Guess Who?

Situation 1:

745 to 8 AM:

The Man takes a deep breath as he parks his bicycle.

He enters, and, the first thing he does, after folding his hands in front of God’s picture, is to tell his assistant’ take this glass and get tea ’.

The tea comes. He divides the hot tea into three(The glass, one saucer and another glass) portions and sips his portion. The sipping process (which goes ‘slurrrrrpp’ and ‘hsshhhsshh’ in turns, takes five minutes)

He ‘arranges’ the cloth, picks up his instruments, sprays ‘the area’ with water and begins his work, nee, his arduous task. In ten minutes, he takes another deep breath.

He again puts down the instruments and begins smoking a beedi. (Indian cigarette). The process takes five minutes.

He looks refreshed…begins working again…a snip snip here, a click click there and a snip snip here again. He talks about weather, politics, family, kids...ten minutes pass pleasantly. He again needs a sippa from a cuppa. His assistant goes across the street, gets another glass of tea. Same distribution, this time into four, since his second son has also arrived. This time he sits down in squatting position, probably to rest his tired legs. Takes five minutes to finish his tea. During this time, uncles, aunties, children, weddings,affairs- are all discussed between them. He gets up again, feeling refreshed.

Goes to work again-needs to spray ‘the area’ again, as the effects of the previous spray have worn off. Goes to work with a zeal, this time- as they say, caffeine is a nice stimulant. Another ten minutes.

Feeling tired…Time for second beedi…He looks thoughtfully at smoke spiraling up from it.

He gets up. Time for the finishing touches to his magnum opus. Stretches both hands to get some special strength. Goes to work with renewed vigour and literally attacks the last long ones. Takes another fifteen minutes.

Voila!!The cloth comes off. A bit of the fluffy stuff is distributed uniformly.” Thank you, Sir!” He says in Hindi with a flourish and, I detect a sigh of relief, as always. I make the payment, with a little extra as usual , feeling guilty for having taken up so much of his time as well as a way to help out a fellow human being who works hard to make his living.

Situation 2:

New place. The Man is different. Same activity.

No deep breaths. No tea, no beedi.

He arranges the cloth, like the previous one used to. But the similarity ends there. Now, he plugs in his instruments and goes to work immediately. Whirr Whirrr…stops. Changes to another two instruments to give the finishing touches with the fluffy stuff, et al.

Voila..The cloth’s taken off. I make the payment. Fifteen minutes flat.

Any guesses who The Man is?

Answer coming up on Friday, in the same post. Though I’m sure most of you guessed the answer!!:)

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Answer-posted on 02.05.

Haha-yes, The Man is the Barber(I don't think his name is 'Billu', Austy-LOL....and,no guesses for which one I preferred-the first one,of course. Peace, friendly people,nice discussions,tea....:) That was in Baroda...and,the memories came back when I passed the shop this time when I was in Baroda.

The new one- represents the barber I visit here- swift,quick....totally impersonal!Like I sometimes feel my life has become. And, due to which I'm just longing to return!!:)(Austy,believe it- no foreign shores planned, in the near future!!)

Baroda trip-last part

                                                    (Above pic: Entrance to E.M.E. Temple)

Thought for the day:

The difference between ignorance and apathy?
I don’t know and I don’t care.
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No visit to Baroda is complete without a visit to the old city.

Strangely, for some reason, whenever I’m in Baroda, both my watches stop working, and my trusted watch repairer has his shop on the ground floor of our ancestral home. (which we’ve sold, btw, as I mentioned some posts ago). So, this time also, I headed that way, with both watches having misbehaved. And, while on the way, memories of ole days couldn’t help but come flooding back.

- Of the cycle shops lining our street, of Diwali and how much fun it used to be on New Year mornings with so many shop-owners setting off firecrackers

-Of Balubhai’s Khaman(Austy, you know these?)- some of the most scrumptious Khaman/dhokla are made by him, with his tag line being ‘ Hawa ke Dawa karta wadhaare chhe’( They’re more effective than Fresh Air or Medicines).

- Of the three old books and magazine sellers on Rajmahal Road, who would sell Tintins for two bucks and Archie digests for one buck. And, old magazines for the same 1-2 bucks.

- Of the lending library which I’d joined in the nineties, his ‘expansion’ to a bigger shop near Aradhana talkies and news of his passing away two-three years back.

There are many more memories which came and drifted away. But, let me talk about this visit.

-I couldn’t resist visiting Samrat Icecream, as always- them and their homemade icecream- flavour is irrestible, and no visit to Baroda can be deemed complete without a visit there. Only, I took a ‘half vanilla cold drink’ this time, courtesy my diet(and walked an extra round in the park.the next day. *grin*)

- Had a Nariyal Pani(coconut water) at my favourite 'exclusive' NP shop(Nah,it's not a posh do-I hate them. It's a simple mini-shop, with coconuts piled ceiling high) right opposite the main city market(Khanderao Market, as it's called).

- Had Poona Misal(scrumptious) at the same ole Canara Coffee House, another quaint ole place, which is evergreen like Dev Anand.

Before I reminsce into sadness(since I'm back in Dxb now), let me go to the last day. The airport, since funny observations can always be made there.

- The duty free. It's sign says' Rates lower than Dubai and London'...now, that's quite  attractive,na?

- Two of the showcases there made me smile. The first one said 'World's finest tea' and was filled with Twix chocolates. The other one said 'world's finest spices' and was filled with Snickers bars. Wonder how the first one would taste with tea and the second as masala in sabzi?

- There was also this female  stewardess who found 3 bottles of achaar in the flight which was leaving before ours. Since no liquids,including water(many times) are allowed to be carried as cabin baggage, she had confiscated from some passenger. And, each airport official,male or female, had to come up to the table, check out what the home made achaar bottle was, and talk of how their wife/hubby would love to taste that. Finally, a peon brought a message that'Madam wants the bottles moved to the table on the first floor' and they were left looking ruefully at the back of the peon as he carried away the bottles. 

- The flight was half empty, so, instead of sitting uncomfy between two guys(One kept smiling without reason, the other kept singing a word which sounded like his mantra- 'lachchu,lachchu...' in different tones, so I had to get away or I'd have begun singing 'jungle jungle baat chali hai pata chala hai'- the Mowgli signature tune that Ditty likes so much(Ditty, u reading this?)

So, anyway, there was a hubby, wifey,nine-ten year kiddo family in front of me, who, apparently, were on their first flight or, their first flight to Dubai. So, first the hubby came to the other side and sat in front of my seat. As soon as the plane flew into the clouds, he called the other two over, saying 'clouds,clouds'- and the two rushed over. This happened a number of times, once when we flew out of the clouds, once when he saw a ship in the sea('ship,ship' he shouted and the wifey and kiddo rushed over again)....this continued, till wifey spotted some houses below and said 'Dubai,Dubai'...(no, we'd not reached yet)..but, it was great fun, enjoying flying through the eyes of first flyers...I'm sure they enjoyed the flight as much as I did watching them enjoying it.

Anyway, we landed, I suddenly had a splitting headache-luckily, a friend had come to pick me up, so, we reached home, and with two tablets inside and tiger balm, I had a good 10 hours sleep so that I got up on Saturday, refreshed and ready for my two hour walk..:)But,that's another post...can anyone guess what I mean by' ten down, five to go'??

Laughs for the day:

An extreme nervousness very young couple timidly approached the check-in desk of a large hotel. "Good evening, sir," said the official behind the desk, with a perceptive wink to the young man, "Suite 16?"
"Oh, no," the young man responded quickly. "She's eighteen."
==
I guess many of you don't have incidents like this often.
I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Braden, the 11 year
old next door whose bedroom looks like Mission Control, and asked him to come over.
Braden clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.
As he was walking away, I called after him, 'So, what was wrong?
He replied, 'It was an ID ten T error.'
I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, 'An, ID ten T
error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again.'
Braden grinned.... 'Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?'
'No,' I replied.
'Write it down,' he said, 'and I think you'll figure it out.'
So I wrote down: I D 1 0 T... I used to like the little fellow!

Till next time, keep smiling.

Baroda Trip-Part III

Thanks,everyone,for the response to the previous post.

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(I still cannot post pics with my posts, for some reason-maybe coz uploading speed is less these days)

Besides Sayaji Park, another regular place for me when in Baroda, is the E.M.E. Temple. But, I got a bit irritated this time. More about that coming up below.

Most of the time, it's a smooth entry from the gate, and, walking to the temple,going to the shoe rack, walking out barefoot (Not to worry-it's totally clean) to the various locations inside is a gem of an experience in itself. As usual, the Panditjis(there're two of them) recognized me, and also the two old gentlemen who come regularly for the Pooja morning and evening, since the time I first went during this auspicious time. (Frankly, folding one's hands in greeting(Pranam mode) always seems to be so much nicer than the 'mod' 'shake hands' mode. I feel a sense of strength,each time I fold my hands thusly. Try it consciously). 

In the evening prayers, there's always a larger crowd, and, at the end of it all, the new part was that they make everyone sit down, rather than create a crowd for the prasad and while the pooja thali is being passed around.(You know, passing one's hands over the diya flame) And, while we were waiting, the senior Panditji gave a small talk on fear. Fear of God. And, those five minutes on why we shouldn't fear God, why He's always around for us, trying to avoid us making mistakes- was quite a new topic for me. And, can't wait to be able to hear him speak everyday in the evening,once I'm back.

Oh,yes, another change- they've changed the Prasad to misri(Earlier,it used to be those star-like mini white sweets,I can't remember the name)...and, I guess it's a good change.

On one of the days, the guard at the gate insisted on writing down details of every single person entering the gate, and, since he was slow at English, he was taking about five minutes per person. And,as is usual with our people, they could see there's a queue of 4-5 people, but, each new person would go right to the guard,so that finally,it seemed like there were five queues. Finally,after twenty minutes, I went out the gate without visiting the temple. But then,for the remaining two days, the guards at the gate recognized me and let me in without getting my id checked. hehe!

And,Austy,yes, on the last day, I got three Salutes- that made my day!!Have been  a bit more smartly than ever,after that!:)

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Next part, and perhaps last part, coming up tomorrow! Including the old city visit, Abad airport, the experiences on the return flight!!Watch this space!

Life

I've said this earlier and I continue to say it.It's great to be alive, to have all our bodily functions intact and to be in the 'pink of health and spirits' as they say!*smiles* Everything else is secondary - how much we earn,what our neighbour has, what his neighbour has,why our flat is small, why he said this to me, why she said this to her, gossip...everything. We shouldn't allow it to spoil the gratitude we need to feel towards Him for each day which is passing without any real problems.

Having said this, please go through this email I received from a friend, about a friend of his. I've reproduced it below:
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Message from a friend of mine:

Tragedy stuck a close friend Ramani: At this juncture of our lives and in the current scenario, I believe all our problems look meagre compared to what Ramani and his family are going through...

I have known Ramani since several years during our stay in Dubai and rate an excellent human being. His industrious nature, loyalty and self made persona has always inspired me. Ironically, in the past, he been instrumental to collect much needed funds for the troubled and poor expatriates who have seen rough times here.

Life has now taken an unprecedented turn for him. It is thus a humble request to contribute whatever best you can. Please view his full details on the website http://www.mitsites.com/helpramani/

Note: I believe the above link is temporarily not working today. If so, please see below:

http://www.cpaaindia.org/casefile/index.htm

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Being one of those who believes that miracles can and do occur, please do reach out to the world via your blogs/friends...

And, do join me in saying a prayer for Ramani! With God's Grace, he will recover!

Baroda Trip-II

Hi,all!Whew-that was one quick trip, I'd say-but,frankly, I feel I achieve the same things in one week that I would do if I'd gone on a month's vacation. The reason is- when the vacation's a long one, the first few days go in just taking it easy, knowing there's enough time.:)

Let me go back to day 1. We landed safely(Naturally,since the pilot was my namesake(Amit Jain). The usual wait at the conveyor belt for the luggage, the usual remark from the security at the screening machine(Saab, chai paani ka kuch de do khushi se- (Sir, give us something happily,for tea-n-snacks)) and,out. Reached home in a good two hours(Takes 1 hr or so, usually-but, at 6 PM,it's rush hour in Abad,so, traffic doesn't allow fast movement). And, whammo-the door was locked. Coz I'd kept my trip a surprise visit. Anyway, the neighbours have a spare key, so I took that, put the luggage in, locked the door and went to the neighbours, who'd invited me in for a cuppa tea while I was waiting for the family.(Imagine this out here?No way- the neighbours don't know their neighbours). The family first thought that it was a benevolent thief who left luggage in the house, instead of stealing..hehe...and, then, on seeing the airport marks, they guessed that it was me,and, came right to the neighbours to check.

Well, that was day 1. Next day, I began my morning routine- went to Sayaji Park for my morning walk...but,naturally, after a walk-stopover at the friendly chaiwalla larri- and, his 'spacial' adrak chai. Reached the park and was as astonished as ever to see the number of health conscious people walking/jogging at 630 AM...it's like walking out of Baroda railway station when Baroda Express arrives. Did three rounds of the 2000 M track, and felt pretty refreshed. Observed all kinds of people- the young and the aged, the firm and the infirm, the 'firmly fitted' into a jogging track types and the naturally slim n slender types...each one in their own world, each group having their own thought processes.

One thing I've not been able to muster up the guts to try yet, is the concoctions the guy outside the park sells, for people who've finished their walk- it's supposed to be some healthy drink, of herbs et al...maybe next time, when there's more time.:)

Next part coming up soon. Can't post pics today, for some reason...some prob of blogger...so, will try later in the day. Cheerio and keep smiling.

Where am I

Hi,all!!Thank heavens-my trip materialized,even though it's just for seven days,and,today's day 2. Yes,I'm in Baroda..had planned the trip last week,checked out the net bookings,and,here I am..kept it a surprise for everyone and did not inform a soul,so everyone was astonished. It's done me a lot of good already,these first two days...away from office thoughts,away from work related calls and calls and calls....ah,but,let me not ponder over that at this time.

Let me recount a bit of my trip...this time,I decided to travel by a budget flight...(Air Ind Exp)...just to see what it's like,and,of course, coz this is not the yearly vacation where the Co pays for the ticket..hehe!

So,anyway,the flight goes from what I can term the 'kid brother' of Dubai airport terminals 1 and 3....i.e. terminal 2.Compared to the kilometre(s) of walk one does to reach the Departure Gate at these two terminals,this one was a cakewalk.Reached the checkin area well in time,and found a hundred odd people standing in line for the AIE boarding..was wondering what was going on, when I saw that there were two counters(Later increased to four) and they were checking in people for all AIE flights,i.e. Calicut,Mangalore,Ahmedabad(mine), Mumbai,et al...was quite sure that my four pieces of baggage(Yea,four-coz I'm shifting stuff back to Baroda...but,that's another post)would land up in four different cities of India...began imagining daily visits and calls to their office to check whether it'd landed...well,it helped me pass the time till my number came.

In flight-it was a 3 by 2 plane,with just one aisle in between...quite a change from the jumbos...instead of the safety videos, the sari-clad air hostess demonstrated the safety belts and safety vests(Somehow,I always find that better than the staid videos) procedure...proceeded to take-off and the announcement came...On this flight, refreshments will be served...and, there is entertainment...and,then,they said' The movie is 'golmaal returns' and,the air hostesses will be round, for sale of headphones....ROFL...well,I did purchase one-it was for four dirhams,not coz I wanted to see the movie again,but,to keep out the noise of the aircraft....the acoustics were really not so good...hehe!:)

More to come shortly...keep returning.

Yawnversations

Thought for the day:How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct.....-- Benjamin Disraeli,

"Do you know, S got a new Pajero?"

"Oh!Let's go check it out tomorrow"

YAWNN!

"(In a car): That's the new Mitsubishi model going by. There's hardly one or two in Dubai.It's got a....and a ....."

YAWNN!

" Is that a new phone? which model? What are it's specialities?"

" Oh,yes..this is the new Nokia.....Price.....It's got __ GB memory,GPS and email and blah blah blah"

"But,you got a new one just a few months back?"

"Yes,but, I got tired of it"

YAWNN!

"How's the share market?"

" I lost....in the recent slide, but, earlier I'd made......blah blah...you know, this share of.....Co...."

"Oh yes...that and the shares of .......will remain steady...blah blah"

YAWNN!

"Hey,is that a genuine watch?"

"Of course...I got it from..... for......."

YAWNN!

And,that, friends, is why I avoid parties and get-togethers....discussions get so materialistic that I can't stifle my yawns! Not that I grudge these people their conversations,of course- to each his or her own!

Now, imagine this conversation:

"Hey, nice new look to your blog"

"You liked it? But, do check out Poo's new template too..it's great"

"Yes I did...and, aren't you thrilled that Keshi's returned to blogging?"

"Oh,yes. And,  did you see Austy's post on sixsentences?"

"Yes- wouldn't have missed it for anything. And, did you see Cyn's latest post?I couldn't help smiling throughout"

"Indeed I did- and, how about Arunima's descriptions of life? Amazing, na?"

"Oh,wow...yes they are...and, how about Aquarius? Her posts almost make me wish I was a Lancaster resident-such a nice  peaceful place it seems to be"

"I agree....and.....don't you feel.....writes really well?"

....conversation lasts for 3-4 hours.

And,how about this one:

"Heyyy...I saw your letter in Filmfare...good going, pal."

"Arre, look who's talking- I liked your letter to India Today...that was telling it like it is,to our political arena players,indeed. And,I thoroughly enjoyed your quip of an answer on Open Space last week."

"Really?You noticed that?I didn't think too many people would notice it."

....conversation lasts for 1-2 hours.

Back to reality,man!! As you guessed, the above two conversations are hypothetical.But, they're just the type of talks I'd love to have at a get-together/party. Indeed, a common platform is what is needed for a two-way conversation.

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What would you say if you heard about a five star hotel in one of the largest helicopters in the world,called a 'hotelicopter'?With 18 luxurious rooms'for adrenalin junkies seeking a truly unique and memorable travel experience'? 

You'd believe, specially since this could happen in the city that dares to dream and achieve it-i.e. Dubai.

But, not yet!!This one was an April Fool joke on Facebook, promoted by a UK Hotel chain....thousands of people joined a group dedicated to the project, when a clip of the hotelicopter was put up. Were you one of them?

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Joke for the day:

The Englishman's paramour told him she was pregn*nt, and said, "If you do not marry me, I shall kill myself." "Oh I say!" replied her lover, "You really are a decent sort."

And, an end joke:

He is so stupid that he made 2 holes in his cond*m, cause he wanted twins.

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Till next time, keep smiling.