In the land of Jews

I had the privilege of visiting the Asian nation called The State of Israel due to my husband's work commitment. Little did I know that the country has an amazing heritage and urbanity.

Tel-Aviv City (PC-Shikhaa Sharma)

We flew via El Al airlines from US to Israel and back, which apparently holds the world record for most passengers on a commercial flight (1088 passengers). We were destined to the financial hub of Israel, a city called Tel-Aviv. While we had our reservations about the safety and war between Israel and Palestine, delving into some research revealed that Israeli defense forces are one of the most battle trained forces in the world. During our walks at the the Tel-Aviv beach, we felt as safe as in Delhi or NYC. In fact, Israel is the second largest defense equipment supplier to India after Russia. During our dine outs at the Indian restaurant, we met some defense personnel who came to Israel for defense equipment training.

Also, contrary to popular belief Israel is not a Muslim country. The majority of the population constitutes of Jews, who follow the religion of Judaism (Yahudi, as we know in India). Apparently Jesus Christ was a Jew as told to us by an Indian restaurant owner, who himself is an Indian Jew. So yes Jews are different from Christians and Muslims. There are places in Israel where the Jew, Christian and Muslim population co-exist such as the old Jaffa Port. It is one of the oldest sea port in the world.

Old Jaffa Port (PC-Shikhaa Sharma)

Israel is a country with a visibly young population and only ten percent of the population is above the age of 65 years. During our excursions in the city of Tel-Aviv, the numerous restaurants were filled with young people enjoying the euro cup with a beer mug. 

Also, unlike America, people here are pretty fit  always running, cycling or swimming. The fitness is due to the fact that every Israeli citizen, male or female, is required to serve three and two years respectively in the compulsory military service.

The place is not conservative, again contrary to popular belief,and the PDA was more than I have witnessed in any American city. Israel is the only nation in Asia to recognize same sex marriages. Tel-Aviv is one of the most friendly cities for gay in the world and the fact was very evident during our walks at the Tel-Aviv beach in the evening.

Hare Rama-Hare Krishna Society 
member of Israel (PC-Shikhaa Sharma)

My favorite moment in the land was encountering a Hare Rama-Hare Krishna brigade singing and dancing by the beach. It was in the evening when we were returning from our city tour and walking at the beach side and heard chants of Hare Rama-Hare Krishna on dholak beats, it was truly mesmerizing.

Hubby leading the Hare Rama-Hare Krishna dance group (PC-Shikhaa Sharma)

During my research, I came across below facts about Israel

• Its the only country in the world to draft women into its military service.
• Israel is so small that one can run through it east to west in two hours flat.
• Jerusalem, which is one of the oldest cities of the world and a holy land, receives about a thousand letters each year addressed to god.
• All Pakistani passports bear the inscription, "This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel."
• Dead Sea in Israel is the lowest point on earth
• Apart from Silicon-Valley, Israel has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies in the world.

Seeking the Great "Perhaps"

We live..we die, and everything in between is our quest to attain an insight as to why we were here in the first place.


Sitting in my patio under the afternoon sun and looking out at the brown-green grass carpet around me, the simplicity that I see around is in direct contrast to the complexity inside me. And here I mean, the complexity of my mind and heart not in the routine way that they work, but in the psychological way.
We all undertake the arduous journey of life in search of our Great Perhaps, be it going to school/college, getting a job,seeking for our soulmates or towards a goal of sacrificing and giving endless love during parenthood. The only "If" is that - If we were empowered enough to see the endless train of ramifications that result from our smallest hooplas. If only...
The only way out of this labyrinth is to never get hopeless and continue the search. Because..
"Without hope life is meaningless. Without hope life is meaning less and less."

Whenever one sits back and think in retrospect, there would be a zillion moments where just a thought about, "Perhaps", would have changed the course of our lives.

During our times on earth, there would be so many of us who would have to live with things done and things left hanging on any day. Things that could have gone right, some that weren't meant to happen or things that seemed OK initially. But because we cannot foresee future, clinging to that "Perhaps" is all we do at the end of it.

P.S. - "I go to seek a Great Perhaps" were the last words of the poet Francois Rabelais. And these words have been  talked about in the book "Looking for Alaska" by John Green, in great depth.

Business is NOT as usual

Today is Friday..lets work!

There are very few people around, who know what they want in life. Actually most of us are a combination of "I could do this, that,there.." and some gas (read bragging). I am no Rajnikant in this regard. When I worked, some days there was extreme focus on my career and future goals. Other days, it was just quit and sleep hangover. Now, armed with the opportunity to sleep all day, all I miss is going to office and here's why

1. The Drive

While the morning drive to office was associated with cluttered brains, boss's con-calls and plenty of under-the-breath swearing, coming back from office drives were more fun. A packet of Kurkure with a bottle of Slice along with songs on FM were good enough to beat the bumper to bumper traffic. Fridays were super as its easier to drive in casual shoes than in weekday heels. I have had some of the wow moments while driving, be it driving in rains and listening to Teri Meri Prem Kahani from Bodyguard (being a hopeless romantic) Kab se kare hai tera intezaar on a cloudy morning(feeling all enthusiastic to work) Manali trance while coming back from office on a Friday eve(upbeat about the weekend) and Mat pooch mere mehboob sanam (yes, sometimes I can be that classy in my choice of songs). Be it a traffic induced clutch-break routine or a smooth ride, driving used to be definite a stress buster, for me atleast.

2. The Food

Here, I am not talking about what my mom used to pack me for lunch or what I used to pack myself in the after marriage era. It is all about the gastronomical pleasures that one can experience and indulge in while having the palak paneer-rice combo at Nehru place, the Paranthas at Not Just Paranthas in DLF Cyber Hub (If one happens to be working in Cyber City area), the mini idlis at Sarvana Bhavan in Connaught Place in addition to all the Domino's, Pizza Huts , Subways and corporate park cafeteria offering almost every cuisine edible in India. Be it the 4pm  snack or 11am hunger pangs,choices ranged from samosa to bread pakora to the upmarket sandwiches, puffs,muffins from the CCDs around. 

3. The Talk

The morning greetings and evening goodbyes were exchanged with real people. While at home, that too in a foreign land, virtual communication is the only means of verbal exercise. From Kejriwal's antics to new vacation destinations to yearly savings fiasco to quick home recipes to the new couple sightings in office premises and some more irrelevant nonsense talks were like a whiff of cool air in the otherwise balmy work atmosphere.

4. The Fashion

Yes, office premises and beyond can give you a sneak peek into the latest fashion trends, especially Fridays, when its casual attire in most offices. The tapered ankle length trousers with peep toes, slender belts with tuck-in shirts, the high ponytail with western formals have been some of my takeaways. Come Fridays, and its all colors to eyes with everyone chic and stylish with skirts, summer dresses, head gears and danglers.

5. The Routine

After being a witness to the dapper dressing routine(sometimes forced) for almost a decade, the current lower-t shirt routine feels a drag. Office going sets the body clock ticking with sleeping, eating and working schedules and being at home is more like "do what you feel" kind of drill. As per a study by Forbes 84% of American working women want to opt out. 

And I am as Indian as it gets.

Through my eyes

My friends and family back in India keep asking about the wow experiences I am having, living in a foreign land. In fact, I subconsciously feel myself comparing things here and back in India. And frankly saying, India is competing fiercely because there are only a few things which stupefy me as compared to my peers who came to USA about ten-twelve years back. Because now I have seen the malls, metros, the Hauz khas markets and Sakets of India. 

The most important aspect that sets US apart from India is the weather. The picturesque landscape mesmerizes with its lush greenery and clear blue skies. But the Americans are as confused about the weather as we Indians are about women empowerment. Until June the temperature here was hovering around twenty which is like November and early December cold in India. Come September and there will be chill in the air and leaves one wondering, when the hell did summer came!

The weather changes are so abrupt at times that it keeps raining for a whole week with such loud thunders and lightening that it gives all the San Andreas and Ice Ages of Hollywood a run for their money.

Chevrolet Camaro

Since the time I am here, I have seen some of the most exotic cars that I had only seen on screen. Right from the Porsche's F Type to the Mercedes and BMW convertibles to Camaro and Mustangs. Not to forget the chevrolet and ford trucks, family vans of Honda, Lincoln, Ford. Though the major part of the roads is occupied by the chevys (Chevrolet) and Fords as they are American brands but Hondas, Toyotas and Hyundai have their own space as well. Brands like Lincoln, Buick, Cadillac, Saturn, Chrysler are brands whose cars are driven by people from latin america and mexico. While Mika Singh and Harbhajan Singh are some of the few piviledged who own a Hummer in India, the car has much higher visibility here owing to the fact that its an American brand.

For the record, the Indian's are confused about women empowerment because on one hand Mr. Prime minister makes it his agenda and on the other he makes some sexist remarks (#DespiteBeingWoman) in his speech. America is very clear on that subject. With a sex ratio of 0.97 male per female, women in America are much visible in the areas of importance. Their outnumbering presence can be seen right at the Walmart billing counters to the more posh premises of corporate world. This country surely knows how to respect the majority, women occupying that chunk here.

Another inquisitiveness among my friends back in India is that of PDA (Public display of affection) by the Americans. Yes, I have been a witness a to PDA between couples but I have seen the other side of PDA (Public display of Anger) as well between the couples, be it at the malls, airports etc.

The Good Indian Garlic Naan 

Being a country that serves as a culmination ground for many cultures, one gets an ample amount of choices when it comes to indulging in gastronomical pleasures. From the burgers to burritos, tacos to Thai
curries, garlic breads to gluten free vegan diets, its our Indian naan that has caught the fancy of Americans. And why not, while here, I have had the best naans till date. They have a subtle softness but without the elasticity which is associated with half cooked Indian breads.

After having our share of tryst with the All American dinners, snow, leather boots, driving rules..we have made a home away from home. Grass is turning greener, so I believe its spring for sure but I am as confused about the summers as rest of the Americans.

Life and all that Jazz

After working 7 years full time, I have embarked upon the role of being the lady of the house. Yes, I prefer being addressed this way and not the cliched "Housewife" because it demeans the existence of women who stay at home, do zillion other things and yet other house-members remain thankless to her, at the end of the day. And when you do spend these many years working, the daily routine gets into your skin. The realization of happiness in doing nothing, doing impromptu things, carelessness, lazing around leisure time do not dawn upon. Initially it feels like being Alice in Wonderland  because you no longer have to squeeze in a couple of days work into couple of hours, failing at it mostly-then thinking what went wrong-trying again-having tea-failing again-having tea-putting it on to next day chronic work schedules.

While at it you get so lost in making the money cycle go around, that you forget to notice the iota of things happening around, not making enough time for your loved ones. Yet the concept of weekend amuses me as half of it is spent dreading Mondays. Though a mere thought of change from this schedule will give jitters to some but having experiencing the change myself its not that a bad thing at all. Because we all have the Fear of Change.

So while experiencing this side of the life, my heart goes out to all the mothers who have untiringly taken upon the onus of turning the house into a home, provide for everybody's comfort. Yet,  I constantly think whether I will be so giving  because that is something the corporate world does not teach you.

Sometimes thinking too much spoils the moment hence life should mostly be in be action mode. When you feel, you don't have much action up your sleeves, try getting into unknown territory and learn the intricacies of it. The territory I am in currently (being the lady of the house) was hitherto unknown to me but it has given me some openings in life and I am ready to embrace more of it.

Now that the monthly handsome thousands have ceased to stop at my bank account's gate, I am adhering to the adage

Spend to learn, How to earn!

Happiness is...having paranthas in America!!!

Touched the American land late Saturday evening and boy..it was chilly. In the 24 hours of my journey from India till here one thing I was well sure off was that the more dearer the American dream is, the more torturous the journey.

As a first time international traveler I had the privilege to touch two most important countries on the world map..USA and UK. Stranded at airport, some cancelled flights, some curses and then the focus was on the growling stomach and its emptiness. An Indian's  nightmare during international travel occurs when one happens to be a vegetarian. God,With the heart missing the daal chawal to the core and mind focusing on the Starbucks ahead, the vegetarian buds had to be satisfied with hummus with pita bread as every other item on menu had some sort of meat as its ingredient. Cold - uncooked-dollars wasted.

American reality and unheigyne faced us when it was told that sink water can be used for drinking. Back in hotel, the big question again..what to have for dinner?  And then the miracle happened..we were introduced to the big fat world of ready to eat Haldirams stuff. The stuff was existent in India as well but not of this variety. So we had the privilege of paranthas with different filling options/veggies/paneer and the best was the frozen samosas. After the bread butter routine gorging on the paranthas was next to getting a bonus along with a salary hike. So the happiness and excitement of being in a foreign land was subdued by the possibility of Indian home style meals here.

Perhaps we are all looking for happiness but in the wrong places!!!!!