Language connection

It is fun to talk to someone in his/her own language. It brings a sense of closeness. I am always eager to learn at least a couple of words in different languages.

At a restaurant in New Delhi, a group of Europeans were finishing their dinner and we were waiting for our turn. When they got up, I told one of them “Auf Wiedersehen” (Good-bye in German). Surprised, she shook hands saying “Danke” (Thanks).

When we entered the Forum mall in Bangalore, I noticed a European promoting a hair-straightening product for women. My daughter looked at it with excitement and I asked him the price. He mentioned it, and thankfully, I did not faint.

I asked him where he was from and he replied Hungary.

My daughter and I chorused, “Bochanot” (Hungarian word for Excuse me). We had heard the word in a famous English serial.

He was so touched he gave a free demonstration and my daughter was thrilled with her new look. 

Talking about looks, you might have heard this joke.

A woman leaving a beauty parlour tried to dial her hubby, “I am ready, come and pick me up.”

“Wrong number, ma’am,” came the reply. “This is a cemetery.”

Joys of travel

Striking conversations with strangers has never been a problem for me.

During a recent one-day bus trip to Agra from Delhi to see Taj Mahal, I had made friends with almost all co-passengers by noon. Young Mohammed told me he was a farmer from Gujarat and I hugged him. I have huge respect for farmers. “How come you speak fluent English in western style?” I asked and his wife replied, “We studied in Britain.”

One Nair of Kerala took the role of a guide and explained all he knew about Delhi. An engineer’s family wanted me to click photos repeatedly and my irritated wife gave me a sly look.

We noticed two young western girls sticking to themselves. When the driver announced a short break for purchases, I casually told one of them, “Return fast or we will leave you here.” They giggled and we introduced each other while entering a shop. Both were Americans, one of Indian origin. “I am a nutrition specialist,” said Jennifer, while Renuka said she was a media student. “Hey mediaaa! Join my gang,” I screamed in excitement prompting a shopkeeper to give a “get out” look. Plain jealousy seeing three youngsters chatting merrily!

Air passengers are perceived as unfriendly, but I had a different experience. On my flight from Delhi to Mumbai, the plane experienced turbulence. I was stunned by the shaking of the plane. An old woman sitting next consoled me, “Don’t worry, we will not die.” I reacted, “I have seen more turbulence at home,” only to get a painful pinch from my wife.

A passenger on the front seat turned and I asked him, “Are you worried too?”

He smiled and replied: “I just remembered my mother-in-law was supposed to accompany me.”

Window wisdom

I love windows. The world would have become a boring place without them. A house that does not have a window is as good as a concrete prison.

While visiting three major cities in India, I opened the windows at my place of stay and this is what I observed.
From the second floor window at Karol Bagh in Delhi, I noticed an elderly man who lived opposite the road under a thatched roof. Visibly an Alzheimer’s patient, his body was shaking most of the time. Dressed in simple, holy man’s clothes, he looked at peace with himself. All he did the entire day was to lie on the bed inside or crawl on to the tricycle he had parked outside his hut on the road.
I learnt that he was an autorickshaw driver who stopped working after he got the disease, but never begged for livelihood. “He is noble. People consider him a holy man and offer food and money and also seek blessings,” explained my relative. While leaving Delhi, I smiled and waved at him. He returned the greeting with a wide smile. That’s all we communicated in an entire week.
When I opened the window of the first-floor Bangalore apartment belonging to my sister-in-law, I saw a two-storey building across the road. I gathered that the owner lived on the first floor and ran a shop on the ground floor, while the second-storey apartment was rented out. He sold vegetables at the shop whenever he felt like. What a cosy life!
When I opened one of the windows of a luxurious apartment owned by a relative in Khargar, Mumbai, I noticed a guy answering nature’s call on the footpath opposite the road. But then Mumbai, which indeed is a dynamic city, is also known for such complexities.

Clicks with friends

It was a pleasure meeting Lawyer-Journalist blog friends, Sanands, in Delhi. It was a wonderful get-together. The hero of the evening was junior Sanand, Aditya.

Met journalist friend Sudha in Chennai after years.

Dinner with BB Nayak (7-times Guinness winner) family in Navi Mumbai.

Will try to post more pictures ASAP.

Back in Sharjah

Ya. The vacation is over and it is back to work. Thanks to all dear blog friends who got in touch with me in India. More about it soon. Best wishes always to everyone who drops in here.

In Chennai

In Chennai now before leaving for Sharjah on 29th. Sorry I was regularly irregular thanks to lack of proper Net connection. Will re-connect ASAP.

In Mumbai

Good day. Reached Amchi Mumbai Sunday (week's stay). Plz be in touch on 9962387982 Would love to connect with Mumbai friends cheers

In Delhi

Am presently in Delhi from today for a week. Will be in touch with best friends. Cheers