An event called "Anand Bazaar" happens here every year, around independence day. It is organised by India Association of North Texas, for independence day celebrations. The Indian association from UTA (called FSI) also participates and volunteers for it. In return, they get publicity and funds.
So yesterday, even I volunteered for this. Hidden motive was free entry to the event and free food :D Saved almost $15.
I had sent a mail the previous day, to volunteer for the event. But one of the guys we know from FSI, told us there are more than enough volunteers and there's no place for us. So we were totally disheartened n all.
But when the pick-ups started, to take ppl to the event, we just stood around to see wat's happening. Suddenly, one of the FSI members we knew, waved at us and told us to get in a car. Advantage of having important contacts :D
When we reached there. They gave us caps and T-shirts, so that we are identified as FSI volunteers. We were deployed at the ticket counter. $8 per ticket. Whoa man!! Handled soooooooo many dollars :-O I sold the maximum tickets :) We sat at the counters from 5.30PM to 8.30PM. Saw so many cute guys. Total hunks and all :sigh !!
At 8.30PM we asked for replacements and pushed off to see the fair. It was literally a fair as in India. Since most were Indians. There was also a live band singing Hindi music songs.. They were pretty ok. Lots of stalls were there and lots of Indians trying to pass off as Americans. Quite disgusting. We had chaat, burf ka gola, and coconut water n all. Then we sat and listened to the band for some time. We showed our faces back in the ticket place only at 5 mins to 10 :-p Cos we knew that the counters are to be closed at ten :D
After that, there was a firework show. Amazing!! Reminded me of diwali :) Then we listened to the band for some more time. Me and my friend went in the front and danced with the crowd, till 11.30 PM Total masti..
Then we met the FSI guys and one of the fellows dropped us home. Was a total bindaas day. The kind of thing I couldn't have done back home, cos of time constraints. Enjoyed a lot !!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Difference !!
Things which are different here in UTA as compared to India :
1. There are either cars or people on the road. Few cycles. Saw a few cool motorbikes though.
2. Have to wash and dry clothes in the washing machine. No clothes line.
3. Electric stove. Can't prepare phulkas. What a pain in the neck X-(
4. Only shower in the bathroom, no dear old balti :-(
5. You dont have to boil milk once you buy it.
6. Every building is fully air-conditioned. And its like a furnace outside. So you get cold and hot alternately.
7. The whole apartment is carpeted. What will happen when it rains ?? Dont even wanna think about it :sigh
8. Lot of wastage of electricity.
9. I get to use lot of tissue paper in the kitchen bindaas :D Dont have to go through the trouble of cleaning with the cloth and then cleaning the cloth.
1. There are either cars or people on the road. Few cycles. Saw a few cool motorbikes though.
2. Have to wash and dry clothes in the washing machine. No clothes line.
3. Electric stove. Can't prepare phulkas. What a pain in the neck X-(
4. Only shower in the bathroom, no dear old balti :-(
5. You dont have to boil milk once you buy it.
6. Every building is fully air-conditioned. And its like a furnace outside. So you get cold and hot alternately.
7. The whole apartment is carpeted. What will happen when it rains ?? Dont even wanna think about it :sigh
8. Lot of wastage of electricity.
9. I get to use lot of tissue paper in the kitchen bindaas :D Dont have to go through the trouble of cleaning with the cloth and then cleaning the cloth.
Friday, August 10, 2007
YAY!!!
Finally landed in US of A.
A senior came to pick us up from the airport. The first thing which confused me were the traffic rules. Sat in the front seat on the way from the airport and it took some time for me to realize that, there's a free right. Basically, since all the directions are opposite, i got confused big time :D Roads are wide and smooth. Cars run faster. The system of crossing roads is cool. You have to press a button and wait for the signal to cross :) Got the plastic ID card made in a jiffy. People are pretty helpful. I realised that my experience working in HP gives me advantage over others. The confidence while talking to americans, understanding their accent comes from there :) Some others are suddenly taken aback when someone smiles out of the blue and says "How are you doing" :D
Like many others I compared US with India instinctively. I observed some good things about US, those which I've mentioned already. But felt that India is rather better in many ways. Public transport for one. Here, you either have to own a car or depend on someone else for a ride. Thats sucks. And there are no street lights here on the university. There are few streets like that in Indian cities I guess !!
Not missing home right now. Lots of things to do and observe. Everything is new to the eye. When the eyes will get used to it, they will automatically remember home :)
A senior came to pick us up from the airport. The first thing which confused me were the traffic rules. Sat in the front seat on the way from the airport and it took some time for me to realize that, there's a free right. Basically, since all the directions are opposite, i got confused big time :D Roads are wide and smooth. Cars run faster. The system of crossing roads is cool. You have to press a button and wait for the signal to cross :) Got the plastic ID card made in a jiffy. People are pretty helpful. I realised that my experience working in HP gives me advantage over others. The confidence while talking to americans, understanding their accent comes from there :) Some others are suddenly taken aback when someone smiles out of the blue and says "How are you doing" :D
Like many others I compared US with India instinctively. I observed some good things about US, those which I've mentioned already. But felt that India is rather better in many ways. Public transport for one. Here, you either have to own a car or depend on someone else for a ride. Thats sucks. And there are no street lights here on the university. There are few streets like that in Indian cities I guess !!
Not missing home right now. Lots of things to do and observe. Everything is new to the eye. When the eyes will get used to it, they will automatically remember home :)
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