Monday, December 28, 2009

Visit to London- The Land of Dreams

Today, as I sit to reminisce ….I go down memory lane ……my wonderful unforgettable trip to London. Like a typical 11 year old kid, I was way too excited about going to a place.

The day my parents decided that we would be soon vacationing in the city of the Big Ben, exultation overpowered me. It actually felt like sitting on pins and needles for I could just not sit down at one place and was rushing to and fro, calling up all my friends to tell them the good news.

After all the necessary arrangements for the tickets and the accommodation were done, the D day finally arrived. With everyone bustling about the house trying to do last minute packing, and dad securing the house locks, we finally boarded the car and started the one hour journey to the airport.

At the airport, I was as usual on my toes running around here and there, being fascinated by the planes and the people around me. It was my second plane journey and I wanted to savor every moment of my vacation. I thought to myself, “Yippee, finally I am off to the land of dreams”.

The final announcement to board the plane was made and believe it or not, I was actually the first one to board it. In my excitement, I actually dropped one of the bags of my fellow passengers and in return, got reprimanded by the airhostess along with a few dirty glares from the passengers. So with a finger on my lips, I was strapped into my seat. Sitting quietly and looking out of the window, I just kept on breathing in the sights of the airport, considering myself lucky to be able to be there at that moment. It was indeed an exhilarating moment, irrespective of the scolding I had received from the airhostess. After all, I was not going to let anything dampen my mood at that point of time.

Reliving the enthusiasm while I recollect all those special moments, I sometimes actually wish to be a kid all over again, armed with the same innocence and naivety. But knowing that to be impossible, I sometimes just feign the childish innocence and appease myself. After all, it is never too late to live your life to the fullest, irrespective of the age.

After a journey of 3 hours, we reached our destination. I was awed by the décor of the Heathrow Airport. It was simply a breath taking view, complete with the various alleys and baggage claim counters. On exiting, there was a man with a placard which had our name written on it. We followed him to the car, stowed our luggage and off we were into the city. Right from the automatic geared car to the bridge on the Thames River, the city had not yet ceased to amaze me.

On checking into the hotel, I could not help but continue to jump on the plush mattresses. The fluffed up pillows were beyond compare. Our hotel was in the Indian neighborhood, which helped us feel at home even in a different country. The hospitality and the warmth of the people bestowed upon us were truly worth a mention.

After having our dinner that night we retired to our room, in order to be fresh for the oncoming day. The next day dawned bright and sunny, with the slanting sun rays waking us up and as quickly as possible, with brimming enthusiasm, we got ready, finished our breakfast and without further ado, started from the hotel for the sightseeing.

Our itinerary consisted of a general tour of the city on the first day. So, all geared up for the day, we sat in the car and began the general tour of the city. The first place of visit was the Trafalgar Square. The large number of pigeons which flocked there just had me stupefied. I could not resist, so I quickly ran to the food vendor and bought some seeds to feed the pigeons. The pigeons of all sizes and colors flocked together to eat from my hands. At first, I was really scared thinking “ What if they chew off my fingers as well along with the seeds” , but then with a bit of persuasion from everyone, I got the confidence to feed them and it was a moment of pure fun and frolic.

Next, we went to the Buckingham Palace. My eyes literally popped out when I saw it for the first time. There were acres of rolling gardens everywhere and the palace itself was a piece of art. The exquisite carving and the way it was made in the typical British architectural style was indeed worth praise. The guard changing ceremony was to follow the palace tour, but then due to the rain, the ceremony was carried out wearing raincoats.

The best part was that I slipped in the bathroom while getting ready one day and twisted my ankle very badly. Owing to this, I had to wear a bandage and was not being able to walk properly as well. Taking an umbrella as support, I was forced to hobble around the city with a twisted ankle, but the enthusiasm went on unabated.

It so happened that I was traveling through the city and my dad suddenly decided to take a bus. I conveniently stepped onto the bus with a lot of difficulty owing to my paining ankle. But not sure of the route to take, my parents did not climb onto the bus. My pathetic luck, the bus started and I could not get off on time. Seeing my parents going away from me, I panicked and started crying. Somehow, on the next stop I got off and feeling lost and confused, I continued crying. Till the time my parents did not reach the stop, I did not stop crying. Never till now had I felt so lost, so helpless. But then, it was another experience worth a mention.

After the bus experience, we proceeded to see the famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. The sight which met the eye was astounding. The wax models which were there were so lifelike, I was having trouble in trying to figure out the difference between the real and the wax models. I remember, there was a guard standing on the doorway, and he was so still, all of us went up to him to check if he was a wax model as well. It was worth a good laugh for sure.

Today, as I sit to reminisce ….I go down memory lane ……my wonderful unforgettable trip to London. Like a typical 11 year old kid, I was way too excited about going to a place.

The day my parents decided that we would be soon vacationing in the city of the Big Ben, exultation overpowered me. It actually felt like sitting on pins and needles for I could just not sit down at one place and was rushing to and fro, calling up all my friends to tell them the good news.

After all the necessary arrangements for the tickets and the accommodation were done, the D day finally arrived. With everyone bustling about the house trying to do last minute packing, and dad securing the house locks, we finally boarded the car and started the one hour journey to the airport.

At the airport, I was as usual on my toes running around here and there, being fascinated by the planes and the people around me. It was my second plane journey and I wanted to savor every moment of my vacation. I thought to myself, “Yippee, finally I am off to the land of dreams”.

The final announcement to board the plane was made and believe it or not, I was actually the first one to board it. In my excitement, I actually dropped one of the bags of my fellow passengers and in return, got reprimanded by the airhostess along with a few dirty glares from the passengers. So with a finger on my lips, I was strapped into my seat. Sitting quietly and looking out of the window, I just kept on breathing in the sights of the airport, considering myself lucky to be able to be there at that moment. It was indeed an exhilarating moment, irrespective of the scolding I had received from the airhostess. After all, I was not going to let anything dampen my mood at that point of time.

Reliving the enthusiasm while I recollect all those special moments, I sometimes actually wish to be a kid all over again, armed with the same innocence and naivety. But knowing that to be impossible, I sometimes just feign the childish innocence and appease myself. After all, it is never too late to live your life to the fullest, irrespective of the age.

After a journey of 3 hours, we reached our destination. I was awed by the décor of the Heathrow Airport. It was simply a breath taking view, complete with the various alleys and baggage claim counters. On exiting, there was a man with a placard which had our name written on it. We followed him to the car, stowed our luggage and off we were into the city. Right from the automatic geared car to the bridge on the Thames River, the city had not yet ceased to amaze me.

On checking into the hotel, I could not help but continue to jump on the plush mattresses. The fluffed up pillows were beyond compare. Our hotel was in the Indian neighborhood, which helped us feel at home even in a different country. The hospitality and the warmth of the people bestowed upon us were truly worth a mention.

After having our dinner that night we retired to our room, in order to be fresh for the oncoming day. The next day dawned bright and sunny, with the slanting sun rays waking us up and as quickly as possible, with brimming enthusiasm, we got ready, finished our breakfast and without further ado, started from the hotel for the sightseeing.

Our itinerary consisted of a general tour of the city on the first day. So, all geared up for the day, we sat in the car and began the general tour of the city. The first place of visit was the Trafalgar Square. The large number of pigeons which flocked there just had me stupefied. I could not resist, so I quickly ran to the food vendor and bought some seeds to feed the pigeons. The pigeons of all sizes and colors flocked together to eat from my hands. At first, I was really scared thinking “ What if they chew off my fingers as well along with the seeds” , but then with a bit of persuasion from everyone, I got the confidence to feed them and it was a moment of pure fun and frolic.

Next, we went to the Buckingham Palace. My eyes literally popped out when I saw it for the first time. There were acres of rolling gardens everywhere and the palace itself was a piece of art. The exquisite carving and the way it was made in the typical British architectural style was indeed worth praise. The guard changing ceremony was to follow the palace tour, but then due to the rain, the ceremony was carried out wearing raincoats.

The best part was that I slipped in the bathroom while getting ready one day and twisted my ankle very badly. Owing to this, I had to wear a bandage and was not being able to walk properly as well. Taking an umbrella as support, I was forced to hobble around the city with a twisted ankle, but the enthusiasm went on unabated.

It so happened that I was traveling through the city and my dad suddenly decided to take a bus. I conveniently stepped onto the bus with a lot of difficulty owing to my paining ankle. But not sure of the route to take, my parents did not climb onto the bus. My pathetic luck, the bus started and I could not get off on time. Seeing my parents going away from me, I panicked and started crying. Somehow, on the next stop I got off and feeling lost and confused, I continued crying. Till the time my parents did not reach the stop, I did not stop crying. Never till now had I felt so lost, so helpless. But then, it was another experience worth a mention.

After the bus experience, we proceeded to see the famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. The sight which met the eye was astounding. The wax models which were there were so lifelike, I was having trouble in trying to figure out the difference between the real and the wax models. I remember, there was a guard standing on the doorway, and he was so still, all of us went up to him to check if he was a wax model as well. It was worth a good laugh for sure.

to be continued

Friday, December 25, 2009

A Paradigm

Some of us detest the spring season because it brings flu along with it, but some of us are left untouched by it too…. the chilly breeze is a nemesis for some, but for the rest it is sheer bliss, poetry in motion, romance in the air. Spring is constant and inevitable year after year…what... however, is changing ...is your attitude towards it!!

In the same way, my story will expatiate an incident in my life, which has been a stepping-stone to the growth of my maturity, my evolution and transition as a good human being as well as from a fledgling to a man. Over the various seasons of my life, it has been a continuous process, of positivity, right unto this day, since it is only through this transition that I am, as to what I am today, proud to be myself, "a loving child"," an endearing and supportive friend", “a hardworking and well balanced professional.”

I would like to unfold a first hand incident, which was an interlude to my metamorphosis.

On flipping back to the pages of my life, my most traumatic experience was, when I was 10 years old. My maternal grandmother, who had played a pivotal role in my upbringing, had started keeping very unwell. Being a child and highly immature, the gravity of the situation was not made aware to me at that point of time. Later in the same day, she suffered a major heart attack due to which she had to be immediately hospitalized. The sudden urgency in everyone's tones and way of speaking brought about a doubt in my mind. There was something more to what met the eye. Later, the same evening, my grandmother is driven home, but what I saw shattered me into a million pieces. The person I had idolized all throughout my life was no longer there to support me in my times of highs and lows. All I now possessed were a few sweet memories with which I had to spend my whole life. The fact of life, “Death”, had struck in my family and snatched away the most precious gift I had, from god, in the form of my beloved granny.

Death is, very hurtful and an appalling experience - but along with it comes the maturity to handle life and proceed with an iron fist. The whole experience was very unnerving and when I realized it, the bitter truth of loosing a grip on myself, was glaring at me in the face. The morbid situation had put me in despondency. Often, one looses control of one's own self due to emotional dependency and attachments, which usually hinders your overall personality growth. I was, in fact, no exception to this, although, the harsh reality hit me at a very tender age, it enabled me to take control of my feelings and in understanding the complexities of life, and how death plays an inseparable part of it in our lives.

This incident instilled in me a sense of oneness and all the innocence and childishness in me was replaced with a sense of purpose which was to help my relatives and parents specially my mother, to overcome the depression and to further be a pillar of strength for them, as this was the time when my worth as an individual would come to the fore.

Still, the memories of that dreadful day haunt me, but what I learnt that day… that no one is invincible and to believe in things blindly, is a foolish attempt and endurance is all it takes to be successful in life. So, in the end, no matter how many traumas and obstacles come your way, one should always strive to surpass them and try and be a good human being, because, after all that is what is the essence of life.

A Usual Day

It was early morning when the alarm on my cell phone began its monotonous blaring. I was actually caught between thoughts of whether I should get up or just put the alarm on snooze and nap for another 10 minutes. But then, I guess my laziness took over me as usual, being a typical Libran. I checked the message for my office transport and once I saw my colleague’s contact number in it, I thought, “What the hell, guess I can snooze for another 10 minutes!!!”

So, with sleep over-ruling my senses, I switched off my alarm, and slipped into the dream world all over again. But, without realizing I kept on sleeping and suddenly I am jostled out of my slumber by my mom’s screams. All I can hear are the words, “Sahil, get up or you will miss your cab!!!”. Thinking it’s just a part of my dream, I keep on snoozing away to glory. But suddenly, I feel something cold hit my face like being slapped with a big piece of ice. Realizing it was my mom throwing cold water over my face, I woke up with a start. Taking that as my cue, I jumped out of the bed, feeling as if all the adrenaline had already started pumping throughout my body.

Before rushing into the bathroom for my bath, I decided I needed to take out my clothes. Have you ever realized when you are in a hurry, you never seem to find the things you are looking for!?! It seems as if everything in the world has to go wrong at the precise time when you are in a hurry and too impatient to figure things out. So as usual, in all the hasty movements for taking out my things, I conveniently slipped and fell, cursing my ankle which got twisted.

Thus, began my morning ritual.

Crying in agony and cursing the wretched bed post, I wobbled around trying to find the necessary stuff and finally being satisfied with everything, I tried to rush for a bath. But, alas, that was not meant to be for I slipped and fell inside the washroom as well on the bathing soap. Not knowing what to do, I slowly got up and thinking it’s the end, I managed to get ready.

Having gotten ready somehow, I gobbled my breakfast and then like a maniac rushed out of the house as if the whole world was on fire. Once I reached outside my house, I noticed my office cab standing right there, adjacent to the triangular park, with its headlights on, like the glowing eyes of a ferocious animal in the bowels of a jungle.

The toughest task actually lay ahead of me. I opened the cab door (A Tavera which had a capacity to seat 8 people) and I saw there were already 7 people sitting cozily in the backseat of the car, sneering at me as if trying to challenge me to get in. Somehow, with a lot of pushing, shuffling, and grunting I managed to squeeze myself into the limited space available, though this task was not managed without attracting a few glares from my fellow travelers.

After this abominable task, I finally began the bumpy ride to my office. Geared up with my I-Pod, the ear phones plugged into my ears, I just sat with my eyes closed trying to concentrate on the things to be done in office that day, but to no avail. My inseparable companion, as usual took over me in a matter of seconds. With Shania Twain cooing in my ears, ‘forever and always’, I dozed off.

While sleeping, it felt like I am on a bumpy sleigh ride, wading through the snow, pulled by reindeer and the icy wind hitting my face, refreshing me through and through. But then suddenly, I am snapped out of my stupor. I woke up to find the window of the car open, the cold wind gushing and hitting me straight on the face. That’s when I realize the reason for the ecstatic feeling.

Finally, the car rolls into the office driveway. Struggling to open the door, I almost fell out, when the door is pulled open from outside by my colleague. In an attempt to conceal my embarrassment, I step out as if nothing had happened at all. With a straight back and bubbling confidence (but a slight limp because of the morning misfortunes), I walked ahead, entered the office premises, with my colleague by my side. Suddenly, he asks, “Sahil are you all right??? Why are you limping so much?” I just smiled and coyly replied, “Buddy, it’s a long story” laying the proper amount of stress and intonating the word ‘long’ as if I am a born voice and accent trainer. Seeing his confused look, I started reliving all those moments and just winced at the thought.