MY FIRST TIME # 3 : MOVIE ALONE

Another first time experience. I went for a movie alone. It is a Bengali Cinema called Jaatishwar.

Again I have to repeat the same subject that India is country of many countries. Many countries coming with many languages, food, habits, cultures etc. Almost like if all the countries of Europe become one country. The feeling is same.   

Each state or region in India has its movie industry made with the regional language. The 800 bollywood movies in a year is not enough. We have many regional movies. For example Ollywood from Orissa, films of Bengal is called Tollywood, films from Karnataka is called Sandalwood, Movies from Kerala is called Mollywood etc In total it is more than 2800 movies in a year. Needless to say that is Incredible India. 

So coming back to the subject of the movie, I am very fond of Bengali Movies. They make movies with less songs like Bollywood and more intense subjects. The script, characters and the art everything is very well crafted. 

Its a great movie and the experience was very intense for me. To be there and watch this hard subject alone. I always had a bunch of friends to watch movies and this happened as none of friends in Orissa know Bengali. I approached many friends and even offered tickets and they declined thinking it would be boring. However when I saw the rating is 85 % and the subject has Portugal then I decided to must watch this movie. 

I never watched a movie alone. Not only I was alone but also I had the whole theatre to myself. We were only 5 people watching this movie remotely scattered between the 160 seats. Obviously because in Orissa most wont understand Bengali. Struggling with hard and intense subject and also my loniless I was very emotional in the end. 

I am happy to have the opportunity to watch this great Bengali Cinema in Orissa and understood that to have what you want, sometimes you have to walk alone. 

OH MY GOD! ALMOST CAUGHT

There is another aspect to share about my first vote experience.


While I was at the electronic ballot box to poke on my choice, I was making a picture to share with all. Little I knew that it makes an alarming sound simultaneously. The election vigilant officers out there were no one else but cops. As soon as I pressed the button it beeped so loud that I was afraid of being caught making a picture of the ballot box.

I thought I almost lost my vote. Still I decided to keep calm and walk out. It worked and no one said anything. I was surprised and checked with my brother in law. He laughed and said that sound is for the officers to know that you have cast the vote and not for the picture I was making. Each press on that machine makes a noise like that.

Oh My God!!

MY FIRST TIME # 4 : VOTE

This is an experience of Lifetime. Yes, I voted. It was for the first time.

I feel proud that I did. It could have happened long back, almost 9 years before. In India, you have right to vote when you are 18 years. However, when I was 18, I did not have the voter card issued by my village registry. Then as soon as I had the voter card to exercise my vote, I left my hometown for higher studies in Bangalore. A city in the south of India.

So until this day I was never in my hometown to exercise my vote. Never, did I exercise the power to elect. However, as some one says : Never say never. This year, I was in my hometown and helping my sister for her corporate elections. Unfortunately I could not vote for her as she was contesting for another ward.

But coming to my story of voting, I was very thrilled. It was my first vote ever. I rarely wake up early as I work until late hours in the night. But this day it was 6 am. I woke up, took a shower and dressed in formals. Of course the formal attire is not necessary to vote in India. But, I did to enjoy my experience, to add the details and make it full of fun. To make it memorable. I did early morning prayer and started for the vote station.

There I arrived at the vote station and immediately some supporters try to influence secretively as the election promotion stops two days before the vote day. I was one of the first ones to be there. The third person to vote to be precise. Still I hear voices in my ears, vote for the HAND with your own hand, please offer the LOTUS to the god as it will be blessings for us, also some said bring the CONCH as it will bring us peace. For those who do not know, the HAND stand for Congress Party, the LOTUS is the sign of BJP(Bharatiya Janata Party) and the CONCH is for Biju Janata Dal.

It was like a Paparazzi experience. I know what I know. I had to escape into the vote station and after the formal procedures, I was there at the ballot box. It is forbidden to use Camera. But, I had a gut feeling and I made a picture to share here.

It is no more like the old times where you get an A4 sheet with the series of candidates and the corresponding signs to stamp your thumb impression on your choice. Now there is new technology and it is there for good i.e to save trees. Of course it takes many trees to produce and that much paper for the whole country to vote. Now we have an electronic device with signs of the political parties and you press the button to its right.

Hence I made my first vote.

MY TRI COLOUR CITY

It was Republic day and I decided for a photo tour in the city to capture the Tri colour theme. 

For this ocassion, the three colours of Indian flag i.e Saffron, white and Green were prominient site everywhere. 

The AG Square was hosting the state parade for this day which could have been a delight for a photo tour. The colourful people, the busy streets, parade, shows, flags flying everywhere would have been beautiful. But I was not ready for all that. Blame it on my mood or the moment. I was looking for the calm after the storm. So 10 am was perfect time for me to arrive there. I made some good ones and also have little conversation with people. 

Here are some pictures from the theme "My tri colour city."

                          I LOVE MY INDIA were his words.

26th JANUARY, REPUBLIC DAY

The date 26th January is a prime day for Indian Calender. This day in 1950 India became a republic. Well this is a fact known to all and enough available online about it.

Its a bigger interest to write about how we actually feel or see it.

The country is gearing up for the celebration, so is my city. Saffron, white and green is a common sight. The theme of Patriotism is at heights. 

One of the things I was amazed to see is all the malls turning Saffron, White and Green like our tri colour flag. Seems like other colours have gone to shelves. 

The malls have various offers for this ocassion. For example Reliance Trends is running buy 1950 and get 1950. Super!!

Even the crowd is huge. Amazing deals. Time to go Saffron, white and green. Clothes of the tri colour are loaded on the shelves. They are for every one, Ladies wear, Gents garments and kids wear too. The spirit of Patriotism is at its height.

INDIAN FOOD OVERDOSE ...GRRRRRR

Its difficult to define Indian food as it comes from all corners of India. Like the people, the food in India is different for the culture, the religion, place etc it is coming from.

There is no generic Indian food. However, if you are traveling abroad and try Indian food then it would be mostly North Indian dishes coming from the northern states. A couple of Chapathis/Naan, Cummin Rice, Chicken Masala curry with butter floating on top, pickles. Its bit spicy mostly. That is the impression a foreigner probably has for Indian food.

But it is not their mistake as that is what sells in Europe, Americas. Although there are some restaurants serving regional food of India.

This time in Thailand, I was with my best friend Vijay. An ex-Indian and now Australian. He is vegetarian and only has appetite for Indian and Italian food. We were staying in Sathorn in Bangkok and with in walking distance, there were ample of Indian restaurants. They were from normal to regular to fancy to chic restaurants. Naming few Indian Mirch Masala, The Indian Cafe, Little India, South Indian food etc.

Every single day my friend would take me to one of these and kill me there.  I had no option but eat. Its not that I do not like Indian food. Even in India if not eating at home, I would go for international food in 7 out of 10 cases. I would admit that I enjoyed eating in those places as the food is twisted to the taste buds of travelers. Of course Indians are not there only client.
So we ate out three times Indian food in a day. It was so much that in two days we both were sick. Although we had cold for the sudden change of climate. But the food helped as the food in restaurants would be deep fried and oily.

However that did not loosen our spirits. We continued eating Indian food, just that we started going to basic places. So much that the guys in restaurants know our grandfathers and their struggle for Independence and we know the village their great grand father took a boat to South east asia but that makes another story.

What an overdose!! Really !

ROLLS AND SAUSAGES

Talking about the Indian food in Bangkok, I remember the new corner I discovered.

This time in Bangkok, I was trying to draw a balance between Indian food and the my favourite street foods. So, if I take Indian food for breakfast, lunch and dinner; then evening snacks would be the street food. Or may be sometime to warm up for lunch.

So venturing around in the streets of Bangkok, I found a roll maker. Its simply delicious. It is made of the sweet dough to go with an omelet and some black pepper on top for aroma. There was also another kind where the roll is made of the usual pancake and the sausage inside.

The moment I saw them, I was very curious as the rolls had strangled strands. I was wondering how is that made. May be the pictures would help to understand what I mean. I am falling out of words as they were incredible.

Struggling with curiosity and my appetite I decided to go for a roll with omelet and black pepper. Ummm It was yummy. I paid the money. Said the Khapun Khap and went on the street. The moment I finished, I realized I want one more. It was immediate rewind and I was back at the shop. This time I decided to go for the roll with Sausage. It was twice good as the first. Then what the greedy person inside me woke up and I asked the seller can we customize. Of course with signs as its not easy to communicate in English.

We need no Language to communicate if we express things from heart. The seller was already confident that I am in love with his products and want more. He was smiling all through while he combined the sausage with the omelet to make the roll.

We both shared some smiles and said good bye until next time.

Simply delicious and irresistible.

EXCELLENT STREET FOOD OF BANGKOK

In Asia, there is a big street food culture. If march to the main streets in the evening, be it any city the sight to catch your attention is street food.

The snacky delicacies with great tastes. Even in India, every region has its own street food. Forget region, every city would have its own street food. For example the Raj Kachodi Chat  in Bhubaneswar, Orissa would be different from the one in Bangalore, Karnataka.

Similarly the sausages in the streets of Bangkok would be different from the ones in Pattaya.  Its true and I have tried them both. I am a big fan from the street food of Thailand. There is an excellent range of Thai cuisine i.e Pad thai, Thain red curry, green curry, Thai noodles etc etc. However, when I go to Thailand, I just hog on the street food in Bangkok. Simply love the Sausages, the pancakes, the cookies with cream on top, the pork, crab and fish fries. The list is endless. Beside the taste of the food, I appreciate there effort to clean it clean and the hygienic habits of the vendor. They never touch the food with bare hand. Always use plastic or sticks. The platforms where they prepare is also clean.

Although I am skeptical to try the Indian street food while in India. I would eat the Thai street food almost everyday.

Strongly recommended :)

SMILE PLEASE # 4

This smile is coming from Cambodia again. I am tempted to share and talk about this little one.
Its the start of the day and the best way to start it is by a beautiful smile. The smile of this kid and then the smiles of the readers of this post.

While in Cambodia, I realized that its not necessary to ask someone to smile for a picture. Its very natural to gain smiles while you take their pictures. Some of the very beautiful smiles I have ever seen.

So while I finished my tour in Angkor Wat, there was this group of kids running around. It was very easy to be part of their group and share a moment with them. They were curious and wary.

However the moment I said picture, all were with beautiful smiles. I could capture the one of them who was very friendly.

Here is that million dollar moment filtered out from SIEM REAP for all :)

SMILE PLEASE # 3

Here is a new dimension to the SMILE PLEASE!! label in my blog.
For the first time its not from an individual but a group together. Together to celebrate.

It was Christmas and we all gathered at a Pizza place to celebrate and shout Merry Christmas.
The beautiful smiles of Portugal, India, Dubai and Cambodia coming together in Siem Reap, Cambodia to say MERRY CHRISTMAS. It was quite international as usual.

Beautiful indeed :)

A LITTLE MATH FOR 2013

2013 = 15

Very briefly, here is the math. Like the year 2012, when I traveled in 12 new countries, I had wished to repeat the trend for 2013 too. So was it repeated at all? Lets see :)

The year started with a positive note and in the very 3rd month, I stepped out on a long journey. I had plans to go 9 new countries and I went to 8. Then was a bit of rest and again I headed to 3 new countries. In all it was 11 new countries. It was not 13 new countries for the 13th year of 21st century. But this year, I realized that rediscovering the places we have been is as interesting as the new places. I might not have lived with the trend but it was more exciting to re visit the countries. So, I found a new math to equal my travel in the year 2013.

So I re visited 4 counties if we exclude my own country India where I quite did not travel this year.

New countries : 11
1. Brazil
2. Argentina
3. Chile
4. Uruguay
5. Bolivia
6. Peru
7. Equador
8. Colombia
9. Singapore
10. Philippines
11. Myanmar

Countries revisited : 4
1. Qatar
2. Malaysia
3. Thailand
4. Cambodia

2013 sums up to 2+0+1+3 = 6
The countries I have been sums up to 15 = 1+5 = 6

Hence, 2013(Year) = 15(Countries)

I am getting obsessed with numbers, isn't it ?
The answer is I am travel-hungry ;)

VISA ON ARRIVAL!!

Visa on arrival for travelers is a delight.

Imagine you land up at an airport without any queues at the embassy, no submission of 105 documents, no interviews which involves questions like why you are not married yet, no misbehavior from the embassy. 

You just arrive at the airport with your backpack and you are welcome. Sadly Indians do not enjoy this status for the ugly records in the past i.e to arrive in a foreign land and never return back. Illegal immigration. Indians do not cross the gate with same comfort as Europeans do. I read a survey that the nation which gets most visa on arrival in most countries is not an European country but from Asia. It is Japan.

This label is to share stories about visa on arrival and the tips.

However Indians do get "Visa on Arrival"

Little blessed although not like the Japanese or Europeans. Indians have Visa on arrival in 52 countries and territories. The trend so far is a positive rise in the number. The more we travel the more confidence we have for visa on arrivals. The more nations would get added to the list of nations welcoming Indian travelers.

So the mantra is lets travel more :)

WHERE TO GO FOR 2014!!

Where are the travel bugs heading for 2014?
To travel there is no boundary. Every place, old or new is always new for a reason. Its appropriate to say, the more you know about a place, the more you know the unknown. But if you have the thirst for new lands then there is a list from Lonely planet. An article published long back in October 2013. However, now is the best time to share here.

The destinations are fresh new and I have not been to the most of them. The places for budget travelers as the motive is travel more if you have less penny.

The shipwreck's cove -Greek Islands : A delight among the greek islands and I have seen this picture on various occasions. But I have never been to Greece and so never been here. Now in my list.

Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria of Sounthern Italy :  I have been to Italy once and dotted very few destinations like Como, Milan etc. The stay was very short and hectic. So hectic that I slept in the Duomo of Milan during the active prayer hour. Yes its very expensive. I remember ordering a half pizza for 15 euros. Had a complimentary drink. It was a fish. People were not friendly. But I was told by many that its different in the south of Italy. People are smiling and helpful. So says Lonely planet about Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria.

 Nicaragua : During my tour in South America, I started from Brazil and took a flight to bottom tip of South America. Then slowly I started going up. In Bolivia, I realized that its very cheap for food, living etc. In Colombia, I heard from many travelers that Bolivia and Nicaragua are the two cheapest countries to travel in the Americas. I admit for Bolivia and Nicaragua is certainly in my list.

Bulgaria : To travel in eastern Europe is a dream. Even before I applied for Schengen Visa to France, I always wanted to go east in the Europe as I expect it to be naive. In my head the imaginations play in that direction i.e everything in east would be way beautiful than the west. Lonely planet says Bulgaria is cheapest among the neighbouring countries in the east. I do want to go Sofia, although I am not sure about the recommended places Plovdiv and Varna.

Portugal : This is one country I have explored the most in the whole list. I have mapped a lot of the central - north places in this beautiful land. However yet to explore the southern spots of one of my favourite country Portugal. I was there in 2012 and dream to go back every year. I was almost there in 2013 but for my visa. lets see if I get lucky in 2014. If Portugal  happens then it would be a blessing

Fiji : An island destination in the Polynesia. Its too far and very expensive to fly from India. Although its a budget destination. It has to wait till we get more airlines to join the existing band of thousands of low cost airlines.

A Tip : Indians have visa on arrival for this island country.

Mexico : For me this country needs more time as I would like to explore it with the ease of time. Its beautiful and I would not worry about the budget when am there as its a country which needs time.

Karnataka, India : This is a place which is from my own land. A little bit information for those who do not know is that Bangalore in Karnataka is my second home after Bhubaneswar. I studied and work from this city. So I have been around to many many places and explore many cities and towns in this region. However there is yet to travel so much more like the north of Karnataka and Bijapur etc. The historical place Hampi is grand and one has to go there once while you are in India. I feel privileged to have travel there. So it does not count much for me in this list.

Palawan, Philippines : I have been in this country. However I have been to Cebu Island and Manila. Philippines is not a very expensive country and life is basic in the islands. Sad that the country was swept away by the natural calamities in 2013. However, while I was there it was so much nice. The smiling people, the warmth they share and always happy to receive foreigners. They say its more fun in Philippines and its very true. So I would certainly go back to this beautiful country and the recommend to all. If not Palawan, just go anywhere in Philippines.

A little tip : This piece of information is self tested. The visa in Philippines is on arrival for Indians if they are coming from Singapore with a valid Singaporean Visa and arrive in the airport of Manila. Its easy as if you ask visa from Singapore then its always valid for a year or two. So you save on the visa for Philippines. So what you waiting for. Head to Philippines.

Ethiopia : My steps in Africa has been very little. The only country I have traveled is South Africa. Ethiopia is a marvel of Africa. I agree its not possible to get around in one visit. I have heard many stories and read so much on Ethiopia that I have to go there one day.

In the end, I find it very applicable to say I havenot been everywhere but its on my list. I am an India who is travel Hungry.

To check on the article please click on the link below :
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/lonely-planets-best-value-travel-destinations-for-2014

AYUTTHAYA IN MY TRAVEL MAP!!

The feeling is great!

A place dreamt long ago. Every time there is a problem, everything holds you back, everyone tells you its not so special may be next time. 

But if you are determined and yes some day you want to be there. So I said many times I was sick for the year end. Overwhelmed from the magical Siem Reap. Too much Indian food and the climate in Bangkok made me sick. The doctor not only gave me good medicine but also the courage to enjoy the beginning of the year. 

He said I am too young to rest in Hotel for the year end. I should enjoy Thailand.  :)

I being stubborn decided to go Ayutthaya. So took a bus to Ayutthaya. Once there then there was no looking back. I walked around the ruins, the various stops. Met fellow travelers and also saw the Portuguese settlements. 

Ayutthaya is not as grand as Siem Reap in Cambodia, not as stunning as Bagan in Myanmar but has its style. It was interesting to see the historical monuments and read the stories. The conquest of Burmese Emperors and the buddhist monks from Cambodia, Sri Lanka etc

I loved Ayutthaya :)

14 of 2014

Its new year already. The very first month is to dream. Speculations, resolutions, analysis for how would be the coming year.

To check online the beautiful destination, discuss with friends,  asking for tips etc

Between all this, Lonely planet has come up with 14 beautiful destinations in India for 14 weekends. After all the places are beautiful. Do you agree with this list or what is your list ?

Big hug and Happy Traveling :)

http://www.lonelyplanet.in/articles/4387/top-14-in-2014

GOOD MORNING AYUTTHAYA!!

A Happy Happy New Year to everyone. Guess where I am after all!!
Its Ayutthaya. The place I was longing for ages. Yes, I wanted to come here for many years.

Here I am!!
The very first day of the year I accomplished a long time dream.

Good Morning Ayutthaya :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Lets start this year with a smile and lots of travel.
I am already traveling. lets have our passport stamped more than before. If not then stamp on more lands of our own land.

 Here is a "Smiling Buddha" for a happy and smiling new year.

The is picture is from Bagan, Myanmar.