Today was a good, relaxing day!
Started off with steak and potatoes for lunch at Road Trip. Afterward, Felix (Chinese trainer from Calgary), Weiwei (Chinese TWUer from Melbourne), and I went to a salon to get haircuts.
That haircut had to be the best haircut I've ever gotten. Growing up in white suburbs, very few know how to cut an Asian person's hair. In Evanston, there was only one person that knew how, and every Asian had her number and work hours. Luckily, I'm in Asia, and they've all specialized by now.
After the haircut, Felix and I decided to stay after for some relaxing back massages. It was my first time getting a massage anywhere, and it was a new, slightly invasive, but good experience. Sadly, I'm ticklish. It probably would have been a much more relaxing experience if I didn't flinch every time my armpits, sides, or neck was touched. After the massage, we winded down in the steam room and just sweated.
The shower afterward was also the best shower I've had since I got to India. The water was nice and hot, and the water pressure was perfect. Once we got dressed, they even brought out tea and water for us. Wonderfully relaxing stuff. I definitely plan on going back before I leave India.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Weekend in Mascal - Sleep and Morning
The night accommodations were rough due to poor expectation setting. We were told that we would be getting huge tents with comfortable bedding, sheets, and everything else we would possibly need. With this in mind, I only brought some extra clothing with me on the trip. Unfortunately, when night came, we were presented with our 2-person tents (which they claimed fit 5 people), and blue foam pads to use as beds.
Of course, I only buy multi-purpose clothing, so I quickly transformed my T-shirts into pillows, and my shorts into blankets.
Expert camper.
The night was pretty cold and the wind was picking up in the middle of the night. Also, one thing that never fails to keep me awake was within reach - a snorer. It wasn't even my tent-mate though. The tents were so close together that I could hear a neighboring camper snoring. Given a snoring situation, I "accidentally" kick the person to get it to stop, but this one was safely out of my reaches.
You win this time.
I got up at 5am in hopes of seeing the sunrise. Sadly, the clouds put a damper on the morning and the sun wasn't spotted until 9. Anyway, we spent most of the morning lounging around. Half of us went out on inner tubes, while four people went out on the kayaks. It was a great, relaxing experience. Being out there wasn't like being in India or any one place - it was just being outdoors.
Of course, I only buy multi-purpose clothing, so I quickly transformed my T-shirts into pillows, and my shorts into blankets.
Expert camper.
The night was pretty cold and the wind was picking up in the middle of the night. Also, one thing that never fails to keep me awake was within reach - a snorer. It wasn't even my tent-mate though. The tents were so close together that I could hear a neighboring camper snoring. Given a snoring situation, I "accidentally" kick the person to get it to stop, but this one was safely out of my reaches.
You win this time.
I got up at 5am in hopes of seeing the sunrise. Sadly, the clouds put a damper on the morning and the sun wasn't spotted until 9. Anyway, we spent most of the morning lounging around. Half of us went out on inner tubes, while four people went out on the kayaks. It was a great, relaxing experience. Being out there wasn't like being in India or any one place - it was just being outdoors.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Weekend in Mascal - Into the night
Since spending the night was not mandatory, a lot of people headed back to Bangalore after dinner. Although sleeping was rough, the night was great. After most people had gone back to their tents to sleep, I stayed up by the campfire with a fellow TWer Aarti, and two of the Outback India guides, Karan (male) and Sam (female).
We stayed up playing games like twenty questions and just talking about all kinds of stuff. Before I got to the know Karan and Sam, I had assumed they were from around the area - like the villages that we had to drive through to get the campsite. After asking them if they were from Bangalore, Karan responded, "Yeah, why? Did you think we were from around here?" Wooo, I felt ignorant.
They were probably the most American-like people I have met since I got to India. We spent part of the night just listening to music on Karan's phone. I didn't think I'd be in the middle of nowhere of India, listening to Fireflies with a group of Indian people. It was nice going through his phone and recognizing band names that weren't all from the 80s.
At one point Sam took out her camera, and we played around with some light exposure pictures. I told her to send me the picture, which I don't think will ever really happen, but I made an awesome smiley face.
We played a bunch of twenty questions for a while - most of the answers had to do with Indian history, so I was pretty useless after the first 3 questions. Eventually it started getting cold and windy, and the fire was dying down, so we all went to bed.
We stayed up playing games like twenty questions and just talking about all kinds of stuff. Before I got to the know Karan and Sam, I had assumed they were from around the area - like the villages that we had to drive through to get the campsite. After asking them if they were from Bangalore, Karan responded, "Yeah, why? Did you think we were from around here?" Wooo, I felt ignorant.
They were probably the most American-like people I have met since I got to India. We spent part of the night just listening to music on Karan's phone. I didn't think I'd be in the middle of nowhere of India, listening to Fireflies with a group of Indian people. It was nice going through his phone and recognizing band names that weren't all from the 80s.
At one point Sam took out her camera, and we played around with some light exposure pictures. I told her to send me the picture, which I don't think will ever really happen, but I made an awesome smiley face.
We played a bunch of twenty questions for a while - most of the answers had to do with Indian history, so I was pretty useless after the first 3 questions. Eventually it started getting cold and windy, and the fire was dying down, so we all went to bed.
Weekend in Mascal - Sportiness
The reservoir next to our campsite is formed by a dam that blocks off the flow of water. After our team competition, we headed down towards some huge rocks for some rappelling. However, in order to make it across to the dam, we needed to cross a stretch of water. In our teams once again, we needed to create a raft for 10 team members using 5 inner tubes, 4 wooden poles, and a sack of rope. Of course MacGyver could do it with much less.
This.
After making it across the water, we just swam, played with the tubes, and later went up a rock-side to do rappelling. I also found out that the location is next to the Manchanabele Reservoir - The water was clean, and it was great being out in the sun. Rappelling in India was not quite what I had expected, in the sense that, I expected ACTUAL rappelling. The first two steps were like walking down the rockface, but after that, rappelling quickly turned into "hold the rope so you don't freefall to your death."
"Weeeee!"
Just as everyone finished rappelling, rain started blasting down in sheets. I stayed in the water and swam back to the campsite because the water was warmer than bearing the rain on land. I swam back accompanied by Sam (a female Outback India guide) and two other Outback India guys in a kayak followed alongside, all to make sure I stay alive. I felt pretty safe until after 20 feet, Sam got her legs stuck in a fishing net.
As quickly as it started, the rain stopped. The sun was beginning to set and everyone relaxed by the campfire and enjoyed the free time outdoors. Some people played volleyball, others just laid on the rocks. The day was winding down and so were the people.
This.
After making it across the water, we just swam, played with the tubes, and later went up a rock-side to do rappelling. I also found out that the location is next to the Manchanabele Reservoir - The water was clean, and it was great being out in the sun. Rappelling in India was not quite what I had expected, in the sense that, I expected ACTUAL rappelling. The first two steps were like walking down the rockface, but after that, rappelling quickly turned into "hold the rope so you don't freefall to your death."
"Weeeee!"
Just as everyone finished rappelling, rain started blasting down in sheets. I stayed in the water and swam back to the campsite because the water was warmer than bearing the rain on land. I swam back accompanied by Sam (a female Outback India guide) and two other Outback India guys in a kayak followed alongside, all to make sure I stay alive. I felt pretty safe until after 20 feet, Sam got her legs stuck in a fishing net.
As quickly as it started, the rain stopped. The sun was beginning to set and everyone relaxed by the campfire and enjoyed the free time outdoors. Some people played volleyball, others just laid on the rocks. The day was winding down and so were the people.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Weekend in Mascal - The Competition
The first item on our agenda was a team-building competition. Karan, one of the Outback India representatives, divided us up into four teams of about ten people. The competition consisted four events - five minutes at each one. Teams rotated around events attempting to rack up as many points as possible in the given time.
Activity #1 - The Australian Car:
Two planks of wood lay on the ground like skis, and 5 pieces of string on each plank are sticking out of the top. 5 people then stand on the planks like skis, grasp the strings, and attempt to synchronize walking. With the lead person blindfolded, the team must then attempt to walk 30 feet, make a U-turn around a rock, and walk back. Also, the first person in the line is blindfolded. We made it 10 feet.
Vroom vroom.
Activity #2 - Spider Web:
A bunch of string is hung across two poles, leaving holes big enough for a person to fit through. Then the team has to get everyone from one side of the web to the other; however, once a person goes through an opening, that same opening cannot be reused. So, we ended up hoisting the girls on our team through the top holes, while the heavier few crawled through the bottom holes.
Activity #3 - Some event that made fat people feel guilty:
The activity begins with everyone crowding together, creating the smallest circumference possible, and being measured. The thinner we are, the better we do. After three measurements, a medium-sized band of rubber is placed around us, and we are required to run as far as possible before time ends. The band can stretch, but only so far.
I'm just "preparing for winter."
Activity #4 - Mine Field:
The mine field was basically an obstacle course that a blindfolded team member must cross with the help of his teammates' guidance.
My team actually did really well in the activities, but ended up placing in second. It was probably karma as I definitely did my share of taunting before the competition began.
Activity #1 - The Australian Car:
Two planks of wood lay on the ground like skis, and 5 pieces of string on each plank are sticking out of the top. 5 people then stand on the planks like skis, grasp the strings, and attempt to synchronize walking. With the lead person blindfolded, the team must then attempt to walk 30 feet, make a U-turn around a rock, and walk back. Also, the first person in the line is blindfolded. We made it 10 feet.
Vroom vroom.
Activity #2 - Spider Web:
A bunch of string is hung across two poles, leaving holes big enough for a person to fit through. Then the team has to get everyone from one side of the web to the other; however, once a person goes through an opening, that same opening cannot be reused. So, we ended up hoisting the girls on our team through the top holes, while the heavier few crawled through the bottom holes.
Activity #3 - Some event that made fat people feel guilty:
The activity begins with everyone crowding together, creating the smallest circumference possible, and being measured. The thinner we are, the better we do. After three measurements, a medium-sized band of rubber is placed around us, and we are required to run as far as possible before time ends. The band can stretch, but only so far.
I'm just "preparing for winter."
Activity #4 - Mine Field:
The mine field was basically an obstacle course that a blindfolded team member must cross with the help of his teammates' guidance.
My team actually did really well in the activities, but ended up placing in second. It was probably karma as I definitely did my share of taunting before the competition began.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Weekend in Mascal - Arrival
This past weekend, we all went out on a one-night camping trip in a place that you can't even google - Mascal, India. The trip and events were planned out by an outside agency called Outback India.
In the beginning, I admit I was skeptical of the trip. I like camping outdoors and being able to relax in the wild, but my most recent experiences have entailed a lot of walking/hiking followed by exhaustion. My other concern was what kind of accommodations we would receive. When the bus finally stopped, we were in the middle of a tiny farming village, surrounded by livestock and farmland. I was afraid this supposed outdoorsy camping experience would transform into "Live Like a Farmer Day."
Fortunately, the trip exceeded all expectations. After marching on makeshift paths through farmland and admiring the scenery, we reached our destination. Our campground laid right next to a man-made reservoir and included a volleyball net.
The campsite even came with an homage to stone henge.
There was also street dog that came down to hang out with us for the day.
Puppy!
In the beginning, I admit I was skeptical of the trip. I like camping outdoors and being able to relax in the wild, but my most recent experiences have entailed a lot of walking/hiking followed by exhaustion. My other concern was what kind of accommodations we would receive. When the bus finally stopped, we were in the middle of a tiny farming village, surrounded by livestock and farmland. I was afraid this supposed outdoorsy camping experience would transform into "Live Like a Farmer Day."
Fortunately, the trip exceeded all expectations. After marching on makeshift paths through farmland and admiring the scenery, we reached our destination. Our campground laid right next to a man-made reservoir and included a volleyball net.
The campsite even came with an homage to stone henge.
There was also street dog that came down to hang out with us for the day.
Puppy!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
How my weekend was ruined: Going to Chili's
WARNING: PG version - Not only will this be long and whiny, but the humorous/inappropriate photos have also been omitted.
Despite returning today from the most amazing day and night I've spent in India, that good feeling was quickly destroyed by one horrible, horrible decision: going to Chili's for lunch.
Before you jump to conclusions: I realize I'm in Bangalore, not the U.S. When I go to an American restaurant in another country, I drop my standards. I don't expect more service than what any local restaurant would provide, and I anticipate being disappointed by local variations of dishes. Although I love the food, I haven't exactly known Chili's for its service in the U.S. either. However, this trip to Chili's fell so far below expectations that it has left me more frustrated than I've felt in a long time.
Upon entering the restaurant, I almost felt like I was back in the U.S. The same chili-shaped handles rest on the door, and the same type of memorabilia populate the interior. After being seated and placing orders, the frustration began. I was accompanied by two co-workers, Steve and Kyle, who lay witness to the day's events.
The meal began with a veggie queso dip with chips. To refrain from using profanity, I can only describe the queso dip as, bad. But that's okay - I ordered an appetizer and a meal with the expectation that between the two, I would have enough edible food to get full. So, I began munching on the chips.
After about thirty minutes, Steve's meal arrived. Since many meals are eaten family-style, dishes are often cascaded in, rather than flooding the table all at once. With this in mind, Steve began eating, expecting our meals to follow shortly.
Twenty-five minutes pass. Steve has been done eating, and Kyle now receives his meal - total of fifty-five minute wait. Unfortunately, his change of side orders wasn't recorded. Kyle began eating as they prepared the proper side. After twenty more minutes, he has finished his meal, and his new side order arrives. Kyle eats his proper side dish, Steve awaits the end of the meal, and I continue to gnaw on tortilla chips.
Despite the tendency to cascade dishes, at this point I'm beginning to question the certainty that my meal is actually going to arrive. Then, I watch the waiter serve dishes to a family of five that entered the restaurant much later than us. With this confirmation, I call the waiter over and ask him if my meal is ready. If it's not, just simply cancel the order and bring us the check with Steve and Kyle's items. If you're skeptical, this was not an issue of language barriers. The waiter spoke English well, clearly understood we were concerned about our wasted time, and then went off to check the kitchen.
After ten minutes, watching him debate with his co-workers, he returns and tells me that my dish is ready, and it will be brought out in one minute. Little did I know that he was lying right to my face. Twenty minutes pass. I ordered a simple pasta dish, so they're obviously making it from scratch. We're in the process of adding up the cost of everything else we've had, so that we can just drop some cash and leave, when my meal finally arrives - total of an hour and forty-five minutes.
At this point, I don't even want it. We complain about the waste of time when he asks us to stay. In the end, we compromise that they'll offer the meal at a reduced price for wasting our time. So, I eat the angriest meal I've ever had, and they bring the bill. They applied a 145 rupees discount from the total of 1664.65 rupees. To give perspective - the only things I could order off the Chili's menu for 145 rupees were beverages - some diet Pepsi, if I wanted to splurge.
They even decided to keep the 157 rupees "service charge" on the meal. In the end, we paid what we felt the meal was worth and left as dissatisfied customers.
As frustrating as the experience was, something deeper about the situation continues to bother me. Whether you're studying abroad, working abroad, or just traveling, you are constantly acting an ambassador for your home country. McDonald's took the opportunity to become more than a last resort like in American culture. Sadly, Chili's went the other way and proudly flaunts American memorabilia throughout its interior.
Despite returning today from the most amazing day and night I've spent in India, that good feeling was quickly destroyed by one horrible, horrible decision: going to Chili's for lunch.
Before you jump to conclusions: I realize I'm in Bangalore, not the U.S. When I go to an American restaurant in another country, I drop my standards. I don't expect more service than what any local restaurant would provide, and I anticipate being disappointed by local variations of dishes. Although I love the food, I haven't exactly known Chili's for its service in the U.S. either. However, this trip to Chili's fell so far below expectations that it has left me more frustrated than I've felt in a long time.
Upon entering the restaurant, I almost felt like I was back in the U.S. The same chili-shaped handles rest on the door, and the same type of memorabilia populate the interior. After being seated and placing orders, the frustration began. I was accompanied by two co-workers, Steve and Kyle, who lay witness to the day's events.
The meal began with a veggie queso dip with chips. To refrain from using profanity, I can only describe the queso dip as, bad. But that's okay - I ordered an appetizer and a meal with the expectation that between the two, I would have enough edible food to get full. So, I began munching on the chips.
After about thirty minutes, Steve's meal arrived. Since many meals are eaten family-style, dishes are often cascaded in, rather than flooding the table all at once. With this in mind, Steve began eating, expecting our meals to follow shortly.
Twenty-five minutes pass. Steve has been done eating, and Kyle now receives his meal - total of fifty-five minute wait. Unfortunately, his change of side orders wasn't recorded. Kyle began eating as they prepared the proper side. After twenty more minutes, he has finished his meal, and his new side order arrives. Kyle eats his proper side dish, Steve awaits the end of the meal, and I continue to gnaw on tortilla chips.
Despite the tendency to cascade dishes, at this point I'm beginning to question the certainty that my meal is actually going to arrive. Then, I watch the waiter serve dishes to a family of five that entered the restaurant much later than us. With this confirmation, I call the waiter over and ask him if my meal is ready. If it's not, just simply cancel the order and bring us the check with Steve and Kyle's items. If you're skeptical, this was not an issue of language barriers. The waiter spoke English well, clearly understood we were concerned about our wasted time, and then went off to check the kitchen.
After ten minutes, watching him debate with his co-workers, he returns and tells me that my dish is ready, and it will be brought out in one minute. Little did I know that he was lying right to my face. Twenty minutes pass. I ordered a simple pasta dish, so they're obviously making it from scratch. We're in the process of adding up the cost of everything else we've had, so that we can just drop some cash and leave, when my meal finally arrives - total of an hour and forty-five minutes.
At this point, I don't even want it. We complain about the waste of time when he asks us to stay. In the end, we compromise that they'll offer the meal at a reduced price for wasting our time. So, I eat the angriest meal I've ever had, and they bring the bill. They applied a 145 rupees discount from the total of 1664.65 rupees. To give perspective - the only things I could order off the Chili's menu for 145 rupees were beverages - some diet Pepsi, if I wanted to splurge.
They even decided to keep the 157 rupees "service charge" on the meal. In the end, we paid what we felt the meal was worth and left as dissatisfied customers.
As frustrating as the experience was, something deeper about the situation continues to bother me. Whether you're studying abroad, working abroad, or just traveling, you are constantly acting an ambassador for your home country. McDonald's took the opportunity to become more than a last resort like in American culture. Sadly, Chili's went the other way and proudly flaunts American memorabilia throughout its interior.
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