a stupid's journal : fun

What we could have done in Lockdown?

11:25 AM

Hey guys!

Everyday we wake up, the news channels keep rolling news like "this is the new normal", "most part of the IT professionals will have to work from home even after the lockdown ends", etc etc etc.

But have we given enough thoughts on how to deal with this "new normal"?

Well, I hadn't until lately. But I have some things that we all can do apart from making picture perfect Dalgona Coffee, cooking Pani Puri at home and working out to keep up with good health.

So here are few couple of things that we can try to acquire a better personality when we come out of the lockdown cocoon. I say cocoon because alike cocoon, we will be better when we come out of it.

Here we go:

1. Vocabulary

How can we improve our vocabulary? The simple answer that most of us is Read. Be it a good novel or the tough to understand Editorial articles of a newspaper. Then there's another way, read "Word Power Made Easy". The book costs only a few over hundred bucks and it has been a great way to learn new words even when you have passed your schooling age.

Another goo d source that I feel is mobile application of Dictionary.com. It has a word of the day thing and you can get more than 350 words a year just for free. Just imagine what could you do in 2 year with more that 700 words.

2. Learn to dance

Often ignored and kept reserved for Sangeet performances, Dancing is another form of exercise to keep you in shape. Come on, you know that your body doesn't move like it should be when it comes to flaunt it. So better start rehearsing while you walk around the house of take break from your productive session of Work From Home thing.

3. Watch Documentaries

Documentaries are a great way to learn history and inspire yourself to stay boosted in your motivation. I have always liked documentaries as they are the easiest way to learn about something. Some of the best documentaries that you can watch right away are here (Top Documentaries).

4. Learn a skill

All good online tutoring websites are providing some of their courses for free. So you can add up skills and add weightage to your resume which would ultimately be one of your greatest investments of all time.

Some of the such good websites are udemy.com, coursera.com, unacademy.com.

I know you knew all of them. But have you started even one? Start today and this is the right time if you could not get enough motivation so far.

Jaisalmer : The Golden city

11:12 AM

Jaisalmer, a city full of instances of traditional Indian living. I visited Jaisalmer just after the New Year. And every other local said that it's "Season" time. I generally don't mind crowd but I go to places in "off" seasons. This ensures that the place would be peaceful and travelling around it would be inexpensive.

As I was telling you about the traditional living of our country can be seen in Jaisalmer, many people might not have seen it there. But every other street has some kind of "Haveli", all with a very popular style. They use a yellow colored stone which starts looking like Golden and that work over the stone peices!

The Jaisalmer fort also seems to be made of same stones. Ah, let me tell you one interesting thing about the fort. I imagined the fort, as I've seen many other forts, to be more of a preserved monument. I thought it'd be something we see in museums. But no, the fort holds together a considerable portion of city and people actually live into the fort!

This I found a little diverted from the living we have today. But that was something worth going seeing. All around are the shops selling stuff. I'd suggest that you do not get tempted by that stuff. Do compare the prices on several shops. (A friendly and experienced advice)

Before going there, I read over internet about various "Havelis" there. To be honest, if you care much about Indian architecture, then only you'd like it. I myself just had a look on them from outside. But they are beautiful!

Near to the fort, there's a lake and I've forgotten the name. It's peaceful and of my taste. I sat along the bank for few hours. One thing I want to strongly recommend is "Do carry Shades". It's very bright in the areas like Jaisalmer. When I was near the lake, I couldn't even open my eyes fully!

I spent my half of the day walking across the streets of Jaislmer. The streets give you a kind of "village feel" which nowadays is rare. But it was nothing new to me. In my hometown, the same kind of streets are all around. And even with more cow-dunk! (haha)

On 3 PM, we left for the Sam Sand dunes, as per the timings given by the hotel manager. You are supposed to book a package when you come to the city. The prices vary a great deal and it's difficult to know whom to trust. Just see your budget and get it booked.

The sunset, as it's famous for, is awesomely beautiful. The only thing I didn't like were a lot of people. I mean, it's desert and there cannot be as many people! Right?

But it's okay, instead of looking over people, I looked at sun, melting down it the warmth of desert, spreading around the orange-red color in the watery blue sky. Taking away all the warmth with it and leaving behind a cool breeze which waved my hair and brought some sand on my face. I know it's getting too poetic but yes, that's it. The sunset there is like that only.

I want to share more about how was the cultural dance, camp and other things there. But I think sun has set and it's time to go. Let us not spoil the calmness of sunset!

That was Jaisalmer.

Jodhpur : Blue city of Royal People

11:11 AM

Jodhpur, I do not know what this name signifies but the city is so beautiful that you would love it. Apart from the main sight-seeings, there is a lot in the area which has the potential to leave you awestruck.

Well, if you check on internet about "things to do" in Jodhpur, you might get only few things and that too to see. But once you get there, you have a lot many options. Right from the point you deboard your train, you can hire a bike. I myself didn't hire a bike as I was unaware of the availability of this service.

So now you have got a bike and you can ride away wherever you like. As I have told that I didn't take any ride for hire. So, you know, a bike and a lots of roads and one needs nothing more than that.

And yeah, apart from the awesome biking experience (which apparently feels like riding in California) there's a big royal palace of the royal family of Jodhpur. The palace is called "Umaid Palace". The things which make this palace worth visiting are firstly its location. It is located on some hilly location from where the city view can be observed.

These hills are not what we see in hill stations but they are different. I don't know why but I felt connected to the place while I was there. And second thing about the palace is that it is constructed with lock mechanism. This means that the whole palace can be taken to any other location with just dismantling the palace. I don't know if you were interested in the architecture.

Now people like me might not find this palace to be awesome. Guys, just go and have a look on Vintage car collection of the Royal family. It's definitely worth the Rs.30 of your ticket. (For foreigners, it's Rs.100).

People like me never like the construction which has been done very recently. I mean, history is meant to be old!

Simply head towards the fort. Anything like lock mechanism of vintage car collection gets fade before the high walls of the fort. I could easily imagine the terror in the attacking soldiers!

This fort charges some nominal charges for entry into museum and the cameras. A local said that this fort is also the property of the family who lives in the Umaid Palace. Well, a king should not charge tickets!

Having seen whole of the fort, you will be little tired as the fort is too damn big and every other turn leads to a slope. So you will be completely satisfied with the city. If you stamina allows, go back to your hotel and leave on foot, roaming around the local market.

Talk to the locals and enjoy their sweet Marwari!

And one thing I want to share is the handicraft shops. Firstly the prices are too hyped and secondly much of the stuff isn't even handicraft. So there's no point buying those "handcrafts" but if you have a fat budget, go for it.

I completed the city and its sight-seeing in one day. But if you really want to explore a city like Jodhpur, stay there for few couple of days.

And yes, I forget to tell you the one common attraction of foodies. There's a place near Railway Station called "Doodh Mandir" (Temple of milk). This place is famous for it "Kadahi wala doodh". This is the best thing I found in Jodhpur!

So this was about Jodhpur and you can surely find much more than this. Just keep your explorer eye open!

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Cha Bar - for coffee and book lovers

6:37 PM

Lately, I have been in the search of some place which can offer me peace. There are many places of that genre but I was searching for something that would charm me, tempt me to come again and again. Couldn't find any unless I came across this another "hole in the wall" of Delhi.

Wandering around the main hangout point, Rajiv Chowk, I got to see this very ordinary entrance for Oxford book store. It is located in N block and I entered just to explore through some books. The guard asked me to submit my bag and I went up through stairs.

There comes the fun part. Right through the entrance, I wanted to pull out my phone and start clicking. Not because I saw many books there, but the decorum of the place is just awesome. Plain and simple, light to sooth eyes and colorful books as the tonic for brain full of boredom.

The book store have put everything right on place so that you can explore to the maximum and find the right book for you. Wait! Aren't you a book lover? Don't worry, you must be a foodie I believe!

Attached with the book store, is Cha Bar. I am not aware of the meaning of Cha but the closest I could fathom is it concerns "Chai" or Tea. Again the food area is just awesome with decorum, crown, ambiance and obviously FOOD.

One thing that I noticed their was all the workers, cooks and the waiters, were North Easterns. I think it is some kind of organisation for them. But why would you care! The food is "yum" and finger liking (only if you eat with hands and not forks).

The place generally remains filled with couples and friends. (a good option for non-alcoholic get together)

I liked the place much as it offers two of my favorite things side by side, Books and Tea (or coffee). I'm definitely going to Cha bar again for some more time of light, cheerful and delicious experience.

Remember Guys, this time for a change, Non alcoholic drinks (in Cha Bar). See you guys there.

Note: I'm always in search of some good "non popular" food points. You might want to tell me at least one such "bistro" in comments. ( know a new word here, bistro means a small and inexpensive restaurant)

If you like what I write, please let me know in comments and if you really liked it, share the post using below hashtags.

#bringPeace

#stupidOnSunday

Bharat Parv, Independence Day Festival

3:06 PM

Like every year, this time also, Delhi is doing its part in celebrating the 69th Independence Day. The celebrations are done by organizing sundry awards for the artists and cultural performances. Such a cultural event brings together all the states of the country and people of other areas get to know the traditions and food (in short culture) of other areas.

So this is what we call as "exploring without travelling".(There's no such term, I just coined it myself). Talking precisely, there is an event called "Bharat Parv" going on in the city. The event is located in "Garden of five senses" which is located near Saket Metro Station at a distance you could walk or hire a ride.

The purpose of this event is to bring together all the cultures of the country through two main interests of the people. These two interests, I think, are food and music. And the event is doing well by putting forward these two things before the local public.

The details of the event are provided at the end of the post but I suggest that you go through the whole article. Being a "non foodie" kind of person, I hesitate try new dishes. So I just wandered around the garden at first. Passing by the food stalls surely attracts you with the mouth watering smell and you do want to stop for a while to taste it. So I did passed a few stalls and then finally decided to stop at the Bihar section. "Litti Chokha" was the only dish I've had earlier. So without taking any risk, I had "Litti Chokha". Believe me the taste was close to the taste of a friend's mother food.

Not just food, there is also a setup for the cultural performances of dance and music. A well decorated stage, beautiful lighting and calm audience waiting. What else does an Artist want!

The day I went there, they had like 9 different performances, all of different state and culture. I could watch only two of them but I'm sure all of them were awesome enough to get into your heart.

I liked the way people watched the dances. The breeze flowing and passing by your body by touching it along with such a beautiful music is quite a cocktail!

But I didn't like one thing to be honest. The audience mostly consisted of age group 40-60. According to me, this age group has seen enough of culture and traditions. Now it's our turn. But people of our age group are busy wandering around. I suggest that you do visit such events with your friends and family. And for those who say that they want to explore the world one day, I would rather say first explore your country while you are living here. And there's no such "one day" to explore the world but your life. Start with nearby locations.

The event is occurring in Garden of Five senses, Near Saket Metro Station.
Timmings: 5 PM to 11 PM.
Dates : 11th August to 15th August.
Entry : Free (only if you enter after 5PM)

#bringPeace
#stupidOnSunday

Day 2: Adventure in Rishikesh

10:49 AM

Before you proceed, read Day 1 first.

Thought Rishikesh is situated over the banks of holy Ganga, this holy Ganga also provides adventure for the fun seekers with its ferocious and turbulent flow in the stretch of Rishikesh.

So we woke up in the morning to the settled sand by the rain that happened last night and the clean air that we took advantage of to clean our smoke filled lungs. The morning was beautiful as it was my first time to wake up directly to such a scene. Nature on its peak beauty!

After having our never ending fun at the river beach, we were called for the breakfast. Not so yummy but satisfactory seeing the remote location of the camp. After the dinner, there were vehicles waiting for us for the rafting starting point.

We were all geared up with helmets, life jackets and instructions on how to raft. We weren't lucky enough to get to raft on 18Km stretch but got just 12Km.It had 3 rapids as we were informed.

Aftergetting our heads filled with instructions and commands, we were taken to the raft boat at river bank. I chose the front seat and so did one of my friend.

Forward Guys!!

Let's go!!

We rafted on the turbulent water where each wave was more aggressive than the other. And the rapids, they were the most angry points of Holy Ganga. I didn't know a goddess can be that violent!

Just after the second rapid, there lies a cliff. I don't remember its height but it's pretty enough to assure fun. All three of us jumped one after the another and were gathered at the bank.

Then again, Forward Guys!!

We all rushed towards the next and the last rapid. The professional rafting guide informed us that we need to be fast enough to pass a whirlpool. Otherwise we get stuck. So we put all our efforts with maximum speed to avoid it and collided with the third final rapid.

Further flow was as calm as deep sea. Ironical to the gushing turbulence, it was peaceful. Now that was something I call "Nature's tonic" to relax your body.

The guide asked us if we wanted to get out of the boat into the chilled water. And we were all jumping into it. Then after few moments, we reached the end point of rafting. I wanted to go again but that won't be feasible with our bodies as we were already exhausted. I wish I could see my video while rafting!

Then we walked for few minutes to find a good hotel to rest in. And soon we did. Then we rested for few couple of hours and woke up to the very charming beauty of Rishikesh's evening. So calm and contained in itself. What else we would wait for!

We went out in comforting clothes and slippers and walked to the bank of Ganga. I believe the sound of flowing river takes away all the exhaustion with it, leaving behind a human full of nature love and peace.

This is how the Day 2 of Rishikesh trip happened. It was adventurous and comforting as well. Likewise Day 1,I did find a painting over the street walls on Day 2 also. I don't know why were they drawn, but I do know that this kind of walls add up the beauty in the streets. Here it is "The Mystery Painting" of Day 2.

#bringPeace

Day 3: Rishikesh on foot

10:56 AM

If you haven't went through previous posts, read Day 1 and Day 2.

The third and the last day in Rishikesh was an exhausting though "near to nature" day. We were all ready to go to Nir Waterfall. But it was few miles away from our hotel. Basically people take cabs for this much distance but we didn't.

I believe going on foot is the best way to know and explore a place. This way you get dissolves with the local public and get to know their customs from inside and not from what is shown outside. You get to see the shops and vendors, people and crowd and many more interesting things of several genres.

So we all got ready wearing our most comfortable clothes with warm and dry socks. Pulled up the straps of our bags and left for the waterfall. Talking of the expectations, we weren't having much of them. But we walked just for the sake of spending some time in Rishikesh.

We were only half the way up, rain started to shower. (I'm am not a big fan of Rains). But somehow I managed the anger for rain even though it was spoiling my shoes and making me wet. (uhhh)

After asking the people several times and smoking the cigarettes several other times, we reached the starting point of the way to waterfall. The way was unpaved but you can drive on that. I suggest that you don't as it's much fun if you go up to the waterfall on foot. Typical though it may seen, Rajat (my friend) says it's the way which is fun and not the destiny. Other friend Nitesh doesn't say anything at all.

Getting to the point was exhausting enough and we came to knew that there was a little trek to the waterfall point. So we "trekked"!

The waterfall is not very big but there is a kind of pool constructed there. The water is chilling even in summers and you can bath there for no limit of time. But one should be generous enough to leave after a certain time as there would be other people coming to that place. So have you fun soon!

We weren't that generous enough and we enjoyed the waterfall for like 2 hours. The best thing is you can have food there. You can either buy there or take you food there. But please for nature's sake, don't leave you littering behind.

So we trekked down and sat in water for the very refreshing "chai". The tables are fixed in water. I mean you can have "chai", noodles and other food while having you feet soaked in the cold water coming from the waterfall.

There wasn't any trek in nearby location and far ones were costly. So we enjoyed our very local and free of cost "trek". The weather was beautiful all day apart from the rain.

While coming back to the point where we started, we went at the Ganga Beach and sat down on huge rocks for a while. I believe, "the wind flowing in nature's lap brings thoughts for the artists and while waving you hair, these thoughts are entered into your mind. Some part of it comes out as art and bigger part resides into their soul".

Likewise Day 1 and Day 2, I did found "The mystery painting" on Day 3 also. I don't know if these paintings were some sort of advertisements or what. What I do know is these were something that catches eyes.

#bringPeace

Day 1: Rishikesh Arrival

9:23 PM

With a very short vacation span, I planned to go to Rishikesh (Utrakhand) this weekend. Not alone but with two friends. We figured out that a bus would be the best for our timings and everything. Meanwhile when the bus was on the move, we slept, talked and looked outside the windows seeking some disappearing mountain outlines in the far sky.

Well, we could see those outlines only after traveling much. Finally, after exhausting but fun journey we got there. Rishikesh!!

The bus stand is wide, clean and busy place, you would see all that yourself if you stand there for a while. Right after stepping down in Rishikesh, we were all set and happy about the fun we were going to have there.

After few efforts we found the cheapest package for Camping and Rafting. Before telling you the further story let me tell you something about Camping and Rafting in Rishikesh. These two things are the most common adventures for the common people. These aren't the only things there. Other options like bungee jumping, paragliding, trekking, etc also posses considerable population.

Getting back to the story, after we booked camping and rafting, we waited for several minutes till they took us to the camping site. I chose the camping in Brahmpuri as its camps are on the beach of Ganga.

The camps are awesome in a way that they don't posses any electric lights and fans. Everything is natural and eco-friendly. From tents to lanterns, bonfire to volleyball net, sand to water, everything is so good that we loved sitting on stones with lanterns by us. The sound of river was scary and soothing at the same time!

If you have read my previous blogs, you would know how I love smoking weed on mountains. So we did there also. What I loved the most about the camping is people get a chance to get high in the arms of nature. I actually enjoyed that night. Infact everyone did who were there.

This is how I spent my first day of the trip of Rishikesh. I hardly could feel the time flowing by me. Everything kept happening and I kept clicking the moments I thought were best.

While walking around the streets I found one very beautiful painting drawn on a metal sheet. I don't know why it was drawn but it surely caught out eyes. I called it "The mystery painting" of Day 1.

So, all in all the place gave a different kind of fun that we don't get in our daily life. This was just the Day 1. Next two days were even more adventurous and fun.

Read Day 2

#bringPeace

The Chocolate Villa

8:57 PM

Few days back, I was looking for some decent cafe to sit around and spend some of my valuable time eating food. I came to know a place named "The chocolate Villa". The place is filled with lots of cakes and other chocolate dishes.

This baestro is loaded with loud music and sounds from the kitchen, all mixed up in a random manner. And the lady running the place says, "isi mein toh maja aata hai". So if peace is what you seek, you might have to look for another options but if you seriously want some good chocolate food, just get inside once. You'll love the place.

Now talking of the restaurant, it is not at all difficult to find. Once you have found it, just step inside and get lost in the world of chocolate. Sitting couches are comfy and spacious for holding even a group of buddies. You can play chess in there while having food or waiting for it. The walls are covered with quotes for chocolates. Their love for chocolate is easily visible.

I don't know how their entire menu would taste but I loved what I had there. I had a veg cheese grilled sandwich with chilled Virgin mojito. ( I got a green apple soda free too). As the place holds a name with chocolate, how could I not order a chocolate dish!

I had sizzling chocolate brownie. The presentation was so good that I wanted to see it sizzling one more time. But as you know, every food lover is on tight budget. (hehe).

Because of the tight budget, I couldn't have much of their cakes. But I did click some pictures. The menu is yummy and affordable with lots of offers that can be availed easily.

One thing more the last there told be about the place is their agenda.

1. No eggs
2. No hukkah and alcohol
3. Fresh food

So the people with "clean souls" can visit the place anytime without any doubt. And those with a soul like mine, can visit for the chocolate.

Also if you have a problem sitting inside a cafe, they do have open sitting in balcony too. You can take your food there and keep sitting their as long as you want. Apart from food, take your book or journal with you. The place offers calmness if you know how to draw it.

Here are some other pictures that doesn't match up with the text above. I know I'm not good clicking but this is it. You better see taste these cases yourself.