My Life in Delhi

Its now been alomost 2 weeks i am in Delhi
getting used the place but not quite liking it

As per me still Pune stands the best places to be on the whole earth

Though there are many good points about delhi but then still nothing to beat Pune.

The Delhi Metro in Delhi is one of the best Transportation systems i have ever seens
very clean and the ease to go around the place

Though i have not used the Local bus DST and I am sure they are better than the PMT
in pune whom punekars curse all the time but still travel by it including myself .

The palces are clean but the people are areally bad and shabby .That is the worst part of it
They eat on the road side dhabas and litter every where

Though that is seen in Pune too ,here its too bad out .

At Pune one feels very homely probably since i have been there since birth thats makes a soft corner for Pune .

But then still Pune and the whole of the Maharashtra is far more better that this

For the last couple of years i have been to few of the states in India and even then nothing to beat Maharastra and Pune for sure .

Going around Delhi would be fun but not getting time.Will surely make it a point to go around the famous places.

The cold has gone now lets see how the temperature works out now .

Till then enjoying Delhi ..............................

Paneer Paneer and ............. Paneer

Its often a thing in places like Pune that when you got for dinner where one minimum dish ordered is of paneer .People like it a lot as they say
Hardly any time we make paneer at home .Hardly my mother has made matar paneer at home
but then over here Paneer is like the staple food .everthing has a touch of paneer ppl eat it day and night
and that brings one to nausea of paneer me being one of the victim of that
Gujarat had been one of the best palces for food and i enjoyed it a lot over there though there was lot of ghee and oil in the food and my less oil diet made to eat less out there but i enjoyed it no problem of food in that part of the world
Then Madhaya Pradesh and Chattisgarh we the other places i have been to .MP is a good palce and specially Indore for food there is lots of chat and spicy things available at the Chappan dukan I tasted some of them and liked them a lot
I have heard from lot many of my friends that delhi is good for chats and spicy snacks
I have still to tasted them still.
And then there is rajma ,chole etc which are made all the time
Have heard that the pani puri over here also has paneer stuffed in it .
cant dare to eat that still ............
so till now its ony paneer paneer and yes paneer ...........................

Matheran - Hill Station

Matheran (which means "forest at the top") hill station at an altitude of 803,47 metres(2530 feet).Barely 171 kms from Mumbai, Matheran, discovered by Hugh Mallet, collector of Thane district, in 1850, has long been a refuge for humidity-stricken Mumbaikars (as the residents of the metropolis are known). Its 8 sq kms cover a hilltop in the Sahyadri Hills, and its proximity to Mumbai ensures its' continued popularity for weekend getaways. All motor vehicles are prohibited in Matheran, so the air is squeaky clean. However the only mode of transport, other than walking, is on horseback and hand-pulled rickshaws.

Getting There
By Rail
The rail journey to Matheran is half the fun of your trip. Neral, the nearest railhead (21 km), is connected to Mumbai, Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. From here, a special, narrow gauge "toy train" gets you up, puffing and wheezing all the way. Except during the monsoon season (June-September), there are several trains a day on the mountain railway. These take 2 hours to cover the climb to their destination. Stations on the way have names like Water pipe and there is also the famous One Kiss Tunnel.

By Road
State Transport buses regularly ply from Mumbai and Pune. A taxi from Neral to Matheran takes about half hour to reach. Taxis stop about 2.5 km from the centre of the hill station.
The more energetic trek it from Neral.

Best time to visit
October to May. Most hotels close during the monsoons, and the walking trails turn muddy.

Sight Seeing
Matheran has 38 points at which one can get a glimpse of nature's beauty. However to cover most of these points requires at least one night stay in Matheran. Point seeing in Matheran is quiet easy due to the presence of sign boards and map. Maps are also easily available in Matheran and can be used to plan your point seeing. Given below are few points which shouldn't miss.......

Points

Matheran has many "lookout points" that provide dramatic views of the Western Ghats and lush plains dotted with villages far below. These include Panorama Point (with the most spectacular views, it's a popular place to watch the sun rise), Monkey Point, Porcupine Point (popular for its' sunset view), Louisa Point (on a plateau with views of the ruined forts Prabal and Vishalgarh), Echo Point (which really does have an echo), Rambagh Point (2 kms from Matheran towards Khandala and Karjat), Alexander Point (one km to the north of Matheran), Hart Point, Coronation Point, Chowk Point (at the extreme southern end of Matheran), and the One Tree Hill.
Lake Charlotte
The main source of drinking water for the town, Lake Charlotte sports a dam at one end and temple at the other. A popular picnic spot, it looks splendid in the monsoon, but dries up in the summer. Near the dam is the main Hindu temple, the Pisarnath Mandir.
Mount Barry
One of the highest spots in Matheran, this has splendid views. Governor's Hill, another viewpoint, is between Mount Barry and Panorama Point.
Matheran is an undulating hilltop cloaked in shady trees, that sprawls languidly at an altitude of 800 m. The journey involves an adventurous two-hour ascent in a toy train, with food and drink vendors and monkeys jumping on and off as the valley glides by sedately. Alternatively, a tough 11 km hike through thick and shady forests or a winding car drive can get you there just as well. Matheran's cliffs, with incredibely steep drops to the plains below,create stunning viewing points. These panoramic vistas, by day or by night, leave you feeling light headed. On a clear night you can even see the lights of Mumbai from Hart Point. In fact, all of Matheran is a series of such quixotically named points that are popular if isolated site for picnics and fireside revelry at night. Charlotte Lake, the Panther's Caves and Paymaster Park are Leisure, especially for children.

Weather:
Temperatures vary from 16 C in winter to 32 C in summer, with an annual rainfall of 524 cms.
October to May is the best time to visit.
Getting there
Mumbai-Neral, 90 kms. Neral-Matheran, 21 kms, Pune-Neral, 120 kms. (Neral-Matheran mountain train)
Mumbai-Neral-Matheran, 108 kms.
State Transport buses ply from Mumbai and Pune to Neral.

Precaution
No special precaution is needed at Matheran, however beware of the leach's which are found in abundance in Matheran!.

The Sawai Gandharva Musical Festival

One of the biggest Classical Music Festival in India .This year the programme will be held from the 8-12 Dec 2005 at the New English School,Ramanbaug,Pune

HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL -

Sawai Gandharva passed away on 12 September 1952. A private memorial concert to pay homage to him was held on the sixteenth day after his death. Sawai Gandharva's principal disciples, Smt Gangubai Hangal, Pandit Feroz Dastur and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi performed in this memorial concert as a tribute to the late guru.

In 1953, to commemorate the first anniversary of Sawai Gandharva's death, his disciples organised a music festival in his memory under the auspices of the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal. This was a notable success. It was then thought that such a festival could be organised every year. The idea evoked instant and wide welcome and support The Festival in 1954 was an even greater success. Within a couple of years, the Festival grew exponentially.

Thus began the famed Sawai Gandharva Music Festival which, by now, has become one of the best-known classical music events in the country, as also a hallmark of Pune city's annual cultural calendar.

In the initial years, the festival used to be a one-day event where only vocalists from the Kirana gharana used to perform. Before long, however, it became a much sought-after platform, for vocalists from other gharanas as well as instrumentalists and dancers--established masters as well as upcoming artists-- from all over the country. Similarly, the duration was first increased to two days and then to three days.

KIRANA GHARANA ( VOCAL)

Gharana is a school or style of singing in Hindustani classical music. The ragas of Hindustani music have distinctive characteristics that change with gharanas and these may derive from the place of origin of a style, distinctive voices, the style of singing and the approach to music. These styles are then called gharanas.

Kirana Gharana is the most prolific of the Hindustani khayal gharanas.

The origin of Kirana Gharana is controversial. While some say Khan Sahab Abdul Karim Khan is the real founder of the gharana, others trace it back a few centuries to a line of musicinas from the village of Kirana in Uttar Pradesh. There are four known branches of this lineage of musicians. The first one has great musicians like Ustad Azim Baksh, Maula Baksh and Abdul Ghani Khan. The second branch boasts of names like Ustad Bande Ali Khan, Nanne Khan, Kale Khan and the legendary Ustad Abdul Karim Khan. The third branch has musians like Gafoor Khan, Abdul Wahid Khan, Shakoor Khan, Mashkoor Ali and Mubarak Ali. The distinguished family tradition of Mehboob Baksh, Rehman Khan, Abdul Majid Khan, Abdul Hamid Khan, Abdul Bashir Khan, followed by his sons Niaz Ahmed and Fayyaz Ahmed Khan, also express their allegiance to the Kirana tradition. Some argue that the Abdul Karim Khan's branch is the main one, others being the offshoots. In any case, the most well known and recognized branch of gharana is the one prmoted by Abdul Karim Khan. Abdul Wahid Khan also had a big influence, since a lot of the great masters of the gharana learnt under both Abdul Karim Khan and Abdul Wahid Khan.

The emphasis on elongating the notes and the importance to their resonance is a distinctive feature of this gharana. Khan Sahab Abdul Karim Khan (1872-1937) believed in the serene rendition of the notes as when playing the bin (a plucked instrument with resonators at both ends). Rehmet Khan of the Gwalior gharana is believed to have influenced Ustad Karim Khan's adoption of the direct style of presentation. Some have also indicated the influence of the sarangi (a string instrument) on the voice features of this gharana.

Kirana is the birth place of the Ustad, and situated near Kurukshetra. Ustad Karim Khan served as a musician at the Baroda and the Mysore courts and had a tremendous influence on the music of western India.

His own somewhat nasal voice led him to adopt the Carnatic style for singing the saptak (the seven notes). He preferred to sing in the slower tempo and stress the bol-alap through consonants because his own voice was not wholly suited to the lower register of notes. The aesthetic appeal was thus never marred and the continuity he desired was achieved. Other singers of the gharana, including his disciple Sawai Gandharva, used the upper register far more often than the lower. Some later singers, including Roshanara Begum and Bhimsen Joshi, sing almost equally in both octaves.

This factor has influenced the choice of ragas to those appropriate for the emphasis on the alap rather than the bandish. Karuna rasa (pathetic or sympathetic mood) is the foremost of the sentiments expressed through renditions that extend the notes gradually and use kanas (grace notes ) to fully express the raga. However, the lack of emphasis on voice projection and words led to a blurring of the lines as far as different ragas were concerned.

The emphasis on swara has led to a rather subtle tempo and rhythmic pattern, both factors allowing for the sentiment and mood to be highlighted. Due to this, the words of the bandish are not clearly enunciated and there are only a few in the Kirana gharana repertoire. Kirana includes thumri singing in its repertoire, but with the emphasis on swara rather than on emotion and an absence of the characteristic lilt of thumri singing.
Contemporary singers like Bhimsen Joshi cannot be said to sing in the pure Kirana style because of the diverse influences apparent in his singing. The swara orientation is not as strong and the tempo is no longer latent as is characteristic of the gharana. However, the emotional appeal of the pure Kirana style remains and so do the Kirana compositions.
Ragas traditionally performed by the gharana: Shuddha Kalyan, Darbari, Malkauns, Bhimpalasi, Todi, to name a few. Some ragas of Carnatic music - for example, Jogiya - are included in the repertoire.

Artists
Major artists in alphabetical order
• Ustad Abdul Karim Khan
• Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan
• Pt Basavraj Rajguru
• Pt Bhimsen Joshi
• Pt Firoz Dastur
• Smt Gangubai Hangal
• Smt Hirabai Barodekar
• Smt Krishna Hangal
• Pt Madhav Gudi
• Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan
• Nachiketa Sharma
• Fayyaz Ahmed Khan and Niaz Ahmed Khan
• Smt Prabha Atre
• Pt Pran Nath
• Pt Rasiklal Andharia
• Smt Saraswati Rane
• Pt Sawai Gandharva
• Ustad Shakoor Khan (sarangi)
• Pt Sureshbabu Mane

About Sawai Gadharva

An outstanding exponent of the Kirana gharana, Pandit Sawai Gandharva is by common consent counted among the greatest Hindustani vocalists of the twentieth century. He was a disciple of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, the second in line after Ustad Bande Ali Khan, the founder of the Kirana gharana.

Rambhau Kundgolkar was born in Kundgol, Karnataka, in 1886. His odyssey in classical music began at a tender age, when he began learning dhrupad and dhamar from a local kirtankar. He was not yet in his teens when he started learning music in right earnest from Ustad Abdul Karim Khan. It was, however, not all smooth sailing for him, but rather an emotionally traumatic journey.

In his early teens, as is the case with most boys at that age, Rambhau's voice began to crack and undergo tonal changes that almost threatened to finish his career as a vocalist even before it could begin. It was the patience and perseverance of Abdul Karim Khan that helped his young disciple cope with his problems. The Ustad put the young Rambhau under a long and demanding programme of swarasadhana that helped him re-gain his confidence and control.

In due course, Sawai Gandharva also received training from other renowned gurus like Bhaskarbuva Bakhale and Nasir Hussain Khan of Gwalior. It helped in adding polish to a voice that was already dazzling, thanks to the grooming by his guru Utd.Abdul Karim Khan
Sawai Gandharva also excelled in the field of acting by playing several singer-actor roles in the Marathi theatre. In fact, it was because of his glorious performance on the Marathi stage that he got the appellation 'Sawai Gandharva', in the manner of the renowned singer-actor, Bal Gandharva.

Yet, music remained his first love. His exemplary concert performances continued until he came to be known as the "King of mehfils". Over the years,he developed a distinctive style of his own. In fact, music critics often explain that while both Abdul Karim Khan's teaching as well as Sawai Gandharva's voice might have had their limitations, the latter was able to tide over these drawbacks because he never blindly followed in the footsteps of his master. Besides being a vocalist par excellence, he also grew to be a wonderful teacher. His three most illustrious disciples, Gangubai Hangal, Firoz Dastur and Bhimsen Joshi, living legends in their own right, are the doyens of Kirana gayaki today.
Sawai Gandharva passed away, following a stroke, on 12th September 1952

Trek to Harishchandragad

On 13th Nov we started for the Harishchadragad Trek along with 3 of my friends Sharada,Raval and Vaneeta .

Reached the Shivaji nagar Bus station at 6.30 in the morning .First we go a bus till a place called Ale Phata which in 80 kms from Pune towards Nasik which took 2 hrs .

From Ale phata one more bus till the village of Khubi we had to get down half way before the village and took a lift till the village of Khireshwar .The ride in the back of the carrier trailer was amazing with bumpy road all along the 5 km patch .

We reached the place at around 11.30 am and then started our rigourous climb for the mighty fort .

About Harishchandragad

Harishchandragad is a hill fort in the Ahmednagar region of India. Its history is linked with that of Malshej Ghat, and it has played a major role in guarding the surrounding region.

HISTORY
The fort is quite ancient. Remnants of Microlithic man have been discovered here. The various Puranas (ancient scriptures) like Matsyapurana, Agnipurana and Skandapurana include many references about Harishchandragad. Its origin is said to have been in 6th century, during the rule of Kalchuri dynasty. The citadel was built during this era. The various caves probably have been carved out in the 11th century. In these caves are idols of Lord Vishnu. Though the cliffs are named Taramati and Rohidas, they are not related to Ayodhya. Great sage Changdev (one who created the epic “Tatvasaar”), used to meditate here in 14th century. The caves are from the same period. The various constructions on the fort and those existing the surrounding region point to the existence of diverse cultures here. The carvings on the temples of Nageshwar (in Khireshwar village), in the Harishchandreshwar temple and in the cave of Kedareshwar indicate that the fort belongs to the medieval period, since it is related to Shaiva, Shakta or Naath. Later the fort was under the control of Moguls. The Marathas captured it in 1747. The last warrior named Joshi became a martyr in the fight against the English in 1818.

FASCINATING SPOTS:

SAPTATIRTHA: To the east of the temple is a well-built lake called “Saptatirtha”. On its bank are temple-like constructions in which there are idols of Lord Vishnu. Recently these idols have been shifted in the caves near the temple of Harishchandreshwar. These days many trekkers have been responsible for the sad plight of this beautiful place, as they throw plastic wastes and other things in the pond. 7 years back the water was potable, and now it isn’t suitable even to swim.

KEDARESHWAR : Going rightwards of Harishchandreshwar temple, we come across a huge cave. This is the cave of Kedareshwar, in which there is a big Shivlinga, which is totally surrounded by water. The total height from its base is five feet, and the water is waist-deep. It is quite difficult to reach the Shivlinga, as the water is ice-cold. There are sculptures carved out here. In monsoon it is not possible to reach this cave, as a huge stream flows across the way.

KONKAN KADA (KONKAN CLIFF): The most interesting point on this fort is this cliff, which has always fascinated many people from many years. The cliff faces west and looks down upon the Konkan. From here, one can have a breathtaking view of the surrounding region and the setting sun. This cliff is not just vertical, it is an overhang, almost like a cobra's hood. It has been climbed twice so far. The first climb was in 1985 by a group from IIT Bombay. The second climb was in 1997 by a team from the Pinnacle group. A youth from Pune jumped to his death from here; a monument is built here in his memory. It is said that a rainbow as a circle can sometimes be seen from here.

TARAMATI PEAK : This is the topmost point on the fort. Leopards are seen in the forests beyond this peak. From here we can have a glimpse of the whole range of Naneghat and the forts near Murbad

CAVES ON HARISHCHANDRAGAD: These caves are situated all over the fort. Many of these are situated at the foot of Taramati peak & are the place of accommodation. A few are near the temple, whereas some are near the citadel and some far away in the forests. A natural cave is on the northwestern side of the fort, to the right of Kokan Kada. It is about 30 feet deep. The folks must know many such caves. Many of these may be remaining undiscovered.

NAGESHWAR TEMPLE NEAR KHIRESHWAR: This is a great antique construction, and diverse artistic works are seen on this. On the ceiling of the temple are beautiful carvings. There are caves near the temple.

TEMPLE OF HARISHCHANDRESHWAR: This temple is marvelous example of the fine art of carving sculptures out of stones that prevailed in ancient India. It is about 16m high from its base. Around this temple there a few caves & ancient water tanks. The river Mangal Ganga is said to originate from one of the tanks located close to the temple. The top of the temple resembles construction with the north-Indian temples. A similar temple is situated in Buddha-Gaya. Here we can see many tombs, in which a typical construction is seen. These are built by well-finished arranging stones one on top of the other. There are three main caves near the temple. The cisterns near the temple provide drinking water. A short distance away, another temple called Kashitirtha is located. The fascinating thing about this temple is that it has been carved out from a single huge rock. There are entrances from all four sides. On the main entrance there are sculptures of faces. These are faces of guards of the temple. On the left side of the entrance is a Devnagri inscription, which is about saint Changdev.


WAYS TO REACH: Harishchandragad lies where the boundaries of Thane, Pune & Ahmednagar districts converge. There are 4 - 5 known ways to this fort, the most usual being the following ones:

1) From Thane District: One has to board the bus for Nagar from Kalyan & alight at ‘Khubi Phata’. From there we reach the village of Khireshwar by bus or private vehicle. This village is at 4km from the foothills of the fort. Way from Khireshwar: The way beside the caves, where water tanks are seen, proceeds further to Junnar Darwaaja (Entrance From Junnar). From here, the route goes straight to Tolar Khind. Walking a few minutes from Tolar Khind, we come across a rock-patch on which railings are fixed. After ascending the railings, we come to the plateau region on which less dense forests are seen. From here, we have to cross 7 hills & after a walk of 2-3 hours, we reach the temple of Harishchandreshwar, the temple of Lord Shiva. Note: On this way, many arrows help in indicating the way. Way from Belpada: The third way is specially meant for hikers, which is via Sadhleghat. One should board the bus for Malshej Ghat & go to the village of Belpada. From here, the route goes through Sadhleghat. Here one has to climb a straight rock patch on which grips are provided. The temple is situated at a height of about 1km from Belpada. The total distance is about 19km.
2) From Ahmednagar District: One has to board the bus for Nasik or Mumbai & alight at Ghoti village. From Ghoti, we have to board another bus to Sangamner via Malegaon & alight at Rajur village. From here, 2 ways diverge to the fort. 1) From Rajur, one has to board the bus or a private vehicle to the village of Pachanai. From here, the way is straight to the topmost point. 2) Recently, the way from Rajur to Tolar Khind has been made available. From Tolar Khind (Tolar valley), the temple is about 2-3 hours by walking.
3) From Pune :Board any bus going towards Nasik from Shivajinagar Bus Station .There are many State Transport Buses going towards Nasik .Good frequency .
Get down at Ale Phata (Almost 2 ½ hrs from Pune 80Kms )
From Ale Phata board any bus going towards Kalyan .The frequency of buses again is quite good.( Almost 1 ½ hrs from Ale Phata ) get down at Khubi Phata .
There is a Dam road going towards the Khubi Village almost 5 kms .One can board any local vehicle going towards the village or even walk down but that would be very tiring.

The Rafting Day

Early in the morning at 7 am we left for the rafting site .
It was around 12 kms form the place we stayed.When we reached the place the heavy rush of water had already started .
Pawan and Surenedra our guides for the day gave the final instructions .
And then started one of the most amazing thing I had ever done .For the next 2 hrs through the gushing water and screams all around we paddled our raft in the KUNDALIKA River .
Then swimming in the river till the very end was quite different and i enjoyed it a lot .

After a gr8 lunch we then wandered to the nearby waterfall .The scence around the place was wonderfull with lots of trees aound .
The palce was a real gem .I did not wanted to eave the place but then.....................

Kundalika White Water Rafting

On 14th aug morning for the camp near Tamhini Ghat .Place called WildRiver camp .for WHITE WATER RAFTING.
The place where we stayed was beautiful surrounded by the mountains and trees .
We were a group of around 20 .In the afternoon session we had River Crossing and River Wire walk across the river Kundalika.
After the crossing we played with the rugby ball for a long time and had gr8 fun .It was a lot tiring and then a good dinner followed by the game of DUMB CHARADS .

Holiday and still working

Yesterday came late at night from Bombay .Got up late but had to go to office to complete my reamining work .
Was in office till 5 then went around MG road and Planet M got a few classical CDs which i wanted for a long time .

The to the bus stop .had to be in queue for almost and hour till i got the bus back home .

Still on the laptop and working for Monday its almost midnight ...............

Have to work more tomorrow so no holiday just work work and ........work

Tiring day

Today being sunday not going on any site.Reamin in the hotel .Yestderday was a busy day with 3 sites i did fort the day .
Too tiring going to Burwha a place almost 80 kms from the city of Inodre .

My Last Day at Office

Today was my last day at office .Tried to complete most of the work and was then going around all my collagues before leaving .It was Chriss birthday so we went out for the lunch and I had a good time with all the gang .
Leaving all was very emotional and i felt very sad t oleave all the friends with whom i had been working for the past months .And had become very close to them .That was the most difficult part .

I was to fly yto Toronto at 5 pm to my sister.SO left office at 4:00 .Checked in the Airport and was going around till I boarded.The flight was long and terribly boring .But made it and finally

Heritage Park - Calgary

HERITAGE PARK is the placw where all the WESTERN OLD Canada is set up .Over there all the place has been set as if in the early 20th century.
All the old buildings have been set up from where they once stood .And they have been rebuild over here .On one side there is the Glemore Resorvorir which was completely frozen and i litreally walked on the frozen place .
Going around was gr8 fun with having a full Canadian Breakfast .Was there for almost 4 hrs till 1 pm.
Then headed to the CALGARY TOWER one of the key features of Calgary .Seeingthe whole place where i have been living for the last 6 monts from teh top was amazing view.The ROCKIES were magnificent view with the clear skies and bright sun .
In all a gr8 and busy day .My last weekend at Calgary was good and i enjoyted it a lot.

Saturday the 11th

Today had to do some ank work so had to get up early and headed directly to the bank.After that roamed around the CHINOOK MALL for some time .Happen to see the movie OCEANS 12.Its a gr8 movie .That was nice and to be true its not OCEANS 12 its OCEANS 13 with the star apperance of none other than who guess ........... BRUCE WILLS ..After the movie went around the mall.
In late evening me and Rajat ( one of my colleague ) went to see the CALGARY ZOO LIGHTS .They were fantastic .The whole ZOO was decorated with the different light structures and it was a sight to see .We had a nice time along with the chiily breeze going around .
Then went to have dinner at a place called THE SAMOSA GRILL an East India Restaurant .

The Christmas Party

The Canadian love Christmas and the start having fun long before the actual day .While moving around the town happen to see a lot of decorations and lights all over .Its same like we have for DIWALI.
Today in office too we have a complete festive mood .All over the day there were different programs going on .Then after lunch there came 4 carolites (the ones who sing christmas carols ) and they sang through all the cubicles its was gr8 .They were singing all the carols in good chorous and I happen to know a few of them learnt at the Jr.KG and Sr.KG class .......
Then at the end of the day had a grand party where all the us gathered together .With lots of things to eat and drink.Then there was carols again with full band (they being all the company ppl for all the depts )
Also had Santa Claus( Neil one of my Project Manager) coming to distribute the gifts to all of them.In all a gr8 time meeting all and having lots and loads of fun .
The only thing I missed today was forgot to get my digi cam .I fogot it at home I though of getting it but then in the chase to get the train on time left back ...........................

Chilly Day in Calgary

Today at Calgary faced the coldest day ever .When came to office the temperature was 24 deg below zero taking the Wind Chill factor into consideration .
Was dressed as if on a big Himalayan Expedition but then thats how all is done .This was the first time ever in my life I faced such cryogenic weather conditions hahahahaa.
Still not well versed to these conditions yet but surely be in the coming days .

The temperatue on the actual winter days goes well below the range 0f 35 and 40 deg below zero .

Moving around Banff

Got up late at 7.00 am.Help Andrew my room mate to pack his luggage as he was to leave for Brisbane .Andrew is an Electrician and has his own business back in Brisbane.But for the last 6 months has been in England and Europe for going around .
After he left met Nick,Sam,Jane and Adam .We togther had a good lunch of LENTIL and GREEN PEAS Curry I made .They loved it a lot .
After Lunch talked for some time in the lounge and then headed to downtown for going around .I took all my luggage with me as I was to leave back to Calgary by 5.00 pm Greyhound .
Just freaked out for some time .Nick and Adam did some grocery shopping and went back to the hostel .It was gr8 meeting these friends .They were really nice and I had a very good time with them .When they left really missed them .
Then passed some time at the STARBUKCS having some hot choclate and cake till it was time for the bus.
The journey from Banff to Calgary is almost 1 1/2 hrs and as usual napped for the 90% of the time .
Was back home really tired and ready for the Monday work .

Sulphur Mountain in Snow

Left early in the morning for the Sulphur Mountain.Was given lift by a group of bagpackers till the downtown area .
Reached the base of the Sulphur Mountain at around 10:00 .It was like there is some free service available by a hotel but i was not able to sneak in for that and so after some time took taxi till the base for the lack of time .
Though during my previous visit i had been to the Sulphur Mountain but then this time it was completely different as the whole trail and the surroundings were covered in the snow .It took around 1 1/2 hr to reach on the top .
This time the view from the top was completely different of the Canadian Rockies around as most of them were coverered in snow .And the formations made by the clouds around the mountains was breathtaking.
It was really tough to go around in the snow .Though the actaul Obervatory site on the Mountain was closed due to safety reason .
Took a different trail this time and jsut wandered around the other side of the mountain through the snow .It was gr8 but then was getting cold at the feet since I was just wearing the normal sports shoes.
And once the feet start getting cold its diffidult to walk and the whole body starts to behave in different manner.Thats probably mental cause they litrally freeeeeeeeeeeez.
Came down again on the same trail.On the way back many fellow climbers on their way up to the top .
At the base of the mountain they have a Sulphur Mountain Pool where in you can stay in the water .
That was a very soothing epxerince as from the climb and cold i was tired so went directly in the pool and was in there for almost and hour.
Then again had to walk back till downtown as no other means was available .In all had a good walk of almost 15 kms..........................

Again in the evening met Nick and joined them for the chat after dinner .Had a gr8 time with the whole group and was there till almost 2 am .

Towards Banff

After office went home and took the Greyhound to Banff.Had planned going there since last week and all the reservations had been done in advance at the Banff Alpine Centre Hostelling International .
Reached at 8:30 in the evening and took the local transit to the Hostel .Met Cormac at the front desk .He knew mw from the last visit to the Hostel and we had a good chat .
During my time in the kitchen happen to meet Nick who is from Australia .He happen to taste the CHOLE i had made for dinner and liked the taste .He was quite thrilled by the curry made for the chole .
Was invited to join his group in the lounge and had a gr8 time meeting a lot of new friends .It was a very good experience with them.
Chatted almost past midnight and then went to sleep .