Namesake

Saw the movie "Namesake" recently. It is a well made movie. Nobody could have potrayed "Ashima" in a better way than Tabu. Maybe I liked the movie because I am staying away from home and can identify with a few situations which Ashima goes through. Should watch it atleast once!

Formula 1

This was an unforgettable experience. We had been to Indianapolis to watch the Formula 1 race. Though Hamilton won the race and we were supproting Ferrari, it was awesome watching the race LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!! What more can I say... That Whrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooooooooooooooooommm is still echoing in my ears.... :)

Shamu

I am always amazed at how people manage to train animals or birds in a circus or any animal shows. At Sea World (San Diego) I was awestruck to see the "Shamu" show - the famous dolphin show! It is really suprising to see the level of perfection they achieve and the amount of effort and dedication which goes into the training. It was worth watching the show and the mutual love and respect which the dolphin and the trainers have for each other.

Shopping appointment

This is the famous Rodeo Drive at Beverly Hills. This constitutes of only 3 blocks but these are supposed to be the most expensive shopping blocks of America. The rich and the famous do their shopping here. The photo above is of the single most expensive store in the world - Bijan. The most amazing thing about this shop is that you need to book an appointment in advance to shop here :)

City of architectural wonders

Chicago - Each time I visit this city, it seems much more beautiful and awesome as compared to my previous visit. You just can't stop staring at the never ending sky scrapers, or stop cursing the horrible winds that bite you through your thick jacket, or just a nice walk through the downtown of Chicago or you could say a walk on the magnificient mile.

We took this architectural tour on the river of Chicago and were suprised to see the tall buildings on both sides of the banks. Each building is different from the other and has its own significance. After this tour you cant believe that way back in 1871 the whole city was burnt down to ashes in "The Great Fire".

The best thing I liked about this tour was the arch of water in the photo below. This is a Red Signal for ships on either side of the arch. No ship can pass through this arch and should wait till the water flow stops.

Also the curvy building in the photo below was built in such a way that it faces west and at the time of sunset you can see the reflection of the sun setting behind the huge Chicago skyline. A breathtaking view it is!!

When in Rome do what the Romans do...

We had been to this friends place and this new girl had come just the day before from India, with her luggage still misplaced. So she had worn a simple Indian ethnic punjabi dress for the day-long outing. The landlady had 3 huge dogs who were set free in the backyard where we were having our grill. The dogs were scared of something and started barking... We couldnt understand why. Then the landlady came up with something like they are scared bcoz of that girl's dress. I was shocked to hear that and she went on telling everybody who was present there that 'oh my poor dog is scared of that dress.. oh that dress..' The girl was embarrased that she was wearing a punjabi dress...! I was wild at the landlady. Is it so difficult to be "ourselves" in a foreign land?

Clouds with a "white" lining

Have heard about "Clouds with a silver lining" and "Clouds with a golden lining"... What would you call these???

Mangoes

Its summer time and "Mango time" back in India. Aai-Baba specially took this photo for us...! This is the Sawantwadi market abundant with fresh mangoes. Oh how much I miss home!

Which one is real?

Works of art always make me pause and admire the level of talent and perfection one can reach. You cant but just keep staring at this wonderful peice of artwork at the Milwaukee Art Museum. This model was created by Duane Hanson in 1973. Duane Hanson is famous for his hyper-realistic figures made of Polyester and cast fiberglass enhanced with real clothing. His subjects arent any famous personalities, but ordinary people leading unremarkable lives — a cleaning lady, a woman shopping, a museum guard. Isnt it awesome???

Paradise India

Wish I knew swimming just to take a dip in this pool...! What an awesome place. This is the Kurumba Village Resort near Coimbatore in South India. India can boast of innumerable such beautiful places. We were lucky to spend a few most memorable days here!

Canoeing....

Arvind had invited us to spend the whole of yesterday at his 10th floor lake shore apartment in Madison. We enjoyed it thoroughly what with his warm welcome, tasty grilled food, the fantastic lakeside experience, playing in the cold waters and above all the canoeing..! Though scared I enjoyed the ride. It is an experience of the lifetime!

The U S of A

Change is the only constant they say... But it is how much change you can handle in life at once. USA was a huge change in my life or you can say a very "snowy" change in my life. Have woved to myself and G, not to visit any "Hill Stations" or any snowy area for atleast the next 2 years!!!