Home exchange, anyone?

Wonder what the post is about..but hey before I get to that I must tell you the last ten days has been pathetic. Why? I had tenants downstairs who called me and ringed my door bell for the tiniest possible thing. Irking me of course. So, I took this nice little break from them after showing bouts of anger (the patient me lost it). Shomita came home after a blissful three weeks in Arunachal's Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary. I quickly get ready on a Sunday morning, grinding the sambar masala and putting the rice in the cooker to make her an awesome lunch. I head to the airport, lazily and then excitedly. I wore my latest John Players 'Miss Players' I got from Bangalore, was so much in love with it..Off I go to the airport and give Shoms a big hug and ask her what cats she saw in the jungle. (she is a small cats expert) We come home, watch a silly hindi movie and laugh, we talk about relationships, family, food and what we will do for my birthday. Get drunk, get sloshed (I really want to do it someday, never done it before), or do what..just freak out as usual..After a nice meal that Shoms ate without any complaints, I set off to sleep after many sleepless nights. I needed a break, what better than Shom's home? Sunday evening we head home and I am surprised to see Sheeba..We all had a nice time, went to naturals and had a nice hair spa (heaven after all the messy week). All the heaven turned hell when on a fine monday morning, I got a terrible cold and a running nose. As awful as it sounds, I sit back and sleep, cancelling all my appointments for the day. The next morning at 7 am, the crazy call of tenant came! There I go..Shoms, I gotta go. Maddening morning I tell you! When I went home, I realised that things were normal and I had to come back for absolutely stupid reason. Last few days, after banging my head against the wall, I called it quits. Can you please find another house, if you can't be self dependent? Well, I don't like constant door bells rings, no 7 am calls or questions on if I am single or my brother was married (what the hell man), why should I answer where I am going, when will I be back. And not to you oh newcomer. Bah!! Gosh, even my folks don't do it! Ok, I am ranting, but hey this is something I gotta tell! I spend the day taking medicines, pushing myself to cook something to fill my hungry stomach, trying to read and nothing works! I still sob and my BP is shooting up (this is so unlike me). Today, I go for a meeting and look at my phone. 15 missed calls from my so called tenant waiting to ask me when the plumber and electrician will come. Come on, give me a break. I gave a quick call and told them this is not done and they cannot think they can call me like 15 times and I will just shut up and not say anything. I dialled the panic button-mom. She did not take my call. I dialled the next obvious number- brother. Hey, are you in a meeting, need five minutes..Go ahead, he says..Then I go nonstop for ten minutes and then breathe. My brother said one thing-ignore and that's exactly what I did. I was tired when I came home and just when I thought I needed a cat nap, door bell rings. Oh, no, hope not the tenant again. It was the electrician. I have repaired and sorted. And he looked at me and my face said, now what? Money, he said as she shrugged. Well, it was the problem of electricity board, why should I pay, I shrugged, the typical journalist in me, and questions shot out. No, we actually don't get money, blah blah. My mind was running fast, nooooooooooo, no sob story now! I have enough. I took out a note and gave it to me. I did not sleep after that. Made myself a nice cup of ginger tea, slowly sipping it and went out for a walk. A familiar face smiled at me, "Hi". I was so happy. I parked myself at friend's place and let out my sob story and she and her parents totally empathised with me. So, I come back home, after a nice dinner and do a channel swap on my tv. I stopped at Zee Studio- The Holiday. Perfect. The holiday even sounds good. The movie was fantabulously fantastic. Two women who break up with their respective boyfriends, wanting their time alone, go home swapping. One goes from LA to London and vice versa and what happens next..watch the movie.. So, here it is..You swap your house with another person. Go and live in a nice house and experience a change, and come back with a fresh mind. Now, this crazy idea has already crept into my mind. I want to do house swapping. So, I go to homeexchange.com and see what's in store. It is amazing! So, I can advertise about the beautiful birds that come to my trees, the breeze and the kind of solitude you get here. I want to probably do this in an Asian country to start off with. And of late, my dream place is Pakistan. Ask me why. I did a wikitravel search and Pakistan is really out of this world. My father and grandfather lived there before partition. I want to feel the place. So, I am going to check that out. Sorry for the long post. May peace prevail. Thanks for the patience! Last but the best, my brother called to tell me that he ordered an exclusive collection of calvin and hobbes for me and its coming home tomorrow! Love you brother, for this and more gifts in the years to come. This is the best and only pre birthday gift of my life.. Signing off

Valparai, misty meadows and a Russian couchsurfer

It is almost a year since I went to Valparai with Jo. I was waiting to get to Valparai after months of constant work. I set off with my mother and my first couchsurfer from Russia, who lived in the US and now is in Pollachi (coconut capital of India). We met up for a random coffee meet in Coimbatore. He wrote in to me after seeing my profile on couchsurfing. We chatted up for long before he left for Beijing. When he came back, he stayed with us for a day, relishing home made Indian food. He got me some nice souvenir from Beijing-an old coin, some flower seeds and tennis balls! We saw some of his documentaries of Africa where he spent 16 months traveling. It was amazing to hear his story. Anyway, so I decide to go to Valparai and Sergey wanted to join me and I was happy to take him along. We stayed at the forest guest house. It is paradise, trust me. You just stay bang opposite the mountain and you can watch the mist floating by. Sergey was waiting for us at Pollachi bus stand and we took a bus to Valparai. 40 hair pin binds, glimpses of vast green tea valleys, forest patches, sounds of birds and we finally reached at about 12 pm. We had a nice tea at Valparai town and Sergey had no problems having roadside tea! I was quite excited. Kandaiya (guard and cook) is someone I absolutely respect, for his humanity, honesty and being soooooo extraordinarily kind. I soon gave him money to buy veggies and we sat outside watching the mountains. I am so happy that Valparai isn't as touristy as Ooty. Sergey and me got talking and my mom took a nice nap. We had a nice glass of black tea and spoke about our travel.

After sometime I dozed off, pretty much needed after long working months. In the evening, had another glass of tea and we went off for our evening walk. We met many local people and some interesting kids who chatted up with me. The road was calm and I could hear whistling of birds. We went to the other side of the mountain. A long winding path and then we came back and chatted up on Sergey's India travel plan. Sitting with a map and another glass of tea, I told him where all he could go. It was almost like a small geography lesson. Soon, it was dinner time and then I settled down with a book and went off to sleep after that. The next morning, I woke up late but woke up with a view of mountains. A small walk and then all I wanted was sleep and books. I could see the huge verdant mountain from my room. It was so soothing to the eyes. The evening Sergey and me decided to walk to Valprai town (about 5kms). The view was breathtaking. Rolling meadows, manicured mountains and tall teak trees. There was no one on the road. We got a lot of fruits, had dinner and as we came back it started drizzling. The long walk was very refreshing. He stopped by a temple and asked me if I knew the Gods there. I went about explaining Gods and Hinduism to him. We sat outside watching mountains in the dark. He spoke about his days in Brazil when he was locked up for a week in rains and all they did was play cards and sing. Sergey had traveled to Africa, South East Asia, South America, Europe, phew! He was talking about his amazing trip to Burma. I love people like these, backpackers, no attitude and are open to living in a small town like Pollachi and rather rejoicing it. Much better than sobby Indians who live in the US or abroad for few years and can't bear pollution in India and walk around with Bisleri bottles dying to go back to foreign nation. How disgusting they can be! And here was someone who lived in the US for long and living in a tinsel town! How amazing! Inspiring too! He came to Pollachi for job just to travel across India. I wish I could do that too! Sergey left on Wednesday morning, but I stayed on with mom, going for long walks and eating good food. I went walking with Sergey for 4 kms to see him off at bus stop. The road was totally empty and I could not see one person walking or going on bike. In the evening I was hearing stories of leopards from local people and then went to a house and had a nice cup of coffee. The rains were heavy and it suddenly became cold. After eating hot dosas, I read and slept off. I left early morning and some kind people gave me some plants that I could keep in my garden. I bid adieu to Kandaiya and the wonderful amazing local people promising to come back. Next time, I hope to stay with locals and hear more from them. Sergey and me have made our next travel plans-staying on tree top at Parambikulam Tiger reserve. Can't wait for it! The best thing about this whole journey was my mom who was so open to having my firang friend along with us and she mingled more with him than me. I am back, rejuvenated and all set to work and looking forward to my next trip!

Face to face with spectacled Indian cobra

It is a day in my life that I will remember forever. There are many a times I have seen snakes, either in the wild or somewhere while traveling. I have heard many stories as well from people like wildlife scientists, forest officers and commoners, and I have always wanted to know more about snakes. I knew snakes are shy and yes there are only 5% of poisonous snakes in the world. I read it in Romulus Whitaker's book common snakes.
The last time I saw a snake was a year back when I was in Top slip, Indira gandhi wildlife sanctuary. An adult green vine snake beautifully camouflaged and sitting on a bush. It was there peering into my eyes and I stood there admiring its beauty. In the next five minutes, when my forest guard tried to catch it, it slipped away and all through my journey I just was thinking about the beautiful creature.
Today as I was stepping down from home..just the last step and I came face to face with a spectacled indian cobra. I had no time to even react or think. It was hardly two feet away from me. I froze, not knowing what to do. I thought maybe it is just a juvenile. Without wasting any more time, I quietly paced back home. What happened, my mom asked, curiously..I said..ssnnnaakke..there was a snake..I just left it undisturbed, may have strayed somewhere and came here. I tell you the snake did not harm me, not even for a second, it put its hood up and said, look im gonna bite you. It was surprising I was unruffled too. It felt magical to see the snake and my love for it has grown more. I did not bother him, he did not bother me. We went our own ways. I did not call anyone, for I feared they might kill my little cobra. In the evening when I went out, it wasn't there. He must have found his way and gone long back.

I called my friend who is a scientist and asked him what I need to do. He gave me the number of a guy who was a snake rescuer. If the snake is around, call him, he said. Put salt to prohibit it from coming near, he said. I had to do nothing. He went away.
I felt divine seeing it. truly divine and even now I can't believe it actually happened.
I hate to see people killing innocent snakes. I want to learn to rescue the snakes and tell people here not to kill them when they see one, but to call rescuers and help these creatures survive. The earth belongs to them as much as it belongs to us. Amen

My last few weeks

When I started this blog post, I was pissed, damn angry, upset, and what not..A myriad of emotions was overflowing. I was sitting in a cubicle with blasting AC a cup of hot south indian filter coffee which turned into a cold coffee and plenty of bisleri bottles. Yeah, I was on my corporate assignment and was working out of an office. One of the top companies in the globe. I signed an NDA, so shhhhh on the name of the company. :)

It was a great place to work, for sure! But I was kind of caught up with being in the "office". As a journalist, I always used to be out on assignments and never liked being confined in a cubicle, but work demanding I did it. It was painful lot of times, I did not see the sun, I didn't know what time of the day it was, I was cut off from the outside world.

My task was to finish a book of 30,000 words and I had seven days to finish it. Impossible indeed, that is precisely what I thought but when opportunity knocks your door, do you say no? Especially when you are on your own, there are very few times (either in case of pittance money or shoddy work) that you say a clear no! I was kind of thinking and asked my friend and confider Priya, if I would be able to do it. She instantly said take it. Sometimes, all it takes it a yes from someone who knows you well to do something confidently. It works very well with me. With no doubts, I committed and here I was..I used to travel 30kms everyday to go to work. There was an AC bus that picked people up. I was the only one without the dog tag..Eeks, I mean the company tag..I HATE it..Do you hear that..I HATE it..access cards, id cards..WTF! :P But I thought maybe some people really enjoy doing work like this..Passions are different for different people right?

Harita was a real savior in the company. She was an intern and from day 1 she was more interesting in knowing my travel stories. We used to sit in the break out room and have south indian coffee from the coffee dispenser..I was mentally calculating, how many chapters a day and how many hours of work. People in the office wondered why I never got up and went for a stroll, I was just so focused on finishing the task and there was no other go.
Typing for more than 8 hours a day, my wrist started paining by the weekend. By then, it was too much but I was done with version 1. The best thing was the HR director of the company told me she did not have to look at my work because she already knew I was a good writer. These things really move you and also ensure you give your best for the kind of confidence they have in you. Though I had a few issues with a few people, things ironed out. I know when to put my foot down and say full stop and enough is enough. I realised over time unless you do it, people will trample you, yes they do.

End of the day, 2 weeks, project over! Yipee and I will have a fatter bank balance. Cool? I want to party now. No sooner, I reached back home, I was happy to see my newly painted house. My home looked amazing. Soon, another urgent deadline project landed up and I had to do it. So, was there a break? No! I finished it, sorted out editing issues in the book and when it was getting too much, I had to say I cant do more. I was mentally saturated, upset, stressed and what not. But I was looking forward to a day- the day when I was meeting my college friend after 8 years. The last I met her was when she got married and now she has two kids. I was so much looking forward to one day of no laptop no phone. Meeting her was fun and we laughed and relived our college life. Viju's daughter (5 yrs old) grew so fond of me..Dad, I want to be with mommy's friend. Mommy's friend, I wanted to hold your hand and you left me :( Aww...She was amazing, I just hugged her and I felt so close to her, much more than my niece. She had this cute american accent and she spent hours talking to me..How I love kids!! Viju's brother just got married and how much I loved ragging bhaiyya. He was so protective about us during college days. I spent a beautiful day with Viju and her family esp her daughter Rhea and her 7 month old son Vedant.

Another college friend of mine has come to Trivandrum. I plan to meet her too, after 12 years. It was quite a surprise to get a call from her. she took my number from Viju-seemed like a mini college reunion.
"hello sweetheart" she said and I was surprised..Sush you? OMG!! Sushmita has a way of talking, sweet. Her hello sweetheart is enough to know its her! :)

It has been three working weekends, but no complaints. I am having fun.

Last weekend, Me, Shoms, Nikhil and mom went to see Kahani and it was a stupendous movie. We went out shopping, had some bit of outside food and fun. Now, I am relaxed, having my dose of Calvin and Hobbes, City of Djinns by Darymple, Tinkle and a few other books and not to forget my evenings of tennis. Where is stress..It all passes with time..Time to have fun!!

Memories of childhood after years

It was after a very long time that I called my childhood friend Krupa. I wasn't even sure if her number still existed. I called her, heard her voice and I was so thrilled. I could literally feel I was going back to my childhood days as I was talking to her. Are you plump still, I asked teasing her. I remember I used to call her batata (potato) in Mumbai hindi. Poor thing! I know I used to tease her so much! She was no less. Oye Madrasi, oye chashmish..I remember every little thing. Childhood days were so much fun! Krupa, me and Mithu were a trio. We were always together doing the most craziest things, playing and most importantly laughing. I was always out of the house with these girls, cycling or playing. It was a kind of freedom being with the two gals.

In those days, I did not have a cycle. My brother taught me how to ride a cycle when I was in class 3. Those days we lived in a small rural area where dad had his bank posting. I fell on thorns as I learnt to cycle but took it as a part of learning. Didn't cry. Later, when my brother got his cycle, I started riding it after fighting with him for many days. Initially, I remember me, mithu and krupa would go and hire a cycle-Rs 2 for an hour. I used to save up the coins from my bus trip to school. In the afternoon after school, I used to buy 50 paise ice and eat it. Every day!

Krupa was a tomboy and she reckons she is still one. Loved everything that boys did. We used to play cricket, fly kites and even beat boys in the kite flying game. I rather learnt kite flying from her.

In the building where we stayed, people used to mock us-always playing don't know if they study. Sometimes, we used to go to Krupa's house to have amazing delicacies made by her mom, sometimes to Mithu's house to watch tv. My neighbour aunty was such a pain, she used to yell at us while we were playing at the building compound because she could not see the passerbys. We used to get angry but continued playing ignoring her. Sometimes we used to leave cockroaches into her house and balcony. Lot of times, ring the door bell and run away. Small joys of life. I remember once, we three were playing Holi. We were at the roof top throwing water balloons. During the days of Holi, we used to play so much. My face would be smeared with so much color that my mother would not recognize me. Krupa's house had a huge swing. We used to spend some evenings having hot chai and talking nonsense. We used to roam so much in the cycle. There were so many times my brother yelled at me and even beat me up for not studying. I used to HATE studies and school. Even at nights I used to be out playing. My building people and my family used to wonder what I would do in life. I hated anything conventional, rather I never understood why school and studies were important in life. I absolutely never thought of future. Sometimes dad used to scold me a lot for not focusing on studies, but my innocent mind would never understand. I lived a life like there was no tomorrow. Of course, today, when I look back, none of those grades or marks..nothing ever mattered. Maybe I was really right! :) Lovely days, beautiful days. I was super thrilled to talk to my friend after ages and reliving all those memories. Mithu is married and now lives in Pune. Krupa is still the way she is-plump, cute and adorable and me, still the same free spirited girl that I was, but yeah quiet and composed.

Now, I am waiting to go and see my friend in Bombay and sit in the swing and have a chai..and maybe a matured conversation. :)

Crazy november 2011

It has been a long time I even wrote anything. I tried nanowrimo and was so optimistic I would finish 50000 words but could not. But I am glad I touched the 20,000 mark. I know I should not give reasons but yeah I was tired like crazy. But then there were these fun memorable days and the interesting new people I met..and a few of course who let me down...but yeah I am glad I am getting to see new faces of people..

It was the international ornithology conference on indian birds. Sacon was the place I spent half of my time after home. I would climb the tiny path, admiring the colorful flowers and the call of the birds. I met many eminent ornithologists..Rauf Ali, Suhel Qader, and many many people..I shared a wonderful rapport with the new people. After being active in couchsurfing I got this interesting mail from an ornithologist from Gujarat. I was happy to meet him. We all had a small couch surfers meet in Coimbatore. I met Dr. Christopher who worked on elephants in Kottayam. I spent long hours chatting with him. I was much appreciated for the work I do and I did really feel humble and great about myself. I was indeed bringing in new dimensions to journalism and research writing. I do feel proud. I met Arpit, the guy from Gujarat and told him where he can do birding around Coimbatore. I met Jigna who run her own boutique in Coimbatore. She said I can drop in whenever I want to and her home is always open..I said..I love you for saying that..She was damn friendly..I met Harish who did his fashion designing from Canada and launched his new label for adventure apparels. That was so cool! He was a wildlife photographer as well..Buddy, count me in for any travel..I love wilderness..I said in a jiffy..Sure he said..We all had a great time at coffee day and it was fun. I love the people in Coimbatore..they dont speak the galeej chennai tamil, they treat people with a lot of respect and are warm..

The next day at conference, I spent lot of time with new people and old friends..it was great..the weather was cold and I loved to watch mountains and sip my tea sitting on my usual steps outside the canteen..

I conversed with scientists, did some work for my story and then headed off home..My friend just then called me over for dinner. He was my very old friend, but I saw a new side to him. It was shocking, it was bad! But then I got to know the truth. I moved on. Sometimes you know about people after long time! I chose to have a few good friends and be happy. Rather there are a very few people I talk to and very few words. Reticence is my best friend. In between I have been reading Eat, Pray and Love and I quite love Liz for writing the book!

I made a trip to Chennai with one of the top ten ornithologists in the world, Dr. Rhys. He was so quiet. Writing and reading. I chatted with my friend Sumant and laughed. We walked out of the AC coach and stood near the door and talked about life..watching the green fields and breathing fresh air. I was heading to my best friend's wedding. Little did I know that it would be the most hardworking week of my life..I spent hours and sleepless nights right from cleaning my friend's room (literally dustbin).

I had to go do shopping with her and in between developed an eye allergy..Jeez..save me! I was fine later. I did no shopping for myself and I knew I was gonna wear my mom's saree for the wedding. I did just that. But my friend's dad picked up a dress for me. I kinda love wearing sarees..anyway, the madness was really madness..I had no time to breathe..literally..The last one week I lost a sense of time and place and my life and everything..Last night after the wedding reception was over, my eyes became as red as tomato and I think that was it..The wedding happened in a jiffy. Raced through in the last five minutes before the auspicious time was over..I was keeping my fingers crossed..

I loved my friend's in laws. FIL looked like a strict person but I kind of liked him. He has this certain sense of calmness which I admired. I loved the guy's family..I think I just need a family like that..calm, dignified people with absolutely no show offs..finally my friend's dream of marrying the guy she loved became true!

What happens to my friend next? Don't know...But I wish for her happiness..

Amen. Can't write more details on blog. But I learnt a lot about life and the brouhaha over weddings, the expensive outfits, relationships and how difficult it is to carry something called marriage. I think I love my tiny space..till and if I find someone naturally!!

I am damn tired right now! And you know why. Between, forgot to mention..I made a trip to Kotagiri and witnessed the beauty of mountains. It wasnt as cold as I expected it to be and then went to Ooty and brought in ornamental plants for home..and came via conoor..got chocolate tea! I went to an old St. Stephen's church..amazing! On the way to kotigiri, I almost escaped a bison..thanks to my friend who got off in the middle. I was so mad at him for that. What if the bison had really attacked me! :( Anyway, thanks God for making the bison run back to hills and saving me! phew..

Lot of things..but yeah I think I am becoming saner and wiser day by day like my friend Renju said..it was nice to see your face..it looked like..you were so calm and serene..Yes honey, I am close to nirvana I said..Renju is one girl for whom I can thank God a million times ..you gave me a priceless treasure..

In the wedding, my friend's cousin (a 15yr old girl) became so close to me..that she fed me sweets..fed me food..made me coffee..and kissed my cheeks..I love you akka..still ringing in my ears..and everytime she said I looked gorgeous than ever before, I smiled..she said I love you Sharada a hundred times..I dont think even a guy has told me I love you so many times..Sweet things of life...

adios time and cant really blog too many of my experiences here ...:) cheers!

Time to live my bucket list?

High time! No rant, but I am tired of living for others, in a sense, making others happy through a certain action of mine. I certainly can't convince every person in this world and justify, listen this is what I want to do and this is how I want to live my life. Being individualistic is great! Atleast I am not bothering others!

Anyway, coming to the topic, there have been things that I wanted to do in life and I am going t list out things I have done, and some things I want to do and I hope and believe I would be able to do them.

What I have done:

Published a book. Well, that was a long time dream come true. But hey, I am not done. I have still two books that are knocking on my mind right now.

Traveled to Egypt. It was like a dream come true for that is one place in the world I wanted to go, that too by myself. Visiting the Pyramids was one more tick mark.

Being an environmental journalist-dream since 16 came true after lot of struggle and hard work. But it did happen.

Travel in a backpacking way- Done it in the last 5-7 years of living by myself- villages of tamilnadu, kerala, architectural monuments, forests, tsunami struck places, waterfall..the list can go on...

Bird watching-I was a duh when it came to bird watching. Used to watch my friends spot birds and identify while I looked like an idiot..Now, I don't, I learnt. Another tick mark..Yayy!

Did still water river rafting with mom! :)

Started Graphite Ink :)

Started teaching writing

Started giving public talks (big dream come true)

Gave many the confidence to speak and shed inhibitions (pat on my back)


What I want to do

Travel global. Every year or once in two years, visit a country. Yep. I am glad I am starting this new year in Singapore/Malaysia. The journey begins.

Want to travel to Botswana, explore Africa, travel to Vatican city, Venice, Innusbruck in Austria, Fraser island, France, Antarctica and the list goes on.

100 countries before I die..I want to make that dream come true!

Bungee jumping, sky diving, scuba diving, and any freaking adventure sport.

Write travel books and books about people I met in life.

Want to go back to college, probably international. I have been planning this from 19, but yeah now I wanna make it happen. Study, work and travel. Life is simple!

Spend a year for one thing-one year of hindi writing, one year or two years of studying environmental law/education/science, one year of creative writing, one year of writing in hindi, one year of writing in tamil (one year being minimum), one year of short stories, one year of poetry ..and more ...

Want to apply for the semester at sea cruise..Its world travel in a ship for three months. I want a free ride. Actually! I am gonna find ways!

Traverse through the forests of world.

Throw away the mobile phone and men..Both are useless..

Right now, this is what is on the top of my head. I shall think more and write if something crops up!