TIDBITS

I have a bunch of small things to write about to get me up to date. I am sure there are plenty of things I am forgetting, but I am getting sick of the feeling that I am behind with the updates. So here are some things that I have done or what is going on in the last few weeks...

Nature Reserve- 9 November

After a day of shopping with my friend Sowmya and her daughter Nishka, I went back to nature. There was a trip to the Bannerghatta Nature Reserve organized by students at IIMB and a bunch of the foreign students were going. So, I thought I would join along.

The park is further south of the school on the same road. Apparently, up until a few years ago, IIMB was pretty much in the country. However, the development of the city has been so rapid that now the city is expanding farther and farther south and hitting right up to the partk.

We took a 2 hour or so walk in the nature. We mostly looked at birds, butterflies and plants. One of the coolest things was this plant called a “touch-me-not” that would curl up when ou touched it to protect itself from predators. Besides that, the walk was sort of on the boring side and the foreign students were complaining quite a bit. They were told they would see wild animals, but this wasn’t really cutting it. As we were sort of ending this part of the day, we got a big surprise though:

Okay you might not be able to tell what this is, but it is a crocodile! There were two of them. They look like rocks, but trust me—they were the mighty reptiles.

Then we finally go to go to the exciting part of the day. We paid to get into the park and then got on a bus, which had bars on the window and drove into a section of the reserve. Well, here is what we got to see. Yes, in India for only 2 ½ weeks and already I got to see a…

TIGER!!!!

And also a white tiger

They were so close I couldn’t believe it. They were literally right next to the bus—closer than I have even seen in people’s safari photos. However, they weren’t really in the wild. Still it was incredible.

Here is another photo during the day. It is me, Fredrik from Sweden, and Surrender who is from India, but lives in Seattle and works for Microsoft.

Out in Bangalore

There have already been some nights out and surprisingly a lot at that place Spin that I mentioned before. One week there was a conference here sponsored by HP Labs called “Contextual Invention.” The topic was similar to the Doors East Conference (mentioned in the last update). There were these two women presenting. One, Priya, was a designer who is Indian and living in London and then another, Indri, who is German (with Chinese/Indonesian parents). Here they are with Emily (from Oregon), me, Zeenat (works with CKS) at Spin.

An aside—Emily is from Eugene, OR. She was staying Bangalore with an Indian family. The father’s name is Eugene. And, as you know, my dad’s name is Eugene. Too weird!

Nights at IIMB

There is this strange tradition at IIMB when it is someone’s birthday. At midnight, they all meet up at the main meeting area and pick up the guy whose birthday it is and kick him in the butt. And I mean really hard! It seems like torture to me, but this is what they do. One day, it was one of the foreigner’s turn. Fredrik’s birthday was on the 18th of Nov and he was not spared.

Getting his ass kicked

But it doesn’t end there. Then you get chocolate cake smashed all over you. And there is more…Next you get a bucket of water poured over you! So glad it is not my birthday (well, girls do it to girls so it is less harsh). Here is Fredrik after steps one and two with the crowd.

In addition to these activities, there has been a lot of celebrating on campus among the foreigners because they are all leaving. This is the last week for exams. Already a few have left and the rest will depart by Friday. Most are meeting up and travelling together, but to go out with a bang, there have been some parties. We had some good dancing and lots and lots of photo taking. I am not sure why I am showing these because I look particularly yucky, but that is okay. We were all supposed to wear Indian clothes. I even put on a bhindi (or bindi or bindhi—not sure of the spelling), but I don’t think you can see it.

This is Gilles from Brussels. He loved that I had lived there.

I am in between Morton, the Dane, and Fredrik, the Swede.

Me, Lars-another Swede, and Sharon—a Canadian

Here is a group-- Zivile- a Lithuanian who lives in Denmark and will be here for the next 6 months, David- a minister from Montreal, Ian-an Aussie who I will travel with from Xmas to New Year’s when I get back, Fredrik, Sharon, Lars

I didn’t get everyone, but you got the drift. Too bad they are all leaving :( I was lucky because it felt like Brussels again for a bit—being with all these Europeans and such. An aside—the other day someone asked me if I was Dutch!?!? Because of my last name-- (lef) is a Dutch word which means ‘guts’. I laughed so hard to myself b/c of my history with the Dutch and because—do I look Dutch to you???

Fulbrighters in Bangalore- 15 November

Swetha, the woman who is helping out the Fulbrighters in Bangalore called to get everyone together. We actually had had a plan for the following Monday, but a new girl had just arrived so instead we went to a Saturday lunch at the Bangalore Club. This is a club that has been around since the colonial days and is supposed (or was supposed) to be posh. I am not really sure what it is like now. I had actually read about it online coincidently and thought it might be good to join temporarily for the gym and other amenities. However, I don’t know how great it is and it is too expensive. Here we are, minus Mitali who was travelling at the time.

In order from left to right: Lizzy-studying about ayurveda and may be my roommate, Carol-an artist, Swetha, Lindsay-a designer who is looking at ephemeral images (basically travelling around, going to festivals and looking how things are decorated—I think I should have done that!), me, and Adrienne-studying women leaders in the IT industry. It is her first time out of the US!!! Get this—she is on a leave of absence from, none other than…Booz Allen Hamilton (same office!). How crazy is that? Adrienne, Lizzy and I are going to Hampi (a town nearish by here) for the weekend this weekend.

Up to my old tricks

Okay, I think you will find this story particularly amusing. I was shopping with my friend Emily, actually trying to find a tailor to get something made (that is a whole other story), when we wound up in a Kashmiri shop. This is where you find rugs, other handicrafts and the ever-popular pashmina shawl. You can go into one of these shops and ask for the most specific detailed thing and no matter what, without fail, they will ask you if you want a pashmina. It is quite humorous actually.

“Hello, do you have a sandalwood statue of the god Saraswati?” “Would you like a pashmina shawl?” “Hi. I am looking for an Indian miniature of Krishna.” “We have pashmina shawls.” “I need a leather belt with mirrors on it.” “Why don’t you try a pashmina shawl? I give you a good price. It is a festival today.”

Anyway, as we were, in fact, looking at pashmina shawls (hate to admit it)—for my mom, we met this American/Canadian guy in India for work. His name was Hussein and he was of Indian origin, his family was from Gujarat I think. We befriended him, as he was shopping for things for his fiance and he wanted to the advice of two women.

We went across the street to this clothing shop with this amazing Gujarati, beaded outfits. There is a name for them, but I am not sure what it is. Emily and I were trying to direct him to buy a red outfit instead of a gold one, but not sure if we were successful. Because she supposedly had my coloring, we held up the outfits to me. I even tried one on. Here is a photo:

We then went to go grab some dinner at this restaurant/lounge place called Cosmo Village. Well, when we get there we bump into this guy Emily and I knew, Srinath. We met him on our second night out in Bangalore. He is one of those omnipresent people. I have literally bumped into him 3 or 4 times out. We joined him and some of his friends and then all went to sit together to have dinner.

In the meantime, Srinath sees this guy he knows across the room. The guy is a red-headed American who then comes over to our table. His name is Eric and he works for National Geographic. He is with his co-workers who were going the next day on a shoot to record an excorcism in the north! They wind up sitting with us and of course our first comment is—Wow that is so cool you work for National Geographic! I think that must be on the top ten list of overall dream jobs—right beside astronaut. Anyway, Eric is from NY. So, I ask-“Where?” He says, “Westchester.” And we leave it at that.

About 10 minutes later, I start looking at him again. Hmm…
I say, “Where in Westchester?”
“Chappaqua”… I knew this was going somewhere.
“You don’t happen to know Melissa Biren “(a friend from Cornell).
“Yeah, I was good friends with her,” he says.
And I say, “Yeah, I think I remember you from her wedding. “(6 years ago!!!!)
So, my friends, Elizabeth had not lost her touch. In Bangalore for a few weeks and already bumping into friends of friends who I recognize from the street corner sometime in the last decade. Hahahahaha. Everyone at the table was in amazement (but they don't know that this is old hat for me, so...)

Well, about ½ hour later I mention to his friend, Rika (I think that is her name—she is Indian, but I think moving to the US to be with her husband who is living there) that I have a good friend who works at Discovery. Oh yeah, she says, “Who?” “Jim Kowats “(hi Jim!). She starts laughing. She knows him!!! Hahaha.

So, here we have it, not one, but two, yes, two people who I am connected to at this restaurant in Bangalore, India, thousands and thousands of miles away from home.

And the legend lives on….

By the way, I am going to pitch a travel show idea with either Jim or Jeff sometime in the near future. I mean, if someone should have a travel show, shouldn’t it be me? … Just have to come up with an angle, a schtick. I have one idea, but I can’t tell you. :)

Comments

[Eugene]

I would have loved to be at the Reserve,
and as usual the legend continues.
Dad

[Bari]

Happy Thanksgiving :) The pictures are amazing! You must know people on every edge of the globe. Sounds (and looks) like your having a blast

[Jonathan]

EL, sounds like you are having SUCH a blast! Quite jealous I must admit -- but glad to see that you are still "mixing it up" with the Danes! When will we see you back here?
Best,
JB

[shack]

Fantastic pictures, especially of the tigers! I am truly starting NOT to be surprised that you know so many people everywhere you go. Actually, it would be weirder if you didn't :)
Continue to enjoy yourself!
love,
shack

[Srinath]

Well looks like I am ominipresent.... looked up my name and there you go...
That was an unusual co-incident wasn't it? I remember quite clearly.
Though Erick and Rakhi are back in Washington they plan to do a shoot in North Africa this July and later visit India in September again.
Haven't seen you in a while El take care. Cheers, Srinath

[Rajan]

Hi.... This is Raj/M38/India..Computer Professional... Even I 've been to few countries & like photgraphy.. etc..

I find this web-site... & the collections are very interesting to me.. My best wishes & regards to her..
Lik to know about future updates...

bye
Email : gemini_yours@yahoo.co.in
Mb : 9444109174

[Elizabeth]

Hi Elizabeth

Quite amazing I found your site when looking for links with my name, I am Elizabeth Hey, and I was in India last year. Your pictures are nice and I will read your diary of travel. I also love to travel around and to discover nice and exotic places. Have you been to Brazil, well this is my country and it is a place to visit, specially if you like nature.
Best regards,

Elizabeth

[Roger]

Hi Elizabeth,

I will be in Varanasi from mid-December 2004 to mid-January 2005 and wanted to know if there were any places or people I should look up?

By the way, your travel log and photos are fantastic!

My journey to Varanasi is a musical one as I have played sitar for 16 years and shehnai more recently. As a white, Jewish-American I have been welcomed into the Indian community here in the NYC area and am both nervous and excited about the trip.

I hope to hear from you.

Best regards,

Roger

[Anagha]

hey,
i am indian, currently based in washington DC.... i saw the pictures on your website and fell in love with india all over again!
Awesome!!
Anagha

[Aman Dev]

Hi elizabeth- bumped into this site today.Looks like you had a great trip .And you enjoyed india as it should be enjoyed.you didint miss much did you ?!Yep, i reckon you should do a travel show.the site has as much stuff on it as lonely planet
i am an indian guy(from kerala) living in perth,australia.
Best Regards

[Ray & Reji]

Hi elizabeth,
We saw your site and we feel ur amazing journy in INDIA. now am tooo proud to say am an indian. Thanks for that. we are planing to stared a website we send the URL within two weeks if you replay.

and our request is that, can u write a small summary about your journy. we will publish it. Our site is weekly updated (Like a weekly) and also we publish poems, short stories, paintings etc.

Hope you will replay
Ray & Reji

[Geri]

Am glad you had such an interesting stay in India. Was checking out Rajasthani puppets, when I came across your site. I loved reading all about your trip. Check out Manali (that's where I'm from!) the next time you're in India. It's in the Himalayas, in Himachal Pradesh.
Geri

[pashmina]

Great...I love this post, I got more info here, Thanks.Really happy to read this, I too interested in new Fashions, I got lot of
ideas of pashmina shawls and fashion through WWW.PashMinaInternational.Com.They have an excellent selection.
Enjoy your winters with Pashmina !

[Susan Wilson]

Thank you for this great travelogue. I'm going back to India someday soon, and will seek out some of the places you visited too (especially the baby elephants!) - Namaste, Susan

[farshad]

hi
I have a question.Why do u like to write?
why people like to have blog pages?
Nice to hear ur opinion

[David]

I will be traveling to India in July 2008 and came across your journal and pictures while searching for information about Bangalore. I really enjoyed reading about your adventure and am more excited about my own trip now. If I have even half of the fun and excitement as you I will be overjoyed.

David

[Tejas]

Scribbled very well…..

Found your link on web when I was trying to find a saree guard for ma bike ….hehehe…I just went through it to see what ppl think about our country.

Any ways …Keep Rockin !

[y.s. brahmam]

i am an artist(painting), iam trying to understand ur exitement in my contry, i felt very happy to see ur link,

brahmam y.s

[avani]

while looking for pix on india, I came upon your blog... Found it very interesting, to see India through an outsider's eyes :) Though I think you are more indian than I am, as you have understood the beat and the rythm of it better than most of us indians! I was inpressed with the number of places you have been to in India...