Saturday, July 25, 2009

Book Review : Prisoner of Birth - Jeffrey Archer

Hmmm, what do I say. Simply awesome and gripping booking, and one just cannot leave it till you finish. A tradition Jeffrey Archer book. Do I need to say more, if you are already a Jeffrey Archer fan?

The story is of a person, who supposedly killed his best friend ( Also his finacee's Brother), and though innocent, he is put behind the bars. He is given a sentence for something which he has not done and then also escapes from there ..( Though I still havent really revealed anything .. you need to read it ) and then plays a game with the actual killer(s).

If you like a murder drama and court room scenes, then this book is a must for you.
If you are a Jeffrey Archer fan, then ofcourse you cant miss it.

Great Book. Looking forward for his new novel which is recently released

Friday, July 17, 2009

Thought for the day

Look for Goodness
In everything, goodness is there. Our goal is to find it. In every person, the best is there. Our job is to recognise it. In every situation, the positive is there. Our opportunity is to see it. In every problem, the solution is there. Our responsibility is to provide it. In every setback, the success is there. Our adventure is to discover it. In every crisis, the reason is there. Our challenge is to understand it. By seeing the goodness, we'll be very enthusiastic and our lives will be richer.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Memories of Montevideo, Uruguay

With just a week before I leave from this beautiful place, I thought that it was high time that I post some pictures of this place, which has been my abode for the past 3 months. Its been exactly 3 months today, as I write this, and have seen the different climatic conditions here. From the nice pleasant summer when I had just arrived to now, when its shivering cold. And I enjoyed every moment of each of the weather.
In a way I was also lucky enough to have stayed at various places in this short stay. From Radisson to Palldium, while being a permanent guest at Jitesh's and Abhijits apartment, and now finally at the apartment in Cavia. Everything has been so memorable.
The view from the older apartment has been the best so far, especially when you are lying in the bed and the view from the 10th floor , is simply unmatched.

From Montevideo


I dont everthink that I will be able to have this view from my bedroom. While at night its even more prettier with all the lights making it an awesome view.
But this view will always remain in my mind .
From Montevideo


Then the good times that we had at the beach will be unforgettable.
From Montevideo


Language was always a problem here. But then at every point we had some help coming to our rescue. Even at a saturday market, this person had a great command over English and very much fluent.
From Montevideo


From Montevideo


This saturday market has all the essential stuff thats needed, right from clothes to all kind of vegetables. And they are very very decently priced. I had got my most of the shopping done here itself, and I would consider it as a value for money.

The historic monuments can be seen at various places and it can clearly be seen as an old city.
From Montevideo


This building is a signature building of Montevideo.

The Independence Plaza, which is the important city square, had lot of exhibitions and people coming to see the historic place
From Montevideo


This is just infront of the Hotel Radisson, where I was put up for a month.
There is also a memorial , which is kind of underground, of the Freedom Fighter of Uruguay, Artigas.
Its a must see for all tourists. I hadnt taken any photos out there, since i felt, one shouldnt take photos there. There are two guards there, who remain standstill for the whole day. Its a treat to see this place.
This picture below, is just next to entrance to this place.
From Montevideo


Montevideo is incomplete with the mention of the Rambla(details of Rambla given below) and the beach all around
The boat club which could be seen from our apartment, was a terrific view again. (Though this one is not taken from the apartment)
From Montevideo


But nothing to have a nice morning jog along the Rambla, seeing these beautiful views to start the day
From Montevideo

This place would also place me amongst the one to have visited a tatoo parlour. Thank fully it was not for me, but for Jitesh. He had the crazy idea from a very long time and finally 4 days before his return his dream came true. (Please see some of the previous posts for the write up on this ) The Laugh and Cry tatoo which he chose came out very well, and didnt really cost him a fortune. Check the site here for more details on the Tattoo parlour. Eduardo does a very very professional job and everything in the studio is very very hygienic. I was very impressed with the whole setup, and my first visit will surely remain memorable for the better.
From Montevideo

The road along the side of the beach is called Rambla. Its a beautiful stretch of roads which literally goes out of the city. The promenade along the beach is very nice to walk, jog cycle on. This is something, which I wouldnt get even in Goa, my native place. The beach here is just one block away, and once when I was in Hotel Palladium it was just a matter of crossing the road.
Some of the pictures of the Rambla and the beach side along it.
From Montevideo


From Montevideo


Among all things on the Rambla, what makes every Indian proud is that, part of the Rambla is called Mahatma Gandhi Rambla, and just across is the statue of Mahatma Gandhiji.
From Montevideo


We were also surprised to see a perpendicular road from the Mahatma Gandhi is names Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru road. Never ever imagined that I would frequent this part of the world and I would see all these names in this country.
One more particular thing that I noticed is that, every Uruguaian has lot of respect for Indians, and its a very nice feeling to be known to that fact, though we are miles and miles away from India.

As I mentioned earlier, this place just surprises me time and again. Another aspect was the vehicles that are found here. We could spot some of the typical Indian vehicles in this part of the world. Our very own Maruti 800 is found in this country. To add to that list is , Mahindra Jeep, Bajaj Chetak scooter, Bajaj Auto rickshaw, and even a TVS scooty. Hero Honds CD100 are found in plenty here. But what made me nostalgic is the presence of Hero Puch moped.

From Montevideo


I also got a chance to visit the Columbia Embassy and the folks here and was able to meet them personally. Can I get more lucky than that.
From Ken'sRetreat


Lastly regarding my work here. I was privileged to visit this beautiful place for a client Antel which is the biggest telecom provider for this country. The Antel tower is a beautiful sight to watch and I would consider it as a privilege to be a part of this assignment.
Communications Tower (or Torre Antel), the tallest building in Uruguay

As I move away from this place, I am sure I am going to miss this and will continue to haunt me forever.
Just posting some more pictures below with some description.
Hope you enjoyed reading and seeing these pictures. Your comments are welcome , or should I say necessary.

The Beautiful Sunrise as seen from our apartment

From Ken'sRetreat


Visit to Embassy of Columbia with Br Ken
From Ken'sRetreat


The Election Campaigning at its best, as we drive through on the Rambla
From Ken'sRetreat


The Beautiful house where I had stayed in at Piriya Polis. It was probably the best time in my visit here in Montevideo. Somethings can only be experienced, and this one would be at the top

The name of the house is Nandigan, with Br Ken walking in.
From Ken'sRetreat



Hotel Argentina at Piriya Polis
From Ken'sRetreat


The Lions at Hotel Argentina, they look beautiful
From Ken'sRetreat


An old cart at the Retreat center
From Ken'sRetreat


Warming exercise time at the retreat, during a nice and cold winter morning
From Ken'sRetreat


The narrow mud roads in the Villages here. Reminded me of the villages in India, especially in my native place

From Ken'sRetreat


The Bear Exhibition at Plaza Independencia
From PuntaDelEste


Every country has its own representation of its bear
This one belonged to India, though I was not very impressed
From PuntaDelEste


Martin posing with some bears
From PuntaDelEste


Some more...

From PuntaDelEste


From PuntaDelEste


The traditional drink here is Mathe which every here drinks. They are drunk in these cups as shown on display here. A typical Uruguaian will have a Mathe cup and steel straw, which is filled with herbes and in the other hand will have a thermos flask, which contains hot water to keep filling into the cup, as its consumed.

From PuntaDelEste


The Old City Square

From PuntaDelEste


From PuntaDelEste


From PuntaDelEste





Thursday, July 09, 2009

Facebook time

Every few years we can see a change in the way we keep up links with others. An era of orkut seems to be fading and facebook and twitter are growing. The same friends with whom I have been keeping in touch through orkut, I am now in touch with them through FB. With time I could see myself having less and less activity on orkut and slowly increased in FB.
Well I am not here to discuss the pros and cons of FB or orkut. The underlying message is that we soon get tired with one setup, and then look for a change , like the way we get tired of one job and then look for another.
It didnt happen to our parents in their time. Why does it happen only to our generation so much. Is our attention span so limited , that a change is imminent every few episodes of time ?
Though the examples on which I am applying these metamorphosis are trivial, but in depth its definitely not a conforting thought.

Monday, July 06, 2009

Federer Wins : Creates History

What a match it was!! Last set seemed to be a never ending one.
But a match to create history. Though felt a little bad that Roddick lost, but then we can only have one winner.

I thought it would be easy for Roger to win, without Nadal, but then nothing is easy in Wimbledon Finals, with the game having the last set 16-14.