india thru my compact

i have so much pictures from my recent trip (India and Dubai) but to encapsulate the entire trip, i must as well post photos from my G10 and coolpix compacts so to not leave them under the rug.


i thought as i was looking thru the photos, they were slices and condensed version of the entire trip ( a few hit and miss here and there).

***

My indian album: via my compacts..

we arrived in india, at 3AM. the airport at Thrivananthapuram (old name: Trivandum, easier to pronounce,hehe).

their airport was much smaller than any airport that ive been to ( bar caticlan's).








we were so tired from the flight, that we couldnt care anymore of how we look



as soon as we got out, this was waiting for us.."Mr. Ragen Stevart",lol.





that's Vivek, the groom's brother, and who was also the groom on the second week..

we arrived before the groom in India. we arrived on Sunday morning, while he got there the next day.









their airport was quite busy too at such early in the morning.

we travelled for more than 3 hours from the airport to the lodge where the groom booked for us..

we ate breakfast bread and jam groggily in the lodge , and went to sleep, for 4 hours to get some energy..



***

around 5 pm, we decided to roam the town for some good indian grub.



we had some dahl and chappatis




and this was the vegetarian restaurant we went in.




this one's their breakfast special..the "puto" looking one is called idly. they have that for breakfast.


***

by the evening, we had food at one of the hotels..






right now, im salivating thinking of the parathas, masala chicken and fish fry's ive had.




***

the town we stayed at was Tamil Nadu. Its the very tip point of India so its near the coastline.

Tamil Nadu is known for its sunsets and sunrise. apart from Cape Town, apparently, they have the best sunrise and sunsets as consistenly perfect.

a few blocks from where our lodge was, was the coast, so we went and saw their beachline.





just across these waters is Sri Lanka..we could have hired a boat, and went there, but obviously,we were advised not to.







remember the big tsunami of 2004? this coastal town was hit by it too. hundreds of people died during that tsunami, but it wasnt as mentioned in the news as there werent much tourists there compared to Thailand and the rest of the Tsunami hit countries.



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We also celebrated Phillip's birthday, one of Chelson's mountain climbing friends who attended the wedding at Chelson's/Thilak's house.









we had a cake and all... (phillip said it was his first birthday with a curry as food).



***

we toured around (South) India in between weddings.


our first trip was to a town called Cochin.

on the way there, we sampled some great restaurants..




this photo was after sampling a rooftop restaurant that featured mutton lamb curry..i also first tasted Lime Soda here.



we watched the Kathakali show which was an ancient show in Kerala, quite popular for its ancient history and lessons. its similar to the Kabuki (it doesnt feature any female actor, only a male actor could take part and do even female characters), and it was alot of drumming, singing by background voices/instrument,while the actor do acting by pantomime.





the next day was a stop at another town, and a visit to the viceroy's museum..



**

and we went to the mountains..

we went to the tea plantation and stayed in a mountain hotel.





we also went to tea museums, sampled some good cardamom tea, and went around the mountain towns.




back in our hotel, thats how haggard we looked. drenched from the rain too.



..

more sightseeeing the next day: tea plantations everywhere










in this trip,we were told to bring garments that will be cool enough for india's hot climate, as well as something to wrap us warm, when we were up the mountains..a schizoprenic advise on clothing for this holiday will end up someone looking like that.:-)





Adrian doesnt feel the cold.




we went to see the Kovalam river and dam





awww..




oops! this wasnt me getting angered by a local..thats me winning over everyone's lousy shot. there was a ten-rupee game, where you get to shoot balloons and you get to use the air rifle. everyone, joined in including our young driver, and played the game, but i came out top by hitting three balloons out of 5 shots. the young driver hit 2 balloons, and elaine shot 1.

everyone cheered. little do they know i have aversion to guns for that matter. i think it sends wrong messages to anyone.




we also ate at the most unusual places (using our hand)..this one was a typical meal in the region..banana leaf, rice, papads, and mini servings of different veggie dishes.

we were having it everyday..i must say, i got used to it in the end..


**

after the mountain trip we stayed in a wildlife reserve. the hotel was in the middle of the reserve,









and there was advise not to come out after 6 pm due to tigers might harm us. we were scared, but that did not stop our driver from taking us out of the gates to see a show,lol. and no, i havent seen any tiger.

i did however saw bisson's, deer, antlers, and wild boar.. no tigers in the reserve.

we saw those animals when we we joined a two hour river boat trip on the reserve.




we had to run really fast to catch this boat. they were closing the gates by the time we got in.




the good thing about riverboat trips in India, they always ask everyone to wear a life jacket. no lifejacket, no ride.




those are antlers.





we also fondled and befriended elephants. (more story about the elephant adventure).




and we hired a boathouse, which has three airconditioned bedrooms, and staff.the river boathouse sailed in Vempanad lake, the biggest lake in India, and we had breakfast,lunch, dinner,and breakfast in the place.




it was an experience which capped off the 6 day trip beautifully.


on the way home, our driver for the trip, said he will introduce us to his parents (thats how hospitable they are).


the next day, we went home, and had a relaxing day, to get ready for Vivek's wedding.




thats Binyl and his parents.they were so nice, they fed us tea and cake.

the driver's mum showed us how to wear a saree.





..but we also had a stopover for saree and clothes shopping to wear for his wedding.


**

the next day, i shot the wedding.











me, wearing a Punjab outfit for the wedding..





us, trying to dress like the locals.

the whole day was spent at the wedding reception and in the evening, at the evening reception at the groom's house.


**

the next day,we flew for Dubai.

summer envy--no more

***

edited photo of my cousin K, in Boracay..(this was using the small digicam)..x


***


When my sister was here last March and April, she really was lucky to have been given a beautiful summery feel to April. (although the occasional cloudy days would resurface probably once a week/ majority of April was picnic and barbeque fun.

And then she went back home in May. The first two weeks were marred with showers and greyness. It was as if the sun hid because my smile did.

And then now, the forecasts have nothing been positive. We've been enjoying the sun eversince the start of halfterm/sembreak. Yesterday was even unbearable, we had to retreat to the mall after Adrian's minor surgery (nothing scary).

I have been having 'summer-envy' for the last few weeks, but now, its just only beach-envy.


Anyone care to bring me to the beach please?


***


We went to our GP today, for our vaccination consultation for our trip to India this August (pending on visa,haha). We were told that we need to have shots for diptheria, typhoid,tetanus,hepatitis,polio..and malaria tabs are needed too.

goodluck to my kidney and liver.

x


***


PS: do you know any acoustic band in cebu? ive googled and searched, i only came across guitarfest which is more of a rock-style acoustics.

im looking for acoustic bands/group that could play filipino/some english songs, preferrably for a wedding.

i one time saw an exhibit in SM for Cebu Guitar Association year 2002, and they had guitar players who were so talented. I wish, got their number.

No one seems to know.

wutz up?

how are you my beloveds?

i know, i know, we all feel sad and crushed about what's happening in manila.

i feel bad too,because it happened on the day that i was (supposed to be) very happy. my birthday.

but really, it would be too vain and presumptious of me, to feel that the manila floods has anything at all to do with my birthday.


do you know, that the day it happened, i did hear about the flood, but DID NOT realize how bad it was. i dont have a filipino channel where i am (not that i have time to watch tv anyways).

the day it happened, i was also celebrating my niece's christening (whcih meant more, than my birthday).

so we celebrated, oblivious to the news and whatnots, considering, outside our cocoon of comfort (ergo, mama's home), we just thought it was "one of them rains".


it was only the next day, seeing the flood of info at facebook, i realized the devastation it has caused. (even BBC world news has not talked about it until sunday evening ).


so far, all friends and family from that part of luzon are safe and warm (weve prayed hard for that), but it does not erase the sadness and 'fear' i felt for the people i saw in people's accounts and photos.



***


so what did i do on my birthday?

my birthday was on saturday, 26th. nothing fancy happened. nothing extraordinary.

i suppose, i didnt feel like 33 is a big birthday celebration for me. (not that i have had any big bithday parties in my life---but if i live long enough to reach 40, i promise to give myself a big one,LOL)..

friday night, 25th,adrian and i went out with adrian's family to dinner at an italian restaurant. i was pasta craving for the entire week so it was a must visit,birthday or not.


saturday night, 26, adrian and i were with closest friends for a thai meal. the moment it hit september, i knew, i had to celebrate with thai food.


sunday,27th, my girlfriends and i celebrated our sunday at regent's park for a cause. we joined pink aerobics in aid of breast cancer research. a good day out for a good reason.


so yeah, that's a short summary of my birthday weekend.

(and i promise you, i wil not use the flooding in manila as an excuse why i didnt have a party--because its not the reason at all,LOL).


***

i thank the blogworld/internet for being my news update regarding the flooding. its faster and much more efficient.

apart from the fact that it gives me information on donation links, and drop centres, it also is such an inside account of what really went on. bloggers i have not known before, i am now discovering, due to this calamity.

people, from all walks of life, are affected by this calamity. whether profound, or a little, our concern for our kababayans are such that we do whatever it is that we can.

whether, cash, in kind, sympathy, or our homes (or a blog entry to alert kababayans from afar), that we offer, im sure, whatever little does help.

and i thank those who alerted me.



***

i promise to post the photos from my G10 as soon as i can breathe from my work (paid work and university work,lol).

i have been stealing time here and there to answer and read entries from friends that i feel i need to sit down and catch up.


i have to admit, i am stressed, but obviously, not as stressed as the man who just lost his house and family from the flood.


be safe my lovelies.


***




the pink aerobics event

post meltdown affair

have i admitted it enough yet? that i am not good with pressure?

i didnt know i crack like a summer-dried nut, at the sound of a crackle.


**

yesterday was boiling point. i havent had enough sleep the last few days.

back breaking work in the hospital, university assignments looming and social responsibilities (and familial obligations) have made me cry like a baby.

i had to wake up (on my weekend! really early) just to fulfill obligations i said "yes" to, considering we were out the night before and didnt come home til 3am-ish.

all i wanted to do was hide behind adrian's skirt. (figuratively of course,LOL).

i cannot handle the pressure (physical pressure, being tired makes me feel this way).

my brain was doing overdrive and i was turning a very mean person. i get irritated and sensitive all at the same time.


but really, no one was paying attention except me.


**

adrian has been very supportive. but he can only do so much.

i wanted to be a very good daughter,sister,friend,wife and blogfriend, and i realized, i could not fulfill everything.


i can only do so much until i break into hives.

reality check: i am human, i cannot do everything i thought i could.


**


niggles that catapulted me to the meltdown:

-the sibling's visa appeal---it just keeps me angry everytime i think about it. i put my money, time and energy into that, and it seems the people who has the power to hasten it, really thinks of us people (who are looking to having our family over) as just part of the statistics.


-work---how long have you got? maimai asked whether i resigned from work, i wish i could! (theyre funding my course, so its not an option)..its such an ugly place right now. the work we do is still wonderful, but the team has been divided into two...but warring parties, and theres so much backbiting going on. because i worked for the two teams, i am friendly with the two...and i think this is the worst position to be in..the backbiting is atrocious. team 1 would talk about team 2, and team 2 would talk to me about team 1...i have migraines everyday. i hope this will stop..work used to be a very happy place before. factions and cliques arent just my thing. it gives me stroke-inducing headaches.


-university---

a) i wish you would meet our new Dr. lecturer. youd know what i mean (and hear his accent,youd think he came from a harry potter episode). he is so methodical and so anal, that i am having palpitations just thinking of the research material i need to produce (were not talking wikipedia here). medical journals from around the world (only a few copies in a vast library) is so frustrating..i have a life! a husband! and a 100 miles travel to and from uni for a day alone (i do this twice a week), is already pressure on my part. why did i ever get talked into studying when i was never a studious person during my younger days?


b)my mama is coming this october (whether she likes it or not, on her own if ana's or roi's visa will not miraculously appear). she will be a distraction when she's here. october,november,december isthe height of our research,exams and essays.. i can sense another meltdown coming.



-some things that happened during the week in cebu, which made me reconsider my priorities, but i really dont have an option..



..those are few of the reasons why i crashed burned and ran amok yesterday.

thank goodness for a husband who cooks, cleans and assists me in all ways possible. i probably have moved country and changed identity to get away from it all.



***


today, i feel better. and much more positive that i could get through the next few months (or weeks at least).

great friend (and sister) aileen, gave me a good 'lecture' dissected my problems and made me see it from another's eyes and she made me see things from a different angle.

and to be told, that "i am not a burden", is the balm to soothe this panicking soul. it made me cry with the load unburdened off my chest.

coz really, when im whinging and moaning all the time (about a life which i chose, no one asked me to do this), i feel like im such a burden.


thank you to the 'real supergirls' (unlike me) who are busier than ever but still have beautiful smiles in their faces...(patricia, maimai, therese and jane)..thank you for making me feel i have you if i need to run away from it all.

and thank you too, to friends who listen and boink me in the head for being 'praning'. thank you.

you know who you are.


and to Kharla...who never fails to pray for my malnourished spirit.


***

so today, i had a mini break between the busy schedule of running around london between the bank, the printers, the furniture shop and the supermarket..


i will let go of guilts.

including ones brought about by belgian chocolate goodness.

speaking of birthdays..behold a selfcentred entry

*presents at the recent 5th bday party i went to*

**

i have been receiving a few queries about what i wanted for my birthday.

now, please dont take this blog,as too assumming that everyone want to give me birthday presents, no, i dont think that.

i write this, because once and for all ( i know the few readers of this blog, are quiet curious what to send me).

to be honest: i will be more than happy with a birthday card,sent all the way to the UK...receiving a handwritten message, is such a treasure because i know, its not easy to trek to the post ofice to drop something for international post. im busy (and lazy) like that. plus the thought, of what kind of card they send me, is part of the process

it goes to say, that a letter written to me, sent throught the post is always a treasure..its nice to read your thoughts, and i know, i will treasure handwritten letters all the more..

and because i know of the post, better-late-than-never-type of mailcard is also accepted..i know the postal system is literally snail pace too.


speaking of cards, an ecard is also very much welcome. i get excited to see everyone's creativity in tribute to me,LOL (vain,much?). i always feel loved whenever i read it and find it beautiully posted in one's blog page.


and of course, A BLOG(if you're a blogger) specially for me,just satiates my attention-whoring. i always feel loved when someone "writes" about me (nice words pud ha, birthday baya,Lol)..not just flimsy surface description of me..something that tickles my self centredness,and my vanity..because, yes, birthdays are the only day im licensed to let go of my attention-seeking perversion. its been dormant the last few 364 days..or i try to, at least.


saying that, when someone 'writes a blog' about me, need they have to be confident enough to do so, well, not necessarily. even if you feel you dont know me well enough, just write your perspective, when and how we became friends..and why you think our friendhsip is promised a beautiful future. and insert some traits that you find of me,that contribute to our friendship to one another..okey, thats pushing it too much,hahaha..



***


now some people who want to spend money (but dont need to), still insists of giving me something material..lo and behold, no need to get something expensive...

value for me is measured in the meaning of the gift, than the price...


the beautifully designed blog from Patricia is one obvious example..(always a big treasure on my lap everytime she gives me her beautiful creation)..it could cost me an arm and a leg normally but im lucky that im one of the beneficiaries of her generosity



needless to say, im also into cheap, hollow thrills..


-cheap tagalog dvds. i know. it makes me happy. and kills my boredom, if i have a rare "me" time.


-filipino artist cds..yes, why not? i havent had Side A band for a while. and even Rico Puno, Apo Hiking Soceity.. Dont try getting me the Sitti, The Company and artists that play bossa nova, i have my own bossa nova mafia, who religiously sends me them (Karla,haha). and im actually looking for the Armida Sigiuon Reyna songs,and the likes...if you come to my home, youd know how eclectic my cd collection is..i play DJ in my own living room, the walls, my listeners, the curtains, the unwilling witnesses to my idiosyncrasy.




**

and of course, you can be creative too.

a text, a simple PM,a tweet, and whatever you can get hold of, is so big for me already.


and, as much as i still appreciate FB status greetings..it wont have the same meaning as a private message, or any of the above..

i cant seem to find value, being put somewhere, where one normally, announce, their being bored or when theyre going to sleep, or going to take a shower.


[unlike a tweet, you dont tweet just to be cute, or bored..you tweet because you have something to say, important to a few set..a text costs you a peso, and not to mention that arthritic causing thumb pinching, and private message, well, its full of intent and purpose--so much more meaningful...

unlike an FB message status..most of the time, people write on it without intent, or purpose, just a passing thought, open to a vast audience who dont give jack]..


***

happy thoughts.