Comments on: Discover your true self – travel in India with lots of relatives http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=discover-your-true-self-%25e2%2580%2593-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:47:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Akshay http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-2131 Akshay Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:55:08 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-2131 Why not make your immediate colleagues and friends exercise? I heard half of America is obese and practically lives on junk-food. And I'd much rather that the pristine beauty of the Konkan be protected from the hordes of pot-smoking,boozing tourists(Indian and foreign.)who've so destroyed Goa. Another awesome place to visit is Garhwal(Uttarakhand.) It's absolutely,\m/,no other term describes it better. Another place you can visit is Nainital in the Kumaon region. You'll be amazed at the affluence, the climate, the beauty, the culture and the multi-ethnicity(Tibetans). It is the closest to the proverbial Paradise "Whiners" come looking for in India. Why not make your immediate colleagues and friends exercise? I heard half of America is obese and practically lives on junk-food. And I’d much rather that the pristine beauty of the Konkan be protected from the hordes of pot-smoking,boozing tourists(Indian and foreign.)who’ve so destroyed Goa.

Another awesome place to visit is Garhwal(Uttarakhand.) It’s absolutely,\m/,no other term describes it better.

Another place you can visit is Nainital in the Kumaon region. You’ll be amazed at the affluence, the climate, the beauty, the culture and the multi-ethnicity(Tibetans). It is the closest to the proverbial Paradise “Whiners” come looking for in India.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Shock laga kya ? | neoIndian - Confessions of a newly returned Indian http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-1972 Shock laga kya ? | neoIndian - Confessions of a newly returned Indian Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:02:17 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-1972 [...] relatives in India were shocked when he moved to India (“oh but he is so Americanized!”, “he will move [...] [...] relatives in India were shocked when he moved to India (“oh but he is so Americanized!”, “he will move [...]

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Gori Girl http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-1370 Gori Girl Wed, 06 May 2009 22:09:12 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-1370 Sounds like... a blast. My husband's siblings and parents, along with attendant spouses and children will be traveling to the US this summer for a three week vacation blitz. The itinerary is not yet hammered out, but I'm currently the lone voice in the woods calling for a lighter itinerary with less emphasis on the tourist attractions and more emphasis on actually seeing real America. You'd think they'd listen to the person born and brought up in the States... *grumble* I'll do my best to follow your wise wife's rule, though, and not whine while traveling. Sounds like… a blast. My husband’s siblings and parents, along with attendant spouses and children will be traveling to the US this summer for a three week vacation blitz. The itinerary is not yet hammered out, but I’m currently the lone voice in the woods calling for a lighter itinerary with less emphasis on the tourist attractions and more emphasis on actually seeing real America. You’d think they’d listen to the person born and brought up in the States… *grumble*

I’ll do my best to follow your wise wife’s rule, though, and not whine while traveling.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Vivek Khadpekar http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-1341 Vivek Khadpekar Mon, 04 May 2009 16:09:57 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-1341 Hi! I drifted here via Shefaly's blog. Very enjoyable reading, but I have a bone to pick: if your really find the Konkan coast all that much, why not go easy on "...a little bit of clever marketing and infrastructure development, the Konkan coast can easily become a major tourist attraction..." bit? You want it to be raped the same way as most of coastal Goa, Mumbai etc. have been (not to mention, minus the littoral context, Bangalore and Pune)? With friends like you, who needs enemies? :-) I am a bit confused about your geo-linguistic-cultural identity. Gauri hints at a possible 'aamchi' connection. But anyone whose uncle (however distant) believes that 'Aloo Tikki' is the local specialty of Maharashtra, is surely to be treated with caution ;-) Hi! I drifted here via Shefaly’s blog. Very enjoyable reading, but I have a bone to pick: if your really find the Konkan coast all that much, why not go easy on “…a little bit of clever marketing and infrastructure development, the Konkan coast can easily become a major tourist attraction…” bit? You want it to be raped the same way as most of coastal Goa, Mumbai etc. have been (not to mention, minus the littoral context, Bangalore and Pune)? With friends like you, who needs enemies? :-)

I am a bit confused about your geo-linguistic-cultural identity. Gauri hints at a possible ‘aamchi’ connection. But anyone whose uncle (however distant) believes that ‘Aloo Tikki’ is the local specialty of Maharashtra, is surely to be treated with caution ;-)

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: How to stop being a pseudo-intellectual and start earning respect after your move to India | neoIndian - Confessions of a newly returned Indian http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-1198 How to stop being a pseudo-intellectual and start earning respect after your move to India | neoIndian - Confessions of a newly returned Indian Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:40:59 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-1198 [...] grandma is just the funniest and the most devastatingly logical person you will ever meet. During Neo’s recent vacation, when one uncle was in the middle of an interminably long soliloquy on pranayama, Neo’s grandma [...] [...] grandma is just the funniest and the most devastatingly logical person you will ever meet. During Neo’s recent vacation, when one uncle was in the middle of an interminably long soliloquy on pranayama, Neo’s grandma [...]

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: neo http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-1043 neo Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:23:27 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-1043 @Vicki - That's a fascinating point. You're so right - many of those around me see our passion for exercise and eating healthy as narcissism. And of course, everywhere you go in India, you can't help but getting lectured endlessly about how Bengali, or Maharashtrian or South Indian diets are actually the best in the world (never mind the fact that almost everyone is overweight and is visibly low on protein.). @no-one LOL - Yes, I sure hope so. My aunt sings so well its not even funny. She watched just 2-3 episodes of American Idol and now she even sings a few rock numbers - American style, accent and everything. You're right - there's so much more to life than fitness (although its not mutually exclusive) :-) @Vicki – That’s a fascinating point. You’re so right – many of those around me see our passion for exercise and eating healthy as narcissism. And of course, everywhere you go in India, you can’t help but getting lectured endlessly about how Bengali, or Maharashtrian or South Indian diets are actually the best in the world (never mind the fact that almost everyone is overweight and is visibly low on protein.).

@no-one LOL – Yes, I sure hope so. My aunt sings so well its not even funny. She watched just 2-3 episodes of American Idol and now she even sings a few rock numbers – American style, accent and everything. You’re right – there’s so much more to life than fitness (although its not mutually exclusive) :-)

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: no-one http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-995 no-one Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:14:36 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-995 Neo, did you not know, laughter is the best medicine. Your overweight aunty will probably outlive you and she had a lot more fun than your exercising, eating healthy, no-ass behind. Neo, did you not know, laughter is the best medicine. Your overweight aunty will probably outlive you and she had a lot more fun than your exercising, eating healthy, no-ass behind.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Vicki http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-968 Vicki Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:36:50 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-968 Neo, you're making me want some tikka or other now! Sounds like a great vacation. ;) BTW, I think anywhere in the second or third world, people look at exercisers/runners as totally nutso because exercise is not really taken as a must but a luxury, especially when you are trying to survive (the ghee?) :) Neo, you’re making me want some tikka or other now!
Sounds like a great vacation. ;)
BTW, I think anywhere in the second or third world, people look at exercisers/runners as totally nutso because exercise is not really taken as a must but a luxury, especially when you are trying to survive (the ghee?) :)

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Easily Amused http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-911 Easily Amused Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:28:21 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-911 While ago.. was searching for pictures.. and stumbled on this.. good pictures of Indian architecture and landscape and such.. some have been removed since.. worth a look: http://www.irandefence.net/showthread.php?t=20036&page=4 Do look at all the pages :-) Great photography by serious shutterbugs.. very creative but some tweaked as all hell in PS ;-) While ago.. was searching for pictures.. and stumbled on this.. good pictures of Indian architecture and landscape and such.. some have been removed since..

worth a look:
http://www.irandefence.net/showthread.php?t=20036&page=4
Do look at all the pages :-)

Great photography by serious shutterbugs.. very creative but some tweaked as all hell in PS ;-)

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Easily Amused http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-883 Easily Amused Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:26:54 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-883 Call me lazy... I love infrastructure.. left to myself I'd die in India.. I've grown to love umbrella drinks.. and the scantly clad girls that serve em. I now love grilled anything and the sweet smell of BBQ.. I love that I can lose myself in a crowd and no one notices me or the gigantic snake in my shorts.. Call me lazy.. but I love it here. Neo buddy...Since you've been gone.. Chicken Tikka masala was crowned the national "Indian American" Dish.. but the orange chicken (butter chicken) has been giving it a run... You gotta love the fish in India though.. the fried ones.. the deeeeep fried ones... uuummm delicious! Am happy to hear you survived the family vacation.. fun time by the sounds of it ;-) Great picture of the fort.. have always loved pictures of forts..I like their expansiveness and grandeur.. and the space (my lovely wife though, would fill em up with all the furniture she sooooo lusts after..our pad isn't big enough for her super sized love of all things Oak and poor me).... I also find they satisfy a deep, dormant and sadly misunderstood - despotic craving.. to rule with an iron fist and laugh manically at weak willed peasants. Always thought evil villains (especially galactic kind) had all the fun... the young hero only succeeding in over powering them in their autumn years... in a few they would have died anyways.. Forts are a major part of any evil plan for world domination... only a needlessly complicated subterranean lairs trump it. While you were gone we've had tea parties and Texas threatened to secede..... again. I wonder if they'd rejoin mexico :-)) I also discovered that I live by the most tax-procrastinating city in the US: San Francisco. suck on that you tax paying pussies.. :-D http://dontmesswithtaxes.typepad.com/dont_mess_with_taxes/2009/04/americas-most-taxprocrastinating-cities.html Another thing... a minor storm in SFO's provincial tea cup.. the latest Trek movie shows our much loved city all built up..à la New York.. http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/io9/2009/03/Star-Trek.jpg Uh uh.. Our collective panties are in a bunch.. see you at the protest march. Viva la Raza! Call me lazy… I love infrastructure.. left to myself I’d die in India..

I’ve grown to love umbrella drinks.. and the scantly clad girls that serve em.
I now love grilled anything and the sweet smell of BBQ..
I love that I can lose myself in a crowd and no one notices me or the gigantic snake in my shorts..
Call me lazy.. but I love it here.

Neo buddy…Since you’ve been gone.. Chicken Tikka masala was crowned the national “Indian American” Dish.. but the orange chicken (butter chicken) has been giving it a run…

You gotta love the fish in India though.. the fried ones.. the deeeeep fried ones… uuummm delicious!

Am happy to hear you survived the family vacation.. fun time by the sounds of it ;-)
Great picture of the fort.. have always loved pictures of forts..I like their expansiveness and grandeur.. and the space (my lovely wife though, would fill em up with all the furniture she sooooo lusts after..our pad isn’t big enough for her super sized love of all things Oak and poor me)…. I also find they satisfy a deep, dormant and sadly misunderstood – despotic craving.. to rule with an iron fist and laugh manically at weak willed peasants.

Always thought evil villains (especially galactic kind) had all the fun… the young hero only succeeding in over powering them in their autumn years… in a few they would have died anyways..
Forts are a major part of any evil plan for world domination… only a needlessly complicated subterranean lairs trump it.

While you were gone we’ve had tea parties and Texas threatened to secede….. again. I wonder if they’d rejoin mexico :-))

I also discovered that I live by the most tax-procrastinating city in the US: San Francisco. suck on that you tax paying pussies.. :-D
http://dontmesswithtaxes.typepad.com/dont_mess_with_taxes/2009/04/americas-most-taxprocrastinating-cities.html

Another thing… a minor storm in SFO’s provincial tea cup.. the latest Trek movie shows our much loved city all built up..à la New York..
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/io9/2009/03/Star-Trek.jpg
Uh uh.. Our collective panties are in a bunch.. see you at the protest march. Viva la Raza!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: gauri http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-876 gauri Fri, 17 Apr 2009 23:36:22 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-876 @Roshni: I'm glad <i>someone</i> noticed ;) Well that's what happened to me when the kokam juice was linked to sol kadhi :-| It's like calling mango dal mango juice :P BTW, n: The first time I had Sol Kadhi I found it really weird-tasting. Probably the coconut milk. And then I consistently tried not to make a face the next couple times. But now I'm hooked! I make it at least once a month; goes really well with desi-style fish-fillet tikka. And not just with rice, I can drink cups of it by itself - *addictive*. I would have made the most horrendous face right now at anyone who'd have told me this a couple years ago. In other words - hang in there, don't give up, but <i>do not die before you have acquired the taste.</i> Seriously! @Roshni:

I’m glad someone noticed ;) Well that’s what happened to me when the kokam juice was linked to sol kadhi :-| It’s like calling mango dal mango juice :P

BTW, n: The first time I had Sol Kadhi I found it really weird-tasting. Probably the coconut milk. And then I consistently tried not to make a face the next couple times. But now I’m hooked! I make it at least once a month; goes really well with desi-style fish-fillet tikka. And not just with rice, I can drink cups of it by itself – *addictive*.

I would have made the most horrendous face right now at anyone who’d have told me this a couple years ago. In other words – hang in there, don’t give up, but do not die before you have acquired the taste. Seriously!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Roshni http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-872 Roshni Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:42:37 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-872 Hey Gauri... you say mango souffle and then link it to mango pickle!! How mean is that?!!! Hey Gauri… you say mango souffle and then link it to mango pickle!! How mean is that?!!!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: neo http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-865 neo Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:25:31 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-865 @V Exactly how we used to feel. Also, some people get so many phone calls even on vacation that I get an inferiority complex and start twittering away just to blend in. :-) @gauri I did see a girl laughing to herself while thumbing through what seemed like a thesaurus on the beach. I was tempted to ask her "I know this might sound crazy but does the name litterateuse mean anything to you ? No ? How about whydowe ?" @Roshni India is so beautiful its sad. Left to itself, Nature wants to be beautiful and clean. All we need to preserve it is to stop destroying it. :-( @gauri Huge fan of all things soufflé (how can anyone not fall in love with anything that has as beautiful a name). So there is this kokam-coconut milk blend "sol kadhi" that is served in parts of southern/coastal Maharashtra that I didn't like much (coconut milk is also very fatty). Towards the end of the holidays I was impressing the waiters by ordering "sol kadhi without the coconut milk" (although they always have low expectations from anyone wearing khaki shorts). @V Exactly how we used to feel. Also, some people get so many phone calls even on vacation that I get an inferiority complex and start twittering away just to blend in. :-)

@gauri I did see a girl laughing to herself while thumbing through what seemed like a thesaurus on the beach. I was tempted to ask her “I know this might sound crazy but does the name litterateuse mean anything to you ? No ? How about whydowe ?”

@Roshni India is so beautiful its sad. Left to itself, Nature wants to be beautiful and clean. All we need to preserve it is to stop destroying it. :-(

@gauri Huge fan of all things soufflé (how can anyone not fall in love with anything that has as beautiful a name). So there is this kokam-coconut milk blend “sol kadhi” that is served in parts of southern/coastal Maharashtra that I didn’t like much (coconut milk is also very fatty). Towards the end of the holidays I was impressing the waiters by ordering “sol kadhi without the coconut milk” (although they always have low expectations from anyone wearing khaki shorts).

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: gauri http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-846 gauri Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:43:45 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-846 PS: Do you like <a href="http://www.boloji.com/recipes/14.htm" rel="nofollow">mango soufflé</a>? I just love <a href="http://curryontheway.blogspot.com/2009/03/sol-kadi.html" rel="nofollow">kokam juice</a>! :-| g PS: Do you like mango soufflé?

I just love kokam juice! :-|

g

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: choxbox http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-841 choxbox Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:19:58 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-841 laughing away, as usual! laughing away, as usual!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Roshni http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-832 Roshni Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:13:08 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-832 hmmm 'Lazy American'... certainly food for thought. HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Tell me about trying to convince some relatives about just trying a lil' bit of exercise (whew!)!! Yes, most parts of India are spectacularly beautiful. When I hear people say how wonderful San Diego beaches are, I feel like sneering! What a pity the govt (and individuals) don't do a better job at advertising! hmmm ‘Lazy American’… certainly food for thought. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Tell me about trying to convince some relatives about just trying a lil’ bit of exercise (whew!)!!

Yes, most parts of India are spectacularly beautiful. When I hear people say how wonderful San Diego beaches are, I feel like sneering! What a pity the govt (and individuals) don’t do a better job at advertising!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: gauri http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-831 gauri Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:40:36 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-831 LOL, uptight Amru :P Bangalore-Goa-Maharashtra, eh...interesting. (The <i>amchi</i> antennae have gone up.) Watch out, we might just be related - then you can blog about how you hated me when I laughed at you :P :D g LOL, uptight Amru :P

Bangalore-Goa-Maharashtra, eh…interesting. (The amchi antennae have gone up.) Watch out, we might just be related – then you can blog about how you hated me when I laughed at you :P

:D

g

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: V http://neoindian.org/2009/04/15/discover-your-true-self-%e2%80%93-travel-in-india-with-lots-of-relatives/#comment-819 V Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:23:13 +0000 http://neoindian.org/?p=677#comment-819 Nice pics! I have had similar experiences on all my India trips,we reach SFO airport exhausted,working till the last minute,buying presents,etc and get no respite the whole vacation with all the relatives wanting to DO something all the time! Human doings or Human beings? Nice pics! I have had similar experiences on all my India trips,we reach SFO airport exhausted,working till the last minute,buying presents,etc and get no respite the whole vacation with all the relatives wanting to DO something all the time! Human doings or Human beings?

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]>