Humbled

There was a lady sitting in the corner, wiping the sweat off her brow with the ends of her sari. Then she resumed painting the paper-mache figures that surrounded her in different shapes and sizes.

Such a delight! There were stacks of gorgeous Madhubani paintings in the same stall. They went through dozens of 'em. Each piece of cloth was so expressive and so vivid, they couldn't make up their mind at all.

While they were pondering over which painting to pick up, Krishna-Radha or the Ardhanareeswar, the young man in the stall started waxing eloquent about the different styles of Madhubani art in chaste Hindi. Still indecisive. He continued talking and told them how natural dyes are used to produce an array of colours. The couple seemed a little apprehensive about spending a few thousands on the painting.

"Sir, an exhibition like this only displays good art. These are the best artists in the country you are seeing here (pointing at the other stalls) These paintings are by my own sister!" he said with a beaming smile and handed out a small business card. It read: Ambika Devi, National Award Winner.

There she was. Still painting the paper-mache figures, somewhere in the background.

Unaware

The Porsche sped past the people on the road, like a bolt of lightning. It didn't even stop at the signal. It couldn't. The next minute, an oil tanker decided their fate. Sanjay tried to drown his guilt on seeing his dead sister. "Why did I ?", he asked himself repeatedly.

Neha was sent word that the warden wants to see her. When she heard that her parents are no more, she just froze. The warden was rather shocked to see the seven year old not getting hysterical. Neha just walked out of the warden's office, towards her room, feeling more alone than she ever did. She cried profusely all night, with her head muffled in the pillow.

The next day, Neha was called to the warden's office again. This time, to meet a guardian. While she sat in the waiting room, puffy-eyed, she thought of the last time her mother visited her. She walked up and down the hallway, thinking of the warm hug and that peck on her cheek. Tears streamed down her pink cheeks. They refused to stop.

On hearing the loud footsteps, she looked up and on seeing him at a distance, a faint smile appeared on her face. As he walked closer to her, she gained some strength. He sat next to her and took her little hands in his.

Little does she know that she's confronting her parents' murderer. Her uncle, Sanjay.

The Science of Being Apart

          -Some wise woman.

Prescribing paths to holiday happiness

Sick of picking and choosing from the same old sun and sand holidays and hill station breaks? Well, holidays are meant to get you away from the mundane. No wonder the days of packaged tours are long gone! And with the winter break just round the corner, it’s time you start chalking out your plans to make your vacation extra special. Here are some ultra simple mantras that can transform your vacation from just-another-break to a memorable and exhilarating experience!

Fancy holidaying somewhere unusual?

The top mantra for holiday happiness is to let the roads less travelled entice you. Pick a place that does not feature in the typical list of tourist destinations. That’s the first step to making your holiday unusual. Instead of going to Goa to spend the New Year’s Eve, you could opt for the pristine beaches of Gokarna or Karwar. Or even better, you could substitute the usual lounging around in beaches with a white water rafting break in Dandeli! And if you decide to go to Khajuraho, don’t just fix your eyes on the marvelous temples. Pack in more and get to the unexplored fort of Kalinjar, which lies some 120km north-east or just set out to the Panna National Park, less than 30km away. When the world is packed with destinations and activities that offer such new and refreshing experiences, all you have to do is ignore the herd!

You deserve better than just B&B!

Why settle for the same old B&B style lodging? It’s time to try the more enjoyable alternatives! Home stays and estate stays are excellent alternatives. A classic home stay involves living with a local family and having a first hand experience of its customs, cuisine and way of life. What can get better than indulging in a great conversation with your host who knows everything about Kerala and can tell you which Ayurvedic masseuse is the best in town and where exactly you should head for an affair with the gorgeous backwaters! And if you’re heading out for a beach vacation, try a shack instead of the routine sea-facing suite. Try a houseboat or even a home exchange! It’s time to get creative. After all, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to be transformed into a different world!

Like being lost in the labyrinth?

Instead of depending on tour operators, try using the public transport available in the place that you’re visiting. You get to meet more local people and you can gather suggestions of must-visit locations that are generally unheard of! Since you’ll be saving a lot of money, you can treat yourself to a lavish dinner. And if you are the kind who likes getting behind the wheel, then rent a car! Just make sure you have a valid driver’s license, a full tank and rough directions to your destination. Self-driving is a fabulous way to discover a new place and if you’re terrible at reading maps, do not panic. You just might reach an area that is totally remote, stunningly beautiful, away from mainstream tourism and most importantly, not in any tour guide book!

Linguistic Twist

Learning the local language can enhance your travelling experience, sometimes in ways you never thought of, especially if you are travelling abroad. If you hate the pungent smell of garlic, it might be a good idea to learn the Italian word for garlic, i.e. ‘l'aglio’ (pronounced as ‘Hug Leo’) before you land in Italy! You can begin with just a few greetings and phrases like "Please," "Thank You," "How much is that?," and "Where is ..." These phrases can be very handy when you go to restaurants, buy something, take a taxi etc. You can also do a search on any search engine for "learn Spanish" or "learning Chinese" or any other language, and you will find many sites with free tutorials.

Spice of life!

A very essential mantra is to not order the cheesy pasta with sun dried tomatoes in Tokyo! It is uber important to try the local food instead of sticking with the usual favourites. It adds to that unique flavour to your holiday like nothing else does! When you go to Vietnam, you must go to the Ben Thanh Market for bun thit nuong - grilled lemongrass pork with cool rice noodles. Watch the street vendor generously add spring roll, fried shallots, roasted peanuts, pickled vegetables and a douse of Vietnamese fish sauce! Well, sometimes the ingredients of the local dish might be outside our comfort zone. But you never know! You might just find the avid traveller in you quite willing to at least give it a try! And if you are an absolute foodie, you could go for an entirely culinary vacation. Picture yourself enjoying a gourmet cuisine and wine tasting in the French Alps! If merely imagining all this is giving you so much pleasure, you ought to start planning your vacation this very minute!

Have a blissful getaway!

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PS: I think I was rather excited about my week long vacation in Maharashtra. So  much that it even inspired me to write a travel story! This one appeared in MSN’s Lifestyle column on 16^th Dec, ’09. My first ever travel story. Yaaaye :)

Meet the Parents

Want to know how to make a good impression on your partner’s parents? Read on.

Do you wear a taut expression on your face every time you think of meeting your partner’s parents for the first time? Are you afraid of what impression you will make? Since you have decided to take that all important step towards commitment and meet the parents, here is how you can make sure you are well-prepared.

Know your audience

Find out as much as you can about your partner’s parents in advance. Having a fair idea about the kind of people they are will ensure that you’re better prepared to face them. This will help you find common ground that you can focus on in your conversations with them. For example – if the Dad is really fond of cricket - make sure you make a comment about the India Vs. Sri Lanka match that happened last evening. Does the Mum love baking? – Ask her how she makes those soft ginger cookies! And if your partner is from a different community, make an effort to know their customs and practices. Being familiar with their way of life can take you a long way!

Gifting a little something

Avoid going with a gift that is too big or extravagant. The parents would certainly be happy to know that you’re well off, but you can save that expensive gift for a later date! Food gifts are usually a safe choice. A box of assorted nuts or a basket of fresh fruits are welcomed by most Indian households. If it’s an occasion like the parents’ anniversary, you can opt for a bouquet of flowers. And again, ask your partner what their favourites are. A bottle of wine has always been a great choice for a dinner gift, but make sure they are not teetotalers. If you're travelling to meet the parents, consider bringing something that's the specialty of the place where you're coming from, such as Rosogullas from Bengal, or Bhakarwadi from Maharashtra. This will add a ‘getting to know you’ touch to the whole encounter!

Dress to impress

Make sure you dress appropriately. For the men, going to meet the parents in your acid-washed baggy jeans and that Black Sabbath t-shirt that you wore right through college is a complete no-no! We are not asking you to suit up, but being dressed in smart casuals will do you a world of good. As for the ladies, pick an outfit that is not revealing or too dressy. Just wear clothes you’re comfortable in and that flatter your physique but at the same time, look modest. Keep your makeup to the minimal. And oh, don’t forget to wear that sincere smile!

Making good conversation

If you have mastered the art of conversation, then it’s a battle almost-won. Don’t ever appear to be indifferent, even if what they’re discussing is the last thing you did be interested in. Ladies, listen to the mother’s stories about your man and look at any baby photos she might want to show you - even if your boyfriend is cringing and trying to change the subject! Even for the men, this is a brilliant ploy, especially when you are stuck for conversation. After all, which parent doesn’t love discussing their offspring? Avoid harping on controversial subjects like religion and politics. And of course, the men should be prepared for some interrogation about their career goals! It may help to have ready answers for probable questions. Yes, it can be as painful as an interview! And most important thing to remember is that the weather can simply be described as ‘extremely cold’, don’t use expletives even if you are used to it!

Be affectionate, but not lovey-dovey!

Be attentive to your partner, but in the right manner. In the sense, you can be nice to your partner by opening the door or pulling a chair for her, or by pouring him some wine. Avoid being too lovey-dovey in the presence of the parents. Well, you may think your partner is a complete hottie, but knowing that he is ‘charming, well-settled and caring’ will suffice for your parents. How much ever parents care about their child having a loving partner, they certainly do not want to see you both kissing and groping! So the key is to be affectionate and very interested in the family and not just your partner.

Of dining and wining

If you're having dinner at their house, make sure you compliment the food. However nervous you are, it is not reason enough to hurry and just pour that drink down your throat! Drink ‘very socially’ and if you think you will end up getting drunk, steer clear of alcohol for the night and just stay sober. A great way to impress is to offer to clear the table or help out with the dishes. If you’re out to eat, offer to pay. More than likely, the parents won’t allow you to pay but they’ll appreciate the offer. And oh, if you are a smoker, do not smoke around the parents. Even if they smoke themselves, they may not appreciate it. To make a great closing impression, tell them how wonderful it was to meet them and what a great meal you had.

Go ahead. Put your best foot forward and be confident.

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PS: Never thought I would write a Relationship story!! Hehe! This appeared in MSN's Lifestyle section on the 22nd of Dec, '09.