Souk Sharq - boat ride.

The summer has been relentlessly breathing down our necks, with just a hint of drop in temperature since yesterday. Humidity has set in, and maybe this heralds a brief break before the harsh winter decides to settle in. So looking forward to some pleasant days this October, with some breeze and the sunrays being a bit gentle.

Last weekend inspite of the heat, decided to step out and spend the evening along the lovely Souk Sharq; and our outing did turn out to be fun and we were glad we made it. There is this nice little Cafe tucked behind, almost hidden, close to the parking. It had a lovely ambience, with the added pleasure of being seated beside the crashing waves, and the wonderful view of the outstretched sea, the sun slowly but surely dipping in. The French Coffee was almost perfect, and served to perfection too, with the piping hot concoction being poured in small dainty cups, from a pot. Tea, ofcourse the local speciality, black, was just right, that managed to down two huge cups. There was Lemon Mint Iced, Rainbow special a colourful display with bits of fruits and icecreams thrown in. And it was a great way to spend the evening catching up with friends while leisurely sipping your own thing.

And then we decided to take the short boat ride, for which we had to wait for a while, and so walked along the pier, where these boats and yachts were docked. And by the time we boarded the boat, it had turned dark, but that didn't seem to dampen our spirits or the experience, as I had thought it might. Being in the sea, if not as exciting as being in air, is nonetheless an exciting and beautiful experience. Our cameras didn't do justice to the beautiful scenes, but still managed to capture a bit of it. It was strange going on a ride with the local crowd, with some typical Arabic music in the background, and the boat dancing merrily to it in the dark sea. Would definitely go for another ride during the day, maybe, and if possible a longer one.

And a total contrast to the above with-the-nature trip, the visit to the new Lulu Hyper Market, in Qurain was all zazzy, and synthetic, the lure of consumerism at its best. Was amazed at the definition of Consumerism in Wikipedia, "systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods or services in ever greater amounts"! Ofcourse we all happily fall prey, and no one is complaining, atleast not here!

Anyways, this beautiful evening sun, caught while with a friend along the walking path nearby, reminds one of the beauty that is all encompassing and omnipresent, and that, it is within us, to look out for it.

Eid Mubarak!

The past one month of fasting ,rituals and intense prayers will culiminate tomorrow, as the holy month of Ramzan comes to a joyous end. Everyday schedule and meal patterns will come back to its normal routine, and schools too will start their sessions in a week or so.

So as of now, the roads and shopping complexes are still relatively deserted, and look a bit desolate too! The place will come alive, thronging with children and families in a weeks time, and the clogs of the machine will start their chugging, in full swing . So until then, looking forward to enjoying the long weekend coming up. Hoping to visit some places, relaxing with friends, with a dash of movies and music, days ahead, doesn't seem too bad ! :)

Summer 2010

It's as good as an extinct blog now, this blog of mine! Sad indeed, it had to happen this way, but still glad there's a place I can come back, log in to anytime, and share my thoughts and experiences, or maybe just put them down!


So the annual trip went on fabulously, and days seemed to have just whizzed past. Feel quite blessed that we were able to do the countless things, we got to do. Ofcourse being with family and friends being the best part, and the endless drives and short trips and long ones too; catching up with the gol gappas,kachoris and paniyarams and vada paavs!! The amazing part was that we were able to enjoy and savour, the best of all the places we visited, as a visitor. But strangely enough was left with this rankling feeling of, trying to grapple for our roots and maybe branches too, while we seem to drift along with the currents, to an unknown destination!!


Well, back to more prosaic sections of our trip, ofcourse touched and lined with unfathomable beauty and pleasure; Our stay in Trichy, my hometown was hectic to say the least, so didnt actually get to have the usual quota of lo..ong leisurely days which seem to stretch endlessly...but still was lovely to be home, coddled and cosseted, basking in an onslaught of memories of yesteryears. We made a short trip to Delhi, more for the kids' sake, to get the taste of Indian history and grandeur, which seems to be under hiding many a times. It was a wonderful experience, with its own highs and lows. Glad we made it. The next trip was to Kodai, a dear old place, and the stay amidst the misty-clouds-clad hills and amazingly vibrant flora, with family was a gratifying experience.


Pune, such an interesting mix of the old and the new. A place where tradition and history seem to hover around, as you catch glimpses of it amidst the glitz and glamour. It is heartening to observe traces of the old city, with her gentle but strong influence still running deep. Caught up with friends dear, and some shopping; walk down Lakshmi Road was a walk down memory lane.

Goa, a wet, wet one, robed in green was a magnificent sight, one I would gladly trade in for, seated here in an arid barren desert!! Monsoon drenches the coastal land and she drapes herself in foliage that seems to burst forth from literally, every nook and corner, almost like an invasion of green. Dona Paula was the only place we got closest to the beach, and it was all calm and serene surprisingly. Was able to make frequent trips to Panjim, and visit all the quaint little shops and get a whiff of the real ethnic flavour of the place, and also peep into the lives of this sleepy little, laidback, endearing place spelled Goa!

A visit to all these places, leaves one not just satiated but also yearning for more! As R.Frost rightly said, "The woods are lovely, dark and deep..."!

Lovely Hills

A long hiatus it seems! Somehow lost touch, and its tough getting back, into the groove, i guess. Should make some more effort to slip off the groove!! Loads of excuses - exams, vacation, travel, health and lots more, all rush to my fore, to defend me! But know am guilty of ignoring this 'blogging' activity or maybe the ink had just dried up! Well, felt glad am being missed or rather my writing is being missed by a loyal few! Thanks so much for keeping up the faith in me and my sporadic ramblings...!

Well, amidst a hectic trip down South India, managed to sneak in a small overnight stay at Yercaud. A lovely place tucked away in the Shevaroy Hills, standing aloof and distant, yet cozy and comfy. The evening was just perfect for the boat ride and the dusk-view of the lofty hills, and the towering trees bordering the expanse of water was breathtaking.

The evening spiced up with roasted corn cobs and tangy raw mangoes and a general foray into the local 'petti kadais'(knick knack corner shops). Reached the 'Pakoda Point' almost around sunset, but just in time to get some awesome aerial views and a taste of local 'fares' to snack on.

The cottages where we stayed were set amidst a huge coffee plantation, and the only thing missing was a strong aroma of the coffee beans wafting by. The 'green' beans were huge and ripe but yielded no clue as to how it transforms to a magical brown bean that churns out the headiest concoction on the face of earth. The cottages had this lovely ivy sort creepers winding their way up, and maybe someday like in an old Fairy Tale, the flora around would take over, and a prince would need to cut through the unwieldy foliage!!

The 'Aadi Kaathu' in Trichy is so inviograting, feel sorry for the few who had to stay back in Kuwait, there seems to be a no-respite-in-sight 6 day dust storm raging! Heard the monsoon has started in all earnest in the Coastal West, taking its lapse a bit too seriously! Hope it does abate a bit by the time we land there. Eagerly looking forward to some heavenly scenes and the feel of squelchy mud and the divine earthy smell, mingled with the fresh scent of the damp wood. But for now, the place seems just right with a touch of breeze and a dash of sunshine. Am not complaining!

Let the music play on…

Had been Tagged a long long time ago! Its to do about our favourite songs, I guess 5 from each language, you are familiar with (if I’m not wrong!).

Well, English songs grew up on a small dosage, but a concentrated one suffused with ABBA, Beatles, Donna Summer, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Wham and few stray Grammy hits. Period. But picked them up again after shifting to Kuwait, and now have current favourites, and also managed to catch up with a few great ones, that I had missed in the years in between!! So here goes :

English – 1. La Isla Bonita - Madonna

2. Hasta manana – ABBA

3. Careless Whispers – George Michael

4. Bubbly – Colbie Caillat

5. When I’m gone – Simple plan

My Hindi songs pre-marriage was restricted to Julie, Sholay and ofcourse Sagar. But after my shift to Pune, had my share of bollywood songs. From melodious to the fast moving ones, liked them all!

Hindi – 1. Tere Bina – Guru

2. Mithwaa – KANK

3. Piyu bole – Parineeta

4. Kaje ra re – BAB

5. kya muje pyar hai – woh lamhe

Tamil songs have been always around, in and out, just a bit off touch, off late. It is going to be all the more difficult drawing out the 5 songs, covering more than 3 decades!! Though AR Rahman rules the roost, the past one decade.

Tamil – 1. Songs from alaiypayuthe

2. ‘’ ‘’ rhythm

3. porale ponnu thayee – karuthamma

4. munbe vaa – SOK

5. songs from aayutha ezuthu

Phew! done. This definitely is not an exhaustive list, its just the tip of icebergs! thanks wannabe, really enjoyed doing it going back and forth on flashback trips.

“ Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here! “

- J. K. Rowling,

she indeed knew what she was saying!!

Oops! The forecast was wrong!

Yes, I know I had vowed not to write anything about ‘weather’, but then we need to go back on our words at times, when it comes to such consistently unpredictable topics! And this is how the country has looked for the past fortnight.

Who said anything about summer??!! And now it’s been pouring, and pouring like there is no tomorrow! We ain’t complaining I guess, the residents of Kuwait. It’s been lovely the mild drizzle, the misty backdrop, the chill winds; it’s like we have been transported somewhere else!

Last week, there were hailstones too! All we got to see were tiny pebble sized ones pitter pattering on the tiles below, but in Ahamadi they got to see huge ones i guess, and got to have a look at the amazing sized ones! (thanks to my better-half’s clicking mood which prevailed then)

 

And yesterday though it was not exactly a day for picnic, had some lovely moments getting wet and ‘chilled’ out in the rains. And flowers and plants weren’t they glad to be drenched so. Was elated to be amongst the vibrant colours and almost felt blessed! May the showers gladden the hearts of these dancing flowers for a while more, and ours too!

 

Summer arrives, finally...

  Its been a very moody, misty muggy March!! There seemed to be some reluctance, and maybe the skies, the sun, the wind, the clouds had varying sessions of impromptu meetings, to devise methods in keeping the oncoming summer at bay!! There were windy days, dusty days, rainy days, ‘chilly’ days and outright muggy days. Never knew what would be in store the next day morning; wet pavements or brown dusty streets, wailing winds, or the warm,fuzzy rays straining through the grey mass of clouds.

And now its finally come to an end, i guess this period of confusion, prevailing in the skies above, and all have been told to get back to their respective jobs, and stop fooling around; Mr. Sun has been formally instated as the reigning premiere for the upcoming session!!

I really marvel at the few greenery, which i happen to chance upon on the streets. Never fails to bring a smile, and fills me with a sense of awe and wonder at the efforts gone into it, in making the flowers bloom, so gaily, in keeping the green parts, a real fresh sprightly green! Hats off to them! To all those who harbour away at their petite gardens or pathways. Thanks to them, we get to feast upon, these wonderful gifts of nature, which definitely spruce up our spirits, besides their silent life nurturing role.

My blog these days seems to resemble monthly weather reports! But honestly this bizarre changes in climate, this past month i would think, is definitely worth writing about! And hoping not to crib and whine about the summer, but focus on things other than climate, weather, clouds and rain. (fingers crossed!)