Guest guest Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 my dear mgims dosto, came back home this evening and couldn't wait to open the mail box -- as i was net disconnected for last few days -- all the congratulatory messages reassured me that this was not a totally crazy thing to do !! the part that made it look crazy is that renuka did not accompany me, as i had said luckily my inlaws would have cared for them for 2-3 daysand it would have been a good break -- there were certain problems and she is not as crazy as me -- hopefully this kindles the mgims spirit and more people will go the extra mile to realize our dream of having a tax exempt organization overseas in US and UK which could help us raise funds and do other stuff for our almamater -- when i started getting active in this group and started floating the idea of having a mgims gettogether in usa this was one of my dreams -- personally i hope my interest doesn't dwindle in these early stages-- i have to admit there was a part of me that really wanted to go and then there was the part of me that doubted the feasibility and sensibility of pulling of such a short trip. after yesterday's day in trafalgar square and national gallery and evening with the uk mgims family --- man crazy or not --- i do not regret it one bit -- except i missed and wished renuka was with me -- here is a diary of my 2.5 days in london-- friday 8 am -- reach uk -- and excitement soon gives way to fatigue as i had been sleep deprived for the whole week prior to this -- ( unrelated ) as i had not given any body prior notice nobody was there with a placard on a fri am -- i decided to check into a hotel -- one thing i was pleasantly surprised was that the airport had so many desis who were actually kind and helpful-- a pakistani girl helped me book a hotel at the hotel res desk and rent a mobile -- in the hotel i had to wait till 12 noon to be able to check in -- any way i was in a rush to check emails -- what if the gettogether was postponed -- man that would be such a fiasco-- as this was last minute i had no phone nos. and the one i had for ayesha was disconnected as she had moved -- when i open my mails i was terribly disappointed to note that there were no mails -- then as i was fumbling with the computer -- i noted ayesha's welcome to uk mail -- man i felt truly welcome-- within no time she was calling me -- she also gave me numbers for others -- everybody started calling in the afternoon-- it was 230p by the time i hit the road -- but i had to do some ss on day one -- i loved to navigate london's famous tube ( underground) and bus system-- only problem -- shaam jaldi ho jaathi hai -- out of the 5-6 tourist regions i decided to go to tower bridge first ( vs big ben )-- the tower of london was closing in an hour -- so i decided to do the bridge only --- i have to confess that i was not very impressed and was rapidly making opinions of london that -- aayeen wayeen hai -- turns that this region called ' the city ' was one of the oldest parts of london notwithstanding that it was the commercial hub-- any ways it was my fatigue clouding my judgement -- interesting trivia -- the honorable germans did not bomb the tower bridge as they wanted it as a landmark for their other bombing ...go figure --- and man the english went through some planning to build this architectural marvel !! all along malini is keeping in touch on phone and trying to help me plan the next day-- in fact i get wake up call the next day at 900p -- however i go back to sleep and start my day around 100p now it was saranya's turn to keep taps me --- so that after i get my day's sightseeing done i reach the party place on time and comfortably -- Saranya -- i had never met you before -- you are so junior to me -- i could not even talk to you at length in the party -- but i have to tell you now -- i was very touched -- and thank you very much so what do i do on day 2 -- i walk from picadilly station after spending a small fortune in a gujju bhai's store -- also was forced to buy an umbrella as it was pouring -- and man -- was i transported to ---- loved every bit of london on that rainy day -- from station to trafalgar square -- i was looking at my watch -- it was 430p and i had to be madhu's at 630p - for which i had come -- hello ? between the buckingham and the national gallery i picked the latter -- i said in the short time i had lemme just have a look at the kohinoor diamond -- i was corrected that this was a gallery and not a museum -- gallery is for 'paintings' free admission -- did that give me a kick or what -- the special exhibit wouldn't open till 530p -- so i just decided to do a cursory tour-- this is what i have to say -- after seeing the national gallery i don't think i would like to visit anu other museum -- maan !! -- not the chicago art museum , the new york met ( metropolitan) -- i have been to both -- first time i really developed true love for art museums -- ofcourse it helped to not have a nagging wife -- ashok ab chal ..late ho raha hai -- and my toddlerdriving me crazy-- i felt like a backpacker -- once in a while it might be a good thing to do ?? then i rushed -- surprisingly it didn't take long to get to Madhu's -- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ------------------------------------------- as i enter the gorgeous restaurant where gori mems are in saris and serving away to glory -- i couldn't hold back my excitement -- and i had to yell that i was here !! what followed was one of the most memorable evenings of my life --- it had such a family feel to it --- this was a small party room but so cosy -- i can't congratulate ayesha and sadhana and their better halfs enough for pulling off such a wonderful evening -- ayesha had arranged for aarti of bahenji and gandhiji-- which dr prakash punjabi did -- ( senior most that day )-- guess what --- none other than sadhana gives me a warm welcome --- and somewher deep down in my heart i knew this is how it was going to be -- that there would be no hard feelings --- i will take a break here -- more about the part tomorrow ) still elated, ashok ' 84 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 Wow! Ashok! Fantastic! I am impressed. May your tribe grow. We need such enthusiasts. Kishore Shah 1974 my london trip- > my dear mgims dosto, > > came back home this evening and couldn't wait to open the mail box -- as i was net disconnected for last few days -- > > all the congratulatory messages reassured me that this was not a totally crazy thing to do !! > > the part that made it look crazy is that renuka did not accompany me, as i had said luckily my inlaws would have cared for them for 2-3 daysand it would have been a good break -- there were certain problems and she is not as crazy as me -- > > hopefully this kindles the mgims spirit and more people will go the extra mile to realize our dream of having a tax exempt organization overseas in US and UK which could help us raise funds and do other stuff for our almamater -- when i started getting active in this group and started floating the idea of having a mgims gettogether in usa this was one of my dreams -- > > personally i hope my interest doesn't dwindle in these early stages-- > > i have to admit there was a part of me that really wanted to go and then there was the part of me that doubted the feasibility and sensibility of pulling of such a short trip. > > after yesterday's day in trafalgar square and national gallery and evening with the uk mgims family --- man crazy or not --- i do not regret it one bit -- except i missed and wished renuka was with me -- > > here is a diary of my 2.5 days in london-- > > friday 8 am -- reach uk -- and excitement soon gives way to fatigue as i had been sleep deprived for the whole week prior to this -- ( unrelated ) > > as i had not given any body prior notice nobody was there with a placard on a fri am -- > > i decided to check into a hotel -- one thing i was pleasantly surprised was that the airport had so many desis who were actually kind and helpful-- a pakistani girl helped me book a hotel at the hotel res desk and rent a mobile -- > > in the hotel i had to wait till 12 noon to be able to check in -- any way i was in a rush to check emails -- what if the gettogether was postponed -- man that would be such a fiasco-- as this was last minute i had no phone nos. and the one i had for ayesha was disconnected as she had moved -- > > when i open my mails i was terribly disappointed to note that there were no mails -- then as i was fumbling with the computer -- i noted ayesha's welcome to uk mail -- man i felt truly welcome-- > > within no time she was calling me -- she also gave me numbers for others -- > > everybody started calling in the afternoon-- > > it was 230p by the time i hit the road -- but i had to do some ss on day one -- > > i loved to navigate london's famous tube ( underground) and bus system-- > > only problem -- shaam jaldi ho jaathi hai -- > > out of the 5-6 tourist regions i decided to go to tower bridge first ( vs big ben )-- > > the tower of london was closing in an hour -- so i decided to do the bridge only --- i have to confess that i was not very impressed and was rapidly making opinions of london that -- aayeen wayeen hai -- turns that this region called ' the city ' was one of the oldest parts of london notwithstanding that it was the commercial hub-- any ways it was my fatigue clouding my judgement -- > > interesting trivia -- the honorable germans did not bomb the tower bridge as they wanted it as a landmark for their other bombing ...go figure --- and man the english went through some planning to build this architectural marvel !! > > all along malini is keeping in touch on phone and trying to help me plan the next day-- > > in fact i get wake up call the next day at 900p -- however i go back to sleep and start my day around 100p > > now it was saranya's turn to keep taps me --- so that after i get my day's sightseeing done i reach the party place on time and comfortably -- Saranya -- i had never met you before -- you are so junior to me -- i could not even talk to you at length in the party -- but i have to tell you now -- i was very touched -- and thank you very much > > so what do i do on day 2 -- > > i walk from picadilly station after spending a small fortune in a gujju bhai's store -- also was forced to buy an umbrella as it was pouring -- > > and man -- was i transported to ---- loved every bit of london on that rainy day -- from station to trafalgar square -- i was looking at my watch -- it was 430p and i had to be madhu's at 630p - for which i had come -- hello ? > > between the buckingham and the national gallery i picked the latter -- i said in the short time i had lemme just have a look at the kohinoor diamond -- > > i was corrected that this was a gallery and not a museum -- gallery is for 'paintings' > > free admission -- did that give me a kick or what -- > > the special exhibit wouldn't open till 530p -- so i just decided to do a cursory tour-- > > this is what i have to say -- after seeing the national gallery i don't think i would like to visit anu other museum -- maan !! -- not the chicago art museum , the new york met ( metropolitan) -- i have been to both -- first time i really developed true love for art museums -- ofcourse it helped to not have a nagging wife -- ashok ab chal ..late ho raha hai -- and my toddlerdriving me crazy-- > > i felt like a backpacker -- once in a while it might be a good thing to do ?? > > then i rushed -- surprisingly it didn't take long to get to Madhu's -- > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- > > as i enter the gorgeous restaurant where gori mems are in saris and serving away to glory -- i couldn't hold back my excitement -- and i had to yell that i was here !! > > what followed was one of the most memorable evenings of my life --- it had such a family feel to it --- this was a small party room but so cosy -- > > i can't congratulate ayesha and sadhana and their better halfs enough for pulling off such a wonderful evening -- > > ayesha had arranged for aarti of bahenji and gandhiji-- which dr prakash punjabi did -- ( senior most that day )-- > > guess what --- none other than sadhana gives me a warm welcome --- and somewher deep down in my heart i knew this is how it was going to be -- that there would be no hard feelings --- > > i will take a break here -- > > more about the part tomorrow ) > > > still elated, > > ashok ' 84 > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 Wow! Ashok! Fantastic! I am impressed. May your tribe grow. We need such enthusiasts. Kishore Shah 1974 my london trip- > my dear mgims dosto, > > came back home this evening and couldn't wait to open the mail box -- as i was net disconnected for last few days -- > > all the congratulatory messages reassured me that this was not a totally crazy thing to do !! > > the part that made it look crazy is that renuka did not accompany me, as i had said luckily my inlaws would have cared for them for 2-3 daysand it would have been a good break -- there were certain problems and she is not as crazy as me -- > > hopefully this kindles the mgims spirit and more people will go the extra mile to realize our dream of having a tax exempt organization overseas in US and UK which could help us raise funds and do other stuff for our almamater -- when i started getting active in this group and started floating the idea of having a mgims gettogether in usa this was one of my dreams -- > > personally i hope my interest doesn't dwindle in these early stages-- > > i have to admit there was a part of me that really wanted to go and then there was the part of me that doubted the feasibility and sensibility of pulling of such a short trip. > > after yesterday's day in trafalgar square and national gallery and evening with the uk mgims family --- man crazy or not --- i do not regret it one bit -- except i missed and wished renuka was with me -- > > here is a diary of my 2.5 days in london-- > > friday 8 am -- reach uk -- and excitement soon gives way to fatigue as i had been sleep deprived for the whole week prior to this -- ( unrelated ) > > as i had not given any body prior notice nobody was there with a placard on a fri am -- > > i decided to check into a hotel -- one thing i was pleasantly surprised was that the airport had so many desis who were actually kind and helpful-- a pakistani girl helped me book a hotel at the hotel res desk and rent a mobile -- > > in the hotel i had to wait till 12 noon to be able to check in -- any way i was in a rush to check emails -- what if the gettogether was postponed -- man that would be such a fiasco-- as this was last minute i had no phone nos. and the one i had for ayesha was disconnected as she had moved -- > > when i open my mails i was terribly disappointed to note that there were no mails -- then as i was fumbling with the computer -- i noted ayesha's welcome to uk mail -- man i felt truly welcome-- > > within no time she was calling me -- she also gave me numbers for others -- > > everybody started calling in the afternoon-- > > it was 230p by the time i hit the road -- but i had to do some ss on day one -- > > i loved to navigate london's famous tube ( underground) and bus system-- > > only problem -- shaam jaldi ho jaathi hai -- > > out of the 5-6 tourist regions i decided to go to tower bridge first ( vs big ben )-- > > the tower of london was closing in an hour -- so i decided to do the bridge only --- i have to confess that i was not very impressed and was rapidly making opinions of london that -- aayeen wayeen hai -- turns that this region called ' the city ' was one of the oldest parts of london notwithstanding that it was the commercial hub-- any ways it was my fatigue clouding my judgement -- > > interesting trivia -- the honorable germans did not bomb the tower bridge as they wanted it as a landmark for their other bombing ...go figure --- and man the english went through some planning to build this architectural marvel !! > > all along malini is keeping in touch on phone and trying to help me plan the next day-- > > in fact i get wake up call the next day at 900p -- however i go back to sleep and start my day around 100p > > now it was saranya's turn to keep taps me --- so that after i get my day's sightseeing done i reach the party place on time and comfortably -- Saranya -- i had never met you before -- you are so junior to me -- i could not even talk to you at length in the party -- but i have to tell you now -- i was very touched -- and thank you very much > > so what do i do on day 2 -- > > i walk from picadilly station after spending a small fortune in a gujju bhai's store -- also was forced to buy an umbrella as it was pouring -- > > and man -- was i transported to ---- loved every bit of london on that rainy day -- from station to trafalgar square -- i was looking at my watch -- it was 430p and i had to be madhu's at 630p - for which i had come -- hello ? > > between the buckingham and the national gallery i picked the latter -- i said in the short time i had lemme just have a look at the kohinoor diamond -- > > i was corrected that this was a gallery and not a museum -- gallery is for 'paintings' > > free admission -- did that give me a kick or what -- > > the special exhibit wouldn't open till 530p -- so i just decided to do a cursory tour-- > > this is what i have to say -- after seeing the national gallery i don't think i would like to visit anu other museum -- maan !! -- not the chicago art museum , the new york met ( metropolitan) -- i have been to both -- first time i really developed true love for art museums -- ofcourse it helped to not have a nagging wife -- ashok ab chal ..late ho raha hai -- and my toddlerdriving me crazy-- > > i felt like a backpacker -- once in a while it might be a good thing to do ?? > > then i rushed -- surprisingly it didn't take long to get to Madhu's -- > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- > > as i enter the gorgeous restaurant where gori mems are in saris and serving away to glory -- i couldn't hold back my excitement -- and i had to yell that i was here !! > > what followed was one of the most memorable evenings of my life --- it had such a family feel to it --- this was a small party room but so cosy -- > > i can't congratulate ayesha and sadhana and their better halfs enough for pulling off such a wonderful evening -- > > ayesha had arranged for aarti of bahenji and gandhiji-- which dr prakash punjabi did -- ( senior most that day )-- > > guess what --- none other than sadhana gives me a warm welcome --- and somewher deep down in my heart i knew this is how it was going to be -- that there would be no hard feelings --- > > i will take a break here -- > > more about the part tomorrow ) > > > still elated, > > ashok ' 84 > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2004 Report Share Posted October 25, 2004 Wow! Ashok! Fantastic! I am impressed. May your tribe grow. We need such enthusiasts. Kishore Shah 1974 my london trip- > my dear mgims dosto, > > came back home this evening and couldn't wait to open the mail box -- as i was net disconnected for last few days -- > > all the congratulatory messages reassured me that this was not a totally crazy thing to do !! > > the part that made it look crazy is that renuka did not accompany me, as i had said luckily my inlaws would have cared for them for 2-3 daysand it would have been a good break -- there were certain problems and she is not as crazy as me -- > > hopefully this kindles the mgims spirit and more people will go the extra mile to realize our dream of having a tax exempt organization overseas in US and UK which could help us raise funds and do other stuff for our almamater -- when i started getting active in this group and started floating the idea of having a mgims gettogether in usa this was one of my dreams -- > > personally i hope my interest doesn't dwindle in these early stages-- > > i have to admit there was a part of me that really wanted to go and then there was the part of me that doubted the feasibility and sensibility of pulling of such a short trip. > > after yesterday's day in trafalgar square and national gallery and evening with the uk mgims family --- man crazy or not --- i do not regret it one bit -- except i missed and wished renuka was with me -- > > here is a diary of my 2.5 days in london-- > > friday 8 am -- reach uk -- and excitement soon gives way to fatigue as i had been sleep deprived for the whole week prior to this -- ( unrelated ) > > as i had not given any body prior notice nobody was there with a placard on a fri am -- > > i decided to check into a hotel -- one thing i was pleasantly surprised was that the airport had so many desis who were actually kind and helpful-- a pakistani girl helped me book a hotel at the hotel res desk and rent a mobile -- > > in the hotel i had to wait till 12 noon to be able to check in -- any way i was in a rush to check emails -- what if the gettogether was postponed -- man that would be such a fiasco-- as this was last minute i had no phone nos. and the one i had for ayesha was disconnected as she had moved -- > > when i open my mails i was terribly disappointed to note that there were no mails -- then as i was fumbling with the computer -- i noted ayesha's welcome to uk mail -- man i felt truly welcome-- > > within no time she was calling me -- she also gave me numbers for others -- > > everybody started calling in the afternoon-- > > it was 230p by the time i hit the road -- but i had to do some ss on day one -- > > i loved to navigate london's famous tube ( underground) and bus system-- > > only problem -- shaam jaldi ho jaathi hai -- > > out of the 5-6 tourist regions i decided to go to tower bridge first ( vs big ben )-- > > the tower of london was closing in an hour -- so i decided to do the bridge only --- i have to confess that i was not very impressed and was rapidly making opinions of london that -- aayeen wayeen hai -- turns that this region called ' the city ' was one of the oldest parts of london notwithstanding that it was the commercial hub-- any ways it was my fatigue clouding my judgement -- > > interesting trivia -- the honorable germans did not bomb the tower bridge as they wanted it as a landmark for their other bombing ...go figure --- and man the english went through some planning to build this architectural marvel !! > > all along malini is keeping in touch on phone and trying to help me plan the next day-- > > in fact i get wake up call the next day at 900p -- however i go back to sleep and start my day around 100p > > now it was saranya's turn to keep taps me --- so that after i get my day's sightseeing done i reach the party place on time and comfortably -- Saranya -- i had never met you before -- you are so junior to me -- i could not even talk to you at length in the party -- but i have to tell you now -- i was very touched -- and thank you very much > > so what do i do on day 2 -- > > i walk from picadilly station after spending a small fortune in a gujju bhai's store -- also was forced to buy an umbrella as it was pouring -- > > and man -- was i transported to ---- loved every bit of london on that rainy day -- from station to trafalgar square -- i was looking at my watch -- it was 430p and i had to be madhu's at 630p - for which i had come -- hello ? > > between the buckingham and the national gallery i picked the latter -- i said in the short time i had lemme just have a look at the kohinoor diamond -- > > i was corrected that this was a gallery and not a museum -- gallery is for 'paintings' > > free admission -- did that give me a kick or what -- > > the special exhibit wouldn't open till 530p -- so i just decided to do a cursory tour-- > > this is what i have to say -- after seeing the national gallery i don't think i would like to visit anu other museum -- maan !! -- not the chicago art museum , the new york met ( metropolitan) -- i have been to both -- first time i really developed true love for art museums -- ofcourse it helped to not have a nagging wife -- ashok ab chal ..late ho raha hai -- and my toddlerdriving me crazy-- > > i felt like a backpacker -- once in a while it might be a good thing to do ?? > > then i rushed -- surprisingly it didn't take long to get to Madhu's -- > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- > > as i enter the gorgeous restaurant where gori mems are in saris and serving away to glory -- i couldn't hold back my excitement -- and i had to yell that i was here !! > > what followed was one of the most memorable evenings of my life --- it had such a family feel to it --- this was a small party room but so cosy -- > > i can't congratulate ayesha and sadhana and their better halfs enough for pulling off such a wonderful evening -- > > ayesha had arranged for aarti of bahenji and gandhiji-- which dr prakash punjabi did -- ( senior most that day )-- > > guess what --- none other than sadhana gives me a warm welcome --- and somewher deep down in my heart i knew this is how it was going to be -- that there would be no hard feelings --- > > i will take a break here -- > > more about the part tomorrow ) > > > still elated, > > ashok ' 84 > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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