Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Act!

What do I do instead of writing my essay? I blog. It’s a good stress buster. As is Twitter. Just saying.

Anyway. This blog is going to be a rather serious one. Only because it got me thinking. Now, before you get all critical, offensive and defensive, this blog is not targeted at anyone. It’s just my general thought. I may be wrong for all I know as I do not know what’s going on in your minds.

So going abroad and studying? Best experience ever. But, where are my qualifications going to play their part? My home. I have two homes so I’ll probably try and incorporate both. But no matter how much I say I am Zambian at heart, I am also partly Indian. And I love India. The culture, food, people, ambiance  traffic, dust, shopping…what’s not to love?

Point being, I am studying abroad. But I want to use this education to help make my country better. Why should I stay here and make a good place even better when I need to improve my country? I am not saying my country is bad. It’s not. In fact, it’s far from bad. Sure we have certain happenings that are not acceptable in society. It’s not like all the other countries in the world have no crime, rape, murders, etc. They do. We’re just not aware of it.

Use opportunities wisely. Don’t improve the good. Improve what needs improvising. Don't complain. Act. Give back to your country for a better future. 

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Turkey Part I

Swansea to London to Istanbul to Cappadocia to Istanbul to Dalaman to Marmaris to Dalaman to Istanbul to London to Swansea. Whew! Never thought we'd do this much in a week. Then again, what's life without spontaneity?

On a more serious note, this trip was a short one. But totally worth it. All thanks to the beautiful country of Turkey and the lovely group of friends that were on this trip. Having said that, a week is not enough to see Turkey. Hell, a week isn't even enough to see Istanbul!

Istanbul

Istanbul is not the capital city of Turkey, as many people would assume. Ankara is the capital city of Turkey. However, Istanbul is probably more popular because this is where the Galata Bridge is, from which both continents, Asia and Europe, can be seen; a small part of Istanbul is in Europe while the rest of it is in Asia. Turkey on the whole is considered an Asian country.

Dolmabahce Palace
Photograph By: Parinetha S Aradhya

Istanbul has the most famous mosque, Hagia Sophia, which was once a church. Therefore, when you go inside the mosque, you will notice that there are paintings of Mary, Jesus and a few crosses here and there. Architecture in Istanbul (And in Turkey, in general) is a mixture of European and Islamic. You will find a mosque everywhere. Another place worth visiting in Istanbul is the Blue Mosque. It is famous mostly for it's Blue Dome, which has some intricate design work worth seeing.

In Istanbul, we also went to a place called "Dolmabahce Palace" which was served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire in the late 1800s to the early 1900s. It is divided into two sections: Harem, the administrative area, and Selamlik, the residential area. We only got to see Harem as we had time restrictions. However, seeing Harem on its own was enough. We are not allowed to take photographs inside the buildings as some parts of the building are made of real/pure gold and crystal and therefore, photography could damage these materials.

Cappadocia


Cappadocia: Walking to the Caves
Photograph By: Anupama Subramaniyam
Cappadocia is very famous for its caves. It is known as the cave city. We stayed in a hotel called the "Local Cave Hotel" which has adapted some of the caves into rooms. It was quite a climb for us but the views from the rooms are totally worth it. The city (more like town) is really small compared to Istanbul.

We visited the Underground City. This is a "city" that was constructed BC and it has 12 floors. When you inside, you more or less feel like you are inside a cave. The tunnels through which you walk are rather narrow and small. On the whole, it's the experience that counts and somethings makes me think that even in those days, constructing something so complicated yet useful was possible without machinery. It was a good experience.

The caves in Cappadocia are quite a climb. They are high up, near a stream of water. The caves have some Christian paintings that were made by the Greek during the migration of people between Greece and Turkey years back. These paintings have faded today due to it's age and of course in the past, some of the paintings were deliberately rubbed off due to nonacceptance of religion. Today, of course, this is not the case.

Marmaris and Pamukkale


Pamukkale
Photograph By: Anupama Subramaniyam
Our next destination, Marmaris, is near the beach. However, our timing was impeccable as we went during a thunderstorm. Therefore, we couldn't spend much time at the beach. However, we did go to Pamukkale, which is a three hour drive from Marmaris.

Pamukkale is a natural site of hot springs on this big rock of calcium. More than anything, walking on this "calcium-water" source is the most amazing feeling ever. The water is cold at some points and warm at others. Pamukkale is a relatively hot area so we enjoyed it the most (coming from cold, windy, rainy area!).

General
The food in Turkey is pretty traditional. If you are Indian, their spicy standards do not match yours. No matter how spicy you ask them to make it. If you are vegetarian, welcome to a "pide" spree. Pide is nothing but Turkish traditional pizza, which is like normal pizza but the bread is ten times better. Which brings me to my next point: Bread. Bread in Turkey is to die for. They really know their bread. You will find endless variety of bread, all freshly made. The smell of fresh bread. If you are in Turkey, you have  to try their Pita Bread. Total food-gasm. Best part? Bread is complimentary.

Traditional Turkish Wine
Photograph By: Anupama Subramaniyam
On the whole, the trip was worth it, even if it was a week. I would not recommend visiting Turkey for those who are physically unfit as you have to climb a lot! I am not even exaggerating. Having said that, the views and information are totally worth the climb. So if you're in for some fantastic knowledge gaining session, good food, good wine and some adventure, Turkey is the place for you.

Visiting?

If you are visiting Turkey, here are some tips. Note that we went to Turkey in January so these tips are according to the weather we experienced which was all types, rain, snow and sunny.

- Carry enough clothing to keep warm and protect from the rain
- Travel by the tram/metro in cities. Very cheap!
- Buying a sim card with data services is worth it. It will help you navigate better.
- Hiring a car is not a bad idea.
- Visit Marmaris during summer.
- If you have an Indian Passport (I know this because I have one), you get VISA on arrival.

Personal Experience to follow soon.

Monday, February 11, 2013

14th February

SINGLE'S PERSPECTIVE

Only because I am single, I shall crib about Valentine’s Day. It sucks. All those couples around doing their things; buying each other gifts, going out on a romantic date, being there for each other. GAH. Nauseating. Being single on Valentine’s Day sucks. It’s like not being drunk on St Patrick’s Day! Or not having cake on your birthday. You feel so incomplete. There’s a hole in your heart. I think I shall go and eat my chocolate ice cream, watch some pathetic romantic movie and cry now.

COUPLE'S PERSPECTIVE

Aww honey. I love you but today I shall show you that I love you. Here, have this gift basket. And chocolate. And I’ll take you out for dinner. And here’s a Mercedes. Also, we have to show PDA because you know…you just have to. Really. Today is the day that I will love you so much. I do love you but today I just have to express it because on other days I don’t. Or I do and the world doesn’t know about it.

MY PERSPECTIVE

Hello there. So. Valentine’s day. Hmm. What’s the big deal? There’s always a big deal. But before we go there, what is Valentine’s Day? According to Google, and the online dictionary, it’s a day for the exchange of tokens of affection. So where the hell does the whole “I’m single” or “I’m in a relationship” or “I don’t have a date on this day” play its part?!

Okay fine, I understand people go a little overboard with the gifts and affection. So you do it too!! Who says the “token of affection” has to be for your boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband/partner? You can get something for your sister, brother, mother, father, etc. I know Fathers and Mothers have their own days…but do siblings?

Which brings me to my next point. WHY IS THERE A FREAKING DAY FOR EVERYTHING?! If I love someone, I would tell them! (Maybe not immediately, but I would someday.) But that day does NOT have to be Valentine’s Day.

Same way, I will buy my parents stuff when I feel like. I will tell them I love them and hug them and what not whenever I feel like. I do not need Mother’s Day or Father’s Day to express my love for them.

So all you single people sitting there, feeling sorry for yourselves, GO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SALES ON CHOCOLATE! Okay seriously, pull yourself together. You are an amazing person. You know it. Just go out on Valentine’s Day with a few people. Go party. Go have dinner. Have a movie night. Anything. Express your love for the people that really matter. Don’t hook yourself up with someone just because you have to.

If you’re in unrequited love (my area of expertise), either pluck the courage up to go and tell that person that you’re in love with them or don’t. Really up to you. Happiness is a key element in love. If they're happy, you should be happy.

Having said all that, I am an overly romantic girl. I am expecting a lot from this day. Probably from someone who doesn’t even care. I know having expectations is probably the worst thing anyone can…have? Oh well. It’s like any other day otherwise.

I love you all. Peace. 

Friday, February 8, 2013

Coffee Coaster = Life's Philosophy

It’s a normal Friday. Sitting, drinking coffee, reading the morning news on my laptop (yeah, we’re out of that era where we used to read this thing called a “newspaper"). Anyhu, I was drinking my coffee and introspection just interrupted my reading. Well, more than introspection, it was “what’s the plan for today?”
“Let’s see…Gym at 9 30, Back at 11 hopefully. Shower, cook, eat, and go to lectures. Come back, waste time, and dance. Hmm. Sounds legit.”
Photograph By: Anupama Subramaniyam

Then I looked down to keep my coffee mug and my coaster stares at me with this big fat question in my face: “Is there more to life than this?”

First I was like, “Bitch. Whacha lookin’ at? You just a coaster. Of course you’re gonna ask such questions if you have a coffee mug’s ass on your face every day.” 

Then reality hit. Not the questions. But why I have such a negative form of a question, let alone in my room, but something I’ve to read every morning when I wake up and drink coffee.

Then again, if there’s a bad, there’s a good. I could say, “YES. There is more to life than just this. But I’ve to wait.” As they say, patience pays. So I’m waiting for that “more” to life. It may be later on today. Tomorrow. Day after. Next week. Next month. Next year. Whenever. But it’s coming. And it’s more. And it’s good.

Send good vibes. Spread positive vibes. Be depressed once in a while. Need to balance things out. But don’t dramatize. Look forward. I’m looking forward to my “more”. Keep smiling! :)

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Gravity?

I haven’t blogged for a while now. Mainly because I’ve been on another holiday. And the semester stared. Busy busy. Some recent conversations have led to this post. This post is going to talk about the most random thing you can think about. Because being random, spontaneous, weird, etc. is the new cool. Yo.

"Anti-Gravity Trees"
Saint George Church, Cappadocia
Photograph by Anupama Subramaniyam
So I was on holiday in Turkey (post to follow soon) with a few friends: Ketan, Pari, Suniel and Varun. It was a good holiday. Good bonding session, got to see new places, ate good food, bought new stuff…you know, normal holiday-y things. However, we came across these rather weird trees. We didn’t know what to call them! They looked like they had gone through an electric shock and a huge argument with gravity. We called them “anti-gravity trees”

This brings me to my next point. Can anything really be anti-gravity? Think about it. Trees grow upwards, not downwards. We grow taller, not shorter. Or maybe because I am not a science student, my theory is stupid? Don’t blame me. We art students think about very profound and mind-boggling things that this thought of gravity is just the tip of the ice berg!

Anyway, having said all that, I've to get back to my world of literature. This thought just hit me and I had nothing to blog about so being random it was. If anyone has any crazy ideas, thoughts or anything, please do share them in your comments. I’m all ears for crazy news! Peace.