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Action Replay - March


March has been a crazy month. In every possible way. A hectic project, endless rehearsals for a dance show, anniversary preparations, travel and the start of a new project. But it has been a very fulfilling month for sure. To start of with, I was named the 'Employee of the release' for my last release. Months of hard work and late nights finally paid off. People who know me well, know how much my work means to me and something like this is an extreme boost. I love my job as it gives me my bread and butter and also gives me ample time to pursue my writing. Plus I enjoy what ever I do. So the next time you want to crib about your work, expect to hear a mouthful from me. If you do not like you work, please get out of it and do whatever makes you happy. Its not too hard, all you need is some balls.

We had a client visit in office this month. So a bunch of us were chosen for cultural events and since I was a part of the group that came first place in a recently held competition I was in too. The theme was '100 years of Bollywood'; so we had to cover songs from all the decades. Right from the black and white era, to the east man color, to the modern era. More than twenty songs were shortlisted and then the practice began. More than two hours a day and more than ten hours of body ache. My legs almost went sore everyday and my back was permanently numb. Finally the end result turned out to be wonderful and apparently the client was hugely pleased with our performance. Also, thanks to this, I don't need exercise for a few weeks now.


The highlight of this month was obviously our first wedding anniversary. Seriously, it is still so hard to believe that Cal and I have finished a year of marriage. It still feels like we are dating. That is because nothing has changed between us. I wanted to see The Taj Mahal since I was a kid. I remember admiring its beauty in pictures and dreaming of going there some day. And like almost all middle class families, we had a marble replica of it too. Something that I could hold in my hand and act like I owned a palace. When Cal heard about this unfulfilled wish of mine sometime ago, he promised to take me there. I never thought that it would be so soon. Cal recently had a job change so he could not take leaves. We had three days and planned a strict itinerary. Delhi and Agra were the only places on the list. On the morning of the 21st, we landed in Delhi. The weather was pleasant and we had already booked a car for the entire day. We went to our hotel and freshened up and set out to explore the city. And then it all began.

I never had any expectations about the city, but I was taken by surprise at what I saw. The national capital did not look like one at all. Although the roads are wide and comfortable, the place was extremely dirty. And crowded. Having lived in Bangalore all my life, I find it difficult to adjust to any other city. But this time, it was extreme. I had had a sleepless night thanks to a early morning flight and soon I was plagued with headache. Also, I hate crowds. I feel claustrophobic in public places. The tourists spots are mind blowing though. The Qutub Minar, the Lotus Temple, India Gate, Rajghat, Red Fort all of it stood out like strong as if telling a story themselves. I loved the Red Fort in particular, as it was very clean and neatly maintained. Every brick of it told a tale as Cal and I walked around the whole stretch holding hands. The lotus temple is beauty personified. And the peace you find inside it is something altogether. 


The best thing about Delhi turned out to be Chandini Chowk. The parathe waali gali to be particular. Cal loves North Indian food and I had to almost chain him to me to prevent him for straying. I lost him twice there. The parathas were soft and tasty and the accompaniments that go with it were worth dying for. The place is not neatly maintained at all. I saw a bunch of huge rats right next to where the cook was mixing the paratha dough. I lost my appetite right after it. Next stop was Haldirams for their sweets. Cal was lost again and I found him at the Rasmalai counter peeping into every counter around. Its really tough to manage a husband with a sweet tooth mind you. The next day, we left to Agra.

Agra is a good five hour travel from Delhi. By bus. Internet says three hours, but no. We boarded a bus by ten in the morning and got to Agra by three thirty. Agra turned out to be more crammed than Delhi and it was getting tougher by the second for me to adjust. We checked into a nearby hotel and left to visit the Taj after freshening up. I was thrilled to the bone and couldn't wait to see it. And just like Incredible India, we were asked to buy the tickets in black by our driver, to avoid the long queue. We did like we were asked. The first glimpse of the majestic beauty gave me goose bumps. I stood motionless when I saw the whole of it, standing there in pride. The tiresome journey, the place, everything suddenly felt like it was worth it. The Taj Mahal is truly a wonder and is definitely a must visit for everyone before they die. I still feel a rush every time I think about the day I laid my eyes on it for the first time.


We returned to Delhi the next day as our flight back home was from there. Cal and I explored the metro and absolutely loved it. Without a doubt, the best thing about Delhi. It connects the entire city and is clean and spacious. Even the metro stations were organized and well maintained. There was a metro rail that took us directly to the airport. How cool was that? Soon we were seated and on our way to Bangalore. As soon as I got out of the plane, I felt Bangalore embrace me. I am going to sound very biased now I know, but seriously there is no place like Bangalore. Ever. Maybe that's how the Delhites feel about their city too. I was just an out sider after all. Nevertheless it was a wonderful trip and Cal and I got the much deserved break we were craving for.

My project for June started with full swing and I'm going to be super busy. But I am not going to neglect my blog, as I have signed up for the A to Z challenge. So, for sure, they shall be twenty six posts this month. Yay, my highest so far I think!


I watched 'Queen', what a delightful movie it was. The promos of 'Revolver Rani' look brilliant too and suddenly I have newly found respect for Kangana. More on her, in another post.

So today, I bid goodbye to an interesting March and look forward to what April has to offer.

~ Soumya

Comments

  1. Hmmm welcome to Delhi I guess... Trust me what you saw was Delhi... Cowding, noise, pollution and poverty and nothing else... The places u visited come under National Heritage Sites hence were maintained but anywhere else... the same story of untidy, improper maintenance blah blah blah...
    And are you sure you had a fun metro ride!?!? Or did you just travel in the one that takes you to the airport only? Bcz only that metro can be called spacious otherwise rest are crowded like anything! You don't find space to keep your feet!
    Btw who recommended Chandni Chowk? Its a big no no if u r visiting Delhi!

    I was 10 when I visited The Taj and I still remember how I felt but still I can't put them in words... It was such an overwhelming sensation! Glad you had a great time there!

    And I am not a proud Delhite :-(

    Great Read!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The mess baffled me to no end! We took a metro all around the city. And the next day to the airport! It seemed totally fine for us. We lack something like this in Bangalore, hence I was impressed by it. Everyone we know suggested us to go to Chandini Chowk for its food. Although the food was extremely tasty the place around still creeps me out!

      The Taj is a wonder among wonders. So pristine, so serene!

      Come to Bangalore! ;)

      Delete
    2. Ok fine I agree! U can only like the metro if u don't have it! I was happy too initially with it but after some travelling in it, I found it too crowdy! And was annoyed and disappointed :-(
      Ok but do one thing dont suggest Chandni Chowk to anyone ;-)

      I m planning on coming to Bangalore ;-)

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    3. Hahaha you better get outa there ;)

      Delete
  2. You inspire me, woman! I don't do even 10% of what you do and still feel tired! All the best for the challenge.. I am sure you will manage well.
    As far as Delhi-Blore debate goes, this comparison holds true for all Indian cities. All are equal. We just become comfortable in our own space. If there is one city that changed that perspective of mine it's Chandigarh. It is so well planned that you feel like calling it a home. Do visit sometime :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you dear Nisha! I try to multitask :D

      I totally understand, Bangalore has spoilt me so much that nothing else will do for me now! I've heard Punjab is very well maintained. Chandigarh is a place I've wanted to visit ever since I saw Veer-Zaara! :)

      Delete
  3. I agree with whatever you said about Delhi. I have visited that place twice..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank God, I thought I was the only one. Twice? I'm never going back there again.

      Delete
  4. Hmm.. Could relate to some parts of the attitude towards Delhi since I felt the same too. Feeling towards Taj - Irreplaceable! Awesome place indeed. I think I felt about Delhi so because I have gotten used to the comfort zone that is Bangalore. ;) Days do fly after marriage if not before! :P Don't know where 2 months went!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, its all Bangalore's fault! :P

      You never know when you will cross a year, believe me. I'm still shocked that 365 days have passed since I became a wife! :D

      Delete
  5. You know I have grown up in a small town called Shillong and it's sooo clean ...So I do find it hard to adjust elsewhere..But Bangalore is so much better and I know what you mean about Delhi... I'm also scared about the place too... I can never live there...but I guess I should not say never!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've heard so much about the East! Its pristine clean is what all have to say. Cal and we shall visit the East soon.

      Delhi freaked me out to no end! In this case, I'm gonna stick to a never.

      Delete
  6. Congratulations on the Job award and of course watching the Taj. I hate Agra.

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  7. that's such a sweet post. When I visited Delhi, I felt the same. I was awed by the crowd in Chandni Chowk :P
    may you have many such sweet moments

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    Replies
    1. Thanks you Rajlakshmi! Lets not talk about Delhi for a while now :)

      Delete
  8. Good post but suggest for the A to Z you make your posts shorter as people won't have a lot of time to read. I'm a minion if you need any help.

    JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jo.

      A to Z posts will be shorter. This is a summary of a whole month :)

      Delete
  9. Now that I have lived in Los Angeles, I doubt if i can survive in Delhi But i am pakka desh bhakt too...entagled

    ReplyDelete

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