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Aurangaad

No it is not a spelling mistake. Yes I know it is spelt as Aurangabad. But that is how my friend pronounces it. I should know 'cuz we spent 4 years of our prime there. Doing Hotel Management. Along with that we did a dual BBA degree. We passed out in July 2008 and November 2013 is when we collected our BBA degree. Yup 5+ years. 

The feeling of when we arrived at the station at 4 am was of a sweet and spicy Chinese starter (since bittersweet sounds too cliche). Taking in the sights was enough to make me weep. We were excited as children when they are told that they will get ice cream everyday after dinner and they can sleep by midnight after watching the mind numbing TV shows. We went to our favourite place, the dhaba (a small roadside restaurant) which used to be and still is IHMites favourite haunt (my college's name was/ is IHM-A). Across the road from the institute was this place where we used to weep, notice breakups, hook ups, laugh, bitch, smoke, interact, do projects, have the famous cold coffee and basically do absolutely nothing everyday. This was the first place we visited in the morning. 

The famous dhaba

Due to vacation time there was literally no one there and in the institute. But we went to our college anyway. Visited the library and took in the smell of books. Saw the auditorium where we used to perform and give presentations and make absolute fools of ourselves, saw our classroom where the boys burst a fire cracker and where we used to play Counter Strike during lectures. I went to the girls hostel and saw our water cooler where the awkwardness and the cold shoulder were cooler than the water it dispensed and where gossips took place. Saw our balcony where Savz and I used to talk about life and philosophy, saw the garden where I used to run in my heels when drunk with Ruks running behind me with coffee and Savz with food. Ah good times! 

My favourite library

 

IHM's Anti Ragging Policy Board

The 3 days we were there passed by in a blur. Tried going to almost all the places where we were regulars. 

One of our more frequented restaurants in the city

Visited a lot of historical places but nothing could come close to the feeling we felt when we were there. I will give up anything in my life to have one more year with my batchmates with lectures and all. 

One of the awesome carvings in Ellora (Cave no. 1 I think)

Ellora Caves

Aurangzeb's Tomb

Bibi Ka Makbara

Daulatabad Fort

One of the ways in the fort

Panchakki

I have so much to say but for the first time I have failed in expressing my feelings about the experience.

I guess this is what they call 'hiraeth'.

Disasters at their best* **

You know, I wrote a dissertation during my 'younger' days in college. It was basically on how tourism gets impacted due to man-made and natural disasters so it included tsunami, SARS and the 9/11 attacks along with a debatable topic of how Global Warming was/ is a man- made or a natural disaster. But the more pressing problems right now we are facing are the lack of morals, humanity, and a complete lack of empathy for human life. All these casual talks about the war in Syria, the attack in Kenya and in Pakistan coupled with the devastating earthquake, just proves that the world as we know it, or rather our civilization, is at the brink of its extinction. I am 100% sure that it will probably happen. Quite honestly when someone mentioned the news of the blast to me, my reaction was, ‘Really? Gee, that is terrible. Ooh look new shoes’.

The point of this article is that I think that the world did end in December and is slowly and steadily deteriorating as the days go by. Though not physically but definitely, morally. Yeah, that much needed meteor which was required to bounce off certain individuals got delayed by a month (due to bad traffic and bad infrastructure) and missed the target by a gazillion miles. I remember opening up the paper one day in December (I have stopped reading the paper by the way. I have not read one single positive news since the day I learnt how to read and have my own opinions). One page spoke about ‘The Gangrape’ (I honestly thought that it will be another case like the 1000 others and I am not going to give my two bits here. It should be enough for you to know that I am a very pissed off woman); One page spoke about a grandfather raping his 9 year old step granddaughter, another page spoke about the mass shootout in the school. One page spoke about a man in China who injured 22 children with a knife; then the consequent pages spoke about the dismal performance of India in cricket. I was nearly crying with frustration when I slammed my door shut and went for work and got stuck in bad traffic due to bad infrastructure, myself. 

But if you see, the Mayans were right. For me along with a gazillion people on this planet, the world did end in December. December 2012 taught us some things which we will not forget in a hurry. It taught us that indeed united we stand. It taught us that people do suffer from loneliness and depression and it's not just some nonsense in movies. It taught us that you can be brave and fight for your life no matter how injured you are. It taught us that we should not disregard human life. It taught us that there are sick people on this planet and that they need immediate help (either admittance in a psychiatric ward or The Fight Club- take your pick). It taught us and reinforced this fact that our judicial system is as liked by the people as Sheldon Cooper likes other people sitting on his spot. 

*(Authoress’s note: This article is not a mockery to anyone who has been a victim in any which way to a disaster. My deepest condolences and support to all who have suffered.)
**Frustration can be felt here 

I am sorry Goa, I have found someone else. But we will always have our times.

So like I have told you in my previous posts, I want to tell you about my trip with SG. (SG's a girl btw). So 2 months back we decided to go on a trip. Actually we have been thinking about a trip since a year but what with work and life gettin' in the way, we. Just. Couldn't. So from Singapore to some Eastern European destination we finally settled on something closer home, Kovalam. So weeks went by mailing each other links to the hotels, becoming experts in navigating Expedia, reading about the place and the places to see, getting warned by our mothers to not venture out alone after sunset and to make sure we were safe, looking for the best flight deals, etc (End of Thinking Capacity). It was so exciting!!! Then FINALLY the D day came. We had to board the flight at 6:30 AM. I started my packing around 3 hrs before. She came over, we took a cat nap for an hour. We obviously got late in getting ready. We ran down to the car at 5:45 thinking being Air India, it will never be on time. We ran to the check in counter and were told that the flight gates are shut. SG and I looked at each other and I immediately thought of not telling my parents if we were gonna be stuck in Mumbai. I really wouldn't want to have that conversation. Anyway we begged and pleaded and finally they let us go (thank god for web check ins. Technology, you should get the Nobel Prize) with a stern look and a warning to not repeat it again. I had a strong urge to sing out 'We are sorry miss' like how we did in KG. SG and I ran till I was red in the face and was gasping for air. (Not very fit you see). We reached Kovalam, tried bargaining with a taxi but to no avail. We reached our hotel, Turtle on the Beach (the name really attracted me), in exact 20 mins (as was mentioned on their site) and plonked ourselves on the bench. It was sweltering hot. We were greeted with shell necklaces and coconut water. I saw a small balcony sort of place outside the lobby. I was mesmerized and walked towards it like a moth to a flame. We were so amazed by the view. I have never seen the sea so blue and beautiful in this country. 

We then went downstairs to eat breakfast in their cozy coffee shop. It was right next to the pool with a breathtaking view. While I had gone to give my egg order, a crow flew and neatly stole a sausage off my plate. How does all this really happen to me. 

It was a Friday so we still had 3 days to go. By the time we finished our meal, our rooms were ready. On the way to the room, we saw a cabinet next to the elevator stacked with books. We were so excited, we immediately grabbed one each and then with sheepish looks asked the guest relations personnel if we could borrow them. Turns out we could and the books were there for the guests themselves! Trip was just getting better and better. We finally reached our home for the next 3 days. Our room was really big with a balcony and we had a clear view of the sea. Most of my room time was definitely spent there. We crashed for a while and decided to go out in the evening. We went towards the beach. It was a 10 min walk from the hotel with a steep slope. Going towards was never the issue. Coming back was a BIG one and which would be for the rest of our trip. We came back soon and ate in the hotel. We ordered beer, got really tipsy and played carrom (the highlight of our trip)

We had so much fun playing that game. We retired early that night. Hey, the purpose of the trip was to relax and unwind and not do anything which will induce aching muscles and sweat (leaving aside the slope and the weather). We woke up at a reasonable time the next day. Reasonable according to vacations and being in time for the breakfast. 

That day was dedicated to spa. Ah! How I was waiting for it. I went in for the Chocolate scrub along with the Ayurvedic Indulgence. Chocolate scrub was delicious and if I was a cannibal I would have eaten myself up. Ayurvedic Indulgence was for 120 mins. After changing, the masseuse made me sit on a chair and massaged my back and my shoulders with the perfect pressure. Not too deep not too light. Then I was made to lie down on the bed and was given a full body massage with deft strokes. Once the massage was over, oil was dripped on my forehead through the pot hanging from above the bed and was given the most relaxing head and scalp massage. I slept there for good 30 mins till the oil soaked my hair. It was one of the best massages I have ever had. I then went for a pedicure and went back to the room. We slept for what seemed like days. We woke up after sunset and decided to go to the German Bakery which was situated on the beach. On the way we picked up little trinkets. We ordered food like we had the munchies. Whilst waiting we discovered a small library neatly tucked into a corner of the open air restaurant. It was the best experience ever along with having a very good cold coffee. 

The next day was spent in a blur. We went out during the day, shopped for small souvenirs and came back completely dehydrated. In the evening we decided to go the Sky Bar of Leela which was a 2 min walking distance. At least the hotel gate was. We did NOT anticipate the walk from the gate to the main lobby to take up half of our lifetime. We reached the bar and found it to be one of the best bars I have ever been to. Not many people (thank god. I hate the people), quiet, beautiful breeze and the sound of the sea crashing over the rocks just next to us. We made a friend there and got talking to the bartender who is also a hotel mgt graduate. It was definitely one of my better evenings. We walked back in a drunken stupor and crashed. The next day we boarded the flight back to Mumbai. I was sad to see how fast the trip got over but t'was awesome while it lasted. We have promised that we will go for another one soon when she graduates from her college. 

Take care my lovelies and make sure you DO take that trip once in a while. Break away from the rut.

(Still to come- my birthday, Niki's wedding and how we got back)

8 and 12 days!

Its that time of the year again everyone! The time for, I honestly believe should have been, a national holiday. Actually, this year should be two national holidays. In 8 days it is my birthday (trust me I get sooper excited about EVERYBODY'S birthday) and in 12 days is my last day of working with hotels (at least for now). It has been 4 long weeks at work with a lot of downs and a one definite up (when AS and I got back :) :) :)). Also, I have never been so sure of getting into writing/ social media as I am now. I have been looking for avenues. Something I will love to do on the side along with my studies. 

I have realized  that driving on Bombay roads is like playing one gigantic tetris especially at signals and jams..... and signals..... and jams. 

This post is a short and random one but next week I swear I will write about my Kovalam trip, my apartment and how we got back! Till then take care. Stop and smell those pesticide ridden roses.

We Are Back!

We are back! We are Back!!!! We are back! we are back! we are back. 

Isnt that awesome?????? Life couldn't get any better. I have quit my job to do what I want to, AS and I are back together AND HBO now plans to start showing the new animated films. Life just couldnt get any better! details will be posted later. Im just happy.

Update 101

Soooooo I have good news. I have resigned from my temple of worship aka the hotel aka my work place. Also, I will really like to point out here that now I am in my notice period, I am currently typing this post from work at my desk. Apparently, few people have had an issue with what I have posted on my blog and how can I access it during work hours????????? Oh. My. God. This has apparently been never done by anyone. Ooh and also whatever I have written about my personal life has been told to everyone here at work without my knowledge. So shocked. Yes my my lovelies, you know who you are and you are welcome to point this out as well.

Ciao for now.