Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Back in Paris

I am finally back in Paris now [actually, reached on last Friday afternoon]. Am slowly processing the work and email backlog. Thanks for your wishes during the stuck-ness :).

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Stuck at Santa's Airport

I have been stuck in India for some days due to the volcanic ash on Europe.

Yesterday, I got into a last moment flight to Helsinki, and it landed 1000km North of Helsinki in Santa's official airport :-)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rovaniemi_Airport

Was in a hotel last night, going back to airport now. Let's see what happens. Still  no idea of how to get from Helsinki to Paris.

More updates as I figure them out :-).

-A

Saturday, April 10, 2010

India Notes, April 2010 Edition

As you might know, I am in India nowadays for my brother's wedding. Things, as usual, are very hectic, and I am writing this on my phone on the way to Chennai airport to pick up some guests who are coming for tomorrow morning's wedding ceremony.

Here is a set of disconnected observations and thoughts I wanted to share with you all. Let me know if you have any thoughts.

* weddings and other big family events are a wonderful occasion for family members to meet each other, some after many years. And when you meet your cousins after a long break, it does not take long to re-make that bond.

* The subway sandwich shop in Chennai has separate counters for veg and non-veg subs. And all halal meat. And no beef or pork. I just had an Italian BMT with chicken ham and mutton pepperoni. :)

* mosquitoes are evil.

* The streets of Patna are much safer now.

* I have lost my conditioning to the constant honking. Or maybe I never had it, having grown up in a walled campus and gone to college in another.

* Getting your blackheads removed hurts.

* BSNL 3G SIM cards will not work in Delhi or Mumbai. In Chennai, 3G will work but voice will not.

* Indian vodafone "zoozoo" ads are cool. Look for them on youtube.

* Indian soap operas are terrible. And addictive to parents :-(

* you cannot carry spare batteries in your carry on baggage.

* carrying an episode of Bones on your laptop is a great help on cheap domestic flights.

* It is hard to get attendees in a party to start dancing, but once it happens, it is great fun. Yes, photos and videos will be posted ;-). Also, remember to make some lemonade with salt and sugar to rehydrate if you plan to dance like a madman at your brother's pre-wedding party. :)

and finally,

* Family _is_ the most important thing.

Getting ready to leave in a wedding procession at 5:30 tomorrow morning,
-A

--sent from my Google HTC Magic--

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Thursday, April 01, 2010

Wedding Plans

OK, so all those who are reading this expecting to hear about plans for _my_ wedding -- sorry, consider yourself and unintended April Fool [or an April Fish, if in France :)]. (although, the last part of this post has something about my own arranged marriage :). )

This post is regarding my upcoming India trip, and the wedding of my dear elder brother!

The wedding is in Chennai [his fiancée is from Chennai, they both work in Atlanta] on April 11th, and the reception is in Patna [my hometown] on April 15th.

I am flying out this Sunday afternoon, and am looking forward to a 2-week break off the grid! Well, almost. I will still be carrying my HTC Magic with Google Android, and a BSNL 3G SIM card, but don't expect quick replies to email :).

So, any tips for attending a Tam Brahm wedding?
-A

P.S. As promised, here is an arranged-marriage themed video I played a short role in recently. It is a short film by Swati, and was shot near Paris. Thanks to the lovely Nishtha for not slapping me :P.