Calaidescope World: June 2007

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Secret Ingredient

Now I know why everyone enjoys the food in Indonesia. This is their secret ingredient. I wonder what it would do to my herb pasta....

Monday, June 25, 2007

Baby Walker

Thanks, Roman! Now that's IF I have a kid. Hahaha! I wish Layla or Anakin had one (yes, I have a godson nicknamed Anakin. His older brothers are fans).

http://daddychoy.blogspot.com/2007/06/walker.html

Calling all photo enthusiasts! Come, let's join us!

Log on to www.mtvphil.com for more details on the Caltex Full Tank promo.

Must send a group photo of 3 to 4 friends at a Star Mart store
3 photos per sender
Winner gets a 3 day trip to Palawan
Deadline for submission is 15 July 2007

THIS IS SPARTA!!!!

I should put this next to my cubicle at work (originally posted by Camille on Multiply).

Saturday, June 23, 2007

The Work of the Devil

I finally finished Heroes on DVD! I couldn't work, I didn't go out, I just kept thinking about what was going to happen next. Good television (or rather, good tv series on DVD) does that. CSI. CSI: New York. Entourage. Rome. House, MD. 24 (my family finished the entire first season in 24 hours! Seriously). Once you start, you can't stop. It's the work of the devil, I tell you. It's keeping us from having lives!

I Hate Macs

I need to vent (yes, Benjor. Again!). I need the right click on the mouse. I've been pressing the wrong keys (they'd be correct if I was using an IBM ThinkPad). It doesn't recognise CTRL-ALT-DEL or ALT-TAB (I need ALT-TAB!). The keyboard is configured differently. If I want to view photos, they're always too big for the screen. I can't sign on to Yahoo! Messenger, but I can chat on Meebo. My Friendster profile was erased (Lord knows what I pressed again). My cross-posts to Multiply got screwed. Apart from the free periodic software updates and the whole "Macs don't get viruses" thing, what's so great about a Mac?

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Ayala Alabang

If you're not on Multiply, you just have to check it out if only to read this post about living in Ayala Alabang. It's the best! Even the talkback is hilarious! Sorry, couldn't play water polo with you pare, my seahorse died....

Around the World in a Few Clicks

create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands

Can you just imagine how cool this would look if Andaya and Gars filled it up? Brazil, Russia, most of Europe,...(yes, I live vicariously through my friends. They're the embodiment of Discovery Travel & Living).

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

I love you, Lewis...

Dear Kimi,

I'm so sorry. After all these years, it's just not working. I had such high hopes for you this season. I wish I could I say that this new boy wonder had been incredibly lucky, but that would be Jenson Button's first F1 season. I wish I could say that he just happened to be behind the wheel of a fantastic car. But so were you. You always have been. I mean, he's made 7 podium finishes with 2 firsts back-to-back. How? Why? Kimi, I never thought I'd say this: It's not the car. It's you. Goodbye.

XO

Take the Power Back

Few things are worse that hearing , "Bato katawan niyan dati" and "Ang laki ng tinaba mo". Do you know how hard it is to go down from 6 cups of rice a day to 4 cups to 2 with less exercise and a slower metabolism? I love to eat! To have quit smoking after 12 years was no easy task either. And I don't exactly enjoy going to the gym, but being structurally unsound demands it. It's either that or all kinds of bone and muscle surgery (hindi ba puedeng dagdagan ng liposuction?). I still prefer to swim, and thank goodness it's on the list of sports I'm allowed to continue. Good exercise: check. Perfect tan: check. No sweat: love it.

I barely swim a kilometer every weekend now; Bianca (she's always been the stronger swimmer) does about 1.5 to 2km; both are nothing compared to what we used to do in High School. A 1km swim was a mere warm-up back then. As Gators, we used to swim 3 to 5km for 2 hours 6 times a week. In college, I was down to about 2km every other day. Then I stopped for about a decade. I got back in the water last year, and at the start, it would take almost an hour just to complete a corny 400m. I've slowly built that up (more laps, less time - yippee!), and recently I did 1,200m in 50 minutes (the goal that day was to knock me out on a long plane ride). I hope to add 100m each weekend until I recover some semblance of athleticism (I want to be like Def!). It would be nice to hear, "Bato ka pa rin?" one day - it's like what most women want to hear: "You haven't aged a day since [specify when you were at your prime]!".

I was a taking a micro-break from the hellish workout my trainer put me through last night (she's torturing me!), and I found this on CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/05/04/swim.trek/index.html

Swim the Greek islands and look like Spartan queen after? Sounds like a plan. Get me in a pool and make me a goddess!

Rock, Baby, Rock!

Good Lord, there's more! They've got Metallica, Tool, NINE INCH NAILS!!! Wild!

http://www.babyrockrecords.com/web/page.asp?pgs=products

Thanks, Roman, for the link. Hearing Clocks played that way was so cool!

Saturday, June 16, 2007

For My Godchildren

This entire playlist goes out to Migo, Ina, CK, Anakin, Rapster, Cai-cai, Cara, Teapot, and Bobby (coming in September!).

Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of U2

Link

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

No Sean Connery in Indy 4

Sadness. I'm still looking forward to it, though.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/06/07/people.seanconnery.ap/index.html

I love this part of the article:

Connery -- who played the bookish Henry Jones Sr. in "The Last Crusade" and affectionately called his son "Junior" -- did have some words for the 64-year-old Ford.

"I do, however, have one bit of advice for Junior: Demand that the critters be digital, the cliffs be low, and for goodness sake keep that whip by your side at all times in case you need to escape from the stunt coordinator!"

On A Roll

They say that all you need is 3 to 4 good shots on a roll of film. That's a lot of wasted film! But I am happy to report that I have at least 4 decent pictures on each of the 12 36-shot rolls I brought to India. I said "decent", not "good" because for the first time in my photographic life (?), I have horribly overexposed shots. Me? Overexposed? My problem has always been underexposure, and because I miscalculated the combination of Indian summer and rose-colored sunglasses, my usual F/16 and 250 took in too much light! Unfortunately, my camera's light meter is beyond repair, so forgive my guesswork.

Having said that, here are some highlights of my trip told via my favorite pictures because I'm too lazy to pull off a Cui post even if I promised a blow-by-blow account of India. To view all photos (including the ones I couldn't decide on keeping or discarding or even disowning), head on over to my Multiply site.

Day 1 - Baha'i House of Worship, a.k.a. Lotus Temple. Baha'i is a religion on Persian origin with three core principles: unity of God, unity of religion, and unity of mankind. It is little wonder that its teachings are a combination of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.

The Lotus Temple is not on the itinerary of most city tours in Delhi. If you ever visit it, you should know that you need to take off your shoes and socks, someone will hose water on your feet, and you will walk on VERY HOT stone to the Temple. Shoes are not allowed inside the Temple. You get your shoes back on the way out of the temple complex. In 45 degree Celsius heat, walking was more like dancing the jig. I don't know how the locals can handle it.

Photography is not allowed inside. We saw a sign that read "Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner. Shouldst though transgress this command, accursed wouldst thou be, and to this I bear witness. - Baha'u'llah". We didn't attend mass that day, but that was enough to put me in a reflective mood. There's just something about the spirituality of that place. I found it overwhelming.

Day 1 - riding Neetu's autorickshaw. This is the kind of shot I've been trying to pull off since 2001. I could never clearly capture someone's reflection in the mirror of a moving trike or tuk-tuk. Finally, I got it! I think it's because I now have a 105mm (I didn't have it when I was based in Thailand). However, I do realize that I should have used F/2 and 500 instead of F/2.8. Or maybe F/2 and 800? Grrr.

Day 1 - Across the Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi. Don't ask my why I like this picture. I just do. The place is of historic significance, but it didn't "call me", if you know what I mean.

Day 1 - Jami Masjid. This is a huge mosque in Old Delhi that was built by the Mughals. It is considered one of the most important religious sites in India.

Day 2 - Dilli Haat, Delhi. Not my favorite market (that would be the Khan Market and the Central Market),but these are just so colorful. I think they'd make nice Thank You cards or something (paging Fred! Fred! Discount, please!)

Day 7 - Taj Mahal, Agra. Of all the pictures I took that morning, and of all the stupid angles to photograph the Taj, this one is - rather oddly - my favorite.

Day 7 -Agra Fort, Agra. Kasi, ang titigas ng ulo!

Day 8 - Purana Qila, Delhi. I like the details at the bottom.

Day 8 - Humayun's Tomb, Delhi. Yes, I know the lighting is horrible and the film is grainy. I should have used F/4 and 125, but....

Day 8 - Isa Khan's Tomb, Delhi. This is a retired teacher who asked me to sit down and listen to him tell the story of Humayun. He mumbled at times and spoke with a very heavy accent. He seemed to have a hard time breathing. I don't remember what he said except that I should honor the men who made history by fighting for India's independence.

Day 8 - Crafts Museum, Delhi. I have this renewed obsession with doors. It started in Thailand, and was revived after a trip to an art shop in the Khan Market. I was thisclose to buying a framed miniature door, but didn't know how I was going to bring it home. I think this obsession was likely influenced by Jerome (he collects paintings of doors).

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Calai Was Here

What's worse than two photographers travelling together? One photographer exploring alone! And proving beyond a shadow of doubt that all the pictures that she said she took are really her own work - no Photoshop, no nothing - and yes, she was really there.

When there are two or more of you, you have people taking pictures of each other taking pictures (gets niyo yan?).

Vince outside the Lotus Temple, 3 June 2007

Ricky, Khun Lek, Rizka, Eunice and Sin Hwei at the Taj Mahal, 9 June 2007

Or your travel buddy happens to get in the way and is too far to hear you shout "Get out of my shot!"

Photo by Magtangol Magsaysay Liwanag, alias "Bantay". Agra Fort, 9 June 2007

When you're alone, that's it. No pictures of you smiling on an Indian summer day (although one of my favorite candid shots was one that Cheena took of me talking with Jeric in Chiang Mai in 2001 and I looked really masungit. Of course, nothing beats the picture of Cheena with an eagle on her head!). On Sunday morning, I went to the Nizamuddin Complex where Humayun's Tomb is and came upon the octagonal tomb of Isa Khan. I wanted a picture of myself standing infront of Isa Khan's tomb, but no one was there for me to trust my camera with. That is why you have my guidebook and camera bag in the photo below (something I learned from my dad).

My fellow Bangkokian, KC, has the amazing ability to take pictures of herself with her little digital point-and-shoot. I don't know how she does it. I can't even take pictures of myself with my mobile phone. So I consider myself lucky when someone ever so kindly takes a picture of me and sends it over. Thank goodness, I have proof!

Photo by Eunice Chin, Singapore. Changing lenses at the Taj Mahal, 9 June 2007.

Back to India

All photos on this post by Eunice Chin, Singapore

There are places that I wanted to see and things that I wanted to do in Delhi that I never got around to doing. Prior to arriving, I knew that I wanted to drink chai tea, to have an ayurvedic massage, to try a yoga session, to visit an ashram, to get henna tattoos on my hands and feet, to get a bindi, to buy glass bangles, to buy a pure pashmina scarf or shawl, to get one of those elegantly embroidered jackets, to go to Jaipur, to visit Qutb Minar. As the saying goes, you can't always get what you want.

I don't recall ever having tea for breakfast. But I almost always have a cup of coffee in the morning. Sitting down at breakfast on Day 1, we were given cappuccinos and Vince had this weird reaction where I couldn't tell if he liked the coffee or not. He just said that it tasted different. When I tried it, I was like, yeah, there's some spice in it. Not quite chai, but it made for an interesting start. When we were taken to this Kashmiri arts and crafts store, we were given this really good tea. Maybe that was chai. It tasted different from what I've had at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Seattle's Best Coffee. Well, duh, of course it's different. It's the real thing! So, ok, I think I had chai.

I don't know why I never got around to having an ayurvedic massage. I think it's because Yin Leng said the spa services at the Intercontinental were pricey (which started an entire discussion on spa treatments - the cheapest being in Indonesia). As a long-staying guest at the Intercontinental, I had a list of complimentary services to avail of - but I could only choose one. I was torn between a free one hour aromatherapy or Swedish massage and free use of the a hotel car with driver for four hours covering 40km. Since the spa option wasn't ayurvedic, and I really wanted to explore Delhi on my last day, I made the practical choice: I took the car.

Yoga session? The hotel had one every morning at the gym at 6.45am. No can do. All my meetings started at 8.30am. And we all know how slow I am in the morning.

Why didn't I visit an ashram? I didn't know where it was. I remember seeing signs on the highway that said ASHRAM, but never really bothered looking for it. Although I should have because Gars wants to go to one when he finally makes it to India towards the end of the year. Sorry, Gars.

Henna tattoos? No time. They would take an hour to do and another hour to dry. Plus, I always carried a daypack and wore closed shoes with socks. That would ruin the design right there.

I forgot about the bindi. I couldn't find bangles bing ehough for my man hands to fit through. The all-pashmina shawls that I really liked were expensive - INR3,000 and up - mostly because of the embroidery. I don't like plain shawls. I did end up buying one made of silk and one made of Kashmir wook mixed with something (I forget what). Cheaper options were available in the Central Market, but most of them were cotton blend.

At a shop in the Central Market with Rizka, Rajeshwar and Chad

Now if the shawls were expensive, the embroidered jackest were something else! The ones made of pashmina at Dilli Haat and Khan Market were absolutely gorgeous, although somewhat impractical. I have too many jackets! Seriously, what idiot that many coats and hoodies in a tropical country? Walking away from all those lovely pashmina coats is called "discipline" (we're working on a budget here).

We all know why I never made it Jaipur. Damn it!

As for the other "places of interest" like Qutb Minar, I simply ran out of time. What I couldn't understand, though, was why no one could bring me inside the Red Fort during the day. On the half day city tour, our guide, Mito (?) said we couldn't go in and that we could only take pictures from outside the gate. On Thursday, I gave Vince an "assignment": I asked him to get the schedule for the light and sound show at Purana Qila (which I inadvertently wrote down as "Purana Killa"). He texted to say say that the show had been discontinued, but that there was one at 9pm at the Red Fort. The taxi driver we met, Sunil, said that we were the first people he ever took to the Red Fort at night. He took us to the parking lot and walked us up to the gate (more proof that Indian men only pay attention to other men. I could have been a hundred meters behind Vince and Sunil, hit by a car, dead, and no one would know). It was a good 10 minute walk across the main road; lots of peddlers who thankfully didn't bother me; there was - to me - an overwhelming stench of piss and "that smell" (you know, the one I expected at the airport). Impressed as we were by what we saw at the Red Fort, we said we'd go back during the day. Vince never made it back, but I asked the hotel driver to take me there on Sunday after I had visited Purana Qila. He brought me to the same spot Mito did and I couldn't understand his lengthy explanation in broken English of why I couldn't go inside. I was very disappointed.

At the Red Fort with my fellow CATs

One day, I'm going back to India...when I can afford it. I mean, it's relatively cheap there, but the airfare and hotel rates are high (I like to travel comfortably). When I return to Delhi, I will do all the things I wanted to on this first trip. I also want to spend more time in Agra (we only saw 25% of the Agra Fort), maybe check out Rishikesh or Goa (right now, I'm living vicariously through Vince except that there's no way I'd be looking out at the Arabian Sea without a Kingfisher beer and The Slave Drum playing in the background), go back to the Khan Market and shop at Good Earth and Fabindia (they have wonderful stuff for the house), and spend more time at the Central Market. Hopefully, by that time, I'd have a tripod, a longer cable release, and a little point-and-shoot digital camera. Hell, I need a caddy for my camera gear!

Like they say at the end of the Chevron "Human Energy" ads on the Discovery Channel, "Will you join (me)?"

Post script: one of these days, I will blog about my trip in chronological order and post more pictures, although I doubt I will do as a good a job as Gabby (which reminds me, I need his help in posting a video clip of the Red Fort light and sound show stored in my phone). For more notes on India, come over to the house and I'll show you the source of my India blog entries - my unedited handwritten journal in La Salle (palmer) style no less!

And this song goes out to...*

It was one of the strangest questions I've ever been asked: if someone were to dedicate a song to you, what would it be? It's enough to get an entire floor to stop working and start going over playlists in their heads. Or thumbing through their iPods; pulling up a list of MP3's in their PC's; logging on to Google looking for lyrics. Someone actually asked if anybody had a copy of "Songhits".

Well, there's U2's "All I Want is You", "Forever" by Kiss, "Love Song" by The Cure, and the acoustic version of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" which DRT does pretty well. Who wouldn't want those dedicated to them? Micheal Buble's version of "Fever" is not all that bad either. Sarah McLachlan's "Possession" would be creepy, although it's somewhat better than "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get" by Morrissey. Someone actually sang "Light My Fire" by The Doors to me once. When I was much younger, Depeche Mode's "Strange Love" was dedicated to me on air. Only a handful or so of my closest friends actually know what my all-time favorite song is - and which version (no, I won't disclose it here) - but this is the next best thing. I can jump up and down to it and scream out the lyrics.

She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult (1985)
Oh the heads that turn make my back burn
Oh the heads that turn make my back make my back burn
The sparkle in your eyes keeps me alive
The sparkle in your eyes keeps me alive keeps me alive
The world and the world turns around
The world and the world yeah the world drags me down
Oh the heads that turn make my back burn
And those heads that turn make my back make my back burn
Yeah the fire in your eyes keeps me alive
The fire in your eyes keeps me alive
I'm sure in her you'll find the sanctuary
I'm sure in her you'll find the sanctuary

What? Were you expecting "Walking on Sunshine"?! I may have sold out, but I'm not THAT sappy.

*also appears on my Multiply site (24 May 2007)

Travel Advisory*

Originally posted by Carlos Celdran on http://celdrantours.blogspot.com/

Great. the United States issues yet another travel warning on the Philippines. Whatever. Thanks for making my job of highlighting the country's charms a hell of a lot more difficult.

And as expected, the U.S. State Department once again shows their penchant for rash generalizations through phrases like: "U.S. citizens contemplating travel to the Philippines should carefully consider the risks to their safety and security" (the ENTIRE country? ALL 7,107 islands? Including Greenbelt?) and "While travelers may encounter such threats anywhere in the Philippines..." (ANYWHERE? C'mon, give me a break!).

Moreover, they also fail to illustrate to the average geography-challenged American the archipelagic nature of the country and also which areas ARE safe to visit in the Philippines (or in any of the countries posted on their travel warnings page for that matter). And this I find completely unfair.

So in light of this, I too shall post my own travel warning for the United States. So there. Bite me, Uncle Sam. You ain't exactly Disneyland either.

April 27, 2007

This Travel Warning updates information on the security situation and reminds Filipinos of the risks of travel in the United States. This Travel Warning supersedes any previous Travel Warning issued for the United States.

Philippine citizens contemplating travel to the United States should carefully consider the risks to their safety and security while there, including those due to terrorism, racism, religious intolerance, and random acts of violence. While travelers may encounter such threats anywhere in the United States, cities within the states of New Jersey, Michigan, Georgia, and Missouri are of particular concern. Travelers should also exercise extreme caution in both northern New York City and eastern Los Angeles and avoid travel to these areas unless absolutely necessary.

Relaxed gun control laws and the easy acquisition of arms in practically every populated area within the United States add to the risks in traveling through the country. Schoolgrounds, universities, and malls are to be particulary avoided. Within days last April 2007, a shootout at a college campus in the state of Virginia resulted in the deaths of over 32 people, while another shootout inside a shopping center in the state of Kansas resulted in the deaths of another 3. While these attacks have not targeted Filipinos or Filipinos in recent years, such incidents could threaten Filipino citizens engaged in such activities as going to class or buying groceries. Travelers should therefore remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas.

Organized armed terrorist groups called "steet gangs" operate in many urbanized areas in the United States. Two of the most popular gangs, the Crips and the Bloods, have large memberships in the cities of Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles. Aside from the Crips and the Bloods, other armed gangs like the Surenos XII, Bulldogs F14, Hip Sin, and On Leong have also been known to hold entire neighborhoods under their armed control. In total, the memberships of these groups number over half a million nationwide, with over 300,000 in the state of California alone. In the state of Arizona, there were 17 gang related deaths last year. In some areas of the United States, especially in urbanized areas where the aforementioned terrorist groups have been known to operate, visitors should avoid travel at night. Philippine government employees must also seek special permission for travelling to these areas. When traveling through these areas, Philippine official travelers should attempt to lower their profile, limit their length of stay, and exercise extreme caution.

Racially motivated violent incidents have also been known to occur in several parts of the United States, with particular concentration on the southern areas of the country where armed "rednecks" have been known to operate for generations. Many Filipinos who reside in or visit these aforementioned areas face serious threats. The Philippine government recommends that citizens visiting the south should travel with their own security force, avoid an obvious presence, or both. Once again, while Filipinos have not been targeted in several years, these elements could threaten Philippine citizens engaged in business or property management activities, and it is reported that they often demand “to see your purty little lips.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly encourages Filipinos in the United States to register with the Consular Section of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC. or through the Philippine government's foreign affairs website (http://www.dfa.gov.ph/). The Philippine Embassy is located at 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20036

For information on general crime and security issues in the United States, Philippine citizens should consult Google.

*also appears on my Multiply site (22 May 2007)

Monday, June 11, 2007

Global Goths

I spoke with Gars last Wednesday. He was somewhere in Brazil checking out the cute receptionist at an internet cafe and planning a trip to Buenos Aires for his birthday. I'm not sure if he actually made it to Buenos Aires or if he ended up in Sao Paolo instead. What I am sure of is that he's enjoying his global sojourn. Gars' intercontinental trip is both enviable and exciting!

The Cuis just got back from a few days in Hong Kong which included a trip to Disneyland and Ocean Park (check it out on http://dacuis.blogspot.com. Gabby's such a pro blogger, I swear! Videos, fun links and everything!). Hang on...weren't they in Singapore last year? Such a travelling family! I hope that when Zachy and Cara grow up, they catch the travel bug.

A while back, Gabby said he and wifey were planning a trip to Europe (Italy, if I remember correctly) at around the time I plan to visit Spain. Gars will be there, too (he'd better be! He knows what Andaya's going to say if he doesn't show up in Barcelona, Madrid or Santiago de Compostella). The last time that Gabby, Gars and I kind of travelled together was with Celso in 1995. We almost killed each other towards the end of that weekend. Well, Gabby, Celso and I almost did. I'd like to think we're much more mature now! We have Rosabel to keep us in line. Hahaha!

As Peter Petrelli said, "Everyone runs into each other sooner or later." Wouldn't it be so cool if we could converge in Singapore to celebrate the music of The Cure? Partying in Barcelona with my boys would be fantastic! Think Big Fish. Woohoo!

2007 is turning out to be a good year for adventure!

Photo by Eunice Chin, Singapore. On the way to Agra, 9 June 2007.

I Need The Cure

This was posted on Friendster earlier today by one of my virtual friends (yes, I have Friendsters who I have never actually met). The Cure is playing in Hong Kong and Singapore! Can't someone bring them here?!! Waaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!

HONG KONG
July 30 Mon, 8pm
Asia World Arena
Tickets:
HK$ 780* = P 4623.46 = US$ 98.82
HK$ 580 = P 3437.96 = US$ 74.22
HK$ 380 = P 2252.46 = US$ 48.63

* Floor / Standing Only (8 sections in the upper level with seats)
http://www.hkticketing,com/eng

A Night With The Cure - The Cure Live in Singapore
Wednesday 1st August
Singapore Indoor Stadium
Tickets SD $178, $148, $188, $78
On sale 9 am June 13th.
Time : 20:00

TICKETS: On sale 9am June 13th
Sistic - Hotline + 65 6488 5555
www.sistic.com.sg

Sunday, June 10, 2007

What Happens When Two Photographers Go On The Same Tour?

They don't have pictures together. And they don't realize that until the last minute. They spend so much time taking pictures of everything around them, making sure they get that perfect shot with other people in it, try to tell a story with their photographs so they can share the experience with family and friends when they get back home. They go on a four hour drive to the Taj Mahal and take pictures of each other like this (with varying angles and all that).

And if those photographers (amateurs, hobbyists and professionals alike) are anything like me, they get pissed off about a digital camera being so slow (although the instant gratification of seeing what you took is a plus, especially for a blogger) and they look for fully manual settings ("How do I change the apperture?" "What do we need the flash for?" "Where's the zoom?"). They may worry about someone else holding their heirloom of a completely manual SLR with their favorite 105mm lenses on it and wonder if their fellow photographer (who has a better eye and has had a lot more practice) knows what he's doing ("I'll set it for you" "There's no autofocus" "Oh, just email me the pictures").

Then they move on to the Agra Fort at half past noon in 45 degree heat and one of them says something like hey we don't even have proof that we travelled together. The rest of the group is somewhere ahead of them and they can't ask anyone to take their picture with their precious cameras. So one photographer sticks his arm out and hopes that both of them are in the frame.

And the amateur purist who's been thinking of going digital for the longest time but doesn't want to be a turncoat and can't afford it anyway thanks God for autofocus!

On a somewhat related note, I like this picture (my new favorite headshot):

It's so...Friendster! (I've been having a hard time uploading it there, though).

Unfortunately, because I still use film, I won't see any of the pictures I took and won't be able to post them online until next week. Everything on this post is from Vince's D70. Oh well...

Friday, June 08, 2007

Not Enough Time

Once again, my mother was right. I want to extend my trip. Not that seven full days is not enough. I spent the last four days locked up in a small conference room with 10, 12 other people talking about salaries and benefits. Sure, we'd start at 8.30 am and fight tooth and nail to work efficiently and finish by 4 pm so we can go out and explore. But all the "places of interest" are closed before 7 pm. The traffic here is as bad as Manila (but surprisingly, not as polluted. More on that in another post), so even if we leave the hotel by 4.30-4.45 pm, we only have a good hour or so to go around.

Since I had already been to Connaught Place with Vince last Sunday, I decided not the join the group there on their shopping spree this afternoon. After a nap, a meal and a tall, cold Kingfisher beer (no ice!), my roommate/secretary/ labandera/terrorist/spy and I headed off to the catch the light and sound show at the Red Fort. It was amazing! Seriously! I'm so happy we went there! It's a different way of learning about Delhi's history. Delhi's very rich history. I mean, it wasn't like Disneyland's Fantasmic show or anything, but truly, words other than "amazing" and "spectacular" escape me.

On the way back to the hotel, I told Vince that I found it odd that my Indian counterparts had only planned dinners out and shopping trips for the delegates; and apparently, he noticed the same thing. Where was the cultural diversity in that? I mean, had this workshop been conducted in Manila with first-timers who knew nothing about the Philippines, I'd have taken them on Carlos Celdran's tour of Intramuros. In other words, why isn't our Delhi office highlighting Indian history and culture? Why didn't they plan to take us to the Red Fort? It certainly isn't baduy. Is it a culture thing, like are Filipinos just more "entertaining" than Indians? Or was everybody just...tired? Or maybe...everyone just wants to shop! (I know Khen Lek wants to finish her rupees).

So here I am, resting after a relatively long day, seething with envy as Vince prepares for his daytrip to Jaipur tomorrow. Jaipur! *I* wanted to go to Jaipur! The original plan was to visit Jaipur by train last Sunday, but violence in Rajastan prevented all travel into the region until today. ARGH! See, now, here's a guy who's getting the whole Delhi, Agra and Jaipur experience! I don't know why he's not blogging! I'm sure he'll post pictures on his Multiply towards the end of the month.

I wish I had more time to explore Delhi and visit Jaipur. India's not so bad. I'm happy that the Company sent me here. It's all a matter of counting my blessings and opportunities now, isn't it? I hope to come back to India someday purely for pleasure.

***

Carly's Day to Day Dehli Thus Far (to be updated. Come back to this post next week)

Day 1:

Lotus Temple (Baha'i House of Worship) - do not wear socks here!
Red Fort
Jami Masjid
Gandhi Smirti
Rashtrapati Bhavan
India Gate
Safdarjung's Tomb
Connaught Place (dinner at Kwality - it's really good!)

Day 2: Work, shopping at Dilli Haat with the girls, happy hour at the Club Lounge with the rest of the group (Kingfisher beer is good! It's not quite San Miguel, but it's good), dinner at the Indian restaurant of the hotel (fantastic!).

Day 3: Work then shopping at the Central Market (much more interesting than Dilli Haat. Cheaper, too!), and happy hour at the Club Lounge (more Kingfisher beer!). Had dinner at the Chinese restaurant of the hotel. The chilli noodles were great!

Day 4: Work (of course), happy hour at the Club Lounge (this country is turning me into a beer drinker), then saw the light and sound show at the Red Fort (English program every night at 9 pm).

Day 5: No plans yet, but I know that Khun Lek wants to go shopping. I'll probably join her. I haven't bought any bangles yet.

Day 6: Day trip to Agra with stop over at the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal.

Day 7: My "secretary" planned my Sunday itinerary (he will be flying to Goa in the morning, everyone else would have gone home the night before, only Khun Lek and I will be left behind):

Humayun's Tomb
Purana Qila
Crafts Museum
National Gallery of Modern Art
National Museum

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Where Are You From?

Vince is convinced that he can be a spy (wait a minute! That's *my* dream job). I've heard people say he looks like The Rock, and on the extreme, Marc Anthony (either way, he's dark). So far, Delhi locals have asked him if he's from Nepal, from Guam, and - get this - from Kazakhstan. My counterpart from Chennai said he looks Indian. On a trip to Bali, someone asked if he was from East Timor. Apparently, he can also pass for an Indonesian, a Maori or a Samoan.

No matter where you go, the moment you've been marked as a "tourist", someone is bound to ask where you're from. Or at least assume they know your nationality based on how you look. I've been pretty consistent in that I'm often mistaken for a Latina, Creole, or Mulatta (it's the hair, I tell you. And the tan). Gars and I were mistaken for locals in Honolulu. I have Indian blood, so it is little wonder that people here think I'm Indian, too.

In the car with my counterparts from Bangkok, Chennai and Hong Kong yesterday, someone posed the question, "If you didn't know where we were from, what do you think our nationalities would be?" We all thought Khun Lek would be Chinese (she's Thai), agreed that Ricky was definitely Chinese (he's from Hong Kong), and Laxmi was Indian (her bindi and punjabi are giveaways). The funny thing was that no one could agree on what I would be - Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, or Thai. And that reflects my chop suey heritage - Brazilian, Chinese, Dutch, Filipino, Indian, Portugese, Spanish (if my parents are reading this, can they please let me know if I'm missing anything?).

It's a fact of life that we are often treated by others based on where they think we're from. Greg is from Zimbabwe and now lives in New Zealand. He's blond, he's white, he's good looking, and he stands out at the Central Market (bet you the "He's blond, he's white" part got you thinking). Everyone is drawn to him - begging for alms, offering him wares at "foreigner prices". The same thing happened to Chad. Chad looks like Tiger Woods, is from Barbados, is very tall, and is easily "tagged" as an African-American. Many locals here in Delhi and over in Manila assume that Greg and Chad are rich and out for a "good time".

What about us? Being Filipino has extremely positive and negative connotations (nothing in between). We're either the happiest, most fun-loving people anyone has ever met or we're a nation of actors and dirty politicians. Everyone thinks Filipinos can sing. They haven't heard Sobee sing. Everyone thinks we can dance. Again, they haven't met Sobee. People expect Filipinas to be domestic goddesses. Ahem. And does everyone *really* think that majority of Filipinas are after rich foreigners to save them from our seemingly godforsaken country and that most Filipino men are wideboys? While exchanging travel horror stories with my colleagues, I noticed that most of them have had horrible experiences in the Philippines. I now feel like it's my job to save the nation! (Carla for Secretary of the Department of Tourism!)

But why single out the Philippines? Vince and I have had our fair share of mishaps here in Delhi (well, he more than I). I haven't heard anyone complain about the men who suddenly walk up to you at a tourist spot and act like a friendly guide then get mad when you don't pay (hey, I didn't ask you to show me around. I brought a guidebook!). However, I don't think that our "we got duped" experiences in Delhi are enough to paint an ugly picture of a very rich, very interesting culture. Sunil, our taxi driver tonight, reminded me of the TAI TAXI drivers back home who drive for my Mom and I: nice, friendly, courteous, good aura. They just want to do a good job. So far, Sunil is the only cabbie who didn't force us to shop somewhere or meet someone who was trying to swindle us. People say you need just one bad apple to ruin the entire barrel. I say, sometimes it takes a good one to uplift the rest.

Ever notice that the more time you spend in another country, the more you learn more about your own? It's almost the same as noticing that the more time you spend with a someone or a group of people, you learn more about yourself. I had to go to a third world country to learn more about the third world country I already live in...and how to help paint a better picture of what I call "home". Shukria, Sunil. India needs more people like you. Namaste.

Monday, June 04, 2007

So Far, So Good

It could have been an episode from The Amazing Race. I knew that something would go awry the moment I realized I had left my rosary and Search-In LSGH pendant at home (it's what I get for changing bags and wallets).

Sometime during the week, I received a security advisory about civil unrest in Jaipur and tourists getting stuck there and the Indian government trying to get them out. Goodbye planned day trip to Japiur on Sunday. "The hotel concierge *must* be able to book us a city tour. Bahala na. We'll just ask when we get there...".

Now, I've never known Singapore Airlines to be late, but the flight into Manila from Singapore was delayed by about 20 minutes. Thus, our flight from Manila to Singapore was delayed as well. When we arrived at Changi Airport, we almost had to run from one end of Terminal 2 to another. Thank God the Singapore airport is not as big as the one Hong Kong or else we'd be screwed! The flight was boarding. As in, they were only waiting for the passengers from Manila. Stupid me, I didn't put ALL my liquid and gel toiletries in a plastic bag (although most of them were there in the required quart sized Ziplock bag). Tuloy, pinagalitan pa ako ng taga-check ng handcarry.

I don't know what they served in Economy, but Vince ate something that triggered an acid attack (chips daw). Kalalapag lang namin sa Delhi, nababanyo na (bathroom tip: don't take Imodium. Gatorade works better. Plus, bring scented candles instead of matches). Thank God I had a special meal (apparently, there are advantages to being allergic to all kinds of things). As I walked out of the plane with Jack (regional boss), I was ready to be greeted by, you know, "that smell". Didn't happen. I was surprised.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport is not as bad people have posted on numerous travel websites. Maybe it's because we arrived at 10PM? But it certainly wasn't crowded. It wasn't smelly. The lines at immigration were organized (so unlike the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila!). Actually, I find IGIA better than NAIA.

I don't think we were prepared for the heat - at that time of night. The high during the day was 40+ degrees Celsius; the low was around 30 degrees. It was like arriving in Las Vegas during the summer. Traffic wasn't bad. It's like Manila. The roads are ok. They're well-paved. The streets are really dusty though. Not polluted with smoke from cars, buses,motorbikes and autorickshaws. The air is literally dusty. Hello, allergic rhinitis!

While counting his money this morning, Vince realized that he had tipped the driver more than a dollar (seriously, why are all US dollars green? Life would be so much easier if they came in different colors depending on the amount the way most paper money is). If not the driver, then the porter. In any case, hindi pa kami nakakalabas ng hotel, nawalan na siya ng pera. Is it a sign?!

So out we went. Hey, it's windy! Hey, the wind is hot! It's like being under a hair dryer out here! Temperature was the highest recorded in Delhi - 45.7 degrees. I can't remember the places we went to (and I'm too lazy to reach for my guidebook), but we visited the Lotus Temple and the Red Fort, saw the government offices and houses of parliament, saw where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, drove through both Old Dehli and New Dehli (Old Dehli looks like Quiapo), walked around someone's tomb (it was supposedly modelled after the Taj Mahal), learned how Kashmiri families wove rugs, and realized that we look local (huwag lang smell, diba?) - Nepalese to be exact. At this art shop, I was asked if I was Spanish (now that's a sign! Hahaha!). Oh, and the local food is really good! Medyo agawan lang sa banyo (JR thinks it's the curry).

I noticed that everybody talks to Vince. They ask how he is. They ask for his opinion. People beg for money from him. They offer tours. He gets discounted rates right away. I could get sideswiped by an autorickshaw or fall in an hole and scream my lungs out; they will focus only on Vince. It's fine by me. I don't like being bothered. Apparently, that's the culture here. They don't talk to women or something to that effect (and we thought it was because of the way I walk). And because Vince is too nice, someone is bound to take advantage of him while he's exploring on his own. Good luck to him!

We met a friendly autorickshaw driver we met this morning - Neetu. He's cool; seems to have a good aura and all that. Maganda kutob ko doon. But there was this kid who kind of stalked Vince (waited outside the restaurant and all that). That was weird. Seriously, this kid followed us (well, followed Vince) from the centre of Connaught Place to the restaurant, waited for an hour, got us an autorickshaw, insisted on knowing Vince's mobile number and room number and schedule the next day,.... Wild! I made sure the kid never caught my name because how many Vincents and Carlas are staying together at that hotel, right? (if you know the story behind Ariel's calling me "Irish", then you know my travelling alias).

Anyway, my five-day workshop starts tomorrow. The first two days look like a LOT of work. I'm looking forward to whatever my company's Delhi office has planned for us delegates (trip to Agra, included). And thus ends our first 24 hours in Incredible India. Incredible, indeed!

Calaidescope World