To Melbourne, with Love

December 30, 2014 23 Comments

Ho Ho Holiday Season is here again!  It is Xmas time, full of fun, feast and Cheer! 

Urban legend says that every Christmas, a cute looking guy called Santa who wears a red and white snow suit and rides reindeer sledge, sneaks every home through a chimney and gifts everyone stuff that they want. I want many a things and going to Australia-Melbourne is biggest of them!

Following the trend, the gifting tradition, I wrote this letter to Santa, stocked away it in a red socks and placed it very close to my fire place along with cookies and milk. I know a lot of Indiblogger members would have written a similar wish to Santa, to make them travel to Melbourne. 

So instead I have visualized Melbourne as an "Object of my affection" and written this letter to the lovely city of Melbourne, requesting the gracious Santa to deliver it for me :)

You want to read what I wrote to my beloved Melbourne? Here we go-




Dear Melbourne,

Hope this letter finds you in Pink, Green, Red and all colors splendor of your health.

I have a confession to make. It was a love at first sight and it grew with every additional glance, stronger and deeper. Yes, Dear Melbourne, I am in love and I am in Love with you. 

I am told that you are Cosmopolitan, Elegant and Chic, and have passionate soul, welcoming heart. The more I learn about you, the more I fall in love with you. From Thrilling world class events and renowned architecture, to cafe lined streets-capes, verdant park-lands, there is always something new and exciting to discover about you. Reasons are never ending and the spark refuse to fade away. You have been enchanting, charming and every citizen's dream on this globe.

Dear Santa may ask my reason for falling in love with Melbourne. Well there is no single reason for falling in love, as I firmly believe in-

Dear Melbourne,
I don't love you for Fun,
I love you cause you are the "One".
Love you for reason
and the reason is love!

However since Indiblogger-Santa insisted, I would resonate it with- 

1) Explorer's Dream Melbourne- Destinations
No matter whatever mood one is in, Melbourne has pocket for everything from it's eclectic precincts to city fringe suburbs. You have Bourke Street Mall for no strings attached retail therapy, to Collin/ Little Collin Street for posh awesome-ness, Chinatown for dumplings and heritage, Docklands for men's empowerment over seas , Flinder's quarter for creativity, Sport precinct for gripping sports, St Kilda Road for Tram stroll, Yarra Precinct for row, rides and picnic, city laneways and more. The CBD area has everything for every one. 

City Fringe/suburb offers no less where I can go to Carlton to explore student life, federation history and feast on Taste La Dolce Vita in "little Italy"- Lygon Street and catch an arthouse flick at Cinema NovaFitzroy with creative edge has great mix of art galleries, studios, specialist bookshops, the brunch and bar hopping at Brunswick street, Third Drawer Down to browse artful oddities, limited edition art, decal sets and hard to find journals. 

Then there is Northcote, North Melbourne, Praharan and Windsor, Port Melbourne, Richmond, Williamstown, Yarraville, Weribee and more

The more I speak of your beautiful destinations, bewitching glory, is less in comparison to the beauty, variety and vanity that you have amassed.

2) Engaging Melbourne- Things To Do at Melbourne
My beloved Melbourne assures that there is "no dull moment" between us with wide range of activities there. It teaches "how to live". Melbourne is a city full of parks, gardens and brilliant historical architecture offering from high-end cuisines to low brow rock gigs, plays, festivals and superb sporting events. The city celebrates everything from Food festival, Art festival to Music and design festivals. I am so much besotted with the awe-inspiring- world's Only edge experience of Eureka Skydeck 88 and Melbourne Aquarium that I want to be there and feel the rush.

I love your nightlife, I love your morning. I am lost in your thoughts, all day through what summer, what spring. You just do not cease to be enchanting and mesmerizing.  

3) Melbourne Most Happening- Events
My love Melbourne, you are multi-talented, multi faceted. Melbourne, you are always buzzing with throbbing pulsating life, all across the season. You always excite me with your multi faceted, world class events from sports to fashion, Food and wine and others.

You are running The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier from Oct 2014 to Feb 15,  hosting Formula 1 Grand Prix this March, The Asian cup in Melbourne Rectangular stadium on 9th-22 nd Jan 2015, Tennis masterstroke Grand Slam, Australian Open 2015, Disney's The Lion King musical event in Regent Theater in Feb and also, the magnanimous Festival of Sails 22-26 Jan at Geelong for a long weekend of sailing, food, wine and entertainment

Dear Melbourne, you have completely enchanted me with your Art and culture, Food and wine, Entertainment quotient, Shopping extravaganza, Spas, Nature and wildlife, all rounder outdoor activities, history and heritage, Aboriginal Victorian Culture, awesome weather, beautiful architecture that I could not help falling in love with you. With this letter, I am sending you my heart. 

They say "a thing of  beauty, is joy forever". You are "naturally beautiful and I dream about you, and dream with my open eyes. You are the beauty, bounty, knowledge and blossom. I want to be with you, in your "natural" lap that spreads around Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. I want to disappear in your secret fern glades, towering forests and eclectic villages. Let the love further bloom in it's magnificent, manicured gardens which contains thousands of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and daffodils. The Blue lotus water Garden, RJ Hamer Arboretum , Pirianda garden, Alfred Nicholas Garden and many more. With Boutique wineries around every bend in your valley, picturesque spots, Christmas Hills, Sugarloaf reservoir, there is no end to your charm.

Beloved, Love is in the air and you have swept me me off my feet. I want to not just "Fall" but "rise in love with you. I want to propose you my endless love on a scenic hot air balloon flight in a tranquil silent sunrise, looking over the panoramic view of your vine-laced valley and forest. You simply take my breath away. I hope you will accept my love and call me to your beautiful province.

Come Let's "Rise in love" and show the world, how Love and Melbourne is such a splendor thing!

With Fondest Regards and Love,
Yours sincerely,
Ekta


_____________________________________________________________

This post is written for Indiblogger as my reason for falling in love with Melbourne, the most livable city in the world.  I have been wanting to go Melbourne but unfortunately have not been there yet, I browsed through the Tourism Victoria' website and taken a flight of fancy [once I was done with gasping away, with eyes and mouth open, exploring the Melbourne Tourism]. Yes, I am besotted with Melbourne and hoping that my secret Santa listens my heartfelt plea and grant me rendezvous with my love, Melbourne.

Now love is all about sharing and caring. So if you are a reader for my blog, here's an interesting contest for you, where you can win a gift voucher. 

The contest: I have mentioned many places in Melbourne [some with links too]. All you have to do is, read my post and answer the question-

"Which of these places would you want to visit in Melbourne and why?". 

The contest is till 4th 5th Jan 2015. One best entry will win, a lovely gift voucher. So hurry and participate today. 

You can also browse through these YouTube Videos under "Come Alive in Melbourne" while answering the above question. I am posting one of my favorite videos wherein Rohan Joshi is trying to describe the magnificent Melbourne in one word-





Ciao!

23 Visitor's Comments:

Hi Folks,

You heard me...now its time for Bouquets and Brickbats!

Window Shopping

December 29, 2014 , , 10 Comments


It is that time of the year
when world is wrapped in Snow
and festival cheer!
Holiday season happenstance!

Economy and commerce sees a surge
when buyers and spenders splurge!
markets decorated in colorful laces
crimson joys spread across faces

I passed through this colorful store
with glasses and black decor.
The store was bright and picturesque sight
they offered up to 40% off
as a Clearance Sale was on

Contrary to popular notion
costliest products occupied the major portion
as customers did not made a great beeline
The store probably did not much Advertise.

Sale "Up to" X % is eyewash
Sales often made us buy Trash
That we may not have cared much before
but still pay premium to procure.

Some Sales are utterly waste
when we buy on impulse
and discounted value
and not on taste
Are we the Lah-di-dah lit picker?
in name fashion & merchandising
Brands goof-ups
is sold by advertising

The holiday/ seasonal discount always amused me
As a consumer we often fail to see
how Brands and stores takes us for rides
they ride on our hard earn and deride.
Making us wear "Pink" tinted glass.
And you thought Purchasing parity of the Class?

Even on the magnanimous discount they offer
as a consumer we only suffer
why to pay a premium all the while?

You think at 40% less they suffer a loss?
retail business needs a toss
between pricing and conscience
between value and the price
what are we buying?

We are buying nothing but decor
the fabulous bovarism merchandise of the store
making consumer bear the hokum cost
The prices shooting up the roof
commercialization is such a spoof
Rise...
Hey you upwardly mobile galoot
The sale is not such a loot!
Such is the power of retail
they smitten you with long tail

At such time what I do
is to ambulate the streets 
in pell-mell route
looking for the dovetail boot
widen my eyes and gape-seed the couture
Hoyden me, in apocryphal outlook
Hail!
a girl has different views to retail therapy.
Happiness is not always direct proportionate to blind spending
comeuppance to the window shopping!
Window Shopping!
Comeuppance to the Window shopping!

____________________________________________


10 Visitor's Comments:

Hi Folks,

You heard me...now its time for Bouquets and Brickbats!

A New Beginning

December 26, 2014 5 Comments

I would not say- Forget the past
I would rather say- make fond memories last
Leave the grievance and the grudge
show them the road, nudge

Start living
for it is time for
New Beginnings 

I would not say- Be forgetful
I would rather insist to- Be Thoughtful
Be Fervent and do not lament
to let go of scars, is Brilliant

Start forgiving
For it is time for Happy Endings
and New Beginnings

I insist that life goes on
exhibit your radiance and move on
Even the clocks keep ticking
#CelebrateLife #CelebrateLiving
For it is time for Happy Endings
and New Beginnings

Yay! Kick start and move on
life is all about going on
Going on, going on
and going on!
Going on
______________________________

I scribbled this 10 mins poetry basis the prompts given by-
Three Words Wednesday- Thoughtful, Brilliant, Fervent


5 Visitor's Comments:

Hi Folks,

You heard me...now its time for Bouquets and Brickbats!

Pre Marital Sex: Different Strokes for Different Folks

December 16, 2014 6 Comments

It was 02:00 am, when I reached home from the airport. As I entered, I saw my 12 year old niece and her equally teenager friends engaged in a hot debate across the dining table. 

Me: What kept you awake so long? And Err! why so much chaos around? You kids fighting?
Niece: We aren't fighting but discussing. And it is a very interesting debate. We are talking on sex.
Me: Debate on sex?

The very worried me, looked around the room to search for any untoward traces. The kids were at my home and were my responsibility. I was worried what would I answer their parents and how? Sex? They were all 12-14 years old only. I tried to look not so disturbed and gathered myself and said-

Me: What debate? And how come a debate on sex? Ahem, is it not a little too early for you kids to "debate on sex". I mean, I thought you would be watching movie together and have a Pajama-Pizza party, No?

Niece: Giggling. We just were watching that movie- Salaam Namaste wherein the actress moves to the hero's house as co-tenant and then starts a living-in relationship, terminating into sex, pregnancy and all that, only to be dumped by the guy later. In the climax she delivers a baby. All that without marriage, any proper job, family support et all. And we were like what the aaargh is she doing? And if that was required. Also, why can't we talk about about sex? You think we are babies [making the most possible rebel face]

Me: No, I did not mean that. I just felt it was out of context and I am glad that you can talk about sex rather than having misconceptions and living with them. So what have you concluded? right or wrong?

Niece: [in hush hush manner] Ya she was not right but the guy was even wrong. He was jerk. Oops she was wrong too. I mean she could have married him first then have the baby. Girls like her sets wrong precedents in society, making guys treat them "use and throw". 

I could sense, a sense of "not coming out openly about sex and perceptions related to it" feeling in my niece behavior and assured her to open up and speak her mind. It was then I learnt from her and her friends following-

1) Pre- marital sex is not a cool thing. It makes the girl and the guy look cheap and desperate
2) Pre-marital sex often leads to pregnancy without job
3) One should have pre-marital sex. Why so much hee-haw about virginity? esp for women?
4) It is very difficult for a girl to move on post her first sex
5) What if the guy leaves the girl post having sex with her? Sheer exploitation. 
6) You lose all your interest in the person post having sex
7) It looks- no-no...ugly and such a yuck -muck!
8) It is a good tool to master your act in bed and know what kind of lover your partner will make and then decide accordingly to keep the guy or dump him. 
9) You can always say no to marriage post sex. What's the big deal?
10) Good girls do not have pre-marital sex. It is too bold.
11) Boys use girls for sex and girls gets emotionally attached
12) Virginity is the best gift a girl can give to man and Nobody like to marry a girl with multiple sex partners in past. 

The argument list was endless. To cut the conversation short, objective and avoid being preachy, I narrated them few real life incidents [name changed]-

Deepika, 29, a high flying, executive copy writer at the well known advertising agency, was head over heels in love with her colleague Berry. Together they spent huge time making Ad copies and briefs for their clients. During a work related tour in Ooty, they discovered love for each other. The attraction was immediate, intense and the attraction was mutual. Soon after their first official candle light date, they jumped into bed and found themselves waking up in each other's arms, the morning thereafter. Was it love or mere momentary attraction? Well hard to say as Deepika and Berry are still going strong and after 2 years of solid [read bed romping] courtship they got married in a Pvt ceremony at Goa last week and doing so far, so good. PS: their last campaign on "birth control" won them an esteemed award ;)

Rohit, 20, a young, enthusiastic and intelligent engineering student from Jaipur. During his second year, he met a young, bubbly and pretty looking Nitya and couldn't help but fell in love with her. Yes it was love at first sight for Rohit. He befriended Nitya and gradually confessed his love to her. Nitya was a nice girl, romantic at heart but was not ready to get into a relationship until she establishes herself in a job. It would require a minimum of 4 years for her to settle and Rohit was willing to wait, provided she commits. She first tried to duck away commitment as it was really not going to affect her admiration for him. Nitya did not wanted to lose Rohit's friendship and in a moment of desperation, said yes to his proposal, only to refuse the very next day. She tried telling Rohit how she was not ready for a relationship and why she wanted to wait till they finish their education and how his continuous insistence [no matter how innocent were they] are putting her off. But a smitten off Rohit couldn't stop himself pushing his case, and in turn Nitya drew herself away from him. She severed all connections but he somehow always managed to get her coordinates and would reach her. The more he tried, more she drifted apart. Rohit and Nitya never had sex or even the closest physical encounter including holding hands but in spite, Rohit got immensely emotionally attached with Nitya that he stopped concentrating on his education and career. Nitya who was very fond of him in beginning and sexually attracted too, found his compels repulsive and totally moved away including letting go of friendship that was once most precious to her. She later fell in love with another person, got intimate and had a heart break too. She missed her sexual intimacy but in spite of Rohit being around, she did not turned to him as she had lost her love for him years back. For her love was most essential to get intimate. It took Rohit 7 years and a forced arrange marriage to lose focus on Nitya. He is now settled happily but Nitya still haunts his memory and reminds him of his unsuccessful first love. He still wants to hold her hands and kiss her, out of loved\, unrequited love and not exploitation. 

And then there was Deepti. Deepti, 23, a simple, dreamy and homely girl, with firm belief in love, marriages and sanctity. She was engaged to Bala, a match by her family. Bala was a doctor in USA and belonged to a very conservative family. He wanted to marry an open minded girl and by open minded, he also meant to have pre-nup intimacy with his life partner. Initially Deepti refused but given Bala's insistence and doubts that she is hiding her "insufficiency" in name of "virginity", she relented. She relented thinking that she is anyways going to marry him and consented for the same. Bala was a disaster in bed. He made her terribly uncomfortable. She developed a cold feet and tried to confide in her mother but in vain. They were aghast at her act of pre-marital sex with her suitor and strictly told her not to divulge this truth to anyone else. In spite of her repeated pleas, her parents got her married to Bala and needless to say, she developed intimacy issue and soon got divorced on same grounds. 

Deepti had a cousin- Meera. Meera was studying architecture when she met Kunal. He was her senior in college and proposed her. She could not refuse his charm and they started dating each other. A year after Kunal graduated and joined a prestigious architecture firm. He showered Meera with gifts and parties that would often take place at his newly acquired bachelor's pod where Meera would often spend her weekends. They used protection but even then Meera developed pregnancy. She developed a cold feet and in a bid to save herself from an early pregnancy and responsibility, she consulted a gynac and got the baby aborted. Unfortunately, the abortion lead to bad health and she could not conceive any children later. Kunal was not ready for child but Meera's one sided act disappointed him. He broke off with her, mutually.

Well that was the different examples that I could recall and gave to my "patiently listening" junta of teenagers. I threw them a question asking what do they think now about pre marital sex. Are they able to draw any conclusions on the same? It was imperative that I should have this discussion with them as they were in age that I call "dangerous" and needed to be "Handle with care" given the harmonal change their bodies and mind would go through.

Niece Friend 1: Yes. Well Pre marital sex can lead to making a women pregnant. No matter what. The women is always on risk of conceiving and conceiving at a wrong time of her life.

Me: Point taken. Next?

Niece Friend 2: Well it does not matter men or women, anyone can get emotional in a relationship like we saw in Rohit's case and sex may not be the reason. But if like Deepti, Rohit too had sex with Nitya, he would have known better.

Me: Known better what? What if he got further attached? What if Nitya developed pregnancy? She was a modern woman but not all modern woman need to be in favor of pre-marital sex. NO?

Niece Friend 3: Yes. However I have a disconnect on all this modernism issue. What is Modernism actually? Wearing branded stuff? talking chaste English, going holidays abroad and making out? We call ourselves the new generations. We wear Nike, Gucci and what not including our mind aloud on our heads. Tell me Maasi- are you in favor of "Pre-Marital Sex" yourself?

Me: You have a point there. Intimacy is a personal decision. What hold good in one case, may not hold good in other. No, I am not in favor of "Pre Marital sex" as an individual for self. However, I do not emboss my opinion on others. I believe there is always an age, time and purpose of everything. For me Pre marital sex is like a strict no-no. It is not just that my parents have this faith on me that I need not break or I am scared of society or scared of STDs. Off course, to me it is a combination of all and I like to play safe. It is a personal choice. It may not hold good for someone else like Deepika who grew fond of Berry post sleeping with him or Deepa who in spite of exercising her individual right of pre marital sex, cannot do much about it or say Meera. There is more to love and relationship Like I said- Different strokes for different folks!

Think about it guys and gals and the parents who oversee all logic over "log kya kahenge" [what will society say? Haaaw] All I would say is- be responsible for your actions and act responsibly. 
___________________________________________________________________

This post is written for Indiblogger's Hot new debate on- YES or NO to Pre-Marital Sex in association with Author Poonam Uppal. Poonam has recently inked a book named- A Passionate Gospel of True Love: A Mystical True Love story
If the subject interests you, do pick up her book from Flipkart and feel free to express your opinions on Indiblogger.

6 Visitor's Comments:

Hi Folks,

You heard me...now its time for Bouquets and Brickbats!

Rise above Fear

December 14, 2014 , 11 Comments

photograph by Robert Doisneau

This is a true story, of Linda and Mr Goodman
They made a beautiful couple, dashing and made for each other,
Made for each other,
 God damn!

Theirs was an unusual pair
Unusual as we all tend.
They met at the metro gateway
When Linda wanted to get inside the train
Inside the high rush bogie,
And Mr. Goodman lent her the helping hand.

She thanked him for his gesture
And said that he is Godsend.
Cause she has been missing all her trains
And this was her last hope
This was her first time at Metro
And she wanted to go till next stop.

Linda was a young graduate
Who hailed from a beautiful sleepy hamlet
And moved in with her distant cousin
To the slick life of this rushed urbane.
She hated the rush that metro offered
And she could not wait for Christmas
When she can travel back to her place
Or make way for her parents to visit her.

Goodman liked the spirit of the lady
And offered her a place to seat.
It was that moment when Linda looked at him thoughtfully.
It was the first time when their eyes meet.

Sparks fly and touched the sky
The blue cerulean sparkled in the day light
And Linda and Mr. Goodman kept on talking
Little did she knew the slipping timing.
Her station came and unnoticeably went
She found herself engrossed in Goodman’s song
The song that has melody and grace
The song that was also written all over their face.


A little glance of Linda said many a thing
Of dreams enclosed within her little heart string.
He wanted to not let the moment go
But there was little that he can do
He liked the lady and wanted to woo
But was unsure if she felt similar
He just did not wanted to offend her.
Fear, it was his fear
Fear of losing a beautiful relation before it start,
Fear of not giving enough opportunity
To take forward a beautiful start.

The fear was mutual and the fear was strong
The fear took over Linda’s tone
She brushed her throat and stepped aside
She wanted to take things in her stride.
“I think I am getting late for my home”
She told Mr. Goodman and tried to move alone.

As she took a step, he saw her limping
Curious he asked the local to check-in
“Oh Ms Linda, well she is an amputee,
The limp in her leg is actually is a physical disability.
She met with an accident a Christmas before
And that unfortunate moment took her all.

Her engagement broke, her fiancé erred
Post her break up, she almost disappeared.
I saw her today after a long
God bless her, she is a lovely soul”.
The words of local clenched his heart
Mr. Goodman tried to remember things from start.

“Oh now I know what she could not tell
This was her fear and my fall”.

Goodman rushed outside the station
Looking furtively for Linda in utmost desperation.
He spotted her near the street lane.
He jumped to reach and held her hand.
“I fear no more and have taken
The leap of faith and love is my inspiration.
What begin with me and you,
is such a beautiful thing that I can’t let any fear

I want to rise above my fear and offer you my heart.
Lady, let’s continue this beautiful start.
If you feel the same that I do.
Look at my eyes and say- I love you”.

“I rise above my fear and hold you dear.
Hold me close and keep me near.
I too want to feel true love”
Said Linda unperturbed.

He fear no mob, no ostracism no jeer.
He clasp her hands and brought her near
And planted a kiss.
Ah! Love is such a bliss!
It is love that bring you close to God
Love makes you fight all odd.
Hold hands of love and
Rise above Fear
 ______________________________________

This story poem is inspired by-
Theme- Rise above Fear from Indiblogger and Mountain Dew [ check out the video below]
Picture: Magpie Tale




11 Visitor's Comments:

Hi Folks,

You heard me...now its time for Bouquets and Brickbats!

Murder She Wrote!

December 09, 2014 , 10 Comments

photo by Elene Usdin

She lied across the hallway floor
behind the curtains and sealed doors.

Behind the wall that was freshly painted
lied a human figurine, non dented.

The pink carpet squashy clean
Dunk in sweat from the tussle that has been

Between the predator and the prey

The wallflower, the social butterfly
was heaving last breaths before she die.

A death not planned, cold blooded though
was this her end, who would know

The seeds of her murder were non incidental
cause when she wrote the plots, she did the experiential

This time the victim dies with eyes open
was she dead or is she mere drunken?

mystery developed, plot get thickens
After all who killed Mrs Dickens?

The careworn author scribbles her note
She needs more input to build her plot

Let the dead be there, till I call my day
She crumpled her paper and sway.

The idea should be fresh and mystery- top notch.
Should she strangulate or slit her throat?
Or let her body stashed away in deserted boat?
Or throw in sea till it come afloat?

She need to build strong climax
for
The murder she wrote!
_____________________________
This 10 minutes poem is response to the picture prompt given by magpie tales. I hope you like my take, given the different nature of picture prompt this time. Do leave me a comment below.

10 Visitor's Comments:

Hi Folks,

You heard me...now its time for Bouquets and Brickbats!

Dawn of a new #Bigger Era with #LufthansaA380

December 08, 2014 0 Comments

There is a German saying-

"Wer rastet, der rostet"

It means- He who rests, grows rusty.

There is another German Saying-

"Aller Anfang ist schwer"

It means- All beginning are hard

Well for German giant Lufthansa, "Hard and impossible" is not a word in their dictionary. However, "constant innovation and improvement" has definitely a good place in their dictionary. And when did hard beginnings deterred them of creating magic in aviation? So when these words collaborate with Lufthansa's raring to go attitude and high skilled technology knowledge with a legal combination of "world class engineering"- some dreams are born. One such dream that took shape recently is- Lufthansa A380


#LufthansaA380- is the largest commercial aircraft in the history- Flying to Delhi. The Capital is the 1st city in India to welcome Lufthansa A380.

Lufthansa to fly Airbus A380 to New Delhi from October 27

While the capital is ready to celebrate this landmark development on the launch of daily flights on the Delhi-Frankfurt route beginning since November 08, how can the other city for the country can stay untouched form the dawn of this "New Era" in aviation and hospitality?

Well they are not. Lufthansa A380 had been the talk of the town and if you recall my little nephew- Piu from Boeing Boeing, too could not remained unaffected by this. At the launch of this Super Jumbo Jet, the little chap messaged his father to take him to Frankfurt. But only via Lufthansa A380. "Dad, I want to explore new skies with king of skies" he said.

Meantime, I planned my trip to land of coffee and plantation- Coorg. Piu was already back from trip and was very excited to meet me and spend time telling his endless stories. He is my little "swan". 

While I was booking my tickets, I was worried about the kind of flight and seats I may get on a local "so called economy" airline. Travelling economy class in domestic flights is a big hassle. Hassle in terms of booking in right airline and expecting right seats and crouching in their "matchbox" size seats whole through the journey. God help if there is a delay. My brother asked me to go for web checking to see if I can manage to get front seats to fit my leg. What followed was a conversation that went like this-

Me: Front seats these days are equally conjusted and so much sought after. Sigh! Let me try as I don't want to sit at those dingy seats. God forbid if I get a middle seat and slouchy co passengers.

Brother: No problem, ask co passenger if he/she can exchange your seat with their window seat. If someone refuse, ensure you sit so wide that they would not be able to go out to use wash room or so. Giggles!

I chuckled and said- You are being naughty. You know I cannot do that. Even if, lets imagine, I do, what if the person does it there? aaarrrgh!

Brother: Then you go and sit in washroom and refuse to come out till they change your seat.

Me: Haha..BTW I hate using washrooms on flight. Yuck they are even dingier. I feel like I will die of suffocation for sure. Why can't they have more spaces on airlines?

Brother: You seem to have developed a strong disliking flying these days. I thought you always prefered flights over other other modes of transport. All flights are like that. What to do? would you stop travelling? Or go back to era of railways?

Me: Well no, not all flights are like that. The face of aviation in India is changing. With new Lufthansa A380, things have taken a new shape. A new flight of freedom actually.

Brother: A "New Flight of Freedom"? Well that seems interesting. Tell me more

Me: Have you not heard about this new flight launch? Well let me tell you...Why tell, let show you rather. The "Bigger" advantage of airline hospitality.

And in that moment, I clicked on the Facebook page of airline and played this video-





Post by Lufthansa India.

Brother: Well Thats' magnificent. However, how as a traveler it helps you?

Me: It helps when I travel long distance. Especially the ergonomics, the state of art wide bodied design, the unique features, overall size [its 73 meter long, none the less!!!] the comfort factor, the way our luggage are being handled there and more importantly, the pioneer engineering! Making aircraft and flying them is no child's play. Design, Engineering plays a huge role. And that's all translates in to " Great In flight Experience".

Brother: Yeah and all that, sucks a hell lot of fuel and cause way too much environmental pollution.

Me: Well, we must not forget, it's Lufthansa that we are talking about. It consumes only 95 miles per gallon/passenger.

Brother: Oh! I can read "carbon footprints".

Me: yeah and do add- lesser noise, longer range and even lower emissions! It's bigger in size, better in facilities.

Brother: Well well...this enough sounds quite good to me. I am all sold for Lufthansa A380. I have to go for Christmas holidays and travel is such a nuisance that keeps us away from flying abroad. You know for our last trip, we end up spending so much money as the airlines claimed to be over booked and surprisingly no space on first class. We have to keep doing hop journeys and well that spoiled entire gust to travel abroad esp long distance. Besides, its so not comfortable. My two pence, if you are planning to fly Frankfurt, book your tickets now. Airline normally run out of sufficient seats and one has to make do with bad seats.

Me: Well, I hate throwing statistics to bring a point. However, without making "complex diagrams" to win a point, let me tell that A380 is configured with 8 seats in first class, 92 in BUsiness and 420 in economy giving the airline 12 additional seats in business but a massive 122 additional seats in economy class.

Brother: Oops that can make it conjusted and inconvenient....no?

Me: Conjusted? Small? Tight seating? Well with 71 meters in length and 24 meters in height, A380 is the largest, and with take off weight of up to 560 tons, the heaviest passenger aircraft in the world. Is there any other machine as robust and mighty to challenge it yet?

Brother: Well I do not recall anyone? Nor does google.com. I am indeed pleased to know about A380 and so much look forward to booking my trip on the same.

Me: Yeah. how much I hope they have similar structures for domestic flights. Sigh.

Brother: Hmm keep your faith intact. You may never know if you get to travel in it soon.

Me: I wish. Amen.

Brother: Amen

End of Conversation

Next morning I took my flight to Bengaluru airport, dreaming all the while about the New Lufthansa A380 all the while. Waiting for them to add more sectors. Waiting for others to follow suit. I did not realize when we landed and de-boarding started. I received call from my little nephew who just could not wait for me to reach and learn his new experiences. 

While I was leaving my plane, I stopped back and patted on the plane body and said- "Up your ante baby! up your ante. Lufthansa A380 says sky is the limit and is here to give you run for money". Off course the planes could not speak but the young hostess smiled and said- Oh I am keeping my fingers crossed to get on board. I smiled back at her and said- All the best.

When I reached the gate, Piu ran at me and chuckled. I was happy to see him and he was even happier as he returned from a long holiday at Frankfurt and could not wait to to share his brand new aviation experience with me. His brand new experience of travelling from Delhi to Frankfurt in the new Lufthansa A380.

Piu" Maasi, Can I ask you a riddle?

Me: Sure Dahlings!

Piu: I am the big, I am better. I am mighty, I am greater. My structure so strong that none can deny. I am the king of the skies. 

Me: Err, Ahem..Is it , is it a bird..err a plane..err is it Lufthansa A380

Piu: Bingo! Next- I have design, I have space. I give you luxury and personal space. Better facilities, more entertainment. I am the best in Aeroplane!

Me: Hmm this one got to be "Lufthansa A380"

Piu: Bingo 2 Maasi. I can't tell you how bigg it is...no its bigger...no actually speaking, it is the BIGGEST of all"

I smiled and asked if he was happy to be on board as he always hate long distance flights and get cranky at the thought it it.

Piu: No more scary Masi. This time I get to walk around. The plane is so big that I can play cricket and not get bored ever.  Besides, so many people around made me feel, I am safe :) It is world class you see, Maasi

Me: World Class? Eh! [smiled]

Piu: Yup Maasi [with a flashing smile in his bright eyes]. Mom says- It is luxury and Comfort on the Air like 7 star of all planes. I so much want to travel in it again Maasi. besides, the hostess aunties were so nice to me. I made friends with two of them. they gave me a box of goodies.

Me: Umm now I know what bring more "smiles per hour".

Piu: It is more Miles per hour Masi. Papa told me it does not use lots of fuel also thus making it "Green mean machine".  I did not get bored too. I was allowed to take all my gadgets insides and play them continuously without worrying battery exhaust.

Me: That's good. So did you clicked any pictures? If yes , show me.

Here's few pictures of the super Jumbo Flying machines for readers-

Lufthansa A380 first class
Source

Source

Lufthansa new business class
Source

Lufthansa A380 seatplan
Source

Source
So India, Lets join our hands and give a big, big clap to Lufthansa A380. Time to bet Bigger, Better!
_______________________
This post is written for Indiblogger's contest on- Why Bigger is Better for Indian Aviation

0 Visitor's Comments:

Hi Folks,

You heard me...now its time for Bouquets and Brickbats!

Snowstorm

November 24, 2014 12 Comments

Snowstorm by Maurice de Vlaminck
White clouds, dwell-ed on earth,
Duel-ed with Trees and mountains
Head - it will dominate, Tail- it will wrap.
and embrace all in it's trap.

It had power to transform
dark in to white, sans light
and stark

Winter Storm, precipitations.
seething cold sleets
When it hails 
and snows
you can see supremacy
of the storm
That makes the black
that absorbed all,
to surrender and kneel
and reveal
The majesty of white snow
and the storm that empowers all,
what winds, what road.
It's heartless and cold.

Could you see those trees,
raising their hands?
in an attempt
to yelp for help.

There were some roads that now endowed with snow
blurring the directions.

So when he painted
Snowstorm
That encapsulated state of his mind,
and that suggested
enforcement or turmoil?
__________
This quick poem was written interpreting the picture prompt provided by Magpie Tales. Let's say 20 mins interpretation? :)

12 Visitor's Comments:

Hi Folks,

You heard me...now its time for Bouquets and Brickbats!

Nursery Rhymes

November 23, 2014 2 Comments

“What one loves in childhood stays in the heart forever.”

I agree no less. Though choices keeps on changing and remolding, few things are always special and hold a special, distinctive place in our heart, forever. Some things makes us child again, well some things, are best associated with childhood. 

I remember how as kids, we always wanted to grow up fast, from school to college to work, and doing all those things that was associated with being elders. Hah! Those days. Today we ache to be kids again. No office, college, no pressures but we lost in our world of fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Nursery Rhymes. Yes, How often do you remember or get to hear nursery rhymes in our day to day life? Oops unless we have kids in our house, and more interestingly the kids in the house who still like and value the presence and importance of something as entertaining however, deep in meaning- Nursery rhymes over- Baby Doll Mein Sone ki or Lungi Dance. 

No offense to the popular nos above. Just reminiscing the lost era of nursery rhymes and wonder why they do not create them anymore? Anyways, when Blogadda in Association with Kids Hut by music Magnet T Series asked "to choose 2 favorite rhyme/ story and write about your memories and morals that are associated with them".

It got me no thinking as I had written above that some of the  nursery rhymes had deeper meaning, something that I learnt during my high school years. Well not the rhymes but the deeper meanings :)

There is a huge list of Nursery Rhymes. The playlist could be found here- Kids Hut

Here's the two of my favorite from the youTube Channel of Kids Huts-

1) Humpty Dumpty



Humpty Dumpty was not just an egg shaped figurine but impersonation of a political figure/ issue back there. I would not name the person or details of the dark origin. I loved this rhyme for the song, the tune, the lyrics and the fact that "humpty dumpty" makes a goof personal reference if you want to use for a bully. hahaha

2) London Bridge is Falling down



Now if you recall, in our childhood, a lot of us had that small palm size pocket Piano, operated by a small flat cell. It used to come in Blue and pink colors and the meager keys would make interesting tones plus time pass and also an object of affection oops read collection during those days. Let me tell you the song has reference to political scenario of England and the Queen. I loved the creative way that they used to coin the major issue during that era in a simple play like rhymes for circulation. The adoption in nursery rhymes and kids as TG was an interesting. Is that what they call- Bachche bacche ki zubaan pe? [On every child's mouth]

There were several other favorites too.  What's your favorite? D let me know

 This post is a part of Kids Hutactivity at BlogAdda.com

2 Visitor's Comments:

Hi Folks,

You heard me...now its time for Bouquets and Brickbats!

My Social Media Channels