Just a small art form

I think fonts are wonderful. Have just made a small thinggy (melanies word) to keep something I have designed plus a little memento to my favourite country.

Letter to a friend: Why NZ is home..

Hey that was half enthusiastic all right. Yes I'm coming home to people who love me. To movies and popcorn. To green hills and waters that are cold. To Mission Bay and Mt. Albert, to Roskill and Eden and Waterview where Napolean lost his heart to Emma Turner. To ACE and a paper that's half compromised. To Maori women and Chinese who are native English speakers. To Falafel and Margerrita. To Justin Joe and Daniel and May and the other Justin from the wild west. I'm coming $ 7 Indian curries and corn chips with tomato dips. To Fiji Indians and the real thing. To North shore and a rugby game and a university called Massey. To the library where I first met Emma and to the museaum where I saw Independance day or was it ANZAC. To that splendoured dream...somewhere at the edge of oz. To a small church that prayed for my Mom.

Letters from the edge of Oz

Illustration and content by Suneal Varma. © WildBlueSkies.com 2005 . All Rights Reserved.

Letters from the edge of Oz

The Return of the King of Typos !


I landed in Auckland on 10th August 2002. This is a random collection of the letters that I sent my friends through the year in NZ and yes, as you may have guessed it, it is a document full of typos just to add the touch of passion, reality and carelessness: Explaining rather boisterously why I did not get A’s at ACE.

intensewords@yahoo.com


Hong Kong

9th August 2002

7pm Local Time

Hong Kong airport is huge with all shapes and sizes of Chinese people walking through you. The ride from Bombay to Hong Kong was bumpy and at one time I thought is this it? Was worried about my mom more than me. It's raining here and the clouds are kissing the skies. It's nice but people are sparse.

The young generation is nice and understands English. I'm here waiting to catch the Auckland flight. Am ok just incase anyone cares. Just a bit of a headache.

NZ Day 1: Grazing Cows - Galloping Horses!

Was tired, terrified and home sick at the Hong Kong airport... Not to mention vomiting... Hadn't slept a bit... and the plus of eating bland food... It was terrible. The air bumps caused by stormy rainy Indian crossover. Hong Kong was cold, wet and the airport was a huge glass structure that has more than 70 terminals. Facing planes. And lots of shops but no character. All shops are stacked in a row allotted for them in a dead neon way. Plus the continuous rambling in Chinese at top cacophony... Perfect start. The Thomas Cook at Hong Kong was a cute confused Chinese babe (good legs no brains) who did not give me a good rate. The plane kicked off thru a tired, sleepless, headache day. But the airhostesses of Cathay are nice and helpful with the shawls and all and I asked them for 5 sachets of Chili Sauce and that cleared my grogginess.
The flight was smooth but suddenly a Chinese kid blared at top treble that Sony could lose to. It's a Sonny. A Chinese brat. I slept and it got smoother. Seeing Auckland woke me off. The land of the long white cloud. With a sea of green gray and blue below me. It's miniature authentic and good old rural like England 18th century with Sherlock Holmes and the works.
It was amazing and the most beautiful place that balances both the rural and the future. Shops and malls like Dubai but the whole green world of horses and cows is amazing.

New Zealand Day 2: Wow! What a place!

Ok New Zealand is a superb place to be in. On the Puhunui Road that's where I live at the moment courtesy an old acquaintance, who makes a real good friend since he is broad minded to let people be. And generally goes all out without being meddlesome to help you. It's perfect. His wife Bhavna can really work and is an expert in sewing and cooking. The two kids are smart and good looking.

It feels like home both in Jignesh's house and NZ from day one. The houses are Victorian and generally a single-storied, all-equipped cottage. This town Papatoetoe (pronounced papa-toey-toey) has the works. Talking of work it's 6.30 in the morning and today since it's a Monday is a big day, when I make my advent into the world of work.
The peace here is amazing really. And, I'm extremely happy to be here. It's a little cold but I have got used to it. Almost. Saw the park yesterday and the mall on the first day. Hey things cost almost the same year as in India. People are generally nice here and it’s relatively safe too.
I'm fine and not missing anything or anyone. I have come here with an obsession: to get my family off to a flying start. My goal is to make a cottage in 3 years time and make sure my family and Mama gets here. My focus on that is so single minded that I cannot see anything beyond that. Once again I'm happy and just fine thanks partly to the family I'm living with.
Ok at this juncture my mails are not to persons and thus not personal (and though Jignesh does not mind at all and has activated a new account just for me) today I'll get a account and get realllllly personal.

The land of the long white cloud

New Zealand - the country is rugged and soft. Warm and cold. Ahead and behind. Good old and sophisticated. The houses are like the houses in America - only smaller. This could have been Los Angeles or New York. This could have been paradise but it's real. This could have been life but it’s a fantasy. New Zealand has hilly roads and can get cold at times but enjoyable.
Went to Work and Income New Zealand, exchanged rupees, Went to library, police station, a public school, a mobile mart, a cycle store, got a prospectus for Auckland University, a walk on the road. The houses have green roofs, brown roofs, no roofs - they are exotic. The cars pass by without noise or pollution every day. The Pau Bhaji that Bhavna (Jig's wife) cooks is flavored and exotic. Well, couldn't be better.
I am happy but thinking of all of you - the situations guys, Supriya who is as pretty as ever, SAIPL, Dadaji - who's proud of me but not half as much as I am proud of him, baa who's with me always, Danielle - the one and only, Renée - my friend in Christ church, that bastard Nash, Sweetoo, Amit and Aditya – the Wrong Brothers, Sundeep, Ipsy, Iyer, Yogesh, Prasad, Vishy, Vinesh the tiger fist, Harshad, Shoeb - my true friend, Mirageeye the greatest designer in Dharavi, Natalie my first crush, Neha the girl I loved and lost, maasis, Subu and Mohan - the guys who believed in me, Ajit - the sheikh (shake) of Dubai, Umesh whose birthday I have missed, my cute cousins, mama and Ishan's family, - mom bro and Sims. But not with tears in my eyes. That would defeat my purpose. Call me an extremist - but it’s all or nothing for me- always. Zindagi mein aata hai moka ek baar - aar ya paar. It's all your prayers and wishes that have got me so far. I might have missed my family but Jignesh has made sure that I miss nothing - Nothing!
Love you.....Leave you...See you soon...Khuda hafeez

Walking on the Motorway

It was a lazy start spiced up by last nights pau bhaji that was amazing this morning too. Leftovers always taste a little better the next day. Now, that’s the rule. Don’t ask me why? I don’t know. But that is that.
Had a hot, hot bath to kick-start the day!
I went to a model agency after reading an advertisement - thought what the heck! Jignesh dropped me at Hillsborough that’s where the agency is. Tracy...? Yeah, Tracy that was the name. She was praises about charm and confidence and blah blah. She wanted me to enroll after I get my IRD (Inland Revenue Number), which is a must to calculate your tax and other stuff.
On the way back I decided to walk. First I went down the hills – cars on either side blaring and speeding like hell on fire and fire on wheels. I was on the soggy grass with my faithful Lee Coopers, heavy and safe. Went down and passed the small bridge, the lavender villa with acute white wooden roof the way Englishmen preferred in the last century. Walked on, the sea on the far side and suddenly Old Saon, a Samoa Islander stopped his car and informed me that walking on the motorway was illegal and dropped me to the Mangere (pronounced Mangerry) bridge. This is where most Maoris live. Maoris are the original inhabitants of New Zealand before Captain Cook arrived and they have their set of allocated rights given to them. Maoris as other aborigines of the Pacific Ocean are called Polynesians. Well I was standing at the bus and met this Terry fellow another Polynesian from the Cook Islands, who was trying to introduce me to his sister, invite me join his driving academy and ask me to hire him if I open a Pau Bhaji store. Nice guy! Any way my patience ran out and started walking uphill. There was a school up there and children were giving the stop – go signal to cars. I shouted across to them that they were doing a good job. The teacher smiled with all her radiance, she looked good.
The hill was fenced on the other side and you could imagine all the sheep, what a pretty picture they would make. Passed a brook that said, "Man will come and man will go but I go on forever."
Changed 2 buses from there. That was fun via Mangere Town Council: the gate is wooden art gate by Maoris. The bus reached me to old Papatoetoe market that mainly has old Spanish architecture and is filled with Chinese and Indians. Good Bargain stores too.
So it was good! The chill was in and I was wearing my black cotton shirt but my walk had kept me warm.
It was Nag Panchmi and we went to Bhartiya Mandir. It is like being in India. The shloks, ved, ramayan and mahabharat books. An authentic fat pundit - (if he's not fat - he is not authentic, trust me). Only when you see dollars at God's feet that you realize - hey this is NZ not IN. Anyway Cheerio.

There’s a white mist in the blue mountains

There’s a white mist in the blue mountains today. As I walk down the scenic Mount Roskill that’s closer to Auckland city, where I live now. There is a blue splendorous hue that makes the mountains a little cold and a little sexy. spring is coming and the trees are more vibrant and there is a song in the breeze.
I have joined a gym a week ago, though I met my fitness instructor only yesterday and am starting today. Have gone for two job interviews. The winter is wearing off and days are thankfully warmer. Life is good and going on.. I have moved into a Kiwi’s house and am eating in an Indian’s house. The best of both the worlds. Last week was marred by rains for two consecutive days. And when it was sunny, on the third day Jignesh and I thought its going to be a great day. Have been to Police training school, Auckland University and The North shore. Auckland looks breathtaking from the North shore. As the bus goes over the bridge it looks a little like Dubai Creek and Gorai. And, as you know all places have a charm of their own. Auckland is the city of sails! Have applied at Sky Tower, Bike Barn, Portrait Place and 15 other places in Auckland. :Let’s see. Initially they are weary of new people since they might not know about NZ.
Jignesh’s house was a great experience and the hospitality was immaculate. The new Kiwi house is very comfortable and has thick ruggy blankets that refuse to let you get up in the morning. Bus trips are scenic and social and one meets the odd Chinese or Afghani girl to pass time.
Thinking of getting an Auckland University MA Certification. Life is good. Jobs are tough but so am I. I’m fine and have bought a new black suit, mobile and trackers. It’s okay. I’m okay. See you. Have a nice day.


Stars are out in full number

Seeing the stars come out where you can reach out for them reminds me first of Asterix and Obelix and the banquet they had on the last page of each of their books. Cacofonix was always tied up, of course. It reminds me of my walks with Neha in the dark but safe bylanes of Juhu. Also reminds me of Poona and Supriya’s house. Even the only Scout camp I have ever been too in Manori in my ninth standard, where I had to stand watch in the middle of the night. Plus there was a full moon in Auckland and I stay at one of the higher points of Mount Roskill. It was gorgeous.
Well on the other hand I have a part time job, which will pay my weekly expenses. It’s at a mall and I am in promotions that would involve meeting people from all strata of life. Fine start. Have got a few good friends, who can be trusted.
Life has started. Job will start next Tuesday. Gym’s getting better – early days yet! Take care.

Summer Spring what will it bring

The new job is good and fun. People are friendly, nice and supportive. Auckland is confused. It is supposed to be spring but it rains. The long winter is over and the southern hemisphere is all set for a summer. The skin creams must come out since the direct rays especially because of the hole in the ozone layer, in extreme cases can cause skin cancer. But that will be in December. The downtown area is not New York but is breath taking like London especially on Queen Street on neon evenings. Amazing.
If you take the North Shore bridge (that looks like a squeaky clean version of the Howrah bridge and no Rajesh Khanna or Sharmila to bhadkao chingarees) on a car and get into Auckland, it is a heavenly sight, something that post cards will be proud of. The streets are beautiful too that is the Queens Street, East Victoria Street, Nelson Road, St. Lukes Street, Three Kings Road and other colorful names. The English have not left much to desire for and the Maoris are not far behind either. There is East Tamaki, Whangerai, Papatoetoe, Manakau etc. Very Red Indian names! Anyway we also have Kashmir Street, Tagore Street, Surat Street and Nanadana Ave etc.
I miss Bombay sometimes, no tear jerking but I think Bandra is good. Parts of Santacruz and Juhu, Aarey and Madh Island; and then there is Gorai.
Devonport is a beautiful part of North Shore, it looks like LA and is not contaminated by multi culture. It is like you picture New Zealand before you come in. Green, open, wild stretch of lawns, just like the rest of Auckland but more! Absolute, New Zealand. But then there are Indian curry restaurants, there too. There is Shiva, Curry place, Kashmir restaurant et al.
It’s cold this morning but what makes my day is the way stars hang out to dry on clear nights. Just reach out and touch them… Go ahead.

The clothes are drying in peace

Hi I bet you remember my abysmal fear of dogs. Well, Chappie was a huge dog who stayed at Joe’s garage. Joe is the white guy I board with. Rajesh is the Indian family I eat with: The best of both the worlds. Anyway to dry the laundery I had to pass through chappies garage. The first day was barks. Then it quelled down but no not my fear. Afterwards I could almost at will ask him to ‘Chappie go in’ and Chappie would do so. Just when I was toying with the idea of taking him for a walk having found a brave heart within me. The SPCA took him away since most days he was alone. But that’s that! No more jumping around fences. No more taking the longer route. No more Dogs. Yes, I hate dogs. I love bitches.
Met Emma at the library. She’s a librarian. Cute, nice helpful. After 4 meetings we decided to go out. Point Chev is a beautiful place. The food at the café is tremendous. The greenery is amazing. She kisses well.
Summer has come in and there is a fire within the spirit and one can walk amidst the green fields and golf course and hear birds singing. There is a Bird Song Street here. Though birds are free to go anywhere.
New Zealand is still beautiful. Life is going good. Looking for a full time job to send money home. Got 3 almost-jobs. But that happens. You are there and you almost get them.
My clothes are drying in peace.

Into the soul of North Shore with a bird song

North Shore is an awesome place. The country is surrounded by rugged and green hills and mountains carved by the winds. The beach is mindblowing and the water is crystal clear. I drove down from auckland city to the soul of the North Shore yesterday. Haven't got over it. The sheep are on the mountains like Aesops fairy tales and there are old, old wooden country homes like in a cowboy country except its green. and just the view on the bloody highway. The winds have carved sculptres on the side of the hill. You have to see it to believe it.
The birds in the Windmere Holmes can sing. Somewhat like Tithal Beach. Reminded me of my Gujrat and how Highways and Nature make a fatal, intoxicating, bewitching, sexy and seductive combinations. w had packed plenty of oranges, apples, Turkish garlic bread, Kiwi fruit juice and bhavnagri sev.
I cooked dal fry when we reached her house and left her home at 10.00 pm sharp. What kind of guy do you think I'm??? :)

Massey High School

Well I have change my address and that change has come about because of two reasons: One, my cousin Utkarsh is stubborn and does not want to change his mail id and my id collides with his. Second, Having just broken off with Emma on very good terms and a lifelong promise of friendship: I'm feeling free and that's a great thing. those of you want to use my previous ID loveatiger@yahoo.com may do so.
Well, here I'm at Massey High school watching adolescent students doing their thing. I'm in a teacher training program and am here for internship: two weeks. The kids are talking to each other but the teachers here are fine. Reminds me of the time when I use to teach students.
I'm doing a diploma in Teaching secondary kids (read devils). It's a nice day after 3 days of rains and grey weather. Though I love grey weather: it helps me sleep better. India is kicking ass in the world cup and I'm having a great time.
I was working at the warehouse for 4 mths before this and man, it was the best time of my life. My next letter will inform u of my life, times and adventures at the Warehouse.

Computer Science

I'm presently studying a diploma that will allow me to teach Computers and ESOL to students. I attented a job interview for UK yesterday. It was bad. I'm happy here saving enough to send 10 grands to my mom every month but the assignments are here. Emma is really a good girl an Indian (vegetarian) in white skin but we just did not get along. I moved out on 30th March. Changed 3 residence since then. Life is fun but these assignments are bastards. The government lends you living cost so its cool. I work 16 hrs as a cashier in BP Pump. I'm now with a hyderabadi family and my new number is 006496305222. Food is good but rice is pissing me off. No friends Met a cute Korean girl who promised her phone number if I see her today. I might. I have to do a big MotherF assignment today and I always leave it to the last minute so thats me!
I will come to India to finish my MA II in Sociology and life will go on from there. Let's see what happens. Arun, Annu sounds like a good ...
My moms fine and you have helped when it counted. My brother had a slight knee problem so I still owe you 5 grands. It'll be resolved soon. BYE

My Best Friend is a Pakistani

Serials like Dhoop Kinarey had always given me a good feeling about the common man in Pakistan, which works very well with my philosophy that the common man is the same everywhere. But this chap Mashood is a helpful guy who works so that I can do assignments, picks me and drops me home at times and advices me! In fact they were so gracious at the defeat in World Cup that I was amazed.
Well winter is finally here and i sleep in peace now - 16 hours a day! Am concentrating on my studies and sleep. Summer was fun - in fact in Christmas we were at a holiday home (batch) in a North Shore beach. It was beautiful and will haunt me always. Breezy and open and bright and rural. I had stayed with Emma's family. I actually felt at home there. Those two days were fun and I won at scrabble and saw a marine reserve. Now emma and me are good friends but I do hope to see the rest of country with her. If we dont fight all the time that is.
Have settled in my new house and am actually very happy and relaxed. I'm eating quality food and even thinking of exercising. Now I'll be working only one day at BP.
I'm going to visit Gaurav in Hamilton next weekend. assignments are happening and I'm happy.
See you guys. Keep in touch.

My Cousin Chelna

I first saw chelna four days after she was born in the that saree galli hospital and she looked like simooo. My mom said we were not supposed to touch her but I just touched her to see why NOT? Many
things happened after that we shared batata wadas on trains that went to Bulsar. Read TinTin comics, discussed my girl friends, met on the beach etc. And now she's married. So life moves quickly.
Now I dont want a single mail asking me when I'm getting married? For heavens sake! No. Just in case you have noticed I'm sending this letter from rediff address thats bcoz Utkarshbhai's mail does not work with my yahoo address and always bounces back.
I'm at Hamilton which is a beautiful countryside town. And after teaching in that girls for 12 days in a row. I needed a break so I just caught the first bus out to hamilton which is like 150 kms from Auckland.
Bhabhoo is fine in fact, fantastic. He's living in a big house. Has a car that he has borrowed, a cycle and generally lives better than me. Auckland is Bombay and Hamilton is Poona. Right now, I'm enjoyin Hamilton and am here till Sunday. I slep at 12.00 last night and woke up at 1.00 that is thirteen hours. I had a fleetin meetin with Emma in Auckland where she was still a little tear-jerky. But like I said Emma is an Indian born again as a
white. I miss her. but Forget it.
My cutie tanooo has reached England while the great musician stays back in America. I meet Bhavesh on and off on the net. I hope Utkrashbhai's reports have come clean. I heard the marrige went well and the food was exotic. Good!
I'm fine and am planning to sleep for another six months. Will goto see Hamilton today in the evening. Lets see!
It's cold here and Autumn has painted the tree in a million shades of red and yellow.

Been a long while

I'm at Hamilton - a city that is 150 kms from Auckland. Its Autumn and the trees are showing off their bright yellow and red colors. Hamilton seems a nice town in the morning and the fact that I slept 13 hrs and am just waking up to it is not a bad thing either.
I'm visiting Gaurav, who's doing his MBA at Waikato and am presently perched on a chair in one the many computer lab rooms that look like a cross between a second world war ship's cabins and rooms in the star ship enterprise. The alarm went wild yesterday night and I met more Indians than I have met in my life. I have been teaching in a girls school for 13 days as a part of my Diploma. I mean someone got it wrong - sendin me to an All Girls School. But everything’s just fine. Am getting on with life and resting in this reasonably cold city. Lets see what happens next. I was toying with the idea of going farming in the cold.
Been a long time but I have been bizzy changing homes after break off with Emma, doing 15 assignments (our course is a two year course combined into one), working at BP which I have reduced to a single day.
Strictly speaking, I have seen various parts of NZ by living in various parts of Auckland. It's been Great

Hamilton to Auckland

Well, Hamilton is a beautiful place and I met some rather nice people which would include and not be restricted to Vishal and Saurabh, Gaurav's flatmates. It did get lonely with Gaurav busy working though he did take good care of me. And was emotional when I left but between his assignments, work and play he did not have enough time. He did not even know I was coming, which was my fault because I had been promising him that I'll come all the time and not giving him the actual date. I saw great movies there includes Singing in the rain. We cooked some great stuff and ate more garlic then ever before. Besides meeting the nice fellas I met more Indians that I ever met. And for me being the renegade that I'm was not a pleasant experience.
Yes I missed Auckland and when the bus pulled in I was happy and felt that the city had embraced me. Have changed residence and have a flat mate that farts like a hog and thus had to sleep out last night. The mists are back and DOVE is helping my skin. Life is better. I have rested well in Hamilton and have even been invited to a DESI Party. The news is Gaurav is FINE. And is doing well in his life. Eating good food, working hard, has a car that he has burrowed. He's settled. Something I have not been for 35 years.Well I would like to sincerely thank Vishal, Gaurav, Saurabh. And inform them that I have reached well and am fine.

Anniversary

On August 10th I finish a year in this country. Its been great. I have changed (Jigs-Joe-Anu-Wakena-Emma-Robin-Shagee-Uncle) 8 residences and lived my life. Had a nice relationship and am being killed by 18 assignments in teacher training college. Life is cool. I have started drinking more water. Adjusting to the changing temperature. More or less happy. But this 12 module course is a killer lika a bloody MBA. I have changed 3 jobs. Am ready for a new girl in fact there's some one I'm writing poetry to. Life has gone ahead have learned a lot. The winter was back but I had heat rashes. I'm still faithful to my cottons. Am about to start a 45 day stint at a school teaching computers. It's part of my requirement as a teacher. After this degree I'll take on teaching. I'm living in a Maharashtrians house. The food is sensational. Will keep u guys posted. The weather is clear and cold goes up to 4 degrees. see you. Its been a great year....

Off to India

Went to Britomart today. That's the new railway station in Auckland. It's underground and extremely beautiful. It's been a good year. My boss from BP Express was always a fair person even when I handed him my resignation to him today it was a good reminiscence of the good times I had at BP Express Waterview to be confused with Waterloo – where Napoleon lost. This is a place I had joined after another great job at the warehouse. It was hard work and really fun. The first day a lot of the people there looked like jail birds but Maretta my manager was a drop dead cute chick and was fun good-morning her. BP job I took up since it was a two-minute walk from Emma's house where I lived. And its been a great job really. I will miss working with the likes of Chris - who shares my passion for women. He's going to Australia. I'm going to India for 6 months. It's about meeting MOM, Utkarsh-Cheloo and Mama and Daddu Tum. I already miss New Zealand but India will be fun. I'll meet my friends, get my MA, my driving license (License to KILL) and make sure I put my mom and simoo on the plane safely to Dubai and take the next flight to complete my teaching diploma. Responsibility over everything else. This college is nice but been
sometime since I ate wadapavs and pissed on the railway track. So much for today.


Flight From Sydney

Well, the flight from Auckland to Sydney had its bumps and the weather is sullen and even little gray in parts. Auckland is nice but its time to go. The security checks are rather stringent and I'm at Sydney Airport. Not the worlds best place. Good enough. Has free internet. The sun's coming out and Sydney looks beautiful. I'm off to Bangkok in another 10 minutes. Its nice to be above the clouds and am seriously thinking of coming around by December if i can see my mom off safely. Good Movie in airplane - Thai. A slight hiccup when a certain gentlemen hopping off without taking his baggage. But post 9-11 that's life.

One Night in Bangkok

Nothing I write on Bangkok can give you an idea of how awesome Thailand is. Its my first love and I'm eternally grateful to Utkarsh for taking me with him in the summer of 1989. I had heard about it from Murli.And it is so much like Kerala (another place I'm infatuated to) that its just not funny.
In fact I had said this to Mrs Iyer at Muralis wedding in Trivandrum. The sun is a lot less harsh in the Asian sub continent. The women are cute with their mini skirts. The jet lag was awful. I hate planes which are like flying coffins really. I miss Daniella. She is in Thailand or was whn she last wrote to me.
I travelled by bus an ac bus and was glad to be sweating after the dry feel of NZ. But i love NZ.. Its home now. Travelling again however is awesome.
I still remember the tales and ads Umesh and Mohan brought home from Australia in 1987. Sydney airport is nice but looks a bit worn out. Does not have the freshness of Auckland.
Thailand is great and feels better after the cold shower I had in months. I slept well on a huge huge bed. The pagodas look like temples in Kerala. And the road is so Kurla - Bandra kind. I feel like staying back. But now mom knows andd she's waiting. People here are pretty honest and good natured. This is where started my international travel 14 and half years ago. This is my life and I love it. Miss Emma and her crying eyes.
Travelling on the bus with locals is one hell of a way to see how people live. I'm struggling with the two language keyboard (bi). So this is it. I have just had cold coffee and in search of the nearest Mc donald if I dont find Guru da dhaba. Tanoo the answer to your question: Why India? is MOM COMES FIRST. Mom above all. Umesh belated happy b'day to you. Gautam I'm just going to see my family. I'm worried about Utkarsh.

The Smell is unmistakable!

Yes there was a blast in Mumbai. That's the price one pays for living in a corrupt, spineless country governed by jokers who are self sufficing bast...s. I'm fine and its good to be back. The poor suffer and the ricj binge on the bloody trade.
Dont get me wrong there are lots of nice people in Mumbai but not on official levels... there are wankers.
Anyway the good news is people still have good spirits and this is a pity because Indians and Pakistanis want to get along - away from the dirty politics. Lots of innocent blood has flown down Mumbai drains and life goes on.
The flight from Bangkok was shaky and short. I hate to admit it but this shaking aircrafts scare the shit out of me. I wish these pretty hotesses would give diapers with the sick bags.
Mumbai smells better and its those incence sticks. Its crowded and more polluted than Bankok. Feels as if I never left. My friends swear that I havent changed.
I'm alive so far. But unless our spiness bastards doint do anything - one can not be sure. I miss NZ - in fact on the very first morning I thought of the bus there.
Having said this - I must say Mumbai is technologically growing leaps and bounds and ahead of most cities. In fact most software companies have come to Mumbai and they have regular JOB fairs in USA to lure people back.
It was great meeting mom and YES I'll stay till I get mom on a plane to Dubai. Amit got engaged and it was a pleasure being there. Have been sleeping like a dead log. The walks will start. Nice to be with friends. Still Miss Emma.
Michelle I hope your kids developing fine. Think twice before coming to India. While it is a progressive place and the poorest have mobiles and other gadgets - they are also having a blast.


I words I pictures I philosophy I travels I etc I

Copyright © 2005 Wild Blue Skies

Letters on the way back to NZ

Letters on my way back to NZ
Wed, 11 Feb 2004 00:02:56 -0800 (PST)

Bangkok
I caught the mid-night plane from Bombay Airport and for the first time in 13 flights I had a smooth flight. In fact, I was at the window admiring the stars. Sleep ofcourse, was out of the question. I should reach Auckland by the 12th at 1300 hours. I had a good six months in India - bowled some fast balls. Met few good friends and missed out on meeting so many others. It's a pity really. I had not seen level two of bangkok airport and its a bright and sunny day today. This is the colorful section of the airport. i'm travelling with a 12 year smart kid who was travelling alone and I decided to accompany him and make sure he reaches safely. Have a little mixed feeling about Auckland. But then, its been a long time and I have missed writing. See you soon

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 21:06:43 -0800 (PST)

Warehouse
I'm back at the Warehouse for a while. The hard work is fun and the big plus of seeing Maretta who's cuter than ever. I have a bin chucking job and am getting much needed exercise. College starts back on 1st March but this semester I have just 4 module compared to the 8 mad modules I did last semester. Auckland is a bit empty without Emma. She's still at the library. We are still not talking. feelings gone. thank God for that. My site www.wildblueskies.com is done - 35% that is. Still needs more (?) content. Went lawn mowing today it was fun. Met a lot of old cronies at the Warehouse. gave away a watch, exchanged a mobile, pissed off a boss. The usual. Bin chucking is fun but not as happening as despatch. The dust and heat there reminds me of India. Just Jokin.Am in touch with mom. The reason I keep going to Warehouse is that when I did not have a job they gave me one. Whatsmore I could send money to mom. That was then Warehouse has changed but yet the same. Nice yet different like MT's hairstyle

Tue, 2 Mar 2004 23:28:55 -0800 (PST) College
College has started again and I have just four more modules to do. Drama class is good. Its a 3 hour class but I am dramatic enough to do the needful. I was toying with the idea of doing two courses at once but then I thought why screw around. Auckland is sunny after a week of rains. Winter is around the corner and life is slow and steady.

Sat, 20 Mar 2004 19:26:18 -0800 (PST)
Subject:Meeting Winston Peters
Scene I - introductions

What happened at 11.30 morning on a sunny thursday in Auckland:

While I was doing fund raising I met Winston Peters. He was sitting at the Starbucks cafe on Custom St by the harbour. I had waited for this chance this the bill board against immigrants. I walked up to him with Green Peace folder in my hand and said 'How would you like to help a new immigrant on his first day of a new job? He was taken aback. I persisted that i thought and still know that most Maoris had a big heart and he could help. He did not have the words Mo. Fuck. His tall white gal friend also made space. He did not have the words and looked confused. I said Will you have a nice day if I insist on it. he smiled. Asked me where i was from and what I was doing here. when I told him I was at ACE and had five tertiary qualifications and knew computing like God. he wished me luck and i insisted he have a nice day!
I had waited for this moment for six months. It was his bad day that he met me - a immigrant who can kick ass like no other.

Please Note: Winston Peters is the Bal Thackrey of NZ.
A MP who does not like immigrants.
Suneal Varma is the fastest ass-kicker in the West

Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2004 18:57:51 -0800 (PST)

Subject: Dancing in a bar

Well

Normally, I hate dancing in socials and pubs (or discoes), but I had a torrid time when i went downtown to Auckland City to Margarittas. I went with one of my two best friends Justin, the other being daniel and it was great. I had a great time and so did the Japanese chick i was dancing with. in fact she bought me a drink (just a Coke, of course). I was there one the floor with her and there was this white kid who was eyeing her, who said to me “Hope u get this saucy babe!’ I introduced the jap to him and was dropped off by Justin. I didn’t like her skin it had a few pimples. Besides I dont pick babes from Discoes. you never know what u r getting into --- literally.

Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 21:20:18 -0700 (PDT)

Subject: Bushes and dawn services

The other day, I went trekking through the Waitakere Ranges (also known as the bushes) in West Auckland. If anyone should have any doubts about New Zealand being an Island. Check the bushes. It looks a bit like Borivali National park actually but the main difference is that it is much greener and more hilly. It looks like the South American rainforests especially the one showed in the movie ‘Romancing the stone’ (the Michael Douglas - Kathreen Turner one). I started at 5.00 in the morning, changed three buses and reached Henderson Valley Road. I walked two and a half kilometers to Justin’s house, had some breakfast and his mom Candy dropped us at the foot of the bushes. The forest ahead looked as dark as Sherwood forest of the Robinhood fame. We went off track in search of a pond and were back on track through flat grasses, tram way, trams, tram stations, hills, mud, sloth, slippery track where I slipped twice since my shoes had a sole that was smoother than the inside of a banana peel. We reached the dam in around two hours and stuck to concrete since I was slipping on my $15shoes. This felt better than the monkey yoga I did with Jenny; it involved jumping on your tail bone and stretching like a dog. The New Zealander lady who taught the course may have lived in India for a decade but she obviously knew nothing about yoga. I saw Emma’s sister Melanie there. Actually I recognised her ass. Coming back to the trek, we were given a lift in a back of a truck and it felt like India in a bullock cart through the jungles. We kept on the concrete once we were back on our feet and the best bit was candy picked us from the bottom of the hill, where we were sleeping on the grass. It was a divine feeling which made my omelette which was acually salty taste even more divine. Justin loved it. Candy pretended to like it but she dumped it in her garden. I saw it with my very own eyes :).

Anyway am in great condition physically. Went to a community night in trivial pursuits and the Anzac day dawn service at the musuem.

Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 13:44:37 -0700 (PDT)

Crazeee Saturday!

It was a crazee saturday! I tried calling my cousin Utkarsh in the morning but he was not available. need your prayers as a whole church will be prayin for my cousin today since he has an acute kidney problem. I will also get to Daniel’s church tomorrow. Otherwise it was a saturday when I watched a movie, went dancin and it was raining like Bombay,

Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 20:07:12 -0700 (PDT)
This and that

Today morning I moved out of the Bhosale household. The relief is tremendous. Uncle - or Mr. Bhosale is nice and so is the wife but there were some absolute assholes living there. There was a mallu king piece of shit Sudhir, who would go on trying hard to hide his inferiority complex, giving all my mallu friends a bad name. Than there was the stammering bastard child of the Bhosale's Vijoo - Read bastard of the universe. Any way in the evening that place was a hot house of gossip and a pain, generally. Anyway I have moved to a separate part of town called Manurewa in South Auckland. I have a whole, clean neat nice house to myself. It's great. I have my own queen size bed, TV, fridge and everything... That feels fantastic. I'm a bit worried about my mom and utkarsh since there are health issues. Those concerns are running in the back of my mind constantly. Otherwise life is great. there was heavy mist in the morning and no one could see anybody. It's clear day now and I'm happy to move to a better place.

Sun, 16 May 2004 19:22:14 -0700 (PDT)

Fantastic Place

Papatoetoe High school is a fantastic place. It’s happening and pulsating with knowledge, learning, understanding and growth. It’s a melting pot culturally. And I have had the opportunity to work with absolute genius associate teachers. Of course, this is the last time I work absolutely free and it is fun to be here.

The land is flat, the grass green; people are nice and students are really tolerable. They cover a lot in school as far as computing is concerned. I like this place and my department has great teachers.

The new flat I have moved into is breath taking and am away from those gossipy, obnoxious, hypocritical Indians I was living with. I’m very happy and grate to you Clair (or is it Clare) for placing me here. Sterling Job! As usual.
I still remember that comment about three year wait as I have a few interviews lined up.

Thanks for your confidence in me!

Five Months from Feb to July 2004

Old letters come back to bite
This is a sequel to letters from New Zealand. nzletters.blogspot.com. Written as I left Bombay and then returned to India to find my mom sick and dying. She's fine now.


Never order a Seafood Pizza in Auckland

It's YUCK. We partied after a basket ball game of under 10 boys. One of
the players was my friends son. We lost 78 to 1. And the only basket we
scored was in the final seconds of the game. Thus we celebrated. I
don't eat most non veg so i settled for a sea food pizza. It was yuck.


Flash the Program

Sun, 23 May 2004 18:59:07 -0700 (PDT)

Flash is a pain. I'm trying to learn Fireworks in during my practicum at Papatoetoe High School. The place is generally good. The party on saturday eve at a bar 'Cayote Ugly' was not fun. Justin tried his best to make sure I was there and stuff. But that's Justin. He's a good friend and I trust him. Most of his friends were great too. But there was not enough dancing space and too much smoke. Besides there were one or two who didn't like me being there. Or that's what I feel. But there was Tash who was absolutely great. She lives in a house I lived in a year ago. Of course, now it was a holy mess and could hardly recognise it. She was really nice so was Justin. His new girl friend forgot to introduce me to everybody. We agree on mutual dislike, I suppose. But it got a bit unwelcome. Plus, I was afraid Luke (read 130 kgs) may fall on me as he was drunk and dancing on a table.
But that's life. I reached home late having to trek 7 kilometers after the bus ride. But I was initially ready to trek 30. So that's fine. Reiterating my favourite philosophy when the choice is between losing dignity and a long and lonely walk: Start Walking. After all, one must walk the talk.
Fireworks is essentially a design package and looks impossible at this stage to learn. But it's possible. I hope.


Mom sickness: Appeal for prayer

Sun, 30 May 2004 18:04:48 -0700 (PDT)

Pray for her! Whatever your faith. I'm in a dilemma because she insists that she is fine and I would rather send her the money than spend it on a plane ride. Pray for her


Mom will be discharged from hospital

Wed, 2 Jun 2004 14:30:38 -0700 (PDT)
She is fine. There was slight water in her lungs and a mild inflammation in her liver. Lavina is going back to India. So everything is fine. She will be discharged today. She was in ICU but Doctors insisted that it was nothing fatal or serious. So she is fine. I was not willing to leave India in the first place but in Febraury she insisted that the only way she will become independant is If I went to NZ. And she was well that time. So I came here.
Even when I called she insisted she was fine. Chelu bore the brunt of her sickness by handling Utkarsh's house because he had a kidney transplant from his wife and her family life and Simran plus Balaji telefilms job and sleeping at the hospital.
And I believe renu masi, mama-mami, usha masi helped a lot. But even Chelna insisted that she was fine and she can be blunt if required so I was a little wee bit relieved. Now Lavina is going back and mom is being discharged. So thanks for your prayers


Singapore Airport


Sun, 4 Jul 2004 02:29:13 -0700 (PDT)


When I handed over Emma's stereo as a gift to the Airport personnel, I was breaking my ties with my past.
The flight was smooth as silk. I had a lot of apprehensions before I took the flight but Singapore Airlines is great compounded by the fact that I met Sally who is going to Ireland. She is a wonderful human being and we talked about life, which was nice.
Right now I'm at Singapore airport using the free internet service here.
I was touched by Hepa and Sassa and Abish when I saw them plus my eternal friends Daniel, May, Justin, Rao and Jignesh Rathod who dropped me on a cold Auckjland morning. So far it is fine and i have a five hour wait before I take the plane and finally meet mom. I'm also very worried about Utkarsh and dont know whats happening.
Singapore is nice and warm and I had some hot pickle on the plane and everything is fun and frolic.
I will be seeing my mom after 5 mths and first time since ICU. I hope all goes well with me- so far the Lord has been most kind.
Singapore is stunning and warm and green and humid and has one of the best airports on this planet. Bigger than Auckland Airport that has its own charm that no Airport can beat.
The warm and distant asian sun is warming my back after a few stormy days in Auckland.
Keep Praying for my mom.


Winter

Fri, 21 May 2004 22:37:03 -0700 (PDT)


It's late evening of a rather warm afternoon. But the winter is here. And my new window in my new house has great condensation (that means drops of water from overnight mist) trickling on my grey bedroom window.
My life is considerably fantastic. I am feeling lighter and brighter. a few teaching offers are coming through. Though there was St. Peters School which need a computing teacher and did not shortlist me. Well, you win some and you lose quite a few. That's life. I'm a bit excited because my friend Justin has invited me for a party of a friend. It's a fancy dress and people have to dress as pimps and whores. It will be
fun. It's a pity I gave my black shining shirt to Ishan.
I'm still worried about mom and her breathing. Don't know what to do. I'm in my last 5 weeks of my course. It's killing me.
It will be a cold night unless something hot happens!