of what they would want before marriage), they work late hours and say that they are doing it for the family (well family needs you in person too you know) etc etc etc..

Well, all in all, I like that we women are so varied in nature, that its not easy to categorize us in groups. We at times tend to keep men at their toes just for the heck of it, or even unknowingly, because it is in our nature. We are emotional, but that is where we derive our strength. If you could guess us so easily then we would be doomed. We are the way we are to help nature maintain the balance ;)

We are crazy but crazy is fun too... isnt?

After thoughts on the tour...

After the three week tour, to say that I was exhausted is an understatement. I was like a zombie. I was travelling non stop, walking, doing something or the other everyday for 3 weeks and suddenly I don't have to walk anywhere, eat at my own wish or not eat, go to work or work from home.. all these and the inactivity rendered me tired.. ironic isn't. Honestly I did not know I had enough stamina in me to do this. Even though I knew my energy was waning even when I was in London, but the spirit of being somewhere else kept me going I guess. I will never complain about it, because it is one of the things that gives me a high ;).

When I had been home after a week of work in Bangalore, my mom was like.. "OK.. so you did what you want this year, and I know that you won't be able to do it any time soon in future.. so are you happy with the trip". I was little disappointed when she said that. I know she felt bad because I purposefully timed the trip to get away for my birthday and to be really really alone in an unknown (to me) place. Not that she knows about it, but to assume that I won't be able to repeat it is what bothered me. I told her that if I wanted to travel, it doesn't have to be this expensive as it was this year, because this is once in a lifetime. I wouldn't want to spend this kind of money again (OK.. I won't promise on that..but I will try not to ;)). I told her how I loved visiting the new places, new people, new cultures and the excitement of finding something about those places. I did not have enough time with her to explain all my experiences in detail. For people from my background, at least for my family, a travel like this one is a luxury. I guess they are not used to that feel. Because when I had offered her to join me, she asked me the cost of it and asked me to deposit that amount in a FD so that she can have that money for future emergencies. So yes, the expense part does scare her a lot. But she should know better than to trigger me like that ;). I told her that I intend to make trips like this to a new place every year from here on, even if it had to be in a budgeted cost. If you want something and is within your reach, the only thing that can stop you is you. So I will try my level best to reach my dreams here on. This trip has given me confidence that I can do it.

I wouldn't lie that I never felt the need for some companion. I did feel it, but 'when the going gets tough...'. I rather be alone than having a company who doesn't share my passion for travel. Now that I have completed writing about my experiences during this travel, I can rest a while. I wanted to complete it before my memory fades, as I had written already, but more that that, I wanted it to be recorded so that I can read it later whenever I feel like reading it. I still read my posts of Singapore and Canyon trips which are very dear to me and that always bring back a smile to my face. These posts are my pensieve.

The next thing is that I should try to do small small trips within India too, but the only problem is that I don't feel that safe here. I am not sure why. But I would definitely try if I have company. My next wish to do a car road trip in India. Let me see how and when I get to do that. 

My Solo London Journey - Report

When I was discussing with my agent about the London stay and stuff, she was like, "Madam you can take the Tube and go anywhere. Travelling inside London will not be a problem". I did not share her confidence, because she has been there, seen that. And I had no definite plans and what I intend to do in London. It was decide-when-you-are-there thing. So through my five day London stay, even though not well planned, I still managed to see some important places. The following links has the detailed experiences on the day basis.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

In general, I loved the journey in the trains all through London. Be it the Underground, Overground, National Rail, Greater Anglia, Greater Western... For such a small place, the kind of extensive connectivity they have from one place to another is amazing. Local train journeys are interesting if you want to just observe other people. It can be bit scary when you are alone in the whole compartment at nights. But yes, I really loved using the trains there. Also the amount of people who come and go is amazing. I don't know why, I always get asked for directions from people everywhere. Even during the first day of my using the Tube, I was guiding another person too. Glad to be of some help.

The roads are so small in London, no wonder they encourage people to use the trains. Some places have heavy taxes for parking it seems. Even the famous London double decker buses have high connectivity. But they tend to get stuck in traffic naa. Lot of Indian restaurants and Indians. Weather is so unpredictable. But the weather websites predict it correctly. Like till 2 pm it will be cloudy and till 6 pm slight rain etc.. and I have seen it happen there according to the website predictions. The Great British weather sucks in the longer run I guess. You need to get used to it to really accommodate it well.

I did take my own sweet time to go around because I don't want to rush my travel in London. After the 15 days of the tour in Europe and Scotland, I really wanted to have some leisurely hours for myself too. That is why I did not plan any tight scheduled trips inside the city. And that is the reason I missed
a) The Warner Bros Studio Tour of Harry Potter
b) Visiting Oxford or the British Library
c) The Tower Bridge and the London Tower visits
d) St Paul Cathedral visit (I have already done my famous Cathedral visit in Vatican..and this one in London is the 2nd largest..but still..)
e) My visit to Wales , even though I was told that it is just beaches there
f) Live music show , I really wanted to see the music scenario in London and attend a live performance there, but there was none available during my stay.
g) Going up to the 70th floor in The Shard (this would have been a real test for me)

Well, there is always another time. In London, you don't have to worry about language, food or commutation. And you can be as anonymous as you want to be. I am glad I included U.K in my trip and got to see these places. 

My Solo London Journey - 5

3-May-2013

My final day in London. Since I had decided the day before where I would be going, I did not have any trouble to get ready by 10 am. I was on my train from Ilford to Stratford and then from there the national rail to Royal Victoria station. From there we have a 2 minutes walk to the Emirates Royal Docks which has the Emirates Air Line. I did not feel any thing until I saw the cable car. Rewind to Ben Nevis experience happened and I was wondering if I should go alone or wait for someone to join. There was no much crowd in this area. But then I have come this far, as well get over with it. But to my surprise, when I was inside (thankfully along with a old couple) I did not feel the fear this time, even at the peak I was able to look around and see the sights. I know it would have been a damn beautiful sight at night. But still. I was happy that I could enjoy it and that I am slightly overcoming my fear. It was not particularly very low, and too high too. It took around 10 mins to get to the other side. In fact I was a little disappointed that I did not have any adrenaline rush.. How weird is that ? When I got there, I was wondering what to do. I did not expect it to get over by 10 mins. I went outside and first decided to have a coffee. I asked the guy there about the  Greenwich observatory. He mentioned that it is not in walkable distance and that I might have to take a bus. We had the O2 area nearby, but I do not want to go inside a mall or anything anywhere now. I am not a fan of malls unless I have things to buy which can be achieved by the different shops in a mall. Since I would have to use the bus, I was wondering what to do and then slowly walked towards the Underground station, just next to the O2 area. I also saw the bus stand there and an information center for the buses. I finished my coffee leisurely, went to the old lady there and asked her about the buses to Greenwich Observatory or the Royal Observatory. She told me to take 129 or 188 buses (if I remember correctly) and said that one bus was already waiting outside. I didn't waste any time and went ahead on the bus. I could use the Oyster card there. So I was good to go. It took around 15 mins or so in the bus and I got down in the Royal Observatory bus stop. From the bus stop we have directions so we need not even ask anyone there. Its a huge park which also hosts the observatory and also the museums, Queen's home etc.

I still wasn't decided on what I would be seeing till then, but when I entered the park and scanned the locations, I decided to complete my Prime Meridian visit first. So I walked towards it. It always nice to walk in such parks which are huge and have so much space for playing, relaxing and enough trees for shade too. The walk towards the observatory was very steep and by half I was feeling thirsty. From there you get a beautiful view of the city, the O2, the cable car, the Queens home etc. We need to buy a ticket to go the observatory and the museum inside. There was a queue in stand near the Prime Meridian line where people did poses and took snaps. Well, since I wasn't that person, I just got around to take my snaps and go around the various things there. Like the Camera obscura, which gives a live screenshot of the Queen's home very near by. You can see the buses and the ships in the Thames going through, the museum of the various people who were involved with the observatory. At 1 pm we had the time ball go up and then down which was earlier used as an indication for the sailors. I was exactly there on time and so watch the performance. Spent some time around looking at the various telescopes and videos explaining the longitude and latitude details and why they were important and stuff like that.

After that I visited the gift shop to see if I can get anything worthy there in my budget. There were quite a few school groups who were visiting. When I was checking out the keychains, there was this small pudgy kid who came and was checking the telescope based keychain and then he left and then came back. When I was wondering what he was doing, he turned around and then took a keychain, put it in his coat (the school coats that they wear there) and then went away calling someone. I was shocked. I wasn't sure what to do. I was standing next to him and how dare he do that without even thinking twice. What if I tell the people there, even though they were watching like hawks, they obviously will miss this. I didn't want to put that kid in trouble, but was not sure if by letting him go I was doing him any good. And there was one other problem, I wouldn't be able to recognize him cause I did not see him that well. I left that place immediately and wondered outside taking pictures. The kids came out after some time and one particular girl (she looked short and sweet) came towards me. Now I was holding my handbags tightly.... don't know what these kids are capable of. She asked me to high five her.. I was like 'What!!' she was like 'high five'. And then I high five'd her and she went away smiling. No clue as to what she meant by it.

After some more time around there, went around the park and then after almost three hours there, came back to the entrance to the restaurant they had there. Had my lunch ( a vegetarian soup and bread and cappuccino) and headed back for my bus. My bus back to Greenwich station came in 5 mins. This time I decided to take the train back because I wanted to get back by 5 pm so that I can start packing. From Greenwich I took the train to Stratford and then from there to Ilford. I was home by 4.30 pm or so.

I called up the cab guy (whom I was introduced by the people who shared their cab ride on the way back from my Scotland trip) and confirmed my pick up time for tomorrow early morning. Informed the reception of my early checkout and then went to pack my bags. But as usual, I had tough time sleeping the day before the trip and by 3.30 am the cab was in the entrance.

I was in the airport by 5 am and my flight was for 8.20 am which got delayed by almost 20 mins or so. But I was there in the flight back home after my 3 week sojourn in a place away from home, all on my own. 

My Solo London Journey - 4

2-May-2013

There is a colleague of mine working from Reading (pronounced as redding). He had offered to meet up for coffee if I am interested. So the previous day, I had called him up and told him that I would be free the next day and if it was convenient for him then we can meet up. And the trip from Ilford to Reading is further than the one from Ilford to Sutton. The next day I got my train to Liverpool Street and from there to Paddington and then take the Great Western to Cardiff Central which stops at Reading. Till Paddington it was OK. But then when I got the train to Cardiff Central, I did not see any ticket counter on the way (because I went from the underground to the national rail) and there were no oyster card swipe machines too. I was a little apprehensive, but then since that was the first train and it was about to start in 2 mins, I got in. It was like any meter gauge train, not like the underground or the overground trains that I normally took. This was the fastest train to Cardiff (Wales). The first stop was Reading. And it takes about 40 mins to reach. Almost near the stop, the ticket inspector came. Now I was petrified, because everyone had a ticket and I didn't have time to even look around for one in the station. I asked him if the oyster card is not accepted. He was like 'what??' and then I told him that I was in a hurry and I didn't know that I am supposed to take a ticket before. Thankfully, he mumbled something (and as long as I don't hear , I don't to bother about it right?) and then gave me a ticket because my station was nearing. Thankfully he did not add any fine. It costs about 17 pounds for the journey.. Good Lord!! But thankfully one problem averted. I guess I owe him a "Thank you Officer" in Gounder style ;)

Now comes the next tricky part. Recognizing my colleague. He said he would be wearing a pink shirt and will be near the information counter. Since my colleagues in Hyderabad had described him as a old fellow, because he has been in my company for a long time I assumed he would be around 50-60 yrs. I was trying to find a person who was of that age wearing a pink striped shirt. And then after some searching when I did not find him, my eyes went on to a guy standing in pink striped shirt but worn like a jacket ..(does it count for a shirt even then ? ) and then checking his phone. Now I was confused as to if this was the guy, because no one else was there in that color shirt. He was looking at me and I was looking at him and thinking.. God, it was so embarrassing and finally I asked him if he was my colleague. Thankfully, he said yes. Imagine if he had said no.. I would have to dig the ground and force it to swallow me. In a general scenario it is a no big deal. But its a big one for me as a person. I don't know why I cannot start a conversation. Chatting, I can do confidently even to people I don't know, or if someone asks me for something , like they did in the underground stations for directions , I don't have a problem. But situations like this.. I just can't handle. Thankfully I found him and we started our way out. We talked a lot while he was driving. He showed me around Reading and took me to the offices there, even though he is working from home. Then we went to Windsor. We went to the castle, I did not want to go inside another castle for now. But we did manage a walk around the place interacting. I usually do not open up to people that easily. But since I know him for a year now and have been working with him, it was little easy. We went for a lunch near the castle and then asked me if I had any other plans for the day. Since I had none, he took me to introduce his partner at home who collects antique books. Their place was a very nice one with a big backyard and I liked his partner very much. She is totally into books, so much that almost whole of their ground floor including the kitchen was covered with boxes of books. He had three dogs and those cuties were trying to get to know me. I have no problems with dogs, except that I don't want them to lick me. Otherwise I get along with them well. And three of them wow.. After to both of them for a while and going through the book collections (which I was in awe of ) he offered me to join him for his daily dog walk. We took the dogs in the car to a near by dog walking area.

This walking area has lakes around and its a huge place...its just wow. I did not have my camera with me at that time.. left it at his home.. We had a good walk around. If we have such a place to walk the dogs well who doesn't want to have one. Seems like he got them before they were put down and he trained them himself. Good.. there is this one dog (I forgot his name) who is the oldest and he was so cute, because all he wanted to do was sit beside me and have me scratch is neck. I always have soft spot for dogs. It was already 4 pm by then and it was time for me to get back. He dropped me off in the station and I thanked him for a good time and came back to my hotel at around 6.30 pm. Since I had a heavy lunch, I could skip dinner and go straight to bed.

I had only one more day left and I wasn't sure what to do the next day. I was getting more tired day by day. So I didn't want to hang out the whole day because I had to come back and start packing up too. At the end I decided to do the Emirates Cable car to Greenwich (pronounced as Grenich) and if mood permits see Greenwich Observatory too. And with that thought went to sleep.

My Solo London Journey - 3

1-May-2013

My efforts to reach the travel agent to cancel the lodging went in vain because I forgot that 27th and 28th of April were the weekend and that they aren't available. And after that cancelling meas forfeiting the whole money. So I had no other choice to get back to the hotel from Scotland.

After checking in late night the day before I called up my friend that I had indeed checked in the hotel and am back safe and sound. Since this one had free wifi, I shot a mail to my family too. The night was fun, because there were two buildings of the same hotel and I tried to search for a reception in the first building on the main road after a few minutes saw a board, that for Reception I should try the other building near by. When I went there, thankfully there were two guys in the reception and they handed me the key, the breakfast card and I went in search of my room. Here too the steps are small, but little better than the other one. But then after climbing one level and then walking around, I sort of lost my room. I was wondering where three rooms (30, 31 and 32) went off in the same level when I can see 29 and 34. There was this small girl going hither and looking at me on what I was going to do. Then after some time, I decided that I might need help. I asked this girl, if she saw number 32 anywhere. She was so happy that I talked :) and she went running here and there..and after some time she saw a small corner and in that corner there were the three missing rooms. Urgh!!!  In the name of all that's holy, can't hide the rooms any better, can they? By the time I thanked her, her mom arrived and I was on my way to my room, which was obviously small, but better than the first. The shower was still very small. I cannot turn around at free will.

In the morning, after getting up after 7 am or so, I was so ready for my breakfast, because I hadn't eaten anything the previous day except for a small piece of the home made cake I got in Grasmere. They had extensive breakfast, but again I was more interested in my hash browns and fruits :). After that I wasn't sure what to do for the day. So I decided that I will start with by going to Victoria station from there and then decide from there. If nothing else, I will take the big bus tours for the city. Since my hotel was in Illford, I got the directions to the station, which was again round the corner, I also took the small suitcase so that if time permits I will visit my friend and return the suitcase and get mine (along with other luggage) back. Since I had the wifi, it was easy to find the directions. Went to the station to take the Greater Anglia train to Liverpool Street and from there take the underground train to Victoria. I noticed that this area was inhabited with more Indians and Black people (I am not sure how else to address them... I have nothing against them though). Saw a Punjab National Back near the corner. After arriving in Victoria, I decided in favor of the big bus tours. There was this old guy who was selling tickets for the BigBus Tours (there are quite a lot of them). There was a red line and a blue line tour. The blue line tour takes around the Paddington area (like the Hyde park, and near by places that side) and the red line does the rest of the city. I took the red line which also includes the free cruise from Tower bridge to Westminster. After waiting for sometime, they directed to a bus that came, but after sometime found that it was the Blue line tour, which I had not opted. Well, since I was there, I completed that whole section and got down in the Marble Arch bus stop (its a hop on, hop off tour) and then again got in a Red line tour. This had the interactive tour guide, and took us all through the small streets and important places. The tour guide was a young chap and kept the ride alive. There was quite a traffic, which was usual in London and there were demonstrations going on in a particular section too, being it May 1st and Labors day and all. Since I was sitting in the top, I had enough opportunities for my photos. I had decided that I will get down near the Tower bridge. I am not interested in the Wax Museum or the Ripleys etc..

It was already more than 2 hours of journey by then. Finally the famous London Bridge and the Tower Bridge came. I got down there. I had no intention of going into the Tower of London or the climbing the bridge or anything. I guess I was getting slightly exhausted by my travels. But had some good pictures. I was so hungry by then, that I was desperate to find something to eat. The only thing that was on the way from the Tower Bridge to the Cruise near the Tower of London was a hot dog stand. I went to him and asked him if he had anything vegetarian. He replied 'Sorry Darlin' got nothin' in vegetarian'. Well I guess my face would have shown the disappointment because the next thing he said was , ' well you know what, I can make up a cheese roll for you, if you wanna have it'. That should have made my face brighter. I said 'Thank you, I would like it very much and a cup of cappuccino please'. That was approx 5 pounds. I am glad he did think of something to satisfy my hunger, and I am very grateful for him. He got paid alright, but he need not have bothered. That small cheese roll and a coffee did great for my energy. After that I went for the free cruise.

Do you know that the Thames River is very dirty? It was... The guy who was driving the boat also acted as unofficial guide and helped us through the different landmarks from the river and had a good sense of humor too. After getting down in Westminster, got back in another Red line tour, only to get down in Victoria at around 5 pm. Wow, the whole day went around in going through the city and in fact I did not get in the London eye, or any other place. After that I got the National Rail to Sutton and went to my friends place and stayed there till 9 pm.

She dropped me in the station at around 9.10 pm so that I catch my train to Victoria. It was already too dark and little deserted. But by the time I reached Ilford, it was beyond 11 pm. Because Illford is a small station and a rather small place, the minute I stepped on the road, with my suitcase, I felt a pang of discomfort. There were hardly anyone on the road, except for a very few and the moment I started walking I heard a drunk person saying something. I was wondering how much energy I would need to start running with my luggage, if it comes to that.. (you know mentally preparing myself for eventualities and all). But in spite of my fear, I always make sure to keep my gait and look confident and that has always helped me. Once I reached my hotel by 11.30 pm, I let out the breath I was holding. That was really a bad idea. I should have left a little early, but then I didn't expect the trains to slow down like they did that day. It usually takes an hour and a half from Sutton, but the train stopped in lot of places due to signal.

All in all, at the end of the day, my birth day went very well, doing what I wanted to do. Exploring. 

My Solo London Journey - 2

Was supposed to complete it a couple of days ago..but better late than never ;)

Continuing with my journey....

26-April-2013:

I got up at around 8.30 am and was already tired that I have to leave the place. I guess the travelling was slowly getting to me. But I had to checkout by 11 am. So after the breakfast I checked with the reception on which station I should be going to (there are two in Paddington...one on the juncture of the two roads and one of the left road) to take my tube to Victoria Station. They asked me to take the one on the left. Since all the other formalities are not required for my checked, I hauled my suitcase down that tiny steps and was out of the door (of course after giving them their key) by 10 am. If I didn't have my luggage, I would have felt a little better, but hauling my luggage and finding out my way around the tube, well , suffice to say that I was a little bit tensed. But when I went to the station, I felt that instead of getting a ticket, I better take a oyster card. Thankfully my friend's husband had given the necessary instructions to get around my way in the Tube. There was a machine like the ATM machine which would give you the prepaid oyster cards. But by the time I tried to figure my way around it, I lost my confidence. So I went to the counter and got my oyster card for 25 pounds, hoping that would help me over the time period I am in London. I clutched the Tube map that I got in the hotel reception like its my lifeline and checked out the line that goes to Victoria. It was written as Circle Line (in yellow).

The instructions in the station are very clear. But then I saw that there is a East Bound platform and a West Bound Platform (and of course nothing related to the station I want to go). I always get confused by the directions like north of this, south of that.. well , whose north yours or mine. Wouldn't the person standing opposite of me point to a north which can be my south? I am not sure that if that logical, but yes, I get confused. Thankfully, there was this officer standing next to the gate (which is swipe and go model for your oyster card) and asked him which one I should be taking. He directed me towards the East Bound one, if I remember correctly. When I entered the underground, there were enough people down there. And on the electronic  board it displayed that the Circle line via Aldgate will be in another 2 mins. Well, call me stupid or dummy, when I saw those different color lines, I thought may be you will have dedicated trains in that color to travel. So normally I was expecting a yellow train to come chugging. I don't know why I did not concentrate on the trains that they show in the 007 movies (even the last one , the Skyfall, had it.. damn.. I missed those.. I would have had a clue by then). But when I saw a normal (I dont remember the color) train, I wasn't sure if that was it. But then when it neared me I saw the letter 'Circle Line via Aldgate' written in the LED signs in the front of the train. Just like the ones you see in the MMTS in Hyderabad. I was grinning inside like a fool, because I have no clue why I expected something like the colored trains in the first place. There was enough crowd. 90% of them had ear buds and were on their own world. The rest were either reading news paper or solving sudoku in ipad or watching others, just like me. I had to keep track of the stations. Finally it reached Victoria in about 15-20 mins or so.

Now I had to switch over the National Rail which is a overground train, to Sutton. There are enough signs to direct you, so you won't miss it at all. Its like a normal train station. But that day due to a fire alarm in one station, lot of trains were delayed. There are lot of trains that were listed and that were going via Sutton (either through a shorter route or a longer route). Since I didn't know which is which, I had to wait for 15 mins or so for the first train that goes via Sutton to be allocated the platform. I had my dose of cappuccino in the mean time. I checked with another officer who was there to help people around with directions, if I can use my oyster card there, he nodded in affirmative and I was on my way to the platform to take the National Rail which goes via Sutton. But found out that it was the one going through the longer route, so it took me around 40 mins or so to reach Sutton. After I reached the station, called up my friend and she came by to pick me up. Their home is not far, just a few minutes drive from the station. I was just happy that I got around my way in the stations and made it :). Need to savor these small small things which requires little bit effort. The whole day after that went in a haze, doing the laundry, talking to her about everything and then her kids, the notorious sisters :), reminded me of my nieces back home. I used her broadband to upload some photos and spoke to my parents back home too. She prepared a heavy lunch and dinner and had packed in a smaller suitcase given by her for my trip the next day. She asked me to try and cancel the hotel which I had booked after the Scotland trip and come back and stay with her. I had called up the hotel and they had said that I have a day to cancel without any charges. Sent an email to my travel agent (only they can cancel it as it was booked through them) and went enough chitchatting with the family went to sleep at around 11 only to get up at 4 am the next day for my trip.

My friend's husband was kind enough to drive all the way to Wembley to drop the next day for my Scotland tour.

I guess I will have to split the posts again. See you in the next one. 

My Solo London Journey - 1

The only thing that is pending from my completed trip is the travelogue of my London adventure. I guess I better complete it so that I can sleep in peace and before memories start to fade.

There is already a brief report in my WordPress blog. But that is basically a summary of what I liked. Here is the detailed one. I think it is better to put them in a single post rather than cover it in 3/4 posts for each day.  If it gets too long I will split it into two.

24-April-2013:

Not much was done on this day because all I did was to wait in the Cosmos Office and then take a cab to Paddington to my hotel. And as soon as I got checked in and hauled my suitcase on the very tiny steps towards the very small room (a single room of course) in the third floor, all I had energy left was for to relax and not get up at all. God, the rooms are so small. Its a bed and breakfast thing, cheapest on my budget and placed in a easily accessible location. But still such small stairs... Well I am capable of dragging up my suitcase or even hauling it over my shoulder if need arises, but what about the old couple who stayed next to me. I could hear them huffing and panting and finally the next day, all they did after that effort was to try to open my door thinking it was theirs. I wonder how they carried it back down.

25-April-2013:

I got up around 9 or so if I am not wrong and after a quick shower hurried for the breakfast which is complimentary. Thankfully, they had hash browns and croissant and bread. Finally some potato :D. If you are used to having hash brown in U.S (atleast the ones I had in LA and Tahoe) which is sort of sliced and diced potatoes, the ones in U.K is different, they are like the cutlets that you get in India (the triangle shape) and they taste very good with tomato ketchup or sauce as they call it. I wasn't sure what to do because I was dead tired and didn't have any plan. Was planning on something on-the-go. So at around 11 or so, when I felt a little better to walk around, went down and checked out the route to the Hyde Park. The hotel was in Norfolk Square, which was right next to the Paddington Station (the underground Tube). The lady at the reception guided me to the Hyde park as it was in a walkable distance. My phone had data enabled so I was sure that if things went wrong I can still use the maps and come back. So I started off with my backpack and started walking, taking in the narrow streets, the hustle and bustle of London. Paddington is an important station to switch trains to National Rail to go to slightly far off places. There were these BigBus double decker buses (not the normal day to day bus, but the city tour buses) that were there. For a second I thought if I should hop on them, but then I wasn't in the mood for the city tour that day, so I kept my focus on Hyde Park. I am not sure where I wrote this, but at the cost of repeating myself again, if you had read historical romance novels situated in and around London, you would have read about the Duch and Duchess or Count and Countess or Viscount or whoever is there in that novel will atleast once walk in the Hyde Park (for their evening or morning stroll, or for doing the riding in that big park or just go and sit near the Serpentine Lake). I had complete a big set of those novels, so I was super excited to see what that hype was about. It was just as they say 'around the corner' ;).

Whenever I go someplace I don't know, I try to remember some markers like for e.g the Swan Lake Restaurant on the way, which will be easy to remember either due to the name or the symbol or something like that. If it was bread for Hansel and Gretel its buildings and landmarks for me, except that these cannot go missing. I entered the Hyde Park near the Italian Fountains. It was good day because the sun was shining high and bright, it was not that windy, there was a slight chill in the air but otherwise a glorious days as these Londoners call it. Taking my camera in hand, I started cataloging my journey through my photos. Its no joke, this park is freaking huge. Hyde Park on one side and Kensington Gardens on the other. It covers a massive area. The Serpentine Lake is across the whole part of the Hyde Park splitting it into two. I started my way from the Italian Fountains (a very nice one with lot of flowers and small fountains for decoration) and on the way to the Peter Pan statue, towards the Lady Diana Memorial Fountain (which was undergoing renovation) , all of these on one side of the Serpentine and covered with lot of trees and flowers and ducks and swans.

There are lot of trees not like the woods but like a park actually , which it is and the grass properly mowed. They were fixing a few places here and there. There is a gallery (Serpentine Gallery on the other end towards my left ) which was undergoing change and some offices to which I did not go. I walked the whole way towards the end of the Serpentine Lake. On the way you have various places where you can rest, but for some reason I just kept going on and on. Beyond that there were some war memorial statues and a odd looking tree. I think it takes a whole day to look at each and everything there. They have a swimming area in the Lake too and a big restaurant on the other end. All I had was a cappuccino. Then kept walking on the other side of the Lake till I was almost near the entry point through which I had come and then went towards the Kensington Garden side. There were lot of statues erected in memory of quite a few things. There was also the Kensington Palace, home of William and Kate, which was under renovation. I saw it from far away, but people still kept going there. After almost 2.5 hours of walk, I sat down in a shade. This park calls not only the tourists, it calls people who work out (even in the mid day), office goers coming to have their packed lunches here, friends meeting up, kids coming from school taking a break with their parents, colleagues having informal chit chat... what not. Its cool that they have such a place very near to the city where people can just come and relax without having to pay anything. Really cool. I loved this park. It is the biggest park in the city it seems. And after some time to calm my paining ankle started my way back to my hotel, because it was getting warmer and I was getting hungrier. It was almost 3.5 hours by the time I made it back towards the exit. I would really love to have such a park in the city where I choose to settle down.

Since I was hungry and I saw an Indian Restaurant, I suddenly felt like having a Veg Briyani. I had that and a panneer Tikka, and guess what I paid 21 pounds for that.. Jeez, I never knew my craving for Briyani will cost that much and it did not even stay long in me. After almost 2 weeks of simple non masala food, my stomach got upset over the sudden burst of masala. I walked back to my hotel after the sort-of leisure stroll and got some snacks for the night in a store nearby. There the guy in the counter asked me if I was an Indian as soon as he saw me. Well no marks for him for guessing. And then as soon as he saw the Ganesha photo in my purse, he was like...Hey I know that guy !! :) I was like, oh yeah.. who is it .. He tried to recollect the name with so much effort, that I couldn't help but smile... he was like.. its a god isnt.. a south Indian.. the elephant god..blah blah blah.. I lost interest.. told him it was Ganesha.. he was very happy to hear that... Really ??? I wasn't sure if he was trying to flirt or if he was genuine..coz I could never recognize that. Then he was asking if this is my first time in London. When I asked him in affirmative, he asked me if I liked the city. I told him that this was my first day and I saw what I liked so far and before he could get talking again, paid him and was on my way out.

Went back to the hotel by around 3 pm or so and then relaxed for a while and called my friend who was in Sutton and check out the details on how to go to their place the next day because I had to check out by tomorrow. She called me back with the details at night and her husband guided me on how to use the Tube and the National Rail to arrive at their place. Its sort of 1 hour and 15 mins from Paddington. Noted down the information and went to sleep at around 9 pm.

I think I better break it here as it is getting lengthier... Will continue the journey in the next post tomorrow.....

Scotland Tour - Report

When I got my U.K visa one week before the travel, I had to book the Scotland Tour through Star Tours because I wanted to cover Scotland and Wales if not both atleast one of them. And my love for the Scottish accent made my decision easier for me ;)

Once I had arrived in London on 24th, I had two days to myself and thankfully for my friend and her family who live in Sutton, with whom I stayed on 26th, I got a drop off in Wembley for the tour. As soon as I saw that it was an all Indian tour, honestly, I was a bit disappointed, as I have mentioned in my first day post of Scotland Tour. Because I wanted to see and experience different cultures. But then this was my decision which was solely based on the budget , so I had to go through with it. Each day's experiences are listed below.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

It is not fair on my part to compare the European Tour and this one, but in all fairness, people are the same even though the cultures are different and even though the culture of the people in this group is very familiar, I felt hurt a couple of times. That is about the people who were there as part of the group, which no one has a choice. But the tour as such was a little disappointing. I so not wanted the Indian Dinners. I am used to it, I would rather try local cuisines, even if my choice is limited. I wanted to see some folk lore based programs, even if it was additional cost. Its just not the places. Its the people and the interesting facts that make the place special. Each place has its own story. Till Glasgow all they did was to sing (even though I got to sing.. I could have done without it) and the same in the last day. There was no interaction with the local crowd in any format. Seems like they have a European tour with their own Pantry making Indian food attached to the coach bus. I would never choose that. I accept that lot of elders who would prefer only Indian or even special Indian like Jain food might find it very accommodating. But my preferences do not match this tour specs. Since I did not have much time to investigate and analyze and the choice was more on budget, I think I am the only person to blame.

Scotland involves lot of driving time by coach buses. 3-4 hours was OK  but the first and last day, it sort of took the whole day. Not anyone's fault but that is little tiring.

But the places were amazing. I wish I could go there separately and roam around at leisure some time. Unless you like castles, country sides, ever changing weathers, this might bore you a little. But those are the things which warm me I was so enchanted by the places. I wish I had been to a pub there with some friends :) just to watch the people around, gone in the train which Harry potter took, just to go through those places and have a sense of deja vu. I wish I had more time to sit in the rocks over looking those moors and watch the clouds pass by (no wonder Wordsworth was inspired by them). I could have done without a hurt or two that happened during the trip. Its not all bad, but still that incidents overshadowed the rest for me. I am used to people taking me for granted because I am alone, but to make it so blatant was something that didn't do for me. They might have thought that I am egoistical because I am on my own, which I am fine with, but then they shouldn't have bothered me at all in any sense. Also their mannerisms during the dinner (without even considering if rest of them had their first meal or not or cutting in between to take what they want rather than waiting in the line... ) all those things sort of pissed me off. A little consideration for the fellow humans in these kind of tours go a long way in creating a good rapport and a pleasant environment, even if not acquaintance or friendship.

Would I like to Scotland again: Yes
Would I choose an all Indian tour even though it is cost effective : No (not because of what happened, but my preference to mingle with different people of different countries)
I need to select tours which can bring the essence of the place during the visits.

I did a good job or rather my agent helped me do that in case of European trip. 

Scotland Tour - Day 4

30-April-2013

Lake District

The final leg of the journey which started at 8 am through the Edinburgh city towards the Lake District. We had a long journey ahead of us, but we had a stop at Grasmere first at around noon. We pass through various lochs or Lakes and Ben's or Mountains and beautiful sight. The weather was good and sunny compared to all the other days. I slept a little on the drive because there wasn't anyone explaining us anything about the country or telling us tales. They had started on the antakshari session to keep themselves involved, which I didn't feel like getting involved at all. I was either reading a book in my laptop or sleeping or enjoying the scenery. One couple who were sitting before me, were the only ones who talked me once in a while during the journey.

When we reached Grasmere, the home of William Wordsworth, I don't know why I was very hungry. After visiting the Daffodils garden and the graves of William Wordsworth (I don't like visiting graves, at least of people whom I don't know personally, but well since I was there, took some pics) I was on my way to visiting the nearby places and shops. Bought myself a home made walnut cake and a cappuccino. The lady in the coffee shop was telling how the weather is much better that day and that we were lucky to see sun today. Wow these people wait for the sun and here in India we wish for it to reduce its intensity :). After my share of the coffee I was OK to go ahead with the day.

The next stop was Windermere for a cruise in the Bowness Bay along with the lunch stop. Since we had an hour for our lunch before the cruise, I first went around the central place which was up and down (taking more effort to walk around) for my photo shoot ;) and almost 20 mins before the cruise went for my lunch, only to be joined by the tour manager, who was chatting up with me because I was anyways alone. He was wondering why I was so closed not mingling with people and enjoying myself. I assured him that I was enjoying myself very much just not in the way the others expect. He was asking if I will be interested to come to Holland with him on another tour. I thanked him but since I was returning back I wouldn't be able to do that.

Then we ahead with the cruise, which was for an hour and a half on the inter glacial lake. It started sunny but soon the wind picked up and it started getting colder and colder, with dark clouds looming in the sky. Got some good shots there. The captain of the cruise was explaining the various locations and their relevance. I think I had enough of cruises by now :) but did welcome the beautiful sights and the cool wind blowing. Another traveler who was from U.S along with her brother and sister in law from India started talking to me and was asking about my trip to Europe and such details. After the cruise, it was time again to start back to London, with two stop in between to drop off people.

We started around 3 pm and finally ended our journey at 8.30 pm in Wembley. It was a tiring journey back since we had to sit for almost 5 hrs non stop (except for one small break in between for the snacks). I took a shared ride with a group of 3 who were going towards Illford (to my hotel) and reached hotel by 10 pm. By the time I checked in (thankfully I had already informed that I will be doing a late checkin) the only energy I had was to lie down and go to a deep sleep.

I had completed my tour of Scotland successfully, even though it can never be compared to the Europe trip. 

Scotland Tour - Day 3

29-April-2013

Pitlochary-Edinburgh

The third day started with out trip from Inverness to Edinburgh with stop at Pitlochary, that means we are leaving the Highlands. The first stop was to a Whiskey Distillery located in Pitlochary. Now that all everyone's attention (just guys I mean). On the way, the guide was explaining how the Single Malt Whiskey is famous thing of Scotland (If you talk to people who drink, you will get to know that Irish and Scottish Whiskeys are the best, just like French Champagne). Single malt means that they do not mix any other variety (the opposite of that is the blended one) and they make it from one set of barley (yes the innocent barley.. I was under the assumption that only Beer had barley in it). We saw quite a few of the distilleries on the way. The weather was varying between sunny and cloudy. And since we are coming down from the Highlands the view was amazing and beautiful. By the time we landed in Pitlochary, it was quite sunny (still not enough to take off your jacket, but enough to wear your sunglasses) and the unit we visited was the Blair Athol Distillery which produces Bell's Scottish Whiskey (I remember the name Athol from the movie Made of Honor where the other guy was from Scotland and they spoke Gaelic...you will remember that word if you have seen that movie twice or thrice). Children below 8 aren't allowed and our group had two of them, and we had split into two groups so that the parents can take turns. The Distillery wasn't that big at all. It was infact much smaller than I had expected. They explained how they take the barley and the river water or streams that flow through the town along with sugar and yeast and convert it to Single Malt whiskey. They had had a huge warehouse where they had stored the whiskey in the wooden cans (or whatever they are called) and you can really smell it when you enter it. I never thought I could smell whiskey. Then they took us for tasting. I was interested in doing that but was wondering if I should let go. But then I thought 'what the heck', I ain't driving and nothin's gonna happen with a sip (hopefully). So they all gave us a very small quantity of 12 year old whiskey that they had. And taught us how to savor the taste. I could really smell it and after holding it in the palm and closing it with the other palm, leaving it like that for a minute and smelling it again, it gave another kind of smell..something fruity. According to Scots, its a sin to mix it with water or Cola. The guy who was doing the tour begged us not to dishonor them :D like that. I had one sip (a little larger one at that.. I just can't a small sip at all). Whoa!! it burned my throat.. thank god I let it in slowly otherwise my lungs would have been burnt. It was woody and fruity together. I was so tempted to complete the small quantity they gave and see its effect. But since I am not alone I didn't want to risk it. But given a chance if I am alone will I have whiskey...nah!!! Too strong for my taste. I prefer Champagne ;)

After that tour, we came to the central place in Pitlochary for a sort of brunch thing, because its gonna be a long drive to Edinburgh. But all I did manage was a cup of coffee. I had good breakfast and didn't feel like eating anything at 11.30 or so just because we can. Walked around the place. It was quite and calm and there were quite a few buses (tour) that were coming that way. They have a place for parking which was good. The parking area was near the railway station. Walked around, took snaps and was ready after sometime to start our way back.

In the bus the guide was explaining us the same story about the history of Scotland (how Queen Elizabeth I of England imprisoned her own cousin of sorts Queen Mary of Scotland during a political drama and overtook Scotland under her reign and later when she died without heir how James, heir of Mary but was schooled in London, ascended to the throne of Scotland...so an English of sorts first became the King of Scotland... I thought our history of Rajah's and Rani's was complicated..but theirs is a maze..same goes to the European especially the Roman dynasty) also about some mythological tales belonging to that region (including Witches and brooms ;) ...no no not the Harry potter kind...but hearing those tales makes you sort of realize how witches and wizards were part of their folklore or even their history) and also the story of a plant (whose name I forgot) and how it got its smell and strength (it can withstand the strong winds of Scotland) through a folklore (believing it is up to you.. I believe in those tales..)

He kept us awake with those small small stories and it was nice to hear them. Finally the sort of things I want to hear but late in the game. There were a few people in the back who would rather gossip among themselves rather than listen to these... irritating me in the process.. But thankfully the guide was on the mic so I could tune the irritants off (why not.. since I get to hear it in his Scottish accent ;)...).

We arrived in Edinburgh by around 3.30 pm or so and boy was I hungry.. While going through the city he kept explaining the various landmarks like the coffee shop where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter, the University, the landmarks in Royal Mile (like the Queen's palace, the Edwards Seat) etc etc.. Finally we ended up in the Edinburgh Castle which is almost on the top of a small hill. I was already very hungry and climbing it from the stairs which is so steep literally took my breath away. But when you go up and see the big space before the entrance and the view of the city on all sides from there.. its like my breath left me for a beat or two (this time figuratively). The place from the castle starting from the wide area to the Queen's palace, which is in one straight line, is called the Royal Mile (exactly a mile distant) and has lot of landmarks there and is a busy shopping area too. They have the parade (I forgot for which event) through the Royal Mile, with all the Scottish Attire (their Kilts and stuff...) Since this is where our guide will part us we wanted to take the group photo. That particular event was a mess. No one knew how to get it done (even though I tried to tell them that standing with their backs to the Sun shining high and bright will do no good for the photo and no one is a professional there) and finally I decided to be out of it and I tried to take one decent one after they settled one. All of them gave their cameras to the tour director who tried to take one shot each with each camera with the guide in it. After that I was trying to take a few shots here and there when someone from the group pulled me and asked me to take their photo with the guide and tour director. I was like 'don't you have to ask my permission for courtesy sake' but since this couple were old and didn't bother with any courtesy through the trip I just went with it and took their photo in their camera. Once they were done, then every one came up with their camera and within a few seconds I became the photographer there, with the guide and tour director standing and each group posing with them (reminded me of the wax statues...jeez that is seriously sad). But then as soon as they were done, they started going of to the castle entrance to wait there. I was asking them just in jest if anyone will even bother to ask me if I wanted one. But it went to dead ears and when the last couple took the photo, I almost had tears in my eyes because no one bothered and it felt hurt to be taken for granted like this. I didn't need that picture, I didn't even think of it until they all started, but there is something called courtesy, a very common one, that you can follow. I didn't gel will with even single one of them, because they had their own partners or families and didn't bother with me and I was OK with it, because I am perfectly fine with myself. But this incident really made me feel very bad for a few minutes. Then the last couple who did not even know how to handle their own digicam let alone my SLR, tried to take one of mine with the guide and the tour manager. When it was done, I was really left with a sour feeling at the back of my tongue.

After that incident, we went to regroup near the entrance. He explained us how this castle was built for the royal family earlier to stay but later since it was too windy and not fit for staying, they relocated. Now it is sort of a museum. We started with the Half Moon Battery with the canons firing machines (none of them fired for any war) and then went to the Scottish War Memorial. This memorial is a place where photos are not allowed and is sort of sacred. We can see the memorabilia to the people who laid their lives for different wars. There is a lot of mention about India , especially Lucknow, Mysore regiments etc. After that he pointed us to the different other highlights available like the One O'clock gun (fired at 1 pm except Sunday) as a indication to the Sailors, the Margaret Chapel, where even now weddings are conducted, the Royal Palace, which has the history of the Scotland in pictures and other art forms, Crown Jewels, which has the Queen's crown and the sword stored in a high secure and alarmed place, the Prisoners of war place, which is sort of a jail earlier etc. He explained us the buildings and then said a word of good bye to all of us, because the rest of the time till 6.30 pm is our time to explore the castle and the city (may be the Royal Mile). After biding adieu to the guide, the first thing I did was to go to the inside restaurant near the Royal Hall and have myself a hearty late-lunch. I was so tired because of hunger that I couldn't take one more step. After that hearty too-costly meal (which cost me around 20 pounds) I started my way to the different buildings for my exploration and photo sessions. Its difficult to cover it in a hour or two. And requires a lot of walking. I explored for almost 2 hours and then once I thought that I had covered the essentials (did not go to the jail or the regimental museum) I started my way to the Royal Mile.

I wasn't sure how long it will take to go through the Royal Mile. But once I started walking, I felt that it was never ending. However since I was exploring the various churches, witches place, schools, and other such things there along with lot of shops for purchasing mementos, it took me a while to go to the Queens Palace. Thankfully due to a over persistent girl who had come there to take a picture of the building, the guard opened the gate for a car which was coming out and kept it open for us to take a few pics and after that I started to walk back, coz it was about to take me around 30 mins of walk up the hill and by 1/4th of the distance I was panting like a dog. My god, I was seriously not in shape and with my camera and lenses and laptop stuff in the backpack, it was bending me forward. It was a strenuous walk to the back of the castle where we have the bus. But then I took a detour near a chapel to walk down to see the other part of the streets which is sort of 2 storeys down. There was a person who was making a performance with knifes and fire in the middle of the pedestrian only section of the Royal Mile road. Stood for some time to watch it. Seems like the castle is standing on a volcano which is dormant. By the time I finished my exploration of the Edinburgh castle and the Royal Mile, I had already burned my calories that I had accumulated from my lunch. By 6.45 pm I was happy to see the bus because I was now ready to lie down for a while. We started our way to our Dinner first because it is on the way to the hotel and was near the Royal Mile. After the dinner, back to our hotel which was quite far away from the city near the express way because that way it will be easy to get back tomorrow to London.

By the time I hit the bed, I was exhausted and thanking my body for supporting me so far went to sleep only to be awake by 6 am for our return journey.

Edinburgh is a beautiful place as is any part of Scotland, and this is the other biggest city apart from Glasgow.