I had a long day in the lab today and took the late night tram back home. It was few minutes past 10:00 p.m. when I finally reached home. As I was climbing up the stairs, i realised that the entire building was dead silent ! In fact, I was unaware that I was almost tiptoeing up the stairs until i reached my apartment. I was so tired, angry and frustrated since my day long experiments had failed. The gloomy, quiet atmosphere did nothing better to cheer me up. When I saw the pile of clothes to be washed in my cupboard, the frustration was reaching the threshold limit. I had been accumulating used clothes for days since I was coming back home quite late from lab and couldn't use the common washing machine in the basement after 10:00 p.m. It is a rule for all the tenants in my building although I don't see the point since no one stays in the basement. This is not new to me and having spent over five years in Europe, I can safely say that I am fully well accustomed to this. I said accustomed but not comfortable. While I respect the Western* style of living, I cant help but notice the void in their lives. Sadly, I think they don' t even realise it since anything otherwise is 'chaotic and unacceptable' to them. I am not saying every one of them is like that but a vast majority do fall under this category. Routine and organisation are the two key elements that keep them going. If either one is disturbed, their life would come to a standstill. It is not that I don't appreciate the orderliness and systematic way of life but sometimes I feel that there is no fun if life is too systematic. I think it is the 'Indian' in me that makes me think that a bit of chaos here and there does make life more interesting.
When I first landed in Germany from India, I was in awe of the German railway network system. I am a big fan of DB (Deutsche Bahn) and still believe that it is the best railway network in Europe. Although the organisation and infrastructure of Indian railway system is far from being even comparable to DB, I would say that some of my cherished moments in the Indian trains are priceless. I have met different people , had interesting conversations and seen/been a part of some dramatic event in the train. Although, I have had pleasant and comfortable journeys in Europe, none of my interactions with the person sitting next to me can qualify as a cherished moment. I have had people helping me out all the time in the trains but then that is helpful, not interesting ! Does this mean that Indians are loud, talkative and nosy ? No, I didn't mean that and even if they are, well, doesn't matter ! At least, it gives me something to gossip about when I get back home or ponder about later that night.
Another thing that baffles me is the hypocrisy in displaying emotions. While PDAs (public display of affection) are considered as a part of the culture, PDEs (public display of emotion) such as babies wailing and drivers yelling at fellow drivers/honking repeatedly are frowned upon !
Now, coming back to the dead silence at night .... an indian friend of mine told me that she stopped using her pressure cooker at night because she was invariably late from office and cooking afterwards with pressure cooker annoyed her peace loving neighbours. I also heard about another incident from my non- European colleague that the tenants living below his apartment complain that he treads loudly at night in his apartment. Imagine what a nightmare it would be for an Indian family with small kids living in a building with such neighbours. Thankfully, I am living alone and my neighbours are lot more tolerant. That reminds me.... who are my neighbours ? I moved into this apartment only a couple of months back but I have never seen my neighbours. Occassionally, I have heard music from a piano and a baby crying softly but apart from these I have had no real contacts with any of them. I have never met them in the hallway so far. It is not that I am not a friendly person, I have been on excellent terms with some my former European neighbours who happened to be quite friendly. I just haven't yet found the right opportunity to knock on my neighbours' doors and introduce myself because I still haven't figured out how much of this is prying, if at all. Until then, I'll let them enjoy the dead silence....
Friday, January 7, 2011
The best of Aarhus: ... in the daily life....
*****This blog is dedicated to the wonderful city of Aarhus and its people *****
I was in Aarhus (Denmark's 2nd largest city) last month, the city where I spent most part of my PhD, slogging away in a lab in the basement of the university building. No. it is not as bad as it sounds at all ! The city has seen me in all possible moods. After I left the city, there has not been a single moment till now when I haven't felt anything but gratitude for the city and its people.
The feeling that you get when you go back to a place after sometime and find that nothing has changed except you yourself, is something that cannot be explained by mere words.
As soon as I got off the train at Aarhus railway station, I felt the cold wind slapping my face and I started shivering. I knew instantly....I am back in Aarhus !
I have just jotted down few of the many amazing things (apart from the lousy cold weather) about the ‘daily life’ in Aarhus that I had experienced…..I am not sure where to begin, so I shall just randomly list in no specific geographic order or an order of any kind.
(Caution: If you are a tourist and looking for places of interest from a tourism point of view, this may not give you all the information. On the other hand if you are already living in Aarhus and new to the place or going to live in Aarhus very soon, this might give you a few pointers on what to expect.)
- 7 Eleven: Hungry and traveling at late hours? Just look for the nearest 7 Eleven and get in ! Well, this is one of the best places for quick take aways such as coffees, hot snacks and pastries. Their strawberry milkshake is awesome! There is a 7 eleven just opposite to the main railway station and the neighboring sandwich shop is also worth visiting if you want to grab a sandwich to eat during your train journey. To endure a long journey without food or just a cup of black coffee that you can get on the train is no fun.
- Fakta: Frustrated that shops close down at 18:00 hrs ? Fakta is the most convenient place for students to do their grocery shopping. Although not all Faktas are open till late, the one near Tandleage kollegiet is open until 21:00 hrs and all through the week ! This is relatively close to the university. I have found it very convenient to shop there on my way back from lab in the late evenings.
- Stor Center Nord: Once again close to university, one of the best shopping complexes in the city! I could find almost anything there from clothes to groceries…..
- Bruun’s gallery: With the theatre too in the complex, it is a lovely hangout on a Friday evening. I was so excited when I first came to know that I can finally watch English movies in English, without being dubbed ! And that is probably one of the reason why almost every Dane speaks good comprehensible English and (un)fortunately it is the reason why I hardly know any Danish, besides my failed attempts at trying to learn the 3 types of pronunciation of the letter ‘d’ in Danish
- Shopping street: Bustling with activity! The best place to be if you want to get out of lab for a couple of hours on a gray Saturday afternoon. Make sure to carry your wallet if you cannot resist the temptation of getting into Magasin, Salling, H&M, Designertorvet …..
- Bazar Vest:
The genuine Bazaar! Without Bazaar Vest, my ‘dhal chawal with Bhindi sabji’ which is almost a regular every fortnight in my home, wouldn’t be possible - IKEA: I promise if you get in, you would never come out without buying any little thing. I love their free refills for cola.
- Den Gamle By: Definitely worth visiting. Christmas is probably the best time.
- AROS: The Aarhus Kunst museum (art museum). Do check out the theme before buying tickets otherwise you could be in for a surprise, especially if you are not very familiar with contemporary art. If you are there, be sure to look out for
'the crouching boy', am sure you can't miss him ! - Numerous restaurants: Are you complaining about the lack of variety in Danish cuisine? Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, Mexican, American….you name it and you got it! Fast food? – There are the good old fast food joints- Mc D and Burger King…
Well, I guess I should I also mention activities that didn’t necessarily cause a hole in my wallet ...
- Beaches: Coming from a coastal place in India, what I like best about Aarhus are the beaches. Although it lacks the charm of Indian beaches – I mean the roadside chaat and pakora shops, the beaches in Aarhus are nevertheless second to none! The first time I spotted a Jelly fish was at the Moesgaard Beach!! Summer time is the best where you can swim, relax in the sun or even do some sports on the water.
- Stroll in the forests: There are several and one of the best places for a nice quiet evening stroll.
- The Botanical garden: Close to the university, good place to go on a picnic with friends….
- Cycling: Last but not the least and the best activity one can take up in Aarhus without worrying about (a) traffic (cyclists are most respected on the road next to pedestrians), (b) being self conscious about riding on a cycle to a party dressed in your best outfit (I have seen Professors all decked up in smart suits and ties and riding a bike), (c) gasoline costs (however, keep a handy puncture kit and air pump ready while venturing out for long). What more – the best way to burn all the accumulated fat!!!
I can go on and on….but I have to stop somewhere and I shall stop here. The ones listed above are just for starters, once you know your way around the city you will discover many more !!
It is a wonder how one can lose track of time so easily but memories stay forever
Thursday, January 6, 2011
"I am a postdoc at the university", "oh ok! you are still studying !"
I was chatting with my best friend today after a very long time and we were catching up on what each of us had been up to in the last few months. As I was rambling on about my work at the university, my friend asked me how long I will be in Zurich and I replied that I have signed the postdoc contract for a year with an extension of one more if I wish to. She said 'that's it, one year ??!!'
When I was in India after my PhD, the same friend congratulated me and innocently asked me 'So which company are you going to work for?' I told her it is not a private company and I will be working at ETH(Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology). She said in a bewildered tone 'oh, you are going to study further....??'
Let me tell you, this is not the first time someone has told me this. I distinctly remember my grandparents' reaction when I first told them that I have decided to join ETH, Zurich as a postdoctoral researcher. This was on the phone, so luckily I could selectively answer their questions which means any uncomfortable question could be ignored. There was a long pause and finally with lot of concern my paati said 'you are going to study again !!'
As I was trying to come up with some major fundaes about postdoctoratal fellowships, she didn't wait for an answer. She continued breathlessly ' You are 26, how long will you be studying ? Shouldn't you get married and get settled in life ??' My thatha was a bit more practical( apparently in his opinion). He told me ' let's be practical. Young people these days are very independent and bold. So I am not going to talk about your personal issues (he meant my marriage, ofcourse) but a piece of advice - make a trade for yourself and settle down in a steady job'. Great piece of advice thatha, thanks ! (My thatha actually made a good point here which made me ponder for days, i will come back to this later).
Well, this was not all...
I had to endure this in person when I went to India for a short vacation before coming to Zurich. What was surprising was that some friends and relatives of this generation also seemed to be quite concerned that I would remain a student forever !!
Apparently, they all seemed to have selectively missed the part that I 'work' at the university, not 'study'. Rather, I think, they just heard university and immediately drew a mental picture of me sitting with all the students in a classroom.
I tried explaining to a few (who I thought were broad-minded enough to understand) that I am not doing class-room studies but I will be working in a lab, doing experiments in a university and I am paid for it. So I am working there, I am a staff-member (this lingo is more familiar in India and I thought this ought to explain everything). Next question that came almost made me want to jump out of the window (no kidding !). It was from one very concerned maami (who btw is more inquisitive about what happens in her neighbours' homes than her own, that's probably because she spends more time gathering and exchanging news at other people's houses.) Anyway, her question was: 'You are a staff, that means you are a professor ? Very good. I know a young professor in the States and his parents are still looking for a bride. Nambalava thaan' I was at a loss for words and was afraid to even open my mouth because I knew I would end up saying something spiteful.
Why are people finding it so difficult to understand the concept of a postdoc ? I mean its self-explanatory. I am not a student and I am not a Professor. I am a postdoc !!
It was baffling when my friends too were confused about my postdoc status. This is just one of the many examples that shows how ignorant people are about research and academics in India.
To all those who scorn or don't understand what a postdoc is:
A postdoc is just an extension of a PhD. While PhD is a training period where one is out of a class-room atmosphere and exposed to research. Often, PhDs are termed as PhD students since they are still trainees (in the corporate lingo) and receive a scholarship/stipend every month. As a postdoc a person is on a salary structure, which means that he is in a REAL job but on a contract basis and this can turn out to be a tenure track job.
Why should anyone do a postdoc after PhD?
First of all, it is not necessary to do a postdoc after PhD. It depends on your ambitions and interests. Some industries or companies hire fresh PhD graduates and train them for their needs. If you want to get into academia, by that i mean universities or research institutions, then postdoc is essential since it is viewed as additional experience because during a postdoc one typically trains to become a professor (this means teaching, assisting bachelor, master and PhD students in their thesis, writing research proposals, refreeing etc). Postdoc positions are not just restricted to academia, postdoctoral positions are also available in some R&D labs in private firms. In such cases they assume the role of a senior scientist or group leaders and need not be involved in teaching. So a postdoc is an extension of a PhD.
There are many myths about doing a postdoc and the one that irks me the most is:
--If you are doing a postdoc, then you can only become a professor--
To all those ignorant souls:
After PhD, sometimes people like to take time to decide where they are headed (e.g. academia, industry, consulting, entrepreneurship ...) and postdoc is the perfect opportunity to gauge oneself and decide where he belongs.
Sometimes, people do a postdoc to change their research area from what they have been doing in their PhD because this gives them the platform to start working in a new area.
Can one make a career out of a postdoc ?
No.
Usually, postdoc positions are offered on a contract basis for one, two or three years depending on the policies of the funding agency/university/the professor heading the research group. Typically, after one or two years of postdoc in one lab, people shift to another lab for a second postdoc.
A word of caution: It is not considered good to keep jumping from postdoc to postdoc since it is viewed as an escapist route to applying for permanent positions, especially in academia.
What after a postdoc ?
That's why you are doing a postdoc ! Options are plenty and its never too late to figure out especially with a few bucks coming into your pocket every month ..... that's amazing isnt it ? you can figure out your passion in life while you are still employed !!
Coming back to what my thatha said about choosing a trade for myself and settling in a stable job - well, i must agree that it rekindled my insecurities. I mean when I think about my classmates from school or college who graduated and got settled in a job, I realize that I am still just at the very beginning of my career.
I have a whole life time ahead, this postdoc is just the beginning.....
Translation of tamil words used:
paati: grandmother
thatha: grandfather
maami: aunty
Nambalava thaan: our type only
When I was in India after my PhD, the same friend congratulated me and innocently asked me 'So which company are you going to work for?' I told her it is not a private company and I will be working at ETH(Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology). She said in a bewildered tone 'oh, you are going to study further....??'
Let me tell you, this is not the first time someone has told me this. I distinctly remember my grandparents' reaction when I first told them that I have decided to join ETH, Zurich as a postdoctoral researcher. This was on the phone, so luckily I could selectively answer their questions which means any uncomfortable question could be ignored. There was a long pause and finally with lot of concern my paati said 'you are going to study again !!'
As I was trying to come up with some major fundaes about postdoctoratal fellowships, she didn't wait for an answer. She continued breathlessly ' You are 26, how long will you be studying ? Shouldn't you get married and get settled in life ??' My thatha was a bit more practical( apparently in his opinion). He told me ' let's be practical. Young people these days are very independent and bold. So I am not going to talk about your personal issues (he meant my marriage, ofcourse) but a piece of advice - make a trade for yourself and settle down in a steady job'. Great piece of advice thatha, thanks ! (My thatha actually made a good point here which made me ponder for days, i will come back to this later).
Well, this was not all...
I had to endure this in person when I went to India for a short vacation before coming to Zurich. What was surprising was that some friends and relatives of this generation also seemed to be quite concerned that I would remain a student forever !!
Apparently, they all seemed to have selectively missed the part that I 'work' at the university, not 'study'. Rather, I think, they just heard university and immediately drew a mental picture of me sitting with all the students in a classroom.
I tried explaining to a few (who I thought were broad-minded enough to understand) that I am not doing class-room studies but I will be working in a lab, doing experiments in a university and I am paid for it. So I am working there, I am a staff-member (this lingo is more familiar in India and I thought this ought to explain everything). Next question that came almost made me want to jump out of the window (no kidding !). It was from one very concerned maami (who btw is more inquisitive about what happens in her neighbours' homes than her own, that's probably because she spends more time gathering and exchanging news at other people's houses.) Anyway, her question was: 'You are a staff, that means you are a professor ? Very good. I know a young professor in the States and his parents are still looking for a bride. Nambalava thaan' I was at a loss for words and was afraid to even open my mouth because I knew I would end up saying something spiteful.
Why are people finding it so difficult to understand the concept of a postdoc ? I mean its self-explanatory. I am not a student and I am not a Professor. I am a postdoc !!
It was baffling when my friends too were confused about my postdoc status. This is just one of the many examples that shows how ignorant people are about research and academics in India.
To all those who scorn or don't understand what a postdoc is:
A postdoc is just an extension of a PhD. While PhD is a training period where one is out of a class-room atmosphere and exposed to research. Often, PhDs are termed as PhD students since they are still trainees (in the corporate lingo) and receive a scholarship/stipend every month. As a postdoc a person is on a salary structure, which means that he is in a REAL job but on a contract basis and this can turn out to be a tenure track job.
Why should anyone do a postdoc after PhD?
First of all, it is not necessary to do a postdoc after PhD. It depends on your ambitions and interests. Some industries or companies hire fresh PhD graduates and train them for their needs. If you want to get into academia, by that i mean universities or research institutions, then postdoc is essential since it is viewed as additional experience because during a postdoc one typically trains to become a professor (this means teaching, assisting bachelor, master and PhD students in their thesis, writing research proposals, refreeing etc). Postdoc positions are not just restricted to academia, postdoctoral positions are also available in some R&D labs in private firms. In such cases they assume the role of a senior scientist or group leaders and need not be involved in teaching. So a postdoc is an extension of a PhD.
There are many myths about doing a postdoc and the one that irks me the most is:
--If you are doing a postdoc, then you can only become a professor--
To all those ignorant souls:
After PhD, sometimes people like to take time to decide where they are headed (e.g. academia, industry, consulting, entrepreneurship ...) and postdoc is the perfect opportunity to gauge oneself and decide where he belongs.
Sometimes, people do a postdoc to change their research area from what they have been doing in their PhD because this gives them the platform to start working in a new area.
Can one make a career out of a postdoc ?
No.
Usually, postdoc positions are offered on a contract basis for one, two or three years depending on the policies of the funding agency/university/the professor heading the research group. Typically, after one or two years of postdoc in one lab, people shift to another lab for a second postdoc.
A word of caution: It is not considered good to keep jumping from postdoc to postdoc since it is viewed as an escapist route to applying for permanent positions, especially in academia.
What after a postdoc ?
That's why you are doing a postdoc ! Options are plenty and its never too late to figure out especially with a few bucks coming into your pocket every month ..... that's amazing isnt it ? you can figure out your passion in life while you are still employed !!
Coming back to what my thatha said about choosing a trade for myself and settling in a stable job - well, i must agree that it rekindled my insecurities. I mean when I think about my classmates from school or college who graduated and got settled in a job, I realize that I am still just at the very beginning of my career.
I have a whole life time ahead, this postdoc is just the beginning.....
Translation of tamil words used:
paati: grandmother
thatha: grandfather
maami: aunty
Nambalava thaan: our type only
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Dutiful friend
Every person who has been driving for a number of years in India would have some interesting 'road encounters' to recall. 'Hand signaling' is a very familiar concept and practiced by many drivers irrespective of the size of the vehicle they are driving. I have always found it quite amusing when drivers automatically stretch out their hands to signal while making a right or left turn in addition to switching on the indicator. Such is a driver's faith on his fellow driver behind him (thanks to the autowallahs' road sense which is primarily responsible for this, at least in Chennai) !! I am no exception and almost always, instinctively stretch out my hand signaling a turn after switching on the indicator, even if it works fine - blinking brightly as well as beeping. Once in a while, admittedly, I have forgotten to switch on the indicator or signal with my hand but my ever so cautious pillion riders immediately did the job for me. During one such moment in heavy traffic,I was concentrating on taking a sharp right turn and I told a friend of mine who was sitting behind me on my scooty "Neha, quick show your right hand now". Instantaneously, my friend's right palm was in front of my face !!!
What can I say ?? - My innocent friend after all duly followed my instructions !!!
What can I say ?? - My innocent friend after all duly followed my instructions !!!
Achoo !!
When I got out of bed
I felt thumping in my head.
My throat felt sore, my face was round and funny
To my horror I realized, the flu has attacked me!
Oh! the darned smart parasite
Residing in my body with such delight.
When I speak, in my ears I hear dum-dum
I cringe and feel like squishing them under my thumb (if only I could!).
In my vicinity, are dozen tissues wet with phlegm
Even as I am writing this poem.
The wet tissues are piling up
The sneezing and caughing are non-stop.
The tiny microbes are having a fiesta
Oh! Nothing works against these little fellahs
I am just going to sleep away my pain and agony
There is no better therapy
Other than sleeping away to glory !!
I felt thumping in my head.
My throat felt sore, my face was round and funny
To my horror I realized, the flu has attacked me!
Oh! the darned smart parasite
Residing in my body with such delight.
When I speak, in my ears I hear dum-dum
I cringe and feel like squishing them under my thumb (if only I could!).
In my vicinity, are dozen tissues wet with phlegm
Even as I am writing this poem.
The wet tissues are piling up
The sneezing and caughing are non-stop.
The tiny microbes are having a fiesta
Oh! Nothing works against these little fellahs
I am just going to sleep away my pain and agony
There is no better therapy
Other than sleeping away to glory !!
My first balloon ride - Up in air in a basket !!
A week after my birthday, we decided to take a short break from the routine lab work and go to Sweden. Since the the decision was on the spur of the moment, there wasnt much time left for planning. Bus was the only available means of transport at the last minute and we took up the challenge of enduring 11 hrs of night travel in a cramped seat onwards and return. We considered other alternatives but Sweden had been topping our list of 'must see while still in Europe' 1) because of its proximity geographically and 2) our numerous trips to IKEA which kept refuelling our desire to visit the country. Although, I have often thought that whole of Europe is like India - diverse in culture, a part of me always believed that if you have seen one then you have seen them all - atleast in Scandinavia. This is mainly because the farm houses, the grasslands, the cattle....they all look the same when you are traveling by train which is what we r often doing when we are not in lab or going to arbit movies. Although.... I must admit the scenaries are a real feast to the eyes, very refreshing even if you have seen them millions of times before. I was looking forward to a quiet and relaxing weekend in Sweden.....
I must say that in an unplanned trip, although one faces several inconveniencies, the best part is the 'unplanned part' itself. As soon as we landed in Stockholm we started planning the day's activities. While we were in a heated discussion we happen to look at a poster advertising a hot air balloon ride. Riding in a hot air balloon has been my fantasy for ages but never got an opportunity to do so. Wasting no time, we immediately contacted the concerned people and made an arrangement. It cost us a small fortune yet affordable and without giving any second thoughts we made the payment.
There were other tourists as well joining us for the balloon ride. We were ten in total including the pilot and i was wondering if all of us would fit into the basket. We were told that the journey always starts in the evening because thats when the wind is the calmest. We met at a common meeting point and then we were all taken to a huge open area and the deflated ballon was spread out on the ground like a pancake. We all help
ed the pilot inflate the balloon and the process seemed to go on forever. We had to fill in atleast 1000cubic meters of hot air and the nine of us held on to the ropes tightly while the balloon tossed around unsteadily as it was getting inflated. I am usually a spectatre when it comes to physical work but helping out with this - i was actually enjoying ! Slowly as the balloon was getting inflated the women, being the lighter ones (or so they thought) were asked to jump into the basket quickly to keep it steady while the men tugged the ropes balancing it as the huge balloon swayed on the ground. Soon the others also joined us in the basket. To my surprise the wicker basket was pretty 
spacious. The pilot had a separate marked territory from where he was generating heat by igniting a liquified gas and the flame was directed into mouth of the balloon. We happened to be standing right beneath the burner and everytime the flame was ignited it made a huge hissing sound which startled me in the beginning but later i was so used to it that it hardly bothered me at all. As we were ascending, I was so thrilled 
and excited, mere words cannot describe those feelings. Soon when were about 500 meters high in the air, we were smoothly floating across in the sky over Stockholm and it was amazing ! I had decked myself in warm clothes but the hot air above kept us warm even at that altitude. The weather was fine, the air around us warm and cozy and everyone was chattering excitedly and looking down at the vehicles on the roads which literally appeared like peanuts. We could see the city hall of Stockholm where the nobel banquet and dinner takes place every year after the prizes are awarded and it was truly a beautiful sight.
The whole ride lasted for an hour or so and soon the intial excitement began to wear off and as time progressed we were impatient to get off and it seemed like we had been in the air too long. Landing seemed to be the most difficult and it was quite sometime before we could find a suitable spot to land. As we began to descend the pilot had to really tugg the ropes and steer carefully not to hit any of the tall trees or lamps but we made it to the ground without any problems, hats off to the skilled pilot !
Everybody quickly scrambled out and i was certainly glad to finally feel the solid ground under my feet. A small celebration followed and everyone on board were knighted as per the custom that they usually followed after every successful landing and yours truly was knighted as the baroness of the place where we had landed :-).
The main intention of this scribbling is just to remind myself everytime that i had finally gone on the magical balloon ride that been my fascination since i was 5 years old....
I cannot imagine a life without imagination and dreams ... they always give me the motivation to look forward to something in life .... but people tell me not all dreams can become a reality and when they dont we get shattered, so dream 'realistically'....
But i shall not stop dreaming because there is a possibility that it will come true one day .... and so i shall wait .... until then i shall keep dreaming.....
I must say that in an unplanned trip, although one faces several inconveniencies, the best part is the 'unplanned part' itself. As soon as we landed in Stockholm we started planning the day's activities. While we were in a heated discussion we happen to look at a poster advertising a hot air balloon ride. Riding in a hot air balloon has been my fantasy for ages but never got an opportunity to do so. Wasting no time, we immediately contacted the concerned people and made an arrangement. It cost us a small fortune yet affordable and without giving any second thoughts we made the payment.
There were other tourists as well joining us for the balloon ride. We were ten in total including the pilot and i was wondering if all of us would fit into the basket. We were told that the journey always starts in the evening because thats when the wind is the calmest. We met at a common meeting point and then we were all taken to a huge open area and the deflated ballon was spread out on the ground like a pancake. We all help
ed the pilot inflate the balloon and the process seemed to go on forever. We had to fill in atleast 1000cubic meters of hot air and the nine of us held on to the ropes tightly while the balloon tossed around unsteadily as it was getting inflated. I am usually a spectatre when it comes to physical work but helping out with this - i was actually enjoying ! Slowly as the balloon was getting inflated the women, being the lighter ones (or so they thought) were asked to jump into the basket quickly to keep it steady while the men tugged the ropes balancing it as the huge balloon swayed on the ground. Soon the others also joined us in the basket. To my surprise the wicker basket was pretty 
spacious. The pilot had a separate marked territory from where he was generating heat by igniting a liquified gas and the flame was directed into mouth of the balloon. We happened to be standing right beneath the burner and everytime the flame was ignited it made a huge hissing sound which startled me in the beginning but later i was so used to it that it hardly bothered me at all. As we were ascending, I was so thrilled 
and excited, mere words cannot describe those feelings. Soon when were about 500 meters high in the air, we were smoothly floating across in the sky over Stockholm and it was amazing ! I had decked myself in warm clothes but the hot air above kept us warm even at that altitude. The weather was fine, the air around us warm and cozy and everyone was chattering excitedly and looking down at the vehicles on the roads which literally appeared like peanuts. We could see the city hall of Stockholm where the nobel banquet and dinner takes place every year after the prizes are awarded and it was truly a beautiful sight.The whole ride lasted for an hour or so and soon the intial excitement began to wear off and as time progressed we were impatient to get off and it seemed like we had been in the air too long. Landing seemed to be the most difficult and it was quite sometime before we could find a suitable spot to land. As we began to descend the pilot had to really tugg the ropes and steer carefully not to hit any of the tall trees or lamps but we made it to the ground without any problems, hats off to the skilled pilot !
Everybody quickly scrambled out and i was certainly glad to finally feel the solid ground under my feet. A small celebration followed and everyone on board were knighted as per the custom that they usually followed after every successful landing and yours truly was knighted as the baroness of the place where we had landed :-).
The main intention of this scribbling is just to remind myself everytime that i had finally gone on the magical balloon ride that been my fascination since i was 5 years old....
I cannot imagine a life without imagination and dreams ... they always give me the motivation to look forward to something in life .... but people tell me not all dreams can become a reality and when they dont we get shattered, so dream 'realistically'....
But i shall not stop dreaming because there is a possibility that it will come true one day .... and so i shall wait .... until then i shall keep dreaming.....
20/08/2009
The 3 mistakes i made during my Italy trip ;-)
1. Booked a hotel that was 20 mins walk from the central station in Rome.
Doesn't sound that bad, isn't it ? Well, let me tell you parents are never appreciative of that but they are too nice to say it to your face. So when you hear your mother groaning silently, that's your first cue....
2. Two words - Ryan air !
Be careful with cheap flights that charge you for everything starting from online check-in option to check-in luggages. If you are trying to be smart in saving money by just paying for one check-in luggage hoping you can dump everything in one suitcase, you cannot be more wrong ! 15 kg check-in luggage and 10 kg cabin baggage each is their rule. (Don't be careless about it and do weigh before reaching the airport cause they are quite strict about it, otherwise
be ready to pay 160 dkk/kg).
3. A mistake made is a mistake made. :-(
Never rectify your mistake by buying another bag during the trip thinking you can stuff all your souvenirs and used clothes in it and push it off at the security as another cabin baggage (thinking afterall 10 kg cabin baggage is allowed). Well, you are most likely to get caught while boarding even if you make it past the security check. Unless you make a sorry face and a kind airhostess pitying you labels your bag as 'improperly packed' and takes it as a check-in luggage, there is no way out but to miss the flight and start all ove
r again- going through the tormenting procedures of checking in the baggages, passing through the security check and ofcourse buying new tickets ;-). So even if your bag isn't more than 10 kg, there is a size limit and believe me a bag of the 'allowed' size declared by Ryan air cannot be useful for anything. Better plan for more than one 
check-in baggage at the start of the trip.
Nevertheless, it was a wonderful trip and a great way to start the year -thinking ' I actually walked on the same road as Caeser trodded' !!
Moral of the story: Even if you have traveled a zillion times before, sometimes somethings are bound to go wrong and your worst fears can come true ! ;-)
Doesn't sound that bad, isn't it ? Well, let me tell you parents are never appreciative of that but they are too nice to say it to your face. So when you hear your mother groaning silently, that's your first cue....
2. Two words - Ryan air !
Be careful with cheap flights that charge you for everything starting from online check-in option to check-in luggages. If you are trying to be smart in saving money by just paying for one check-in luggage hoping you can dump everything in one suitcase, you cannot be more wrong ! 15 kg check-in luggage and 10 kg cabin baggage each is their rule. (Don't be careless about it and do weigh before reaching the airport cause they are quite strict about it, otherwise
be ready to pay 160 dkk/kg).3. A mistake made is a mistake made. :-(
Never rectify your mistake by buying another bag during the trip thinking you can stuff all your souvenirs and used clothes in it and push it off at the security as another cabin baggage (thinking afterall 10 kg cabin baggage is allowed). Well, you are most likely to get caught while boarding even if you make it past the security check. Unless you make a sorry face and a kind airhostess pitying you labels your bag as 'improperly packed' and takes it as a check-in luggage, there is no way out but to miss the flight and start all ove
r again- going through the tormenting procedures of checking in the baggages, passing through the security check and ofcourse buying new tickets ;-). So even if your bag isn't more than 10 kg, there is a size limit and believe me a bag of the 'allowed' size declared by Ryan air cannot be useful for anything. Better plan for more than one 
check-in baggage at the start of the trip.Nevertheless, it was a wonderful trip and a great way to start the year -thinking ' I actually walked on the same road as Caeser trodded' !!
Moral of the story: Even if you have traveled a zillion times before, sometimes somethings are bound to go wrong and your worst fears can come true ! ;-)
My version of tamatar ki sabji
Whenever I am tired, hungry and staring into the open fridge at nothing but few leftover tomatoes... I always make this 'tamatar ki sabji' which requires almost nil cooking skills and goes well as a tasty tangy side dish with both chapati and rice. I am sure everyone would have stumbled upon their own versions of tamatar ki sabji at some point in their grad/bachelor/bachelorette life while being forced to learn cooking for their survival .... well, here is my recipie....
Ingredients:
3-4 tomatoes cut into small pieces
1 big onion finely chopped
1-2 green chillies cut into small pieces
2-3 cloves (optional)
1-2 Bay leaves (optional)
cardamom
Dhania powder(1 tsp)
Garam masala (1 spoon)
Mustard
Jheera
Asfoetida to taste
salt to taste
Heat small qty of oil in a kadai and then add mustard (let it splutter) , jheera , green chillies, colves and bay leaves. Then toss the finely chopped onions and fry them for a very short while until they are only slightly golden brown. Then add Garam masala, Dhania powder and cardamom (according to taste) and fry for a few minutes. Then add the freshly cut tomatoes and mix well. Add salt and asfoetida as required. Add 1/2 cup water and allow the mixture to boil for few minutes.
The tamatar ki sabji is now ready. The best part of this sabji is that the cooking can never go wrong because it is really simple and turns out right in whatever order you cook. The taste is always great and hardly takes 20 minutes to make the sabji !
Ingredients:
3-4 tomatoes cut into small pieces
1 big onion finely chopped
1-2 green chillies cut into small pieces
2-3 cloves (optional)
1-2 Bay leaves (optional)
cardamom
Dhania powder(1 tsp)
Garam masala (1 spoon)
Mustard
Jheera
Asfoetida to taste
salt to taste
Heat small qty of oil in a kadai and then add mustard (let it splutter) , jheera , green chillies, colves and bay leaves. Then toss the finely chopped onions and fry them for a very short while until they are only slightly golden brown. Then add Garam masala, Dhania powder and cardamom (according to taste) and fry for a few minutes. Then add the freshly cut tomatoes and mix well. Add salt and asfoetida as required. Add 1/2 cup water and allow the mixture to boil for few minutes.
The tamatar ki sabji is now ready. The best part of this sabji is that the cooking can never go wrong because it is really simple and turns out right in whatever order you cook. The taste is always great and hardly takes 20 minutes to make the sabji !
New to baking ?? start off simple - try Banana bread
I have tried many ready-to-make cakes but one day i was hit by the make-it-from scratch syndrome. I decided to start off easy... i made banana bread and it turned out so delicious that it has now become a regular snack at home.
Banana bread/cake
Ingredients:
Ripe banana 1
Egg 1
All purpose flour 1 cup
Baking soda 1 tea spn
Sugar 3/4th cup
Butter 1/2 cup
Cashew nuts 1 tbl spn (optional)
Salt 1/4th tea spn
Sieve together flour and baking soda. Keep it aside.
Beat sugar in butter till it becomes a smooth paste. Then add egg and beat again.
Now add mashed banana and mix well. Add this mixture to flour and mix slowly.
Add some cashew nuts if desired. Bake in a greased bake form for 40 min at 350F.
You can even try the simple egg cake for a change ....
Simple egg cake
Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 and 1/4 cups sugar
1 and 1/2 All purpose flour
1 tea spn baking soda
4 eggs
1 tea spn vanilla essence/extract
Preheat the oven at 350F for 10min.
Sieve together flour and baking soda. Keep it aside.
Beat sugar in butter till it becomes a smooth paste. Then add one egg at a time beating it all the time. Add vanilla essence and mix.
Add flour little by little and mix well. Then sprinkle some flour on it and spread the batter. Bake the cake for around 40 min at 350F.
TIP: Just make a slit on the top while it is baking to ensure the bread is baked evenly inside.
Fruit cake
Requires no oven, no baking skills ....just buy a sponge cake base (available in all supermarkets), better known as 'tart' base. Make jelly with desired fruits and then spread the mixture on the base. Refrigerate overnight.
idlis
I had been craving for idlis and finally managed to bring myself to make idlis starting from step 1, that is, starting from making the idli maavu... with limited resources that I have, that means, no grinder !
Soft and fluffy....they tasted awesome with the tomato chutney....
Soft and fluffy....they tasted awesome with the tomato chutney....
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)