Archive for the ‘Stories and Experiences’ Category
Cow Worship!
Posted in Entertainment, Humor, Observation, tagged Cow Worship, Entertainment, India on 18 January 2011| 1 Comment »
Year That Was
Posted in Interesting, News and Views, Observation, Politics, tagged 2008, Elections, New Year, News, Politics, USA, War, World on 24 December 2008| Leave a Comment »
Driving In India: Can You Do It?
Posted in Humor, Observation, tagged Driving In India, Entertainment, Humor, Indian Roads, Indian Traffic, Travel, Video on 13 October 2008| 17 Comments »
Indian road rules broadly operate within the domain of karma where you do your best and leave the results to your insurance company. Here is a funny, and sadly true account by Coen Jukens on driving in India.
The hints are as follows:
Do we drive on the left or right of the road? The answer is “both”. Basically you start on the left of the road, unless it is occupied. In that case, go to the right, unless that is also occupied. Then proceed by occupying the next available gap, as in chess.
- Just trust your instincts, ascertain the direction, and proceed. Adherence to road rules leads to much misery and occasional fatality.
- Most drivers don’t drive, but just aim their vehicles in the intended direction. Don’t you get discouraged or underestimate yourself. Except for a belief in reincarnation, the other drivers are not in any better position.
- Don’t stop at pedestrian crossings just because some fool wants to cross the road. You may do so only if you enjoy being bumped in the back. Pedestrians have been strictly instructed to cross only when traffic is moving slowly or has come to a dead stop because some minister is in town. Still some idiot may try to wade across, but then, let us not talk ill of the dead.
- Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest as in some countries. We horn to express joy, resentment, frustration, romance and bare lust (two brisk blasts) or just to mobilize a dozing cow in the middle of the bazaar.
- Keep informative books in the glove compartment. You may read them during traffic jams, while awaiting the chief minister’s motorcade, or waiting for the rain waters to recede when over-ground traffic meets underground drainage.
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No Reservations In India
Posted in Entertainment, Humor, Observation, tagged Anthony Bourdain, Bollywood, Entertainment, Kolkata, Mumbai, No Reservations, Rajastan, Travel on 20 August 2008| 3 Comments »
Anthony Bourdain is well known for hosting travel and food show Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. He travels to cities worldwide where hosts treat him to local culture and cuisine.
He traveled to Kolkata , Mumbai, and the state of Rajasthan. The shows based on these travels was aired on May 29 and June 5, 2006.
Tony exposes you to diverse experiences in these cities that have been traveled many a times. He has successfully been able to present a diverse bouquet called India through these shows. Tony eats on the roadside dhabas as comfortably as he dines with the royalties. Gaj Singh, Maharaja of Jodhpur, plays the royal host, cooks for Anthony Bourdain and also invited him to a royal wedding dinner!
But in his desire to explore the best of local cuisines he agrees to be a guest at a chef’s home. He lives the Indian life not as a tourist but as one of the crowd. He visits a fortuneteller, enjoys bhang in its various forms, rides the bus, and eats on the roadside. He loves Bollywood and just fits very well.
No Reservations at all.