Miki...Eki?

Dear Seal Kaku,

Heavy is the heart
the tears do roll down
but will keep them in check
bcos Kaku, you would then frown...

you always smiled...
brought laughter whereever you went
made us laugh till our cheeks hurt
enjoyed life in its every moment.

you were a big awsum package
made us kids feel loved
the child in you gave many guest appearances
your "miki...eki..." is just one instance

wherever you are Kaku...
want you to know
you will always be in our hearts
your vibrancy is here to stay

love you and miss you...

your Eki... (miki)

Keep it simple silly!

BasicHalli has got this concept at its core. About 80kms from Bangalore central (Read M.G Road), off Kanakpura town, located in the village of Sundagatta is this perfect weekend getaway. No plush rooms, no fancy service, no jacuzzis, no champagne and cheese cake; yet, so soulful! A large land that had a soiree of opportunities, now houses 11 thatched huts, shaped like tents; a mini farm and a functional kitchen.

I have always planned what I do, how I will do it…when I shall do it..I basically plan. Back from my summer school course, Prashant planned this surprise weekend holiday. I was asked to pack minimal; carry water, torch and lighter. Having little clue where we going, I anticipated every turn on the road, craned my neck to read every board and signage. Imagine my surprise when I land into this basic village, named basically basicHalli!

A coconut tree by every hut and a rock bench in front of it; a large hammock over a water tank and vegetables grown in the garden used for cooking absolutely sumptuous vegetarian food. Not to forget the hot piping chai and heavenly ‘mensinkai’ bhajjis. We also had a barbeque and grilled chicken was made. The experience of eating all meals in huge steel plates and washing your own plates made perfect sense. The restrooms are common and about 25mts away from the huts. They are a no-nonsense utility restrooms, which could do with an extra rack to keep the toiletries. There are various activities that are possible. We could choose from a range of boardgames like housie, business, ludo and snake n ladder; or even play football or volleyball. I did try my hand at some of them and Prashant hosted housie for the group of people that were staying. There is a lake closeby where we did take a walk and felt one with nature. There is also a temple up the hill, where we were taken by a tempo early morning. The inhabitants of the tempo included some early risers and some cycles for the brave hearts who wanted to cycle 10kms downhill on an almost non-existent road stretch of 6kms. While Prashant cycled, for me it was a time to explore the hills and valleys through the lens.

Two of the founders, Anand and Lobo were there and made us feel so at home. Their exuberance, conversations and participative nature makes the holiday at basicHalli all the more interesting.

So, here is my Rating (../5) for this haven away from the chaos of the city.

• Concept:4.5

• Food: 4.5(extra pat for the garden grown veggies; one of the crunchiest beans I have had in a long time)

• Hut:4

• Restrooms: 4

• Overall experience: 4.25

Do I recommend this place to you: Of course. Why else would I blog about it!

Disclaimer: Not for the fainthearted and luxury seeking holidaygoers. If you want to enjoy nature, like your hut and ‘chape’ (mat) experience; want to sleep below the stars and eat simple yum food, then knock on the doors of basicHalli!

Read about BasicHalli here:)

5 years and counting!

It seems like just yesterday,
I walked through the gates of the Institute...
A little dreamy eyed,
Lot of apprehensions,
Cartloads of hopes...
I admit, wanting to change the world!

Five years now,
Experiences galore, onstage and behind the screens,
Papers, presentations, exams...
Challenging self,
Finding a new meaning in every Voice.
Finding permeating boundaries...
Wanting to still break new grounds...
Debates, dynamics and some daring thoughts
A little disillussioned...yet very hopeful;
A new spring in my step,
Countless 'e's in the enthusiasm...
Many friends for life...

Guess it has been good five years...
Five years and counting,
Need to giftwrap it soon!

UKUS Part 4: U

Find the 'U' in the unique
find the calling of your heart
let every fibre of your being
value life's every new start.
let no doubt shadow ur thoughts
find the ground you will break
write ur own story ur way..
ink ur life, have ur say!

UKUS Part 3: The Sojourn

Time does fly,
moments do go by...
new people, a couldron of cultures,
stimulating thoughts,
inspiring discussions.
Politics, art, history, system of education;
tea, coffee, some similar passions.

long winding walks,
walk amidst the clouds,
sunrays play hide and seek,
walk to hilltop ...
casting glances of poetry
and thoughtful smiles...

novel ways of knowing...
newness finds a new meaning..
like the sojourn so far...
Time does fly,
moments do go by...

UKUS Part 2: passtaaa

I love pasta...absolutely, like it the Italian way; like it even when it is Indianised with jeera and other spices, like it anyway anytime...anyhow:)

Aarti and I cooked dinner yesterday ( she let me cut the veggies and saute a little, being the perfect host)- stuffed pasta with bel peppers, mushroom, baby corn n broccoli...n green chillies...in pesto sauce! the gates of heaven just opened... teamed it with peppered mushrooms and garlic bread! had my 1st Pimm's & lemonade:) and have to admit very refreshing it is!

The highlight of the dinner was the stuffed pasta with cheese in it ...yumm!

This will surely find a place with me on my return journey:)

UK unbound Series Part 1: Walk through Borough Street

There is no better way to know a place than to walk through its lanes. My first evening walk at London was through Borough street.

Busy, colorful and so many stories of its own ... little sneaks that I took at lines written, smiles that crossed my face on seeing some ads; just awed by the women who strode down the footpath in their stilletoes and matching stockings; buses and taxis with movie and daily show hoardings, promising great entertainment and happiness; lot of cyclists and cycles parked for public use; London evening standard on a stool to just be picked and read, a look at the Guardian ...naah, an admiring glance. This was like a mosaic that emerged in front of me. Even while I sat at Starbucks and pondered over the overhyped coffee, I couldn't help but feel excited like a child looking at the telephone booths and the low emission zone sign boards.The street was filled with restaurants of all cuisines and had a restaurant named The Blue eyed maid and another called the Truly Indian. A pub quoted, "In heaven there is no beer, that is why we drink it here!"; a London college offered american degrees and a place called Slug and Lettuce had a war memorial plaque.

This was 45mins well spent and as i walked into Swan street and entered Skylark court, my abode for the next few days...I just felt happy to know that now there will be words unbound!

p.s: Photos of all the things/places mentioned will be up on FB:)

UK unbound Series

I like the idea of travelling, watch a lot of travel shows, always wanted to write travellogues but never really had the opportunity. While I do one of my first long travels in the next few days, i want to chronicle my UK visit as I see it.
Reading classics set in London, having friends staying here, seeing it on travel channels and now, finding myself here... 10 hours over ocean and land worth every moment!

Let me call this the UK unbound Series.

Beyond reason!

We don't need a reason to be happy
we don't need a reason to smile
we don't need a reason to dream
we don't need a reason to clap our hands
we don't need a reason to do a jig
we don't need a reason to love someone
we don't need a reason to live life!


Just be happy, smile, dream, clap your hands, do a jig, love someone and live life!

let all of this be beyond reason!

Urghhhh....

We always list what we love, what makes us happy, top this and top that...
Today, am in a mood to list the Top things that supremely irritate me, often pushing me to the edge of anger. People who know me will vouch for the fact that it takes a lot for me to lose my patience, get angry and shout at someone!!

When people blatantly lie
When people pretend
When the so called social status become a parameter of judgment
When people fake 'nicety'
When people take credit for work they have not done
When people do not give credit to people who have done the work
When people for the life of them can't praise someone
When people think they are the best, smartest...whatever est...
When people make politically incorrect statements(caste/ community/gender based)
and finally,
When people think they know everything...(for heavens or hells sake, grow up!)

am sure there are more...and i know these are personal thoughts...
some of the above may be well accepted or OK for some people...

All these instances make me feel, say and think...Urghhhhh!!!

M trail

one moment things seem super complicated and the next, the answers just appear!

i like the next moment very much!!:)