Posted my last blog and this one from my mobile. After seeing the contents and the formatting, doesn't seem to be a good idea.
The contents didn't seem to flow properly. Maybe there is a link in typing and thought processing. But then again same theory would have come up when we stopped writing and started to use mostly keyboard for writing.probably a matter of time....
Monday, November 11, 2013
Eventful weekend
This weekend can be called as a very eventful weekend. Though I can't say that I could get anything productive this weekend, but the sense of achievement for the things completed was immense.
The Saturday morning started with a doze of cricket, which was very very refreshing after so many years.
The rest of Saturday went in trying to complete the tasks which I had planned to, but nothing went my way.It was the evening which was very enriching.I started off my guitar classes.indeed something new in my life. It was a real recharging session.And all that I know is that I need to learn it properly and should be able to play a few songs at the end of the day.
The Sunday was even different.The landmark quiz was scheduled and the major part of the day was allocated for this.The questions were indeed very very tough and challenging.What more satisfying in doing an activity which you are involved as well as an audience.
Finally a weekend spent well.
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Visit to Delhi - Day one
It was a long-awaited trip, though never was on the radar for planning. The visit to the capital city of India as well as to visit one of the 7 wonders of the world, The Taj Mahal.
After having it postponed many times, we finally, decided on a date and booked the tickets to Delhi.
I will not go much into the planning, instead will tell what we did and what should be ideally done, if you are planning a trip to Delhi.
We planned for 4 nights, 5 days trip. We started early Saturday morning from Bangalore. Landed around 10 am at the Delhi Airport. We had booked a hotel in Karol Bagh, mostly by looking at the feedback given by various travelers on tripadvisor.in. We booked two rooms in the Hotel Metro View, and they gave two rooms facing each other, so quite convenient. The hotel was nice as a whole, except for a few minor issues. But the price and the location quite made up for it. I must say, its quite worth from cost as well as cleanliness.
It was less than a 2-minute walk from the Karol Bagh shopping area and 5 min walking distance from the Metro station.
The high-level plan for the 4 days was -
Saturday - Land in Delhi by 10 am. Leave by 1 pm for sightseeing a few places
Sunday - Trip to Agra - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri
Monday - All monuments are closed, so rest day and some shopping
Tuesday - See remaining must-see monuments
Wednesday - Return
We had planned to go sightseeing the same afternoon in Delhi. We had booked the car from ziptrips.in/. Though the planning was good when we speak to the PR folks online. But it didn't give us a complete sense of satisfaction. I cannot say, they were not good, but I was not happy completely. If the question is whether you should use their service, the answer is 'you may'. The car was good(Innova), and the driver was driving well. The issue on the first evening was on the timing and planning. Though we had planned for visiting 5 places, we could manage only 2 primarily due to time constraints. The issue in this service was in the expectation you have been set and the little timings which get delayed by various factors, like walking distance, traffic, etc.
We had planned these for the half-day-
All the monuments close by 5:30 or 6. So you need to finish all those before that. On Monday all the monuments are closed.
The other monument which we managed to see was the Lotus Temple. It's in a completely opposite direction from that of Red Fort and only later we realized it was a bad decision to visit it, only from the location point of view. We should have visited the places closer to Red Fort and finished them off. This is where I was expecting the expertise from the trip organizer.
The Lotus Temple is indeed a marvelous place to see from outside. It's a majestic piece of architecture and worth seeing. When we reached there at around 5 pm, there was a very long queue to enter. It was till the footpath outside for around 200 meters. I guess it was more due to the fact that it was a Saturday. The queue was fast enough and managed to reach inside within 15 min. Again a long way through the green lawns. But not a place to sit, if one is tired. After removing the footwear and entering the temple for meditation, it was a quick exit. Its a place for meditation and not really a religious place. More of a spiritual one. But the heat inside the monument, makes one come out faster than you had planned. I had a similar experience at the Pyramid Valley In Bangalore.
Some pictures of the Lotus Temple
It was almost close to 6 by the time we were out of the Lotus Temple.
The remaining places, we thought we would be able to see from the outside, even if it's late. But apparently, the Raj Path is closed after 6 and we couldn't see the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Parliament. The driver informed us that we can only see the India Gate from the outside. That's what made us disappointed. Out of the 5 places, we could see only 2 and the 3rd one which was possible, was only from outside. Only later we learned that it was possible to stop and see and the driver gave us the wrong information. That's when I say ziptrips.in was not up to the mark from what I had expected.
But we still managed to get the vehicle stopped on the side road and took some pictures of the India Gate. We were lucky to see the full moon. It was indeed a sight.
This was in short the activities on Day1. The blog for other days will be updated soon, along with a to-do list and 'what-should-have-been-a-better-way to see Delhi as per my experience.
Hope you enjoy the post and the pictures.
After having it postponed many times, we finally, decided on a date and booked the tickets to Delhi.
I will not go much into the planning, instead will tell what we did and what should be ideally done, if you are planning a trip to Delhi.
We planned for 4 nights, 5 days trip. We started early Saturday morning from Bangalore. Landed around 10 am at the Delhi Airport. We had booked a hotel in Karol Bagh, mostly by looking at the feedback given by various travelers on tripadvisor.in. We booked two rooms in the Hotel Metro View, and they gave two rooms facing each other, so quite convenient. The hotel was nice as a whole, except for a few minor issues. But the price and the location quite made up for it. I must say, its quite worth from cost as well as cleanliness.
It was less than a 2-minute walk from the Karol Bagh shopping area and 5 min walking distance from the Metro station.
The high-level plan for the 4 days was -
Saturday - Land in Delhi by 10 am. Leave by 1 pm for sightseeing a few places
Sunday - Trip to Agra - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri
Monday - All monuments are closed, so rest day and some shopping
Tuesday - See remaining must-see monuments
Wednesday - Return
We had planned to go sightseeing the same afternoon in Delhi. We had booked the car from ziptrips.in/. Though the planning was good when we speak to the PR folks online. But it didn't give us a complete sense of satisfaction. I cannot say, they were not good, but I was not happy completely. If the question is whether you should use their service, the answer is 'you may'. The car was good(Innova), and the driver was driving well. The issue on the first evening was on the timing and planning. Though we had planned for visiting 5 places, we could manage only 2 primarily due to time constraints. The issue in this service was in the expectation you have been set and the little timings which get delayed by various factors, like walking distance, traffic, etc.
We had planned these for the half-day-
- Red Fort
- Lotus Temple
- Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Parliament
- India Gate
The walk to the Red fort and in the Fort is quite a lot. I think it makes a lot of sense to take the Audio Guide there, but note that the duration is 1 hour. A minimum of 2 hours is needed to see the place properly, including the walk to the ticket counter, time to buy the tickets.
Some pictures -
All the monuments close by 5:30 or 6. So you need to finish all those before that. On Monday all the monuments are closed.
The other monument which we managed to see was the Lotus Temple. It's in a completely opposite direction from that of Red Fort and only later we realized it was a bad decision to visit it, only from the location point of view. We should have visited the places closer to Red Fort and finished them off. This is where I was expecting the expertise from the trip organizer.
The Lotus Temple is indeed a marvelous place to see from outside. It's a majestic piece of architecture and worth seeing. When we reached there at around 5 pm, there was a very long queue to enter. It was till the footpath outside for around 200 meters. I guess it was more due to the fact that it was a Saturday. The queue was fast enough and managed to reach inside within 15 min. Again a long way through the green lawns. But not a place to sit, if one is tired. After removing the footwear and entering the temple for meditation, it was a quick exit. Its a place for meditation and not really a religious place. More of a spiritual one. But the heat inside the monument, makes one come out faster than you had planned. I had a similar experience at the Pyramid Valley In Bangalore.
Some pictures of the Lotus Temple
It was almost close to 6 by the time we were out of the Lotus Temple.
The remaining places, we thought we would be able to see from the outside, even if it's late. But apparently, the Raj Path is closed after 6 and we couldn't see the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Parliament. The driver informed us that we can only see the India Gate from the outside. That's what made us disappointed. Out of the 5 places, we could see only 2 and the 3rd one which was possible, was only from outside. Only later we learned that it was possible to stop and see and the driver gave us the wrong information. That's when I say ziptrips.in was not up to the mark from what I had expected.
But we still managed to get the vehicle stopped on the side road and took some pictures of the India Gate. We were lucky to see the full moon. It was indeed a sight.
This was in short the activities on Day1. The blog for other days will be updated soon, along with a to-do list and 'what-should-have-been-a-better-way to see Delhi as per my experience.
Hope you enjoy the post and the pictures.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Air France
Its not that I post every link on my blog.. But this one is a must. More so to remind myself, not to travel on Air France again..
http://jayharishshah.blogspot.in/2013/10/one-night-in-paris.html
I do hope they understand what they have done. But damage is done. Both ways.. no compensation to the people who suffered will make a difference.
Just remembering a short story from Jeffrey Archer - and a quote about Air France.
"Air France will go any length to get an additional customer". So true. Though didnt feel that they could go this low.
http://jayharishshah.blogspot.in/2013/10/one-night-in-paris.html
I do hope they understand what they have done. But damage is done. Both ways.. no compensation to the people who suffered will make a difference.
Just remembering a short story from Jeffrey Archer - and a quote about Air France.
"Air France will go any length to get an additional customer". So true. Though didnt feel that they could go this low.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Changing Mindsets
This small story, is something which I would like to keep reminding myself time and again. Hence I decided to blog this, lest I would forget the same.
In the given context, I had an conversation with a colleague of mine, who is known to be different, more so from a negative sense. That quick conversation irritated me so much, that for the rest of the day, I could hardly work properly.
After going for numerous rounds of tea, I casually walked over to another colleague of mine and shared about the recent conversation that I had. He didn't sound surprised. He knew my other colleague more than me. He simply gave a tip, which I would probably remember for the rest of my life. He simply told me to accept that person the way he is. Some people are born like that and that cannot be changed. The traits and attributes, which one learns later in life can be changed, but not the ones, which one is born with. So accept him the way he is. And the only reason I should be really surprised, should be , if the person I mentioned, acts good. And it would definitely be a pleasant surprise.
So the moral of the story was that, dont get upset with the behaviour of other persons. They will not change. Accept them the way they are, and if the attitude is beyond correction, remember that, they are sick with that disease and can only pray that, they get well soon. Nothing beyond that.
That indeed gives a lot of peace.. In just accepting others the way they are...and not thinking of them as wrong. Difficult , but possible.
In the given context, I had an conversation with a colleague of mine, who is known to be different, more so from a negative sense. That quick conversation irritated me so much, that for the rest of the day, I could hardly work properly.
After going for numerous rounds of tea, I casually walked over to another colleague of mine and shared about the recent conversation that I had. He didn't sound surprised. He knew my other colleague more than me. He simply gave a tip, which I would probably remember for the rest of my life. He simply told me to accept that person the way he is. Some people are born like that and that cannot be changed. The traits and attributes, which one learns later in life can be changed, but not the ones, which one is born with. So accept him the way he is. And the only reason I should be really surprised, should be , if the person I mentioned, acts good. And it would definitely be a pleasant surprise.
So the moral of the story was that, dont get upset with the behaviour of other persons. They will not change. Accept them the way they are, and if the attitude is beyond correction, remember that, they are sick with that disease and can only pray that, they get well soon. Nothing beyond that.
That indeed gives a lot of peace.. In just accepting others the way they are...and not thinking of them as wrong. Difficult , but possible.
Friday, September 20, 2013
600th Post
Was really looking forward to a good post to make up the 600th Post. But really couldn't find anything good to make this post worthwhile. Today, I came across a nice Calvin and Hobbes Cartoon with a lot of message in that. That should do justice to my 600th post. Hope you enjoy this wonderful cartoon from Bill Watterson
Sunday, September 15, 2013
In flight Snacks
One of the famous quiz question is with regards to this fact -
On my flight, last week, I had asked for a Vegetarian Sandwich. There was a small indicator on top of the package to indicate that it was veg, a green dot. However 'Veg Jain' was written next to it.
which means that, there would not be any Onion or Garlic in the same. Was wondering, whether they only server Jain, all the time for Vegetarians or only due to the recent spike in the cost of Onion, all veggies has suddenly become Jain. Just curious :)
American Airlines saved $40,000 a year by taking out ONE olive from each salad they served.
On my flight, last week, I had asked for a Vegetarian Sandwich. There was a small indicator on top of the package to indicate that it was veg, a green dot. However 'Veg Jain' was written next to it.
which means that, there would not be any Onion or Garlic in the same. Was wondering, whether they only server Jain, all the time for Vegetarians or only due to the recent spike in the cost of Onion, all veggies has suddenly become Jain. Just curious :)
Thursday, August 15, 2013
67th Independence Day
15th August 2013
67th Independence day and google doodle too celebrates it with a beautiful doodle.
Woke up early, for personal work which turned out to be more easy than ever. Getting an appointment with Dr Prince, that too being first in the list, is as good as a miracle.
Flat, out from there by 830 am, reached home just in time for a nicely organised Flag Hoisting ceremony. The hoisting was done by the seniors in the apartment complex followed by games for different age groups, starting from kids. It was a treat to see all the kids participating so well in the games and more importantly, having fun. The lunch was organised in a nice manner, and quite a huge spread I must say.
Thought of enjoying the after siesta, with the pouring rains by the side to give company. Couldn't have been a better afternoon.
Tomorrow is Varamahalakshmi Puja. An important festival in this part of the country. While traversing through the Madivala market, even at 2:30 in the afternoon, it was full of people. The lovely sight of heaps of flowers only made the slow movement of traffic, all the more pleasurable. Perks of life, if I may add.
A simple but a interesting day and went the way it should have.
The independence day, is celebrated every year to remind us of the fact that, we were once under the control of a foreign rule and we have fought against them to come out of it to have our say. We had managed to get the independence, but there are many areas in life , where we still need to come out of the dependence. I am not talking from external factors, but factors within us. Get rid of all the small issues that we keep fighting for mostly within us and get over it. Find your true independence over your self. Live a simple life but a happy one. Make lives around you a little more happier, even if that means the life of one person. Change for the better.
67th Independence day and google doodle too celebrates it with a beautiful doodle.
Woke up early, for personal work which turned out to be more easy than ever. Getting an appointment with Dr Prince, that too being first in the list, is as good as a miracle.
Flat, out from there by 830 am, reached home just in time for a nicely organised Flag Hoisting ceremony. The hoisting was done by the seniors in the apartment complex followed by games for different age groups, starting from kids. It was a treat to see all the kids participating so well in the games and more importantly, having fun. The lunch was organised in a nice manner, and quite a huge spread I must say.
Thought of enjoying the after siesta, with the pouring rains by the side to give company. Couldn't have been a better afternoon.
Tomorrow is Varamahalakshmi Puja. An important festival in this part of the country. While traversing through the Madivala market, even at 2:30 in the afternoon, it was full of people. The lovely sight of heaps of flowers only made the slow movement of traffic, all the more pleasurable. Perks of life, if I may add.
A simple but a interesting day and went the way it should have.
The independence day, is celebrated every year to remind us of the fact that, we were once under the control of a foreign rule and we have fought against them to come out of it to have our say. We had managed to get the independence, but there are many areas in life , where we still need to come out of the dependence. I am not talking from external factors, but factors within us. Get rid of all the small issues that we keep fighting for mostly within us and get over it. Find your true independence over your self. Live a simple life but a happy one. Make lives around you a little more happier, even if that means the life of one person. Change for the better.
Friday, August 09, 2013
Scientific Reason behind Indian Punishment
Found in one email - Thought of sharing
Remember the ‘good’ old Indian school punishments? Holding the earlobes with arms crossed over your chests, bending the knees and then sit and then stand and so on till the time Masterji is saying?
Ever thought why the traditional Indian school teachers would give this particular punishment? I believe even majority of the teachers who grant this punishment to their students do not know the reason behind it. This form of punishment has been in practice in our country since the Gurukul time and was given to the students who were weak in studies. That is a different question if now a days teachers grant this punishment for any mistake and not only for studies but originally it was meant for weak students only.
Talking about the logic behind this punishment, it is very interesting to know that this particular posture increases the blood flow in the memory cells in brain and synchronizes the right and left side of the brain to improve function and promote calmness, stimulates neural pathways via acupressure points in the earlobe, sharpens intelligence and also helps those with autism, asperger’s syndrome, learning difficulties and behavioral problems.
Probably we have forgotten this ancient method of increasing memory power but the West is now using is very diligently and they are recommending this posture or exercise to treat many a diseases.
Remember the ‘good’ old Indian school punishments? Holding the earlobes with arms crossed over your chests, bending the knees and then sit and then stand and so on till the time Masterji is saying?
Ever thought why the traditional Indian school teachers would give this particular punishment? I believe even majority of the teachers who grant this punishment to their students do not know the reason behind it. This form of punishment has been in practice in our country since the Gurukul time and was given to the students who were weak in studies. That is a different question if now a days teachers grant this punishment for any mistake and not only for studies but originally it was meant for weak students only.
Talking about the logic behind this punishment, it is very interesting to know that this particular posture increases the blood flow in the memory cells in brain and synchronizes the right and left side of the brain to improve function and promote calmness, stimulates neural pathways via acupressure points in the earlobe, sharpens intelligence and also helps those with autism, asperger’s syndrome, learning difficulties and behavioral problems.
Probably we have forgotten this ancient method of increasing memory power but the West is now using is very diligently and they are recommending this posture or exercise to treat many a diseases.
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