I went to my native place last week. I always take the ECR road. After reaching Cuddalore, I took a private bus to Neyveli and got a seat beside the front exit. The trip was uneventful till it reached a place called Kurinjipadi.
In Kurinjipadi, a man got into the bus through the front exit. A woman was holding his elbow and entered the bus behind him. I found everything normal untill the experienced conductor told the woman that he can't take a drunkard in the bus.
He told the woman, "You both get down. I can't take him in he bus"
"Please brother, I am with him. I can handle him", She pleaded
The conductor agreed to take them and asked her "Where do you want to go?". The question was replied rudely by her drunk husband, "Where is the bus going?"
The conductor was visible irritated. However, the woman pleaded again to the conductor and tried to calm her husband. He was so drunk that he started to shout at her. The conductor gave her two tickets to Neyveli and moved away. The travel time of the couple was only 10 minutes. Within that time that man fought with few other passengers and the woman tried to calm everyone and finally, they got down in their village, two stops before neyveli.
The moment, they got down, the woman left his hand and walked away. He fell on the floor and could not get up. So drunk, he was destined to sleep on the road, the whole night. He started shouting towards her for help. He used the most insulting word that one can use against a woman to call her. She turned towards him, gave a broad smile, walked to him and started to lift him, as our bus moved away.
Someone in the bus said, "He is one lucky man in the world to get such a wife."
Friday, December 31, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Amethyst coffee bar, Chennai - review
I have heard about Amethyst, but never been there till last month. I remember reading an interview of a film actress who mentioned that on a relaxed day, a coffee in Amethyst is her preference. I thought it may be a very posh place. So I visited Amethyst last month and I have already gone there thrice in 4 weeks.
Located in Gopalapuram, very near to Satyam Cinemas, it is an old bungalow converted to a coffee shop. Well, I can't really call it a coffee shop as they serve breakfast and also lunch. Amethyst has seats both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, the seats are like those in a park beneath tree shades. The chairs are steel and old looking, so as the tables and a tissue paper holder. They have a flower shop inside. I always preferred outdoor seats. It is calm, gentle breeze and WOW. Only complaint is it gets sultry after some time. The table fans and breeze does not make you as comfortable as in a air conditioned coffee bar.
The menu is not big. Amethyst offers breakfast, familiar coffees as in coffee bars and milk shakes. They also offer water melon and lime coolers. I really cant recommend anything here. There is nothing really special. For lunch, they offer a list daily specials. I never tried them. So cant comment
Price - For two it will cost around 300 Rs assuming that you order two drinks and a pastry. If you try one of their daily specials the cost will go up considerably. Overall it is expensive. But it is a nice place to be tried once and see whether you get value for your money. It is a nice place to spend time with your loved ones and ofcourse, reduce some of the weight in your wallet.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Recipe of a healthy Bhel Puri
Many of us are fond of Chaat items. They are a very good snacks. It also comes with high calories, depending upon the ingredients you use. As a general rule, most food items that are tasty are high in calories. I recently learnt how to make a very tasty and nutritious Bhel Puri. I am sure you will feel the taste and sense how nutritious it is as you read through
What all you need?
1. Small portion of Cauliflower
2. One big carrot
3. One big onion
4. One big Cucumber
5. Small portion of Pine apple
6. Salt, Chilly powder and sugar cyrup for taste
7. 4 to 5 handfulls of puffed rice
8. One lemon
9. Small tomato
How to make it?
Grate Cauliflower, Carrot and Pineapple. Cut Cucumber, tomato and onion into very small pieces. Mix generous amounts of all the vegetables in a big vessel. Mix well and then add salt, chilly powder as required and mix again. Then add lemon juice and sugar or dates cyrup, mix again. Then add 4 to 5 handfuls of puffed rice and mix the contents well. The veggies forms 75% of the dish and the puffed rice should form 25% of the dish. Serve in a plate, top with a handful of peanuts. Bhel puri is ready. Preparation time is 20 mins and it can serve 3 to 4 people. A healthy snack in the evening and a very good replacement for fat filled Bhajis and Bondas
What all you need?
1. Small portion of Cauliflower
2. One big carrot
3. One big onion
4. One big Cucumber
5. Small portion of Pine apple
6. Salt, Chilly powder and sugar cyrup for taste
7. 4 to 5 handfulls of puffed rice
8. One lemon
9. Small tomato
How to make it?
Grate Cauliflower, Carrot and Pineapple. Cut Cucumber, tomato and onion into very small pieces. Mix generous amounts of all the vegetables in a big vessel. Mix well and then add salt, chilly powder as required and mix again. Then add lemon juice and sugar or dates cyrup, mix again. Then add 4 to 5 handfuls of puffed rice and mix the contents well. The veggies forms 75% of the dish and the puffed rice should form 25% of the dish. Serve in a plate, top with a handful of peanuts. Bhel puri is ready. Preparation time is 20 mins and it can serve 3 to 4 people. A healthy snack in the evening and a very good replacement for fat filled Bhajis and Bondas
Thursday, June 25, 2009
My friend is worried! - Help him
I have a long time friend who I know from the first day I entered school. He studied with me till 12th standard and later went to a different college. He is getting married in 3 months time. It is a love marriage accepted by both sides. He is lucky.
He has a small problem now. The parents of the girl are so good that they want to buy them a car for marriage. Good news, but here is the problem. They are discussing to buy them a Maruthi 800 or Alto. My friend was a over sized kid from age of 3. He may be now close to 100kg (may be a 2 or 3 kg less). He is sure that he cant enter the driver seat in a Alto or Maruthi 800. Atleast Alto is fine. 800 is too bad. He feels he wants a bigger car. But he is too reluctant to tell them as he is worried whether they will think bad about him.
He dont have money to tell them I will pay the rest of money for a bigger car. Pavam he is. Please send your suggestions for my friend. Put it in comments column
He has a small problem now. The parents of the girl are so good that they want to buy them a car for marriage. Good news, but here is the problem. They are discussing to buy them a Maruthi 800 or Alto. My friend was a over sized kid from age of 3. He may be now close to 100kg (may be a 2 or 3 kg less). He is sure that he cant enter the driver seat in a Alto or Maruthi 800. Atleast Alto is fine. 800 is too bad. He feels he wants a bigger car. But he is too reluctant to tell them as he is worried whether they will think bad about him.
He dont have money to tell them I will pay the rest of money for a bigger car. Pavam he is. Please send your suggestions for my friend. Put it in comments column
First experience is always special
First experiences - First time when you went to school, rode a bicycle, then a bike, first day of college, the new job you joined are always special. It is always the experience of the first time stays in your memory for long. I travelled in flight for the first time this week. It is sure a memorable experience.
I had to go to Delhi to organise a training program. I took a private airline flight that took off from Chennai at 7.30 AM. I reached the airport 2 hours earlier as I wanted to be as early as possible as it is the first time. Luckily I never found any difficulty. The baggage Check in and the security check are over in 15 minutes and I had to wait for more than 1.5 hours t0 board the flight. I was bit thrilled when I entered the flight. I would have loved to get a window seat but I did not get. I got the third seat in the row. The flight was safe and I enjoyed it. The sensation I got while taking off and landing was thrilling. The sandwich they served for breakfast was 'WOW'. The fair and slim air hostess' dressed in red always had a smile in their face. I felt that the smile did not look genuine
My return flight from Delhi was Air India flight and I got a window seat this time. The flight took off at 8pm and I really did not have any use with the window seat. I could see the busy delhi with all its lights from the sky. When we are about to land at Chennai, the flight flew over the sea ad took a 180 degree turn to enter into the City. I could spot a lot of ships, the beach road, LIC building and finally the Kathipara Bridge that looked amazing from above. Unlike the all female air hostess in the private airlines, here there were 3 male and 1 female hosts in the flight. They hardly smiled but polite. I would say I prefer Air India flight from now on. They provided free meals and juice bottles for the same flight fare like the private airlines, where except water every thing is paid service.
I am back in Chennai.
I had to go to Delhi to organise a training program. I took a private airline flight that took off from Chennai at 7.30 AM. I reached the airport 2 hours earlier as I wanted to be as early as possible as it is the first time. Luckily I never found any difficulty. The baggage Check in and the security check are over in 15 minutes and I had to wait for more than 1.5 hours t0 board the flight. I was bit thrilled when I entered the flight. I would have loved to get a window seat but I did not get. I got the third seat in the row. The flight was safe and I enjoyed it. The sensation I got while taking off and landing was thrilling. The sandwich they served for breakfast was 'WOW'. The fair and slim air hostess' dressed in red always had a smile in their face. I felt that the smile did not look genuine
My return flight from Delhi was Air India flight and I got a window seat this time. The flight took off at 8pm and I really did not have any use with the window seat. I could see the busy delhi with all its lights from the sky. When we are about to land at Chennai, the flight flew over the sea ad took a 180 degree turn to enter into the City. I could spot a lot of ships, the beach road, LIC building and finally the Kathipara Bridge that looked amazing from above. Unlike the all female air hostess in the private airlines, here there were 3 male and 1 female hosts in the flight. They hardly smiled but polite. I would say I prefer Air India flight from now on. They provided free meals and juice bottles for the same flight fare like the private airlines, where except water every thing is paid service.
I am back in Chennai.
Monday, June 8, 2009
He likes, She Likes
As the title suggested, I really wanted to start with, what he likes. But you know rules are rules. A quote says, "Ladies first and pretty ladies sooner". So first...
What she likes:
1. Tell her that she is beautiful. Ofcourse she is beautiful. Otherwise you would not have fell in love with her. What is the harm in telling the truth? Tell her atleast 10 times a day. It will make her more beautiful.
2. She wants you to have sharper mind. Very important that you remember important dates. You forget her birthday, you'll see angry face for weeks and she'll never forget it for life. You probably have to drink 3-roses tea for sharp brain.
3. Surprises are essentially part of her life. Surprise visit, surprise gift and she won't mind surprises every day. But the good part is that you don't need to spend a fortune. Simple surprises are enough.
4. Punctuality. If you told you ill be there by 8, you be there by 7.50. Of course, she wont mind if you come by 8.01. The tricky part is, for an appointment at 8, she'll reach there by 7.50 and expect you by 7.51. The general rule is, Guys can wait. Girls cannot because they should not.
5. Accept that she is always right. This makes her feel proud of you.
6. Respect her space. She always wants you to have a say on everything concerning her. She'll ask you suggestions and let you decide on everything from her dress to career. But she always expects you to say,"Its all your wish honey".
7. Be sincere. She probably won't mind if you chat with other girls. But always be sincere to her
8. Be Romantic. You will probably find yourself offering her roses and holding her hands in a restaurant. Never look around. Your girl will love that.
What He likes:
1. Admire him for what he is. Never mention to him that Arya or Surya looks handsome. He always wants you to think that he is the most handsome and manly guy in the earth. He will flirt with other girls. But he will say that its just for fun. But you wont have the same freedom.
2. His gifts are WOW. Whatever he buys for you are simply great. Never tell him that he could have chosen a different colour saree for you.
3. Ask his suggestions. If you ask everytime, he will be very happy and probably tell you "Its all your wish honey". It is a win-win for both. Trust his abilities. Never try to give him too many suggestions. He will be offended.
4. Make him proud infront of his friends. Make him feel that he is in control of everything.
5. Tell him once in a while how much you love him and how much he means to you. He will always be there for you.
6. Tell him that you want to meet him before he asks you out. That makes him proud
7. Understand that he is very possessive than you.
8. Understand his shortcomings. He may not be perfect, Some days he may be late, He may hurt you for silly reasons, try to dominate you. But you can forget that. After all you love him so much
What she likes:
1. Tell her that she is beautiful. Ofcourse she is beautiful. Otherwise you would not have fell in love with her. What is the harm in telling the truth? Tell her atleast 10 times a day. It will make her more beautiful.
2. She wants you to have sharper mind. Very important that you remember important dates. You forget her birthday, you'll see angry face for weeks and she'll never forget it for life. You probably have to drink 3-roses tea for sharp brain.
3. Surprises are essentially part of her life. Surprise visit, surprise gift and she won't mind surprises every day. But the good part is that you don't need to spend a fortune. Simple surprises are enough.
4. Punctuality. If you told you ill be there by 8, you be there by 7.50. Of course, she wont mind if you come by 8.01. The tricky part is, for an appointment at 8, she'll reach there by 7.50 and expect you by 7.51. The general rule is, Guys can wait. Girls cannot because they should not.
5. Accept that she is always right. This makes her feel proud of you.
6. Respect her space. She always wants you to have a say on everything concerning her. She'll ask you suggestions and let you decide on everything from her dress to career. But she always expects you to say,"Its all your wish honey".
7. Be sincere. She probably won't mind if you chat with other girls. But always be sincere to her
8. Be Romantic. You will probably find yourself offering her roses and holding her hands in a restaurant. Never look around. Your girl will love that.
What He likes:
1. Admire him for what he is. Never mention to him that Arya or Surya looks handsome. He always wants you to think that he is the most handsome and manly guy in the earth. He will flirt with other girls. But he will say that its just for fun. But you wont have the same freedom.
2. His gifts are WOW. Whatever he buys for you are simply great. Never tell him that he could have chosen a different colour saree for you.
3. Ask his suggestions. If you ask everytime, he will be very happy and probably tell you "Its all your wish honey". It is a win-win for both. Trust his abilities. Never try to give him too many suggestions. He will be offended.
4. Make him proud infront of his friends. Make him feel that he is in control of everything.
5. Tell him once in a while how much you love him and how much he means to you. He will always be there for you.
6. Tell him that you want to meet him before he asks you out. That makes him proud
7. Understand that he is very possessive than you.
8. Understand his shortcomings. He may not be perfect, Some days he may be late, He may hurt you for silly reasons, try to dominate you. But you can forget that. After all you love him so much
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Beauty of Dakshina Chitra
I visited Dakshina Chitra last weekend. It is a very beautiful place. Located in the ECR road, very near to MGM, it is one of the good places at Chennai which everyone has to visit. It is less than 30 minutes drive from Thiruvanmiyur. Also you have excellent bus services, so you wont have any problem reaching there. The entrance ticket is also very cheap, 75 Rs for adult and 30 Rs for students.
It is a heritage site developed to show people the culture of south India. When you buy tickets, you will be provided with a map of the entire location. The map definitely comes in handy as the place is so vast. The place is divided into states namely Tamilnadu, Kerala, Andhrapradesh and Karnataka. In each state, you can find different type of houses and exhibits that depicts the cultural background of these states. Tamilnadu and Kerala are completely built while Andhrapradesh and Karnataka are incomplete as of now.
In Tamilnadu, the notable features are the exhibits that belong to 5 types of land (Neidhal, Marudham, Paalai, Kurinji and Mullai), the different musical instruments which originated in Tamilnadu and the Chettinadu house. The puppet show which is held only on weekends has a few scenes from Ramayana played is a must watch.
You can also find interactive events like Kili josiyam and Kairehai josiyam. You can learn the art of pottery and weaving clothes from people there. I bought a cute Kitchen set. I have photographed it.
The kerala part has many art works and paintings. The houses are built beautifully. Andhra and Karnataka part are small and not complete yet. This is one of the excellent paintings in Kerala
Kerala Houses:
Here are the kerala architecture you can find at Dakshina Chitra. The Mandabam in the right is the place where some marriages take place inside Dakshina Chitra.
Dakshina Chitra is a good place where you can spend 4 to 5 hours easily and have a really good time.
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