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 :).

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

[mobilePic] Me with the bride and groom. :-)

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[mobilePic] Fun and games at the post wedding lunch

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[mobilePic] Putting sindoor (crimson matrimonial powder) in the bride's hair.

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[mobilePic] Tying of the mangalsootra. wedding necklace

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[mobilePic] Kanyadaan: the giving away of the bride to the groom

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[mobilePic] The wedding has started!

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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--

[mobilePic] Lunch: drumsticks in mustard curry on a leaf plate :)

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[mobilePic] First meal at home: mom-made mutton curry

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[mobilePic] First meal on Indian soil. sambar vada at Delhi airport

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[mobilePic] Guess what this Finnish ad is for!

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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.

Wonderful Low-Budget Docu on Banaras/Varanasi

@varungrover pointed me to this wonderful documentary. Have a look at the awesomeness that is the city where I spent 4 very formative years of my life :).

Die in Varanasi (Holy Shit) from isaac niemand on Vimeo.

What is impressive is that this was shot on a super low budget. Very nice.
The filmmaker's page is here.

P.S. I am flying to India for two weeks this Sunday. Wish I could also visit Varanasi :-\.

[mobilePic] Alu Paratha, Raita, and Mango Pickle. Yummy Sunday lunch

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[mobilePic] Ethipian chicken curry in Paris. yum. :-)

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Birthday and Other Updates

So yesterday, March 3, 2010, I turned 29. [yes, n was = 28, and now n = 29].

The birthday was fun, including a ton of wishes, online (on Facebook, Orkut, Twitter, Buzz, etc), on the phone, and in person. I got a gift from E, which was pretty and useful [reminded me of the cute-and-useless bunny from the Vidushaks in 2008 :)], and Leesa is going to bake a cake this Saturday :).

After work, a bunch of us work buddies went for drinks in Paris, with @jasminf and @lafauxvaisienne joining us. This was followed by some yummy take-home lebanese food and desserts. Good times overall :).

Previously, on March 1st, we celebrated Holi at work. Here are some pics [embedded below for your convenience]:



And tomorrow morning, I am going for my 3rd and final eye injection [those who do not know why I am getting these injections, please click here]. Will tweet about it as it happens.

That's it for now. Back to paper writing!

Holi Hai!

Super busy with writing and reviewing papers, but still missing Holi :-(. Some quick links

1. Wonderful NPR post on Holi. Give a Listen

2. Wikipedia on Holi.

3. My Holi Bollwood Song playlist


4. A Special and Wonderful Holi Video. Must watch.


Happy Holi y'all! And know that I am very envious of all of you who are able to play with colors today. :-(

On the bright side, I did buy some desi sweets last evening, and S and I will be sharing them with our non-desi officemates this afternoon [like last year]. And yes, there will be color :).

[previous Holi posts]

[mobilePic] mmm. Falafel chez Hannah

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