Coming back to life ... Exploring South Africa

2 weeks in South Africa ... beautiful country - amazing landscapes, superb wildlife, good infrastructure, interesting people and of course magnificent Cape Town.

and also home to the World's highest Bungy - 216M - at Bloukrans (near Knysna)
Yep ... it was sheer bliss


Of course petting the Cheetah's and Tigers @Oudtshoorn was a high as well



So much to write - so many thoughts, observations, surprises, experiences ...
for now just a chronological photo-story of ~coming back to life~

- Exploring the Blyde River Canyon and its natural beauty


- Animal sighting in Kruger National Park



- Guided safari's at Lukimbi Safari Lodge


- V&A Waterfront at Cape Town


- Chapman's Peak Drive


- Cape Point, Cape Of Good Hope, Cape Agulhas ... and other ---most points!


- Haggling on Greenmarket Square


- Table Mountain from all angles!


- Robben Island


- Aimless Wandering on the Garden Route


- Exploring the stunning Cango Caves


- Wandering on Table Mountain and thereabouts

Jodhaa Akbar Review

The Jodhaa Akbar experience in 3 (or more) words

- to the Movie
AAAAAAAAAAAA aaaaaaaaaaaaaa AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArgh!

- to Ashutosh Gowariker
Stop making movies! ~please~

- to AR Rahman
Was it you?

- to Hrithik Roshan
WHY?

- to Aishwarya
at least TRY to act!

- to all the technicians and animals involved in the movie
WHY?

- Conclusion
Waste of time

- Serious Conclusion
Absolute waste of time

- No jokes this time - Conclusion
Poking yourself in the eye is less painful ... and a lot faster.

...
...
...

you get the drift!

Ashutosh Gowariker seems to simply love making movies - he loves making them so much that he just doesn't want to stop - no really - give this man his way and he would would make a 10 hour movie - about how he woke up in the morning and took a crap! and oh - since there are 100 elephants in his backyard it is as epic.

Oh Ashutosh ... I have this excellent theme for your next movie -
remember the Ek-Anek animation that used to show on Doordarshan? Lets make a 4 hour musical epic out of that one ... it even has birds and squirrels!

The Loss of an Illusion?

Verbatim from D's e-mail -

"
I had to write to you about this - nothing against one particular person or organization - but a general outpour of thoughts and feelings.

When I heard you talking about ABC - my first instinct was that of disdain - thinking - "oh one of those things!" But I did not want to sound rude - or discourage you from what may be a good thing - so I kept my voice in check. With a more positive mindset, I did look up what ABC stood for - what it aims to do.

I've become so bitter about so many things - especially when it starts with "Our tradition..." And I was not like this before- and it wasn't that long ago that I did a lot of things with a lot of joy and enthusiasm - because I truly believed in it - that it brought happiness and evoked goodness in everyone.

But the words "Tradition", "Culture" have lost their meaning and value and most importantly respect in my eyes - mainly because of what I see around me and how these "traditions" and "culture" are more used to create divisions rather than create harmony.

When I see someone come with a statement like "7000 years of tradition and culture - lost within one generation" - I cringe - and it hurts- honestly it does. Because it feels like it's been lost for so many more generations that right now, we are bemoaning the loss of an illusion. No one even realized or shed a tear when the real thing was lost.

I myself am happy to "lose" some traditions - we seem to worry more on how we'd go to hell if we do something wrong with the Stone God, but don't care two hoots that "this tradition" may hurt a person -it stinks and I truly doubt if God even intended it that way.

Right now, I'm fighting my way out of this bitterness and trying to focus on the good I know. I always used to question most things - and I got the most amazing answers from my mother for some things. And now, I've chosen to rebel against everything that doesn't make sense to me. I refuse to do it just because. And I do read, in my own speed and in my own way, I do try and find logic to why something was done. If I cannot find that makes sense to me, or if it doesn't apply any more, I have chosen to let the tradition die. I'm creating my own religion and you know what the best part about all this is? "Hinduism" or "Sanatan Dharma" or whatever else you want to call it- lets me do it :)

But I do hope for my sake more than yours that what you are doing right now, does distinguish between "applicable traditions" and "blind traditions" and that people focus more on the "why do this" than "what to do". In between all the glorification of our "traditions", they do take the time out to actually check and discard the ones that make no sense in today's world (or even did in yesterday's world!) And in case you are doing that - thank you.
"

Background
Recently, we heard about this organization - lets call it ABC - which is 'designed for anyone interested in learning about Hinduism and the inner meaning of its rich tradition and culture. It is particularly useful for students, young parents, and anyone concerned about preserving the best of Hinduism in Western society.'

A couple of close friends are a part of this organization.

Now D and I discuss for hours on end on "our culture" "our religion" etc. etc. and above is an accurate representation of where we are today.
Spot-on and beautifully written me thinks.

Irony

The customer may be 'God' in the West ... but in India the Customer is just a quarter of an inch above trash. (try returning anything ... even if it is defective!)

- nevertheless -

90% of "Customer Service Representatives" of The Planet are sitting in India!!!

LOL!

The irony is sickening!

Namibia

Very interesting country Namibia - Amazing contrasts as you drive from north to south - the north is green, the south is a desert and the Atlantic borders the west coast - pretty interesting landscapes in between all this.

Our 10 day sojourn in Namibia was VERY interesting and eventful - more on that later.
For now some photo-highlights ... for all of you who were screaming for photos! ... each pic will take you to an album for more pics :)
and I deserve a medal for uploading these pics on such pitiful internet speeds!

Day 1,2,3 - Etosha (the jungle!)






Day 3,4 - Twyfelfontein(Rock Paintings, 260 Million Year Olds and stunning Mountains)


Day 5,6,7,8 - Swakopmund (Desert meets the sea! Sand Dunes, Dolphins etc.)


Day 9,10 - Windhoek and back (Capital city!)



Points to Elaborate later
1. Gravel Roads
2. Image of Angolans outside Angola
3. State of affairs in Namibia and South Africa
4. Flying out of Angola
5. Stars in the Southern Hemisphere
6. Working hours Namibia!
7. Damara - the clicking language!

Right Here Right Now

Unsorted PhotoAlbum
COD4
Heroes Season1
Crysis
Namibia

...
...
...

Johnathan Goodwin

Luckily caught a copy of the November issue of FastCompany on one of our flights earlier this month - the cover-article blew our collective socks, shoes, mufflers and caps away!!!

Spoke about this to a few of you out there ... FastCompany calls him the Motorhead Messiah ... hmmm
Am researching more on the dude ...
Johnathan Goodwin may be the future ... or may not (that coming from someone working for the Oil Industry ... then again who isn't!)

[He does come from Kansas tho ... Super connection there!]

I Belong

Where do I belong?

I’m guessing (and hoping) that this is a fairly common question in many minds … especially in the minds of friends ...
Was reading Sarat’s post on the Gujrat carnage and couldn’t help imagining the bestiality of the people involved … people like you and me they say – the common man in India.

I am sad.
I feel bad.
I feel ashamed.
And worse - I don’t know why!!!

Living as an Expat. – you automatically represent your people (country generally) – so you become a spokesman of your kind – ready to clarify myths/misconceptions and discuss cultures, habits, living conditions … you get the point – good things and bad.

Then again, I’m not sure if I identify with the average Indian – maybe the average Agnelite at best! Sure we are a great race and all that – but I don’t even know how to define an average Indian …
So I truly identify only with my family and friends – that's about it!

Then why do I feel ashamed when I read about riots and the likes … Bombay, Gujrat, Punjab, Bihar ... I don’t know these people – they could have come from Mars for all I care …

Really its just family and friends to whom I feel a sense of belonging – and if this subset ended up migrating to the Moon – I would call that home – by association!

On a macro level, a country/government is essentially a group of people deciding to live life in a particular way – I wasn’t given the choice to examine all these groups and take my pick! And I don’t HAVE to subscribe to the agenda (if there really is one!)

From where I stand - India is definitely one of the most beautiful countries in the world – but I’m not so sure about the people. I’m not saying that they are bad … or good … they are fine where they are - I’m just not sure if I want to be called one of them/us!
And then - Do I really need to belong somewhere? I don’t think so!

So why do I feel?!

Angola in Images

Yep - more pics - this time a variety of pics in and around Luanda ... and some in Cabinda and Malongo



If you've not already noticed then yes yes - the sunsets here are really nice :) Muito Obrigado as they say in Portugese.

Angola in Images ... May thru October

Jab We Met

Its been a while since we saw a movie twice in two days!

Jab We Met has been a very nice surprise - big thanks to Brij for pointing us in that direction (and D for pushing me towards it :) )

Personally I think this has to be the best work by Kareena Kapoor (Now I must admit that I have seen just two other movies of hers ... but still! She is very very impressive in the movie.)

Imtiaz Ali - haven't seen his other work but he's done a great job ... the movie could have been 15-20 minutes tighter towards the end ... but then thats nitpicking!

Preetam and Sandesh - superb music - again - its been a while since I've heard an entire soundtrack (minus the remixes of course) three times over ... and back to back! Now I'm not sure if these tunes are lifted/inspired etc. etc. - but they are really really nice to listen to ... and like someone pointed out - its a very interesting mix of song-genres - verry nice.

Shahid - I'm so happy that he does not do another junior SRK in this movie and has genuinely tried to bring out his own expressions and acting - good job.

Now if it would have been a very interesting twist if Anshuman turned out to be a goat ... or a fictitious character in Geet's head ... ergo she was not quite mentally sound in reality ... and so on ...

but then that wouldn't be a Punjab-loving Bollywood movie would it ;)

and speaking of Punjabi - its time I stopped trying and actually started learning the language - one of the sweetest languages to listen to - IMHO. D seconds the motion ...

and I digress as usual!

Watch the movie if you haven't already.

(Image courtesy Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd)

here there everywhere in Bombay

Have been lazy and busy - in no particular order
Lotsa thoughts in my head ... queuing up - will see light someday
- Human Nature
- Music or Media
- Movies
- How much Money?
... ... ...

but all that will have to wait ...
For now its just pictures ... from the greatest city on Earth - BOMBAY ... (IMO)
snaps from here there everywhere in the city :) .... mostly taken from the cab!
(cabs are daily miracles in Bombay! defying all laws of motion and age and mechanics and engineering!)
... but thats another story altogether!)

India 2007 - Bombay ...

Mera Bharat Mahaan?

Myself Mrs. Ramesh

What is the level of your education

How long have you been married … why no kids yet?

Myself Mrs. Das

Our hujhbands work for the embassy. She works!

It is so hard to find girl children especially for ashtami pooja … of course not everyone is unfortunate like us to have 2 girls!

I tell you India has become disgusting … boys and girls are living together without getting married … they say that they are friends … horrible I tell you!

Just some of the pearls of communication that we were fortunate to experience …

And Just NOT what we expected to encounter on 15^th August – 10a.m. - @the flag hoisting ceremony at the Indian Embassy in Luanda. Sure we went to the ‘event’ with a lot of excitement and energy … excitement at going to apna des … excitement in meeting with our own people … oh how hard we fell! (Soumya more than me …)

Picture about 25 people … scratch that – about 25 men standing around … in groups of 2-3 … chatting among themselves and greeting everyone with the customary Indian smile …NOT! No smiles here …

We waited for a few minutes in odd silence … Soumya feeling kinda awkward … all the men huddled together and all …

The lone music-system started to feebly play some patriotic song and lo behold … a group of women appear from nowhere to witness the flag hoisting …
One second Soumya was standing by herself and shazaam! – this group of women walks out of the house (the embassy is a house!) and almost runs over Soumya … eager to view the flag or whatever other reason they had to be in front!

The ceremony was held in mind-numbing tradition

- men and women in neat separate groups standing 6 feet apart

- no one was smiling

- The “head” of the embassy gave a soulful speech! Sigh … he read out 4 lines from the Presidents speech and then … just shut up! He pretty much read out 4 lines verbatim!!! No excitement here!

- The crumbly flag was opened … there was clapping … and after precisely 73 seconds of subsequent awkward silence … everybody dashed towards the refreshments – cheap cake and wafers …

- Of course - the women picked up their paper plates and went inside the house while the men ate outside … silently ...

My conversation outside went like –

“Where are you from” … “What do you do?” … “Weather is nice no?” … “This country has seen a lot of war … ” … with generous (and awkward) pauses in between

Granted most of these men were oldish folks – in their late 40s or 50s maybe … but not one of them exuded an iota of intelligence … like someone later observed – they just seemed to be in Angola with the sole hope of being transferred later to the UK- where they could make more money and retire … nevermind that most of them did not even speak English or anything intelligent!(in no particular order)

I COULD NOT IDENTIFY WITH A SINGLE SOUL OUT THERE !

Of course while I was standing in excruciating pain … wishing that all this was a dream and that India is a great country and that all Indians are not like this … poor Soumya had to experience the rude and discriminatory behavior of the womenfolk …

and of course all this while being given a strict visual examination …

Seriously – I always believed that Bombay was not representative of the rest of India – especially of all the small towns in UP and Bihar from where these folks came … or any other small town for that matter … but the narrow mindedness is just plain unforgivable …

Soumya has a good argument - folks from her extended family are from small towns, and yet they exude a certain class … at least they aren’t outright rude or discriminatory!

I know for a fact that we (most agnelites) grew up in a different society – a more open society … heck I had trouble adjusting to the narrow mindedness of folks I encountered in Bangalore …

Then again … am I so removed from the rest of the Indians? Has the international ‘exposure’ spoilt me …

Sure you can pull someone fom the plains of rural Texas or Alabama and you would see similar ‘frog in the well’ attitudes … so I guess Indians are not exempt … still … its sad to have such experiences when you don’t want to associate with the 7 odd Indians in Luanda!

Mera Bharat Mahaan – for whatever its worth.

And oh - thanks to Anu (and santa-banta) for these images ... pretty much the only positive thing!

Harry Potter and the Mahabharata

Have been a silent observer of the Harry Potter buzz - at its crescendo now with the 7th and final (?) serving - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, millions of copies of which, I am told are being guarded by specially trained ninjas with 0071/2 privileges ... lest someone spill the beans (and pages) before 21 July 2007! shudder shudder ...


If you are a religious zealot, now is the time to leave ... OK Bye.

No - seriously.

My daily dose of Google news today enlightened me with the fact that there are some religious groups out there that protest the Harry Potter phenomenon since it promotes the idea of witchcraft - and makes people believe in the occult and likes ... and more importantly it takes them further away from a 2000 year old religion that furiously scoffs at geologists and the likes. These groups "firmly" believe that the crude-Oil in Angola was formed sometime between 8:32pm and 8:47pm on the 4th Day a couple of hours after sunset - about 24 hours after the Mountains were completed! And oh - they tell me that the whole dinosaur business is a scam!**

But this is not about that at all ... really.

There was talk in the same article on how the Church is using Harry to spread Christianity especially among the youth. This at the same time when Mr. Eli Yishai in Israel is irked over the launch "time" of the book - strange world we live in I must say. ( But I have to be amazed at the amazing coincidence of the timing of 2:01 am – down to the minute!)


And then ... It came to me (about time)

10 years and 325 million copies sold already. That's a third of India's population give or take a few (million) . Fast forward a few more decades (and a few more movies, a few billion blogs, comics, animation yada yada yada ) and this book might probably end up in everyone's homes ... each and everyone on the Planet!!! Now I don't own a copy of the Gita but I do have a Bible which I'm guessing is the most "available" book in the world ... and we all know the basic story of Jesus in some form or the other.

Brace Yourself -

~I think Harry Potter could be even bigger~

There I said it!

Give it a 1000 years or two and Harry Potter may transcend from fiction to Mythology ... various caveats and "additional chapters" later we might be looking at a whole new religion … the backbone of which would be this trilogy in 7 parts! There's lots of action, revenge, some romance, torture ... and of course lots of messages. The perfect Mix if you ask me.

Ah! Maybe that’s what the Ramayana and Mahabharata were - record-breaking bestsellers, some 10-20 thousand years ago ... innocent readers at the time were not aware of the mass phenomenon to come …

...

That’s it! I need to start reading these books ASAP … And then write some “previously-unreleased” material! You won’t be laughing when a few thousand years from now my family will enjoy special privileges in society because they are direct descendants of Harry’s special friend from India – me – ! Heck they might even make a “Code” movie then … but for now I need a serving of Hari Puttar …

** In my weeks in Angola, I have had the fortune of experiencing the jovial nature of geologists and seismic engineers and I can see some of their serious predicaments as far as faith and job are concerned!

My Experiments with Truth ... S9100, and other things as usual ...

Yep - have been keeping busy - Experimenting with the new camera, move to another apartment, dinners, grocery-shopping, Picasa, TV, Reading (yes!), a lil-bit of tennis (the real thing - not on the Wii!), Thinking, and stuff ...

Some of my initial experiments with the new Fuji S9100 ...




What can I say - I'm impressed so far. :)
Link to the album in case my experiment with Picasaweb Slideshow failed :D -

Sunset and Moonrise - June 29 2007