Snow In April

Just couldn't believe what I saw when I parted the curtains yesterday morning. SNOW. In Amersham/London in APRIL. Just the other day Spring was in the air... When I spoke to my parents in Jaipur, they talked about hail in Jaisalmer (again in April) just about the time when the mercury should be touching mid 30s celcius in Rajasthan in a normal year. Gobsmacked!!

Isn't this summer in the northern hemispehere or has the earth taken a 180 turn on its axis. Is is going to be summer in South Africa soon?

Enough about the weather..and no it is not my acquired English sensibilities in this regard but something is definitely the matter. Wonder what else is in store.

Anyway, it is term break for the kids and when they return to school- it will be the summer term. That is definitive.

We were all planning to go and see the Olympic torch relay but somehow could not muster the courage to brave the chill. Watching it on telly- glad we didn't. I mean who would want to see (that is if you could glimpse) the torch when three columns of bodyguards and cops were barricading it.

2012 in London perhaps! That is if they can get the stadiums and facilities ready by then. Looks like that is a tough one. Apart from running out of money, they are surely running out of time

I believe the journey for the Olympic torch in Paris will be even worse. There has been a far greater build up of protest there.

Apart from that, if the Indian cricket team does not redeem itself against South Africa in the Kanpur test, they should be summarily kicked. IPL or no IPL, consistency is what they should be paid and rewarded for.

The Joy of Little Things

Girija is all of (nearly) 7 and she made breakfast today! It is remarkable to watch little children do things that are a chore for grown ups. The sheer discovery of a new source of joy and the relentless pursuit of adding to what they observe truly make children the parents of mankind. Everything has a new beginning and the process is a lot more fun to them then the outcome.

As I watched her pop the toaster and as she gingerly, while climbing on a stool, extricated butter and preserves from the fridge, wrapped up in her own little world- truly enjoying herself, I learnt so much about living in the moment.

A wonderful beginning to the weekend..

HotOber ( Hot October)

Autumn is meant to herald the onset of winter. The leaves begin to turn a darker shade of green before turning crimson, biege and many beautiful shades of red. The streets and motorways are beautifully lined with picture-postcard views where the old order changeth. People bring out their woolens, test their heating and before the clock goes back in the last week of October- prepare for early suppers and start on their Christmas lists.

2006 has been clearly unusual this far. Quite remarkably so.

I had to rake my driveway only twice this far and the weekend was close to a nice summer day. Not that I am complaining but the undercurrent of this phenomenon is rather frightening. CO2 emissions, global warming, a fading planet may be a distant possibility for most of us- it turns real when you witness some of this stark and significant climate change. I was at Heathrow airport this morning and it was indeed ironic to see that some of the largest hoardings were advertisements from companies conscientious about CO2 emissions, alternative energy and environmental responsibility. All this at an airport clearly bursting at its seams with airplanes that collectively only burn bigger and bigger holes in the ozone layer!

Apart from that life continues in its state of unabated frenzy!

Once again...

Here I am again... With a fresh resolve to sign in and write more frequently than I have in the past. Still in the UK. Time has just flown past. No rest for the wicked! Work continues in full swing and the kids are growing up really fast. Girija loves her school in Denham even though we now live in Amersham. Abhi has just won an award for the best student all-round and Uma continues to make her mark in Piano.

In the middle of all these- they are currently enjoying autumn in Amersham which is where we live in the Chiltern Hills, Buckinghamshire


Have lived through a change of all seasons in England and have to say- it is quite refreshing to experience it after a few years of monotony. That said, winter is upon us with its long (dark) nights. Sometimes I think the festivity of Christmas is meant to just alleviate the gloom of these cold dark wintery nights.

Lots going on. Lots to experience and lots to share...so keep reading!

Oxford is indeed very pretty and the spires do dream..particularly when you watch them against what are perenially grey/overcast skies - Well as long as I have been here, for most days it has been grey and overcast with the intermittent threat of a sunny day every now and then looming large. Unlike most threats I'd like this to come to bear- and I will gladly bear the consequences.

'Summer is upon us' is what you hear the moment the sun shines bright even if only just... and in a flash you watch the clouds take over and bring along with them an icy breeze. That said, as the days get longer, the walks around Abingdon beckon. The lush meadows and the wooded countryside is begging to be explored. I have even bought myself a nice set of walking shoes. That was a month ago and I have to rid them of their packaging yet.

Well, England and Tony Blair are full of promise. Labour has been re-elected for another term and the land of the Bard does not want another tragedy. What with everyone waiting with bated breath for England to be the chosen city for 2012.

Lots of people want it to be Paris...wonder why? Guess I have to find out. If I do, I will let you know.

Until then..Keep smiling and have fun all ye'

It has been a while..well over a year since I visited these pages. Well...here I am again. Only this time from a completely different continent from where I wrote last. Those of you who are unaware of my travels, I have been recently transferred to the UK based out of Oxford. Still with ACNielsen.

So here I am in cold and grey England. The transition from 25' C to almost freezing temperatures in a matter of just a few hours left me ..well, cold. George who received me at Heathrow in his gleaming BMW made up for it, at least in part, by his warmth, smile and pleasant albeit a bit nosey conversation through the 45 minutes drive to Oxford. George epitomises the 64+ middle class life style in England. I learnt that he had retired and now, after having scaled down his life style, worked part time for a limousine service and spent the rest of his time, and money, traveling the world and savouring 'coffee and sunsets in varying climes'. He was quick to mention that it had been frightfully chilly the past week and snow at this time of the year was highly unusual. These are supposed to be shoulder weeks when people prepare to welcome spring which is, at least as far as tradition dictates, only three weeks away. As a matter of fact, it hadn't snowed in Oxford for two years until last night. As I tuned into BBC in my hotel room, I learnt that back in Dubai, Tim Henman, the poster boy of British tennis lost in a rain interrupted match at the Dubai Tennis open. Rain in Dubai! That too 7 times during the course of one match...there is something really strange about global weather.

You will notice that I am already beginning to acquire the all pervasive English preoccupation with the weather. I am beginning to understand why.

Leaving Dubai after all these years was heart rending. While a spate of farewells left me very tired, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection. All of it was stunning and as I write, I am exhausted but very very grateful for all the friends I have.

In the middle of all this, I am also trying to shake off a flu I acquired recently so am not feeling supremely agile (sprightly... as they say in these parts) and with the cold weather to boot, it is best perhaps to lie low in the warmth of some central heating and some great memories. Work starts on Monday and a new chapter begins in my life which has had some very interesting surprises over the years. It is a huge challenge and I must admit, I am a bit anxious. Whatever happens, I shall do my best and accept the outcome with gratitude and a smile. Will need all your good wishes.

And of course, will keep writing without much expectation of a reply but in the belief that you will read my ramblings in these pages and somehow, despite our otherwise busy lives- and at times inadvertantly, stay connected.

Just returned this morning. Jeddah was hot but not so humid as Dubai can get this time of the year as the heat desperately tries to cling on to every droplet of vapour for respite. Feel strangely disoriented. In any case, when you travel on work, it tends to be another plane, another airport lounge, another limo to the hotel and another hotel room. It is funny that wherever you travel on work these days, even the breakfast is the same! A surreal dimension to the global economy which is so engrossed with emulating standards that its efforts leave no room for the simple, unexpected, surprising touches. Once you are profiled, even your mattress is the same wherever you go! One reason I love traveling in India is that most hotels have a unique character, the food is just delightful and the smiles extraordinarily pleasant.

I am sure traveling expands horizons etc, it also instills in one an ability to work with an expanded time horizon. I sometimes wonder whether in this big game of corporate jet-setting there is another, bigger reason..one that is more real, pertinent and tangible. Sometimes I think this game is engineered only to allow for a change of scene. If that is even remotely the reason then I have to say, going by what cloning of service has achieved, reality couldn't be further from the objective.

I mean, every European city wants you to feel at home. Why would you want to feel at home, when you are actually away - knowingly, voluntarily and for a reason? And what after all is being at home? I never get a welcome drink (sparkling water with a twist of lime, two cubes of ice) at home. Neither am I asked how I would like my potatoes this morning. Or does every traveler have a fantasy of being serviced in a manner that stinks of 5 star patronage-at home? I counted almost 20 'How are you sirs' between taking the headphones off to throwing myself on the massive King Bed at the Meridien. I definitely did not feel at home.

Talking of change of scene, while the tensome are busy tapping on the key board, I shift my gaze away from the rapidly forming letters on this TFT screen...the sun is shining bright on the lake beneath my office window. A boat seems to have been moored right in the middle with no-one in sight. The large fountain is quiet and will get excited only when the moon makes its presence felt and nudges it to explode in the anonymity of night. As of now it seems to be resting on the shoulders of these placid waters. My attention is suddenly drawn by the phone on my desk, closer home, making its presence felt in a gentle yet compelling manner commanding me to release it from its cradle and pay heed to its shrill siren. ACNielsen's majestic blue stares at me form all angles...Welcome home - o weary traveler!

Another day unfolds....