"Pearson International Airport...Terminal 1..Aisle M" My flight is at 3 pm..but due to some unavoidable reasons I am here.Yes, I am very excited to go back to India,but this one month in Mumbai would seem like a torture,I am dying to see mom,dad,amma,and my new home..I have yet not seen it!!
My stay in Toronto...well..all I would say that it was a good experience in every manner..I learnt a lot of things at professional as well as personal levels..Here I remember one doha by raheem "Rahiman vipda hu bhali,jo thode din hoye...nij-par ko is jagat mein, jaan parat sab koy"... meaning that "Rahim says that, a short-timed trouble is at times good.You get to know who is your own at such moments"
Well, I found some very own persons here..people who have been regularly reading my blogs must have known Apeakong, Rehana and Suraaj by now..yes..these are my own ones in Toronto..now if someone asks me "Toronto mein koi hai jaan pehchaan ka?" I can take these names with pride..Friends are needed at both times..happy as well as sad moments..these people have been with me through thicks and thins..A big word of thanks to them..will miss u guys a lot...especially Suraaj on my office communicator.. ;)
Before I came onsite, I used to think I am brave enough to stay for a long term..but now I realise, I am actually not..short, frequent visits are meant for me..somehow, staying so far from home makes you feel lonely..I felt that many a times when my people were not around. Yesterday I saw tears in Apeakong's eyes..That made me sad...Saying bye to Suraaj in the evening made me sad..
But now..I am going home..happy :) I would like to share a few tips with you people in case you come to Toronto during this kind of a weather..well, spring has almost begun i guess..the temperature was +ve since the past two days..but the wind.......oooooo!!!!!!!
Well...make sure you carry your thermals..very thick jackets not needed.Carry 3-4 thin thermals.Follow the layered approach of clothing here.Wear 3-4 layers of clothes..that will keep you warmer. Do not forget to bring body lotions..you skin is going to get dry here..you will suffer from hair fall..and please please do keep some pain killers somewhere in your suitcase (incase its not allowed in your hand baggage)That's it...baki general stuff is obvious.. Make sure you stay somewhere near the TTC (Toronto transit commission) subway or bus stop. Make sure your house or condominium can be locked from inside properly.Make sure it has an ensuite laundry...And most important..always remember..there are good and bad people everywhere on earth..learn to use your discretion power, learn to trust the correct people..you will surely find good and great people around,as I did.
My flight is at 14:55 CST.Enjoying the serenity here till then...will have avomine once I board, and sleep again ;)
Hope you enjoyed the pages of my diary..I enjoyed narrating my experiences to you.Thanks to the regular readers and critics of my blog..You people help me improve..especially Subodh Sir, Arham,Ajay...aap log aise hi encourage karte rahe,to I will surely become an author one day!!!
Keep reading..God bless you!!!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Pardes mein Des..India bazaar
It should be the Asia Bazaar actually...more than India, you have people from Pakistan and Bangladesh putting up shops here..But,as mentioned in one of my previous posts...they are afraid to let people know their identity.
When you take a street-car (a tram, which you may have seen in Kolkata..much much faster than the Kolkata tram of course)from Bay Street to Gerard street,somewhere in the middle of your journey you can hear hindi songs blaring..boys shouting across the roads,the smell of the pani puri,kababs,the chhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaannn sound on the tava, you should know you have reached the Ashdale Street..or more precisely the India Bazaar..
Went there yesterday (Feb 13th 2011, after the La tour CN and shopping). It is probably the only market in Toronto which remains open after 7 pm. Even the Eaton Center..the third largest shopping mall in Canada closes at 6 pm.
I felt so much at home there..had ganne ka juice,pani puri and then dinner at A1 bhaia's restaurant...bole to Udipi Vihar..Idli,Medu Vada,sambhar,dosa..I was full..my tummy might be thinking that she's back to India I suppose ;) but I tortured it again in the afternoon with sweet and sour chicken balls!!
It was overall a nice experience..I was literally exhausted by the time I came home..so sorry...could not update the blog bout these trips yesterday...no more new news..4 more days here..Im done!!
Shall give a small summary before leaving..Good night and God bless!!
When you take a street-car (a tram, which you may have seen in Kolkata..much much faster than the Kolkata tram of course)from Bay Street to Gerard street,somewhere in the middle of your journey you can hear hindi songs blaring..boys shouting across the roads,the smell of the pani puri,kababs,the chhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaannn sound on the tava, you should know you have reached the Ashdale Street..or more precisely the India Bazaar..
Went there yesterday (Feb 13th 2011, after the La tour CN and shopping). It is probably the only market in Toronto which remains open after 7 pm. Even the Eaton Center..the third largest shopping mall in Canada closes at 6 pm.
I felt so much at home there..had ganne ka juice,pani puri and then dinner at A1 bhaia's restaurant...bole to Udipi Vihar..Idli,Medu Vada,sambhar,dosa..I was full..my tummy might be thinking that she's back to India I suppose ;) but I tortured it again in the afternoon with sweet and sour chicken balls!!
It was overall a nice experience..I was literally exhausted by the time I came home..so sorry...could not update the blog bout these trips yesterday...no more new news..4 more days here..Im done!!
Shall give a small summary before leaving..Good night and God bless!!
La Tour CN
May be not the extreme top...some people standing on the "Burj Khalifa" in Dubai on the 13th of February 2011 were of course higher than me...other than those handful of people, and some standing along with me on the top of the CN Tower in Toronto,I was on the top of the world!!
February 13th,2011...probably my last Sunday in Toronto,Canada.No ways...I could not miss the CN Towers.It is the second tallest building on earth.Till a few days back, it was the tallest..then came the Burj Khalifa..
I reached the CN at around 12 noon. Kalyan was there waiting for me.Ooops..he had been waiting for 5 minutes, and I was coming at my own pace,photographing all the way.The CN Tower is just opposite to my office,yet I could not make to the top till now.It had captured it in my camera from all angles,all views..day look, night look,evening look..if someone would have observed me clicking all the time,would surely have thought me to be an architecture student!!
Well, a good news is that the temperature in Toronto has gone positive. It was 2 degrees yesterday and 4 today..though it's zero now in the evening..So, I visited the CN Towers on a clear day...lucky me ;)
We entered the CN Towers..took 2 tickets for around $35 each. There is a restaurant in the CN which revolves for 72 minutes and you can sit at a place, enjoy food and watch Toronto..Well, it opens for dinner at 4:30 pm in the evening.I had no intentions of having food there, I preferred walking all over the CN's periphery to see Toronto..and I did that..As you enter the CN, they will give you a warm welcome,take a picture of your's and when you will be moving out, they would ask you to buy it..huh!! I have my own camera..
Now let me tell you a few facts about the CN, which will tell you why I am so happy visiting this building..
1) April 2-1975, a giant Erickson air crane Sikorsky helicopter with a 72 ft wingspan lifted the final 44 pieces of the tower's antenna into place,making it the tallest tower in the world-a record held for over 3 decades. The CN Tower opened to the public on June 26,1976.
2) CN Towers was designated a "Wonder of the Modern World" by the American Society of civil engineers in 1995.
3) The elevators take you to the top of the tower.The elevator travels at 22 km/hr(15 miles per hour)and takes only 58 seconds to reach 346 m(1,136 ft),earning the distinction as the world's #1 elevator ride
4) CN Tower has the world's highest wine cellar located in 360 degree restaurant (Guinness Book of world records,2006)
5)On a clear day the visibility from the CN can be over 160 kms (100 miles).
These and many such facts are framed here and there everywhere around the CN.
We first got down at the Glass Floor level..there is a glass floor here on which you can stand and look down...trust me it's scary!!!!!!!! And Kalyan was on a photography spree,asking me to pose this way and that on that floor...finally he realized and said "aapke sare photos se lag raha hai maine aapko punishment dia hai".We walked around the whole periphery and saw Toronto...most of it covered by lakes..the largest being the lake Ontario..it's so large that many a times some tourists misunderstand it to be the Atlantic. The outdoor terrace on this floor is so windy!!!!!!! 80 kg Kalyan and 55 kg myself, were not walking..we were being pushed by the wind..it was awesome!! One of my friends (I won't write the name here, else he would say "Nalayak, publically be-izzati karne ki kya zaroorat thi ghunchu")he would have pakka fallen down there...Im sure..By now samajhne wale samajh gaye honge whom am I referring to ;) ;)
Then we went to the lookout level..that's the top..The entire Toronto seemed like a match box.I saw m office, I saw kids skiing>. I will surely upload the pics on fb if speed permits..
It was really a life time experience...I liked it..thanks for the company Kalyan..we then had lunch at Subway and proceeded towards the Eaton Center...again a lot and lot of Window shopping and zero purchase..well, have bought chocolates today..Niagara done..CN Tower done..chocolates done..India bazar done..
Yeah yeah..will share my India Bazar experience as well..keep reading!!
February 13th,2011...probably my last Sunday in Toronto,Canada.No ways...I could not miss the CN Towers.It is the second tallest building on earth.Till a few days back, it was the tallest..then came the Burj Khalifa..
I reached the CN at around 12 noon. Kalyan was there waiting for me.Ooops..he had been waiting for 5 minutes, and I was coming at my own pace,photographing all the way.The CN Tower is just opposite to my office,yet I could not make to the top till now.It had captured it in my camera from all angles,all views..day look, night look,evening look..if someone would have observed me clicking all the time,would surely have thought me to be an architecture student!!
Well, a good news is that the temperature in Toronto has gone positive. It was 2 degrees yesterday and 4 today..though it's zero now in the evening..So, I visited the CN Towers on a clear day...lucky me ;)
We entered the CN Towers..took 2 tickets for around $35 each. There is a restaurant in the CN which revolves for 72 minutes and you can sit at a place, enjoy food and watch Toronto..Well, it opens for dinner at 4:30 pm in the evening.I had no intentions of having food there, I preferred walking all over the CN's periphery to see Toronto..and I did that..As you enter the CN, they will give you a warm welcome,take a picture of your's and when you will be moving out, they would ask you to buy it..huh!! I have my own camera..
Now let me tell you a few facts about the CN, which will tell you why I am so happy visiting this building..
1) April 2-1975, a giant Erickson air crane Sikorsky helicopter with a 72 ft wingspan lifted the final 44 pieces of the tower's antenna into place,making it the tallest tower in the world-a record held for over 3 decades. The CN Tower opened to the public on June 26,1976.
2) CN Towers was designated a "Wonder of the Modern World" by the American Society of civil engineers in 1995.
3) The elevators take you to the top of the tower.The elevator travels at 22 km/hr(15 miles per hour)and takes only 58 seconds to reach 346 m(1,136 ft),earning the distinction as the world's #1 elevator ride
4) CN Tower has the world's highest wine cellar located in 360 degree restaurant (Guinness Book of world records,2006)
5)On a clear day the visibility from the CN can be over 160 kms (100 miles).
These and many such facts are framed here and there everywhere around the CN.
We first got down at the Glass Floor level..there is a glass floor here on which you can stand and look down...trust me it's scary!!!!!!!! And Kalyan was on a photography spree,asking me to pose this way and that on that floor...finally he realized and said "aapke sare photos se lag raha hai maine aapko punishment dia hai".We walked around the whole periphery and saw Toronto...most of it covered by lakes..the largest being the lake Ontario..it's so large that many a times some tourists misunderstand it to be the Atlantic. The outdoor terrace on this floor is so windy!!!!!!! 80 kg Kalyan and 55 kg myself, were not walking..we were being pushed by the wind..it was awesome!! One of my friends (I won't write the name here, else he would say "Nalayak, publically be-izzati karne ki kya zaroorat thi ghunchu")he would have pakka fallen down there...Im sure..By now samajhne wale samajh gaye honge whom am I referring to ;) ;)
Then we went to the lookout level..that's the top..The entire Toronto seemed like a match box.I saw m office, I saw kids skiing>. I will surely upload the pics on fb if speed permits..
It was really a life time experience...I liked it..thanks for the company Kalyan..we then had lunch at Subway and proceeded towards the Eaton Center...again a lot and lot of Window shopping and zero purchase..well, have bought chocolates today..Niagara done..CN Tower done..chocolates done..India bazar done..
Yeah yeah..will share my India Bazar experience as well..keep reading!!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Sanchaita Sarkar.....window shopping!!!!!!!
Yeah...some people might be shocked to their nerves to hear this..but yes..I did!! Actually I had not gone with that intention..I had gone as usual with a list..
1) An overcoat for dad (2) Something for Maa (3) Something for Ajju (4) Something for sniggy (5)Chocolates for all..
Now lemme tell you gradually how all these noted points converted to plans only :)
I woke up at around 8 in the morning..after a short gtalk and indyarocks session, was planning to get ready to walk to the CN Towers today and the India Bazaar as well..had some work at the BMO (Bank of Montreal) as well..that's just across the house, then as aforesaid, a little bit of shopping was also to be done..
All of a sudden,heavy snowfall began..literally a heavy one...leave aside CN, I was not even daring to go to the bank in such a weather.But, the bank thingy was necessary..It's my last saturday here...wow!! felt good to write that statement.. :)
Did the cleaning of the house,had brunch,took a bath..by that time the snow had receded,but the environment had become hazy...Di suggested, "it's not a good weather to visit CN,you won't be able to anything outside, but fog". Hmm..CN Towers!!!!! just opposite to my office..don't know when will I enter its portals.Dropped the idea of India Bazaar as well...postponed it to tomorrow..and CN either tomorrow or worst case scenario friday...jana to hai hi...
Now, I was ready...kahan jaun? Went to the bank..then started walking from there..went to the College Subway..looked around for the Item No. 5 on my list..many stores had chocolates..rexall,metro,but I finally decided on dollarama..I got there what I actually wanted..but,abhi le ke kya karu..abhi to 1 week hai..so asked the lady out there" Till when are you open on weekdays?". Got a satisfactory reply "8-8 on weekdays"..done..item no. 5 ready....
Started walking south now..had walked along this path yester-evening itself with Suraaj and Kalyan,so was kind of well acquainted with the road..went to the same Eaton Center,which we three had gone to yesterday at Dundas..looked around there for the four items on my list.. Could not find the kind of overcoat I was looking for anywhere in the shop..and it's so strange, every fourth person here is wearing a similar kind of a coat. Mann to kia ki pooch loon kisi ko pakad ke "Ae bhai kahan se mila ye coat?". Dresses for mom were not a good choice here..Mom does not wear anything other than saree..Jewelery,watches were another option, but the same things could be purchased from Mumbai too...nothing so different about Canadian artificial jewelery or watches..same as the ones we get in Hiranandani or JB Nagar..
Saw some ties..remembered the tie that Ajju had lost along with his bag..Saw the price tag on this one...$30.."1350 rs. ki tie!!!!!!!!!" maarega Ajju pakad ke...that too when Barclays mein har Monday tie nahi pehenni hoti..walked up to the King's street...there were some fashion stuff there..usually when I see such stuff, I tend to pick some for Sniggy..small bands, fancy clutchers, etc. I liked one item..100 bands for $5..again the same question arose in my mind "Didi kya layi Canada se?" "225 rs k rubber bands!!!!!!" shey..... No!!!!! Was getting upset now...had walked for around 3-4 kilometers and did not buy a single thing..yeah..saw that kind of hairband which I keep looking for in Mumbai..shipra and manju must be knowing which kind..nice and sober..but then thought..kisi k liye kuch nahi liya to apne liye $15 ka hair band le ke kya karna..chalo!! Finally went back to the college subway,had lunch at thai bowl..came home and now blogging.
Yesterday also the same had happened..Suraaj had come out on a good shopping spree..but lia kuch nahi..just a dress and 2-3 packs of curd for Suganya bhabhi. Finally we had ended up eating in an Indian restuarant. I won't say that the food was superb..but I had Indian spices after a long long time..that's why I liked it..Suraaj and Kalyaan have it everyday, so they didn't.
Really, I am not finding here anything which I could not get in Mumbai (except that hairband of course..but I am sure I will get one such in kanpur :) )
Yeah...my last week here..will keep searching for the 4 items in my list..especially for the first one..and will not forget to buy the fifth one on Friday..
Let's hope that I visit the CN and the India Bazaar tomorrow..then the countdown would begin..Next saturday this time I would be in AI188, probably sleeping again!!
Coming soon!!!!!!!!!!
1) An overcoat for dad (2) Something for Maa (3) Something for Ajju (4) Something for sniggy (5)Chocolates for all..
Now lemme tell you gradually how all these noted points converted to plans only :)
I woke up at around 8 in the morning..after a short gtalk and indyarocks session, was planning to get ready to walk to the CN Towers today and the India Bazaar as well..had some work at the BMO (Bank of Montreal) as well..that's just across the house, then as aforesaid, a little bit of shopping was also to be done..
All of a sudden,heavy snowfall began..literally a heavy one...leave aside CN, I was not even daring to go to the bank in such a weather.But, the bank thingy was necessary..It's my last saturday here...wow!! felt good to write that statement.. :)
Did the cleaning of the house,had brunch,took a bath..by that time the snow had receded,but the environment had become hazy...Di suggested, "it's not a good weather to visit CN,you won't be able to anything outside, but fog". Hmm..CN Towers!!!!! just opposite to my office..don't know when will I enter its portals.Dropped the idea of India Bazaar as well...postponed it to tomorrow..and CN either tomorrow or worst case scenario friday...jana to hai hi...
Now, I was ready...kahan jaun? Went to the bank..then started walking from there..went to the College Subway..looked around for the Item No. 5 on my list..many stores had chocolates..rexall,metro,but I finally decided on dollarama..I got there what I actually wanted..but,abhi le ke kya karu..abhi to 1 week hai..so asked the lady out there" Till when are you open on weekdays?". Got a satisfactory reply "8-8 on weekdays"..done..item no. 5 ready....
Started walking south now..had walked along this path yester-evening itself with Suraaj and Kalyan,so was kind of well acquainted with the road..went to the same Eaton Center,which we three had gone to yesterday at Dundas..looked around there for the four items on my list.. Could not find the kind of overcoat I was looking for anywhere in the shop..and it's so strange, every fourth person here is wearing a similar kind of a coat. Mann to kia ki pooch loon kisi ko pakad ke "Ae bhai kahan se mila ye coat?". Dresses for mom were not a good choice here..Mom does not wear anything other than saree..Jewelery,watches were another option, but the same things could be purchased from Mumbai too...nothing so different about Canadian artificial jewelery or watches..same as the ones we get in Hiranandani or JB Nagar..
Saw some ties..remembered the tie that Ajju had lost along with his bag..Saw the price tag on this one...$30.."1350 rs. ki tie!!!!!!!!!" maarega Ajju pakad ke...that too when Barclays mein har Monday tie nahi pehenni hoti..walked up to the King's street...there were some fashion stuff there..usually when I see such stuff, I tend to pick some for Sniggy..small bands, fancy clutchers, etc. I liked one item..100 bands for $5..again the same question arose in my mind "Didi kya layi Canada se?" "225 rs k rubber bands!!!!!!" shey..... No!!!!! Was getting upset now...had walked for around 3-4 kilometers and did not buy a single thing..yeah..saw that kind of hairband which I keep looking for in Mumbai..shipra and manju must be knowing which kind..nice and sober..but then thought..kisi k liye kuch nahi liya to apne liye $15 ka hair band le ke kya karna..chalo!! Finally went back to the college subway,had lunch at thai bowl..came home and now blogging.
Yesterday also the same had happened..Suraaj had come out on a good shopping spree..but lia kuch nahi..just a dress and 2-3 packs of curd for Suganya bhabhi. Finally we had ended up eating in an Indian restuarant. I won't say that the food was superb..but I had Indian spices after a long long time..that's why I liked it..Suraaj and Kalyaan have it everyday, so they didn't.
Really, I am not finding here anything which I could not get in Mumbai (except that hairband of course..but I am sure I will get one such in kanpur :) )
Yeah...my last week here..will keep searching for the 4 items in my list..especially for the first one..and will not forget to buy the fifth one on Friday..
Let's hope that I visit the CN and the India Bazaar tomorrow..then the countdown would begin..Next saturday this time I would be in AI188, probably sleeping again!!
Coming soon!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Heights of self respect!!
Go to the site "www.basicfunerals.ca", you will get to know what I am talking here about. I learnt something new here. Everyone here, at some stage of his/her life registers themselves with such organizations. These organizations take a sum of money from the person,and when the person dies, arranges for his/her funeral. The person can tell well in advance whom all would he like to invite for his cremations, the funeral services etc...
It's because they don't want their children or relatives to spend money after they die...so very thoughtful!!! We think "bete ke hath se jal nahi mila to aatma bhatkegi..."well, I did not find any ghosts here!! What the ....!!!!!!!! Even my parents get to hear this coz they don't have a son..Come on, I am their son...and I say with pride.."A son is a son till he has a wife, but a daughter is a daughter all her life!!!"
People here ask me whether I live with my parents or do I stay alone..and I find it so difficult to explain to them that I am staying away from my parents, coz we are staying in two far apart parts of the country. If we would have been in the same city..I would have definitely stayed with my parents..in fact I would have loved to..arey,it's such an irritating question "why"?? I mean..I try to explain them that till i go to my in-laws, I would have stayed with my parents..Now another question pops up..."You will go to your in-laws?Why...Why not to your husband?"
Ufffffff!!!!! It's so so so tough to explain yaar ki even if I stay with my husband alone it is my "sasural"..and it would be so boring to stay alone with your hubby..rite? I would always prefer a "sasural" in the real sense of the word..
That's all for today..nothing new...life is moving on at it's own pace..papa and sniggy are sending count down messages to me everyday..I got my return ticket today..will be in Mumbai on 20th Feb 21:00...Cya...
It's because they don't want their children or relatives to spend money after they die...so very thoughtful!!! We think "bete ke hath se jal nahi mila to aatma bhatkegi..."well, I did not find any ghosts here!! What the ....!!!!!!!! Even my parents get to hear this coz they don't have a son..Come on, I am their son...and I say with pride.."A son is a son till he has a wife, but a daughter is a daughter all her life!!!"
People here ask me whether I live with my parents or do I stay alone..and I find it so difficult to explain to them that I am staying away from my parents, coz we are staying in two far apart parts of the country. If we would have been in the same city..I would have definitely stayed with my parents..in fact I would have loved to..arey,it's such an irritating question "why"?? I mean..I try to explain them that till i go to my in-laws, I would have stayed with my parents..Now another question pops up..."You will go to your in-laws?Why...Why not to your husband?"
Ufffffff!!!!! It's so so so tough to explain yaar ki even if I stay with my husband alone it is my "sasural"..and it would be so boring to stay alone with your hubby..rite? I would always prefer a "sasural" in the real sense of the word..
That's all for today..nothing new...life is moving on at it's own pace..papa and sniggy are sending count down messages to me everyday..I got my return ticket today..will be in Mumbai on 20th Feb 21:00...Cya...
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Hare Rama,Hare Krishna,Krishna Krishna Hare Hare....
Yes...went to the Iskcon Temple at the Avenue street..a 35 minutes walk from where I stay.Went there with Jayati di.It was flurrying when we were going(means halka fulka snow..similar to drizzling of rain).It was a perfect romantic weather.I have observed that never ever in my life have I walked in a romantic weather with my boy friend or any other person with whom I have fancied to(I won't take names here :P).It's always been that in this kind of a weather I have landed up walking with Prerana,Garima,Shipra and now Jayati Di....what the hell!!!!!!! Will I ever have a walk with some one I really would love to walk with in this kind of a weather!! Pondering over such silly thoughts,I reached the temple.It was actually some ancient church which had been converted into a temple.We attended the aarti..most of the whites,few Indians.."hare rama hare krishna,krishna krishna hare hare..",beautiful chants echoing in the premises..Sita-Raam, Radha-Krishna,Krishna-Balram-Subhadra..all deities were there. There was a special sunday programme where kids delivered speeches known as "Krishna-charitram". Beautifully delivered speeches by kids about Krishna. 11 year old Girish,11 year old Kishan,10 year's Rohan,11 year's (I forgot that blue kurta wala child's name) and 7 year old Monisha..how beautifully and confidently they spoke!! wow!!
At 7:25 we proceeded for prasad..Ahem ..Ahem..when I told dad the menu of the prasad, he asked "Mandir gayi thi ya party mein?" We had juice,salad,barfee,aloo pakoda, 1 roti,aloo gobhi ki sabji,pulav,chane ki daal,matar paneer ki sabji and kheer...
Started our walk back home after the "lavish dinner". It was snowing heavily now.I did not make a snowman this weekend, God made a snowman out of me. I asked di to click a pic of me so that I can show my friends how I look during the snowfall :) Hey please..fb pe upload nahi karungi main ye..can be mailed to you on special demand :) By the way, I noticed one thing here. Not only do the cars have a left hand drive,but the walking rules are also opposite here.We always keep to our right here while walking or driving..strange!!
It was snowing heavily..I was all white..thanks to pops for this wonderful pair of shoes he bought for me..they are so comfortable..Khadim's is a good brand.I like it.This time I had another food for thought.Both of us were walking quietly.I don't know what didi was pondering over,but I was really thinking bout something.I would like you people to answer this question of mine if possible.
If your married grandson,or son or brother has a female friend,would you respect that friend of his more than his wife? Weird..right?? The answer is "No....". Most of my elders from UP,Bihar may even abuse,hate and curse that female friend..they would think of her as a witch who is spoiling their grandson's,son's or brother's married life...Am I right? Then my respected, honourable grandmothers,mothers,aunts and sisters..why..why in your temples do you have Radha's idol with Krishna? Why not Rukmini's? Or have you even seen Rukmini's idol? Why do you say Radha-Krishna and not Rukmini-Krishna? Do you have the guts to replace Radha's idol with Rukmini's? I don't have answers to any of these questions..I can just feel the shun,the hatred,the curses spread everywhere in the air..
If any one of you has answers to these questions, please do mail me at contact.sanchaita@gmail.com.I would be happy to know your views.
Good night and God bless!!
At 7:25 we proceeded for prasad..Ahem ..Ahem..when I told dad the menu of the prasad, he asked "Mandir gayi thi ya party mein?" We had juice,salad,barfee,aloo pakoda, 1 roti,aloo gobhi ki sabji,pulav,chane ki daal,matar paneer ki sabji and kheer...
Started our walk back home after the "lavish dinner". It was snowing heavily now.I did not make a snowman this weekend, God made a snowman out of me. I asked di to click a pic of me so that I can show my friends how I look during the snowfall :) Hey please..fb pe upload nahi karungi main ye..can be mailed to you on special demand :) By the way, I noticed one thing here. Not only do the cars have a left hand drive,but the walking rules are also opposite here.We always keep to our right here while walking or driving..strange!!
It was snowing heavily..I was all white..thanks to pops for this wonderful pair of shoes he bought for me..they are so comfortable..Khadim's is a good brand.I like it.This time I had another food for thought.Both of us were walking quietly.I don't know what didi was pondering over,but I was really thinking bout something.I would like you people to answer this question of mine if possible.
If your married grandson,or son or brother has a female friend,would you respect that friend of his more than his wife? Weird..right?? The answer is "No....". Most of my elders from UP,Bihar may even abuse,hate and curse that female friend..they would think of her as a witch who is spoiling their grandson's,son's or brother's married life...Am I right? Then my respected, honourable grandmothers,mothers,aunts and sisters..why..why in your temples do you have Radha's idol with Krishna? Why not Rukmini's? Or have you even seen Rukmini's idol? Why do you say Radha-Krishna and not Rukmini-Krishna? Do you have the guts to replace Radha's idol with Rukmini's? I don't have answers to any of these questions..I can just feel the shun,the hatred,the curses spread everywhere in the air..
If any one of you has answers to these questions, please do mail me at contact.sanchaita@gmail.com.I would be happy to know your views.
Good night and God bless!!
Weekend...
Finally...the net connection here allowed me to write a post..I was yearning to do that since yesterday.A nice cozy weekend..gave rest to my feet as much as I could.I spent the entire Saturday at home..Today evening I might go to the Iskon temple if the weather and my feet permit. It snowed the whole day yesterday.. I enjoyed the weather from the balcony view, cuddled on my cozy bed in my cozy blanket..shared the "view only" experience with friends..Ajay,Shipra,Abhi,Pankaj..I wish all of them could have been here..kitni masti karte...may be everyone at onsite feels the same..even Abhi said the same.."wish you were here!!" He is in London by the way..
Weekend..saturday is the day of cleaning...heights of cleanliness here.Of course no maid servants here. There are some Indian,Pakistani and Bangladeshi females who may approach you to clean your houses on Saturdays, but they charge $150...so, it's better to do stuff on your own..Jhadu,Pocha,Washing(that's done by the machine) and garbage disposal..that's all..I did the jhadu,Jayati di mopped the house...we washed our clothes turn by turn..and done!! Its really fun cleaning the home with that big jhadu :)
Ajju asked.. "is there enough dust out there in the snow ?" Yes my dear friend, Toronto is a dusty place. When the snow melts and becomes ice, it becomes somewhat like what we call in hindi as "keechad"...that's what you have to beware of while walking..Snow is nice and fluffy..even if you fall on it, it won't hurt you..but ice is dangerous..moreover when that ice has converted to keechad :)
After snowfall at night, early morning you will see trucks here which remove the snow from the roads and sidewalks and spread something known as "snow salt".It's like salt crystals...they spread it on the roads and sidewalks, so that your feet and your vehicle's tyres get a grip on the road..
I plan to go to the India Bazaar one day..yar I am missing a good company!! Imaging moving around a bazaar alone :( Niagara was ok..but alone in bazaar!!!!! That's an Indian bazaar where you get all Indian stuff..Indian spices, sarees,kurta paijama,dosa,chaat everything...will surely gather guts and go there one day..abi likhte likhte hi chaat khaane ka mann ho gaya :) The Indian bazaar is flocked with shops from vendors from India and Pakistan, but the sad part is that our Pakistani brothers still do not have enough courage to declare their nationality..they call themselves Indians..they fear the hatred they may need to face here...this is bad naa!! kare koi,bhare koi :(
You know what..there are people here who plan never to have kids,instead they adopt pet..cats,dogs..they take them to cat and dog saloons..they get their fur trimmed in weird shapes (just as we do with our hair ;) ).There are pet observation squads here which give surprise visits to their place to see whether the pet is properly fed or not,vaccinated,cared for or not..etc. You may carry your pets in the subway trains..and they really do not misbehave!! Otherwise imagine me sitting with a cat or dog on the next seat!! India mein hota to halla hi macha deti main to!!
People here have 3 kinds of holidays..personal holidays,family holidays and pet holidays. Personal holidays are meant for you and your spouse/girl friend or boy friend. No kids allowed in those. Family holidays are booked in hotels where kids are allowed..and pet holidays are planned in pet friendly hotels and airlines!!! Hats off to the level of consideration!!
Well, two more weeks to go..and one more weekend..I have reserved that weekend for the CN towers and buying some goodies for my own ones out there who have really been there with me to such an extent that at times I feel that they are right here,next to me..My sniggy baby sent a sms to me today saying that she is missing me a lot "come soon didibhai..I had fever on fifth february" that's what she wrote.. I will be back soon cutie pie...
Saturday/Sunday we have hindi movies on TV. Yesterday they telecasted "Ajnabi", lets see what's there for today..Will leave for the temple in the evening, so that I reach there by the aarti time..
Rest is all fine...regular office routine from tomorrow..will tell you for sure if I discover something new here.I love to share it with you...
Take care,God bless!!
Weekend..saturday is the day of cleaning...heights of cleanliness here.Of course no maid servants here. There are some Indian,Pakistani and Bangladeshi females who may approach you to clean your houses on Saturdays, but they charge $150...so, it's better to do stuff on your own..Jhadu,Pocha,Washing(that's done by the machine) and garbage disposal..that's all..I did the jhadu,Jayati di mopped the house...we washed our clothes turn by turn..and done!! Its really fun cleaning the home with that big jhadu :)
Ajju asked.. "is there enough dust out there in the snow ?" Yes my dear friend, Toronto is a dusty place. When the snow melts and becomes ice, it becomes somewhat like what we call in hindi as "keechad"...that's what you have to beware of while walking..Snow is nice and fluffy..even if you fall on it, it won't hurt you..but ice is dangerous..moreover when that ice has converted to keechad :)
After snowfall at night, early morning you will see trucks here which remove the snow from the roads and sidewalks and spread something known as "snow salt".It's like salt crystals...they spread it on the roads and sidewalks, so that your feet and your vehicle's tyres get a grip on the road..
I plan to go to the India Bazaar one day..yar I am missing a good company!! Imaging moving around a bazaar alone :( Niagara was ok..but alone in bazaar!!!!! That's an Indian bazaar where you get all Indian stuff..Indian spices, sarees,kurta paijama,dosa,chaat everything...will surely gather guts and go there one day..abi likhte likhte hi chaat khaane ka mann ho gaya :) The Indian bazaar is flocked with shops from vendors from India and Pakistan, but the sad part is that our Pakistani brothers still do not have enough courage to declare their nationality..they call themselves Indians..they fear the hatred they may need to face here...this is bad naa!! kare koi,bhare koi :(
You know what..there are people here who plan never to have kids,instead they adopt pet..cats,dogs..they take them to cat and dog saloons..they get their fur trimmed in weird shapes (just as we do with our hair ;) ).There are pet observation squads here which give surprise visits to their place to see whether the pet is properly fed or not,vaccinated,cared for or not..etc. You may carry your pets in the subway trains..and they really do not misbehave!! Otherwise imagine me sitting with a cat or dog on the next seat!! India mein hota to halla hi macha deti main to!!
People here have 3 kinds of holidays..personal holidays,family holidays and pet holidays. Personal holidays are meant for you and your spouse/girl friend or boy friend. No kids allowed in those. Family holidays are booked in hotels where kids are allowed..and pet holidays are planned in pet friendly hotels and airlines!!! Hats off to the level of consideration!!
Well, two more weeks to go..and one more weekend..I have reserved that weekend for the CN towers and buying some goodies for my own ones out there who have really been there with me to such an extent that at times I feel that they are right here,next to me..My sniggy baby sent a sms to me today saying that she is missing me a lot "come soon didibhai..I had fever on fifth february" that's what she wrote.. I will be back soon cutie pie...
Saturday/Sunday we have hindi movies on TV. Yesterday they telecasted "Ajnabi", lets see what's there for today..Will leave for the temple in the evening, so that I reach there by the aarti time..
Rest is all fine...regular office routine from tomorrow..will tell you for sure if I discover something new here.I love to share it with you...
Take care,God bless!!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
We need to learn a lot....
A snowstorm had hit Toronto today...Amazing!!!!!!!
Well, finally I had the guts to tell dad bout my "alone march" to Niagara..he was shocked!! "Alone!!!!!!!! you have become quite brave it seems..", that was his reaction..awaiting more reactions now ;) Today, a snowstorm was expected. It was said that after 1999, it had been for the first time that there had been a weather alert in Toronto, to such an extent that schools-colleges were closed down.
When I woke up early in the morning, the sky seemed hazier than usual days.Oh my God!!! It was snowing badly..there was already 4-5 cm snow in our balcony. The roads were covered with snow.I had to walk up to the College subway..a 5 minute walk in usual days..today it took me more than 15 minutes.I had to carefully watch each step I tread..giri agar to sar tootega seedhe...already suffering with the leg...can't afford head injuries... ;) so, better late to office than early to hospital :)
So..the subway trains were overcrowded today. People who usually travel by road, preferred subway today..Again the walk from St. Andrews to office was a torturous one..I literally wished, I could hire a cab.
It snowed all day long..I could see it from the window near my desk...it was a perfectly romantic weather..I took a few snaps during lunch hour..yeah..had mango-chicken today..
Life is moving on well..but, yeah my leg is really in a bad shape..it is paining like hell..but, people here are so considerate..when they see me limping,the person walking in front of me makes sure he holds the door handle for me(whenever one comes on way during the long walk in the subway). Thanks for this courteous behavior ladies and gentlemen..Really, I see heights of sophistication here..
Few points worth noticing which I have seen here and would love to share with you..
1) Courteous people : They will say sorry, if they feel that they could have touched you, hurt you,stamped on you in the crowd...
2) Well Mannered children: Even a 3 year child would know which is the place meant for parking his bicycle.
3) The condominiums having separate units for disposal of reusable and non-reusable garbage..and the people taking the pain to dispose it off accordingly.
4) Building constructions go on without a single bit of noise..(Imagine apna Naahar Amrit Shakti wala shor..you can't sleep after 8) :) Here you won't even come to know ki kab building khadi ho gayi.
5) The best one for me actually ;) It is so easy to cross roads here..at every point you want to cross the road, you have symbols of "stop" and "move"..it makes things so easy...you don't have to see left-right.. Ajay,Chunu,Lalu would have been so glad here...they would not have to be tensed while I cross roads.
6) A nice one... Half litre of milk is for $1.00 and half litre of water is for $1.25..hahaha... and Ontario is supposed to be the state of lakes.. It is said that here the number of lakes is more than the number of people...
7) The buildings do not have 13th floor.. I have taken a snap of the lift-buttons..
8) Notices like "Excuse us for our appearance during renovations".. Trust me the appearance is better than the finished appearance of some of our buildings!!
Really....heights of sophitication....
9) 70-80 year old people going for work,jogging, beauty treatments,casino..wow!!!
We really need to learn some "real good things" from the west, rather than just copying their lingo or dressing or just cursing their ways..Those of you who complain that their attachment level with their children is less or family bonding is low..for your information..each and every person in my office who is married and has kids has his/her bay full of snaps of his/her spouse and kids..I have never seen this in Indian offices..and those who do get to hear comments like "zyada naatak hai" :)
Every mother will be attached to her baby..be it an Indian mother or an American mother..but the level of sophistication, the level of awareness is what we need to pick up rather than cursing the "over-modernism" and "open-culture"
Wake up India..our civilization is much older than theirs...ask yourself why are they supposed to be more civilzed than you??
Enough food for thought for today...good night and God bless...
Well, finally I had the guts to tell dad bout my "alone march" to Niagara..he was shocked!! "Alone!!!!!!!! you have become quite brave it seems..", that was his reaction..awaiting more reactions now ;) Today, a snowstorm was expected. It was said that after 1999, it had been for the first time that there had been a weather alert in Toronto, to such an extent that schools-colleges were closed down.
When I woke up early in the morning, the sky seemed hazier than usual days.Oh my God!!! It was snowing badly..there was already 4-5 cm snow in our balcony. The roads were covered with snow.I had to walk up to the College subway..a 5 minute walk in usual days..today it took me more than 15 minutes.I had to carefully watch each step I tread..giri agar to sar tootega seedhe...already suffering with the leg...can't afford head injuries... ;) so, better late to office than early to hospital :)
So..the subway trains were overcrowded today. People who usually travel by road, preferred subway today..Again the walk from St. Andrews to office was a torturous one..I literally wished, I could hire a cab.
It snowed all day long..I could see it from the window near my desk...it was a perfectly romantic weather..I took a few snaps during lunch hour..yeah..had mango-chicken today..
Life is moving on well..but, yeah my leg is really in a bad shape..it is paining like hell..but, people here are so considerate..when they see me limping,the person walking in front of me makes sure he holds the door handle for me(whenever one comes on way during the long walk in the subway). Thanks for this courteous behavior ladies and gentlemen..Really, I see heights of sophistication here..
Few points worth noticing which I have seen here and would love to share with you..
1) Courteous people : They will say sorry, if they feel that they could have touched you, hurt you,stamped on you in the crowd...
2) Well Mannered children: Even a 3 year child would know which is the place meant for parking his bicycle.
3) The condominiums having separate units for disposal of reusable and non-reusable garbage..and the people taking the pain to dispose it off accordingly.
4) Building constructions go on without a single bit of noise..(Imagine apna Naahar Amrit Shakti wala shor..you can't sleep after 8) :) Here you won't even come to know ki kab building khadi ho gayi.
5) The best one for me actually ;) It is so easy to cross roads here..at every point you want to cross the road, you have symbols of "stop" and "move"..it makes things so easy...you don't have to see left-right.. Ajay,Chunu,Lalu would have been so glad here...they would not have to be tensed while I cross roads.
6) A nice one... Half litre of milk is for $1.00 and half litre of water is for $1.25..hahaha... and Ontario is supposed to be the state of lakes.. It is said that here the number of lakes is more than the number of people...
7) The buildings do not have 13th floor.. I have taken a snap of the lift-buttons..
8) Notices like "Excuse us for our appearance during renovations".. Trust me the appearance is better than the finished appearance of some of our buildings!!
Really....heights of sophitication....
9) 70-80 year old people going for work,jogging, beauty treatments,casino..wow!!!
We really need to learn some "real good things" from the west, rather than just copying their lingo or dressing or just cursing their ways..Those of you who complain that their attachment level with their children is less or family bonding is low..for your information..each and every person in my office who is married and has kids has his/her bay full of snaps of his/her spouse and kids..I have never seen this in Indian offices..and those who do get to hear comments like "zyada naatak hai" :)
Every mother will be attached to her baby..be it an Indian mother or an American mother..but the level of sophistication, the level of awareness is what we need to pick up rather than cursing the "over-modernism" and "open-culture"
Wake up India..our civilization is much older than theirs...ask yourself why are they supposed to be more civilzed than you??
Enough food for thought for today...good night and God bless...
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Amazing Niagara
Here comes the most awaited blog..."My Niagara Tour"..Uploaded the pics on facebook and for the two most special friends of mine,who do not have an fb account...ufff!! kaise ho aap log sacchi..wait till I reach India....Here it goes....
Back in 1996 when I was in the 8th standard, i remember Sister Margarita giving us assignments of "map marking" in geography. "Niagara" had been one of her favorites. Never in the wildest of my dreams had I thought that I will be visiting the Niagara falls..To be true,I had dreamed of Venice and then later about the Golden gate bridge..but Niagara..no...never!!!Well,after watching it, I have been dreaming about it ;)
So, on January 30th 2011,at 9:00 am.."Aankhon mein sapne liye,ghar se hum chal to diye.." But, I knew "ye raahein humko kahan le k jaengi..". I walked upto the Coach Canada bus terminal, 2-3 minute walk towards the south from my house(here people talk more in terms of north-south rather than left-right).I took a $36.80 return ticket and boarded the 9:30 am bus.a nice comfortable bus..I had forgotten to have Avomine..I had it in my wallet, but water? Here you get milk for $1 and water for $1.25...strange!!! Well, the bus had already left, so no water..no medicine and the giddiness...but i was too enthusiastic to close my eyes..I constantly kept clicking..click..click..click went my camera throughout the way..the bus sped down along the lake Ontario..through snow laden paths..We took a 10 minutes hault at St. Catherine's. Most of the public got down there.There were merely 6-7 people in the bus now(thoda sa darr to laga tha frankly speaking..). At 11:21 the bus haulted at the Niagara Bus terminal...which was very very far from the Niagara..When the bus driver told me that its 15 minutes down the road, tabhi main samajh gayi...it is similar to when people say "Bandra Andheri k baaju mein hai" I was prepared for a good 15-20 minutes walk. There was a spanish gentleman, a chinese boy (Zi-Pi) that was his name and myself..and we walked..they were obviously faster than me..I moved on slowly.. i can't walk fast after that stupid accident...It seemed to me that I had come to a no-man's land...snow and snow everywhere..."koi-or-chhor nahi tha". Beautiful cottages along the way..similar to the ones I had seen in Snow White and Cindrella story books...really wished to go inside one of them...After long distances, Zi-Pi would wait for me..naah not for me that way..he wanted someone to click snaps for him...Spanish uncle ko english samajh aati nahi thi..so he walked on..I and Zi-Pi clicked snaps for each other..We walked on...already tired..did around 45 minutes of walking.Then I could see the Rainbow Bridge to USA..and the falls just behind that...wow!!!!!!
A couple was coming down the "hollywood planet" hand in hand, I asked them that I wanted to see the Canadian view of the falls, which way shall I go?I feared landing up to the USA side without visa and then into the jail in a filmy style ;)
They showed me the way..another 15-20 minutes walk...and there it was...the furious Niagara..thawed!!!!!! The Niagara was frozen, and I got frozen too..I actually can't describe the beauty in words...water fell, and it turned into ice...The "Maid of the mist" cruise boats were fixed at the harbour frozen..Ice, Mist,wind..ooooo...beautiful..I clicked from every angle...I could see the US Bridge clear from there..slowly as the sun shone, I literally saw the rainbow develop in front of my eyes..it was worth the painful journey actually!!
I gazed at the Niagara and thought in my heart.."Where am I? so far from my near and dear ones..standing all alone in front of the Niagara..was it that God had bestowed an opportunity on me to see this beautiful creation of his? Was it some kind of a reward for the sorrows that I had faced recently or was it a reward for having ever done some good deed in life? Could I ever bring mom-dad to this place?Could I ever come hand-in-hand with someone I love to this place? am I going to spend the rest of my life alone watching such creations of God? Do I have anyone to share these with?" I felt damn lonely, actually I again carried a mixed bag of emotions..lonely,happy,proud at my bravery,excited...I wish I could freeze there itself like the frozen Niagara..captured Niagara in my eyes and in the camera from every possible angle and then walked down...
Had lunch at a food-court.Had a combination of pizza and KFC..nice lunch...From there itself went to the Niagara Casino..My God!!! the rich people have so many ways and means to spend their money..Believe me..70-80 year old ladies were there at the casino playing games and cards and gambling..Didn't spend much time there. Went to the fun-park.The bird museum was closed.It opens during springs.I went inside the GUiness Book Of World Records museum..saw a lil bit of the Ripley's believe it or not museum..gave a pose with Mr. Ripley's statue..there were many horror houses..mann to bahut tha, but did not dare to go alone there..Mumbai mein bittu da, shipra, riketa k sath to waat lagi thi..yahan ka standard of course high hoga...so no ways!!!!
Walked down towards the bus now...and and and...as expected lost my way...It had beagn to grow dark..Zi-Pi and the spanish uncle were nowhere to be seen.I could get no clue of the road..I literally sat down on a bench and thought.. "beta ab to gaye.."..Cars were sppeding along..all with closed windows..could ask no one..
I closed my eyes and with the innermost voice of my heart I remembered my Saviour..ekdum dil se yaad kia...I had tears in my eyes..just then i could see a church at a distance, and I could make the way out..I had seen that church while coming..I smiled to myself and started walking again...I had wasted almost 20-25 minutes..i was thirsty..legs were refusing to bear more torture...but...I missed my friends a lot..if they had seen me in such a situation naa..sacchi godi hi utha lete shayad se..
Well, i reached the bus terminal..inserted $1.25 into the refrigerator and pressed the 7 UP button..got the can..relished it..and thought "I have grown up..I have really grown up..I am no more a kid now"...flashed back the pics on my camera, the geography classes at school,my friends pampering me,mumma caressing me..Boarded the bus at 5:45 and reached home at 8..
The Niagara had frozen in my eyes..my joints had frozen..they still are.. :) people generally leave the child inside them behind and move ahead, but I have left that grown up Sanchaita somewhere in that no-man's land and I will go to papa as his betu, to ajju as his babu,to ankur as his sanchi and to pankaj as his baccha. I won't kill the kid within my conscience.. I realy really missed these people when I had lost my way..I don't wanna grow up..I want to hold your hand still while crossing the road..I want to explore the beauty of nature with you...
Niagara akele nipta lia..and wow..sach mein akele nipta lia...I deserve a pat on the back....don't I?
Back in 1996 when I was in the 8th standard, i remember Sister Margarita giving us assignments of "map marking" in geography. "Niagara" had been one of her favorites. Never in the wildest of my dreams had I thought that I will be visiting the Niagara falls..To be true,I had dreamed of Venice and then later about the Golden gate bridge..but Niagara..no...never!!!Well,after watching it, I have been dreaming about it ;)
So, on January 30th 2011,at 9:00 am.."Aankhon mein sapne liye,ghar se hum chal to diye.." But, I knew "ye raahein humko kahan le k jaengi..". I walked upto the Coach Canada bus terminal, 2-3 minute walk towards the south from my house(here people talk more in terms of north-south rather than left-right).I took a $36.80 return ticket and boarded the 9:30 am bus.a nice comfortable bus..I had forgotten to have Avomine..I had it in my wallet, but water? Here you get milk for $1 and water for $1.25...strange!!! Well, the bus had already left, so no water..no medicine and the giddiness...but i was too enthusiastic to close my eyes..I constantly kept clicking..click..click..click went my camera throughout the way..the bus sped down along the lake Ontario..through snow laden paths..We took a 10 minutes hault at St. Catherine's. Most of the public got down there.There were merely 6-7 people in the bus now(thoda sa darr to laga tha frankly speaking..). At 11:21 the bus haulted at the Niagara Bus terminal...which was very very far from the Niagara..When the bus driver told me that its 15 minutes down the road, tabhi main samajh gayi...it is similar to when people say "Bandra Andheri k baaju mein hai" I was prepared for a good 15-20 minutes walk. There was a spanish gentleman, a chinese boy (Zi-Pi) that was his name and myself..and we walked..they were obviously faster than me..I moved on slowly.. i can't walk fast after that stupid accident...It seemed to me that I had come to a no-man's land...snow and snow everywhere..."koi-or-chhor nahi tha". Beautiful cottages along the way..similar to the ones I had seen in Snow White and Cindrella story books...really wished to go inside one of them...After long distances, Zi-Pi would wait for me..naah not for me that way..he wanted someone to click snaps for him...Spanish uncle ko english samajh aati nahi thi..so he walked on..I and Zi-Pi clicked snaps for each other..We walked on...already tired..did around 45 minutes of walking.Then I could see the Rainbow Bridge to USA..and the falls just behind that...wow!!!!!!
A couple was coming down the "hollywood planet" hand in hand, I asked them that I wanted to see the Canadian view of the falls, which way shall I go?I feared landing up to the USA side without visa and then into the jail in a filmy style ;)
They showed me the way..another 15-20 minutes walk...and there it was...the furious Niagara..thawed!!!!!! The Niagara was frozen, and I got frozen too..I actually can't describe the beauty in words...water fell, and it turned into ice...The "Maid of the mist" cruise boats were fixed at the harbour frozen..Ice, Mist,wind..ooooo...beautiful..I clicked from every angle...I could see the US Bridge clear from there..slowly as the sun shone, I literally saw the rainbow develop in front of my eyes..it was worth the painful journey actually!!
I gazed at the Niagara and thought in my heart.."Where am I? so far from my near and dear ones..standing all alone in front of the Niagara..was it that God had bestowed an opportunity on me to see this beautiful creation of his? Was it some kind of a reward for the sorrows that I had faced recently or was it a reward for having ever done some good deed in life? Could I ever bring mom-dad to this place?Could I ever come hand-in-hand with someone I love to this place? am I going to spend the rest of my life alone watching such creations of God? Do I have anyone to share these with?" I felt damn lonely, actually I again carried a mixed bag of emotions..lonely,happy,proud at my bravery,excited...I wish I could freeze there itself like the frozen Niagara..captured Niagara in my eyes and in the camera from every possible angle and then walked down...
Had lunch at a food-court.Had a combination of pizza and KFC..nice lunch...From there itself went to the Niagara Casino..My God!!! the rich people have so many ways and means to spend their money..Believe me..70-80 year old ladies were there at the casino playing games and cards and gambling..Didn't spend much time there. Went to the fun-park.The bird museum was closed.It opens during springs.I went inside the GUiness Book Of World Records museum..saw a lil bit of the Ripley's believe it or not museum..gave a pose with Mr. Ripley's statue..there were many horror houses..mann to bahut tha, but did not dare to go alone there..Mumbai mein bittu da, shipra, riketa k sath to waat lagi thi..yahan ka standard of course high hoga...so no ways!!!!
Walked down towards the bus now...and and and...as expected lost my way...It had beagn to grow dark..Zi-Pi and the spanish uncle were nowhere to be seen.I could get no clue of the road..I literally sat down on a bench and thought.. "beta ab to gaye.."..Cars were sppeding along..all with closed windows..could ask no one..
I closed my eyes and with the innermost voice of my heart I remembered my Saviour..ekdum dil se yaad kia...I had tears in my eyes..just then i could see a church at a distance, and I could make the way out..I had seen that church while coming..I smiled to myself and started walking again...I had wasted almost 20-25 minutes..i was thirsty..legs were refusing to bear more torture...but...I missed my friends a lot..if they had seen me in such a situation naa..sacchi godi hi utha lete shayad se..
Well, i reached the bus terminal..inserted $1.25 into the refrigerator and pressed the 7 UP button..got the can..relished it..and thought "I have grown up..I have really grown up..I am no more a kid now"...flashed back the pics on my camera, the geography classes at school,my friends pampering me,mumma caressing me..Boarded the bus at 5:45 and reached home at 8..
The Niagara had frozen in my eyes..my joints had frozen..they still are.. :) people generally leave the child inside them behind and move ahead, but I have left that grown up Sanchaita somewhere in that no-man's land and I will go to papa as his betu, to ajju as his babu,to ankur as his sanchi and to pankaj as his baccha. I won't kill the kid within my conscience.. I realy really missed these people when I had lost my way..I don't wanna grow up..I want to hold your hand still while crossing the road..I want to explore the beauty of nature with you...
Niagara akele nipta lia..and wow..sach mein akele nipta lia...I deserve a pat on the back....don't I?
Friday, January 28, 2011
Ups and Downs...
"Gungunati hui ek nadi mil gayi...ajnabi sheher mein dosti mil gayi..." Yes..mujhe ajnabi continent mein dosti mil gayi :) There are many good people around.People here are very friendly.Actually you have to keep the doors of your heart open..you will find good people around..Remember, I told you about Apeakong..yeah..that Thai fresh girl...she is too sweet..you know what, she had especially made corn fried rice for me today.She did not charge me for it..She said "its for my friend who is bored of Chicken Caesar".I bought a chicken steak from her shop..She had made fried rice for her little sister and me..so so so very nice of her.How many strangers would do that for you..Many a times your friends,your room mates or even your family does not take the pain..many a times you must have heard mumma saying "yehi bana hai ab..kha lo..zyada natak nahi" or a friend who knows you since 3-4 years says "oh!! you don't like to have this, I never knew.." Yes, it does happen..I was literally overwhelmed with Apekaong's gesture..I took a longer lunch hour today.I went playong around with her lil sis..her name is "Farzi"...stop giggling and pronounce it as "Faarzi"..I know you must be laughing pronouncing it as "Pharji"..I know...I know you well..So, I and Farzi went cycling today..I cycled after I don't know how many years..Farzi had her own tiny cycle, and Apeakong gave me hers..I had a nice time..
In the morning when I reached office, I realized that there wasn't any balance remaining in my calling card..I got upset..then there was Satyajit's mail "Sanchaita please plan to extend your stay".. I was yearning to see mom,I could not even hear her today..ooper se stay extend..fatafat se I updated my facebook "stay extended.." with two sad smileys..
A few hours later I got an appreciation mail from my supervisor..then the fabulous lunch hour..things were getting better now..I then spoke to a South American lady..Rehana..she is a nice charming lady,I asked her where could I find calling cards..she told me a store..went there, bought it..bought a chocolate for myself, Apeakong,Farzi and Rehana..spoke at home...had coffee in the evening with a friend at Tim Houtons..walked in a light snowfall..came home...not feeling hungry today..a friend of mine disturbed me somehow just now...so not even feeling like writing anymore...
Again feeling "wen will I go home wala feeling"... Miss you maa,pops and amma..no one else..simply no one..............good night...and God bless...
In the morning when I reached office, I realized that there wasn't any balance remaining in my calling card..I got upset..then there was Satyajit's mail "Sanchaita please plan to extend your stay".. I was yearning to see mom,I could not even hear her today..ooper se stay extend..fatafat se I updated my facebook "stay extended.." with two sad smileys..
A few hours later I got an appreciation mail from my supervisor..then the fabulous lunch hour..things were getting better now..I then spoke to a South American lady..Rehana..she is a nice charming lady,I asked her where could I find calling cards..she told me a store..went there, bought it..bought a chocolate for myself, Apeakong,Farzi and Rehana..spoke at home...had coffee in the evening with a friend at Tim Houtons..walked in a light snowfall..came home...not feeling hungry today..a friend of mine disturbed me somehow just now...so not even feeling like writing anymore...
Again feeling "wen will I go home wala feeling"... Miss you maa,pops and amma..no one else..simply no one..............good night...and God bless...
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