lessons from dubai ..

It was a paradox that i finished two of my bucketlist wishes in dubai . First was to touch snow and second was to touch a real firearm . And the third one to see the face behind the veil . (dont misunderstand :)  )

I went to ski dubai  , one of the largest indoor skiing facilities in the world .And yes its in the middle of the desert kingdom and thats a big paradox . With minus 2 degrees my first reaction on seeing the snow was to touch and feel it . It was an amazing feeling for a person who comes from a place which never snows even in the winter . For once i wished i was a child because the children around were giving me stares when i scooped up a handful of snow . So i left it at that . Ski lesssons were amazing when i realised half the class they were teaching how to walk on snow , and how to get up when you fall .

Walking lessons went well at snails pace . And i and my relative (who was my adventure company ) managed very well . I even had to help out a girl who had difficulty walking on snow . Confidence started building up . And when the guy in front of me fell down many metres down i was helping him out with instructions as told by the instructor on how to get up from snow . I was as frustrated as him when he couldnt, even after few minutes ,and instructor had to save him . I was even thinking how he cant even follow the simple instructions told by the instructor and all my verbal help . (i couldnt go and save him as it was a slope down )


Soon my turn came and in james bond style as in the movies i glided down the small slope for beginners . Even glided like james bond for 2 seconds . But then crashed down totally flat on the slope . And thankful to snow god that few people saw it (hopefully ) but more importantly had a divine enlightenment . I struggled for a full 5 minutes to get up and couldnt and then realised advising people is easy but only when you encounter it you know the difficulties . So never advise anybody including in blogs :)

0.22 rimfire rifles are fun . They are like airguns but much more powerful . But shooting them is easier as recoil is manageable and if you are an ok shot you manage to hit the target . Then the chance came in the sharjah shooting club to fire a 9 mm handgun . Having built confidence after the rifle i took on this challenge . Each shot was a mini explosion in the hand and for once i had great admiration for the policemen who use these guns for peacekeeping purposes . I was more amazed when the 25 bullets fired hit reasonably randomly compared to the rifle shot . For a firsttimer it was ok but the lesson learnt was never underestimate anything . If you are good at one thing and proud dont assume a similar thing will be equally easy .

And lastly the veil stuff ..   I always wanted to see how an arab girl looks like . Just curiosity . Having visited other GCC country where many are veiled including face and arabs are generally hostile towards even a casual glance at their women . I was particular that i will just observe at least one arab girl for one second . What started as a glance for one second continued for the full ten days not only observing (remember not staring ) arab women but arab men and children . I was curious and thrilled to find with all the stereotypes the emirati men were looking after children quite well (at least in public ) , emirati women were gorgeous ( as if you wanted my opinion ) and children were much more well behaved than in some other GCC countries . I later learnt emirati arabs are much more dignified than others .

So having finished 3 on my bucketlist and having been very impressed by the vision of the dubai rulers to bring snow into this desert kingdom as well as the tallest building on earth the burj kalifa , etc i came back in one piece to my india . I told you dont misunderstand me , i was decent throughout , including the observations and handholding in snow walking , so landed back in one piece .

Dubai holiday destination

Places are like people . Some places appeal to everyone and some places appeal to select few . To tell frankly being a hardcore nature lover and a history fan i was not very keen to see an "artificial " place like dubai . Of course having my relatives there my visit had a purpose but i never imagined it would combine a relative visit , friend visit and surprisingly a touristy visit bundled together .

Again i hate malls . I still do however big they are . But in dubai each mall has some key attraction attached to it . Be it the ski dubai in the mall of emirates the entire day can be spent at minus 2 degrees skiing, playing with snow , helping people who slip on ice :)  (more on that later ) etc . This place is phenomenal and for an absolute beginner they have a package with ski lessons ( we did that ) . The icing on the cake is taking the ski lift and going to a cafe inside sipping coffee while outside is freezing .. All of this is in the middle of a desert country which makes you awe not only in the engineering marvel but also the vision of the rulers of dubai .

Equally amazed that i chanced upon history in dubai . I was walking in a mall when suddenly an object which was born before history stared in my eyes  .It was a dinosaur full skeleton purchased by dubai from USA and kept as a free exhibit , They had put it a cute name as dubai dino . It was huge and it was kept inside the mall . So history buffs visit dubai as this dinosaur is much much older than alexander the great .

9mm handgun the same thing which police around the world use for peacekeeping purposes . Though USA has an open gun culture for an indian to try his hand at firing this gun is a rare opportunity . Dubai has three or more shooting clubs and a visitor can go and shoot these amazing guns with training lesson included . Its an amazing feeling handling a real gun and shooting 50 bullets with it . Place sharjah shooting club . things needed : passport or national card . and money (little on expensive side ) .

Dolphinarium also was a cute place with the jumping and intelligent dolphins putting up an excellent show and there were even trained seals in the show . For me , having seen both only in animal planet tv it was a delight to the eyes .

A must visit is the dubai museum which shows just in 40 years what a country can become if there is a vision . Lot of beautiful exhibits of arab life before a few decades and what is now . Actually thats history .. the development of a people from almost nothing to one of the most happening places in the world . In short history neednt go back centuries even if you are a history buff ..

Lastly the burj khalifa . I went in it and looked down at the phenomenon called dubai . its the tallest building in the world and it was again illuminating to learn about the vision of the rulers who wanted not the tallest but much taller than any existing or even future building .. Like usain bolt aiming for 5 seconds when all others aim for 9.9 seconds .. (forgive my sports rudimentary knowledge ) ..

This visit to dubai not only helped me to see this city which was different from munich , shanghai etc but gave me some perspectives of arabs especially emirati arabs (different from other GCC arabs in some ways ).. More on that later in next blog ..

Stanford and Nobel

It was a big mistake . The newspaper published an obituary of a person living while his brother died by mistake . In the obituary it was written that the dead man had contributed to help kill more people quickly with his discoveries . The discovery was dynamite and the man in question was Alfred Nobel . Few people like to be remembered as the angel of death and Nobel who was a great man didnt want that fate . So he wrote a will where he put 94 percent of his millions into an award which is now called Nobel Prize .

Take home message . Pause for a moment and reflect on how you want to be remembered . As the rich man down the block who was stingy to even spare a penny , the workaholic who was so busy working that not only he didnt have time for his family but even for himself ..If you say you dont have the fortune of Nobel you have missed the point . Even in the rare occasion if you are poor who cant spare a penny, you can spare your time or any of your talents for greater causes .Not only for the joy by that altrusitic purpose but also isnt it good you are remembered well ?

Stanford University is world famous . Its so prestigious that intake is 5 percent of those who apply and many alumni are world famous . Not to speak of 8000 acre campus and the facilities . But the origin was based on a tragedy . There was a rich couple who had an only child named Stanford junior  He died at the age of 15 . Typical reaction of a couple who loses their only child is deep depression and withdrawal . Or getting angry at the world and withdrawal . Of course they were deeply distraught but the next day they decided if they lost their child then let the people of california be their children . and let them get what their child could not get . A world famous academia , a university like no other and he used most of his riches for this purpose , Tuition was free for many years too . That is the story of Stanford university .

Take home message . Nothing ..In this modern age of increasing thinking of me and my family and regretting in old age when no one is there including the children who were reared in the "me " culture think beyond ones immediate circle . Losing an only child is a rare tragedy though famous people like Rambo(screenname of Sylvester Stallone ) and singer Chitra lost their children . But though most cant start a university in memory of a child , it would be a good gesture to use every opportunity to give other children the gifts which you can afford especially education . I know many people do it but just wanted to say this as each reading of famous peoples short biographies tell me they were not only great in their discoveries , professional success etc but were beautiful people in their personal lives .

we are the world --usa for africa music blog

I sometimes wish you were like me . A western music fan .If you are maybe you can understand me when i say i was overwhelmed when i first heard we are the world music video yesterday . Of course partly it was because it was made for a great charitable purpose .

But mostly it was because i was seeing the music legends whom i adored since childhood sharing the same podium or studio for a great cause . Check out wikipedia for details and also the music video in youtube . I still remember the day when heard the loud music many shops away Michael jackson was playing full volume after his album was released called BAD .From next day on my home was pulsating with his music . And we are the world was nostalgic because michael jackson wrote it along with lionel Richie at the formers family home. Though the pop icon is no longer alive his music lives on.

Then there is Tina Turner in the video whose powerful voice little on lower pitch who reminded me of days in my teenage when i was dancing up and down to her hit number "whats love got to do with it " . The blind man was there the person who showed that you can be world famous if one of the senses is not working vision while the other sense is world famous : his voice . With his signature cooling glass he was there showcasing his high pitch tenor voice . Having listened to his song and sang along " I just called to say I love you " his presence was overwhelming with nostalgia for his songs.

Of course the other blind man the world famous singer legend Ray Charles was there whom i have only heard about . Then there was this curious person who was singing with a tone which reminded me of a rock guitar . His contrast with my high tenor stevie wonder pop music was obvious . He was the legend of rock Bruce springsteen and i was amazed at how i havent heard him so far though not my genre primarily . Music is indeed vast .

Then there was this beautiful woman who was jumping up and down as if her feet was on fire . Cyndie Loper, who is 61 now (the music video was made in 80s when she was in her early 30s ) was showing the typical mannerism for which rock and pop shows are famous . The positive energy on stage . Imagine yesudas jumping up and down 1 feet high with an electric guitar .

Bob Dylan the legend and a host of others were there and over the next few days i should sample each of their songs . For once it was amazing thinking about listening to that song which was born in the pop legends family home and which featured 2 blind men , people of many races , people of different voice types , different genres of music . And in addition it was interesting to note the message which was hung on the door of that recording studio " Keep your egos outside " ..Shouldnt we too do the same when we play our parts in the music of life . Philosophical ? Sorry i was a bit nostalgic and overwhelmed ..Would love to hear your comments if anyone is into western music

katharina and brenda lee :on music random musings

At six years of age the melody was the only thing i remember of the goan song . I used to hear it repeatedly in a tape recorder and at that time didnt have even a concept of where this goa was . For a small town child it was a far away land . And at that age the fast and jolly melody and the word katherina repeatedly meant only that it was a happy song about katherina . In sharp contrast was another song about Mommy (that word is universal for mother )which through its slower tempo and choice of chords progressions and tone evoked even in a six year old boy that its a sad song about someones mother .

Years passed . These days i go through not only melody but the lyrics and even music videos , the biography of the singer and the history of the song etc . I am surprised that when you analyse the music from latin american music to old western music not only the moods conveyed are the same but even the themes are similar in lyrics across the globe . Frankly i was surprised since the general concept of "western " is fast music with no head and tail of the lyrics .

Frank sinatra songs Strangers in the night is a description of two people who goes on from being strangers to being a couple forever . His another song My way shows the confidence as well as sweet arrogance of living life on ones own terms . Reading the biography of Frank sinatra adds an extra dimension to these songs which also reflected his offline persona ..

Another singer of yore was Brenda lee who at 4 feet 9 inches was an amazing singer . Her song "All alone am I "shows in all melody as well as lyrics the feelings of a woman just out of love . And her Rockin around a christmas tree shows how the lyrics and the human voice can work wonders celebrating a universal festival . The guitar like slur in that song vocals is too good .

Without going further back in western music lets go down to south america the land of latin music . Recently when i tried google translate of my favorite latin american bachata music solo por en beso . I wasnt surprised to find the obvious . Its description of a kiss and love . The tempo and mood makes it obvious . But what i couldnt fathom was the mention of "religion " even there . I was surprised to find the ever dividing religiosity even in latin america which is predominantly a catholic country unlike ours with numerous religions and castes . Again i understood the themes are similar across the globe .It is even mentioned as an impediment of love even in a latin american romantic song .

I had sleepless night in the bus listening to the lambada song in college bus excursion .For a fan of pop music that was first time i was listening latin music . I saw the music video years later and saw only the mini skirts and gyrating hips . But recently i realised the message is racial harmony in the music video . The hips are still gyrating so for the moralistic please dont see the video.

Still dont know what katherina did in the original goan song but go west or southwest across the globe music is enchanting and messages are the same .

And i would say music is better than any of contemporary religion .. It enchants , unites and gives harmonious messages .. Heal the world .. Make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race... Michael Jackson .. Heal the world ..

the consumer --know thy rights

You should never write a customer feedback on a sunday afternoon . Because not only your siesta will be disturbed but others too . Let me explain ...

Having checked into a star hotel I was surprised that the hot water tap was giving cold water , the room service was quite unfriendly ,unclean laundry . Having been used to better service in most hotels this time I decided to give a feedback in the hotel website . After all being the new age indian consumer I have a right to inform the management that I was not happy .

I had expected a reply mail maybe after a couple of days or that my feedback would be ignored . The " sorry we regret ...." formal reply to the formal feedback . But to my shock within half hour on that sunday afternoon there was knock on my door . Three hefty people walked in and introduced themselves . They told and indeed did their best to rectify the grievances . All were senior managers who were relaxing at their homes . I don't know who was more sorry me or them . Because in that particular hotel the feedback directly goes to the CEO . And he had personally seen to it that the consumer grievance was rectified within half an hour .

Another place .. Another time 1000 kms away . The same consumer was admiring a brand new sportsbike . After the usual five minute enquiry the consumer was asking a few more questions about the new bike . And the saleswoman took the consumer to the manager . For a moment the manager looked up from the paper he was writing . He didn't like the disturbance . After all a consumer who has come to buy a bike should buy it and go . And he was visibly annoyed when a testride was asked . Probably he was thinking "Dude , you buy it and do testride " .

Anyway thanks to countless outings with ladies ( :) relatives ,friends etc ) to textile shops the art of saying No and going to the next shop was reluctantly done . This time being an idiot the consumer asked the same silly questions . The saleswoman took him to the manager . But instead of annoyance he patiently answered all the silly questions as well as arranged a test ride . He personally came for the testride as the mechanic was gone out with another customer . And the deal was signed within a few minutes

These two instances which happened to me in the last one year is just to say that as a consumer give your feedback as often as possible positive or negative and also never hesitate to walk away to the next shop when you are not happy with the service . And thanks to all the ladies (again implying relatives and friends etc ) who taught me the art of walking away after seeing the dresses in many many shops . (have seen few men do it as the last time my uncle and me went to shop for a gift it was done in 6 minutes in a cloth shop filled with thousands of dresses .. I timed it :) )

bangalore days ....NOT the movie

Each city has a character just like people . From the small town feel of Munich to the sleepless Mumbai with its filmy glitz I love to watch the cities in action .

After a long time I visited Bangalore again . Bangalore is one of the few places you can shout out windows vs android and can have a discussion right in the bus . Because the chances are 59 out of 60 people in the bus is a techie . I loved my visit this time especially cos I could watch the city more and even travel along with the techies in public transport . Though not having an extensive high tech metro system like delhi Bangalore has an extensive system of AC Volvo buses which make commuting a breeze . The traffic is horrendous even compared to Mumbai but if you factor that in (read 2 hours ) the city has everything you need .

Being a city filled with young people predominantly its no wonder that there are lots of foodie places as well as adventure places and cafes . The most beautiful cafes which are tastefully decorated I could find in Bangalore as well as every imaginable cuisine . I tried Mexican food (taco bell )and Chinese(Yo china ) this time . But what I enjoyed even more is the go karting at ezone , air rifle shooting at Nishaan club and archery at Bangalore central . Again thanks to the young people of Bangalore these things are popular easily available and needs no membership etc and other formalities .

Inspite of being a big city I found the average man/woman on the street friendly , knowledgeable and decent . Not that other cities are not like that but an educated junior bill gates as your co passenger is always a plus when you visit a city .

And every city has its best time for a ride away from the traffic . If its past 10 pm in Mumbai Bangalore is better enjoyed at 7 am . Nothing like soaking in the cold morning and the greenery of the garden city before the thousand cars arrive in peak time . And lastly learn Malayalam before going there because mallu or Malayalam is second language in this English kannada land ... 100001111 .....from silicon valley of india .. blogger from kerala ....