Sydney Stories - Week 49

Hello,

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas.

This week as to be expected was quite interesting. The Xmas spirit has been going on for the past few weeks and was reaching its peak this week. There were carols going on at various public spots. So far the only Christmas carol that I have been familiar with was Jingle Bells. This year I have been exposed to a new song - Rudolph  the red nosed reindeer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55j7rLp8iIY. It was played at Nandhitha's school concert and then I keep hearing that everywhere. At work the Christmas cheer was interesting. Not many people were there at work this week. On Friday the day started with champagne, berries and pan cakes. Our client's office was closed post noon. Merry Christmas!! I think one should not waste taking leave during this time. Just enjoy the good time at work.

The weather has been acting really crazy. We were lucky to have sun on Christmas day but so far 2 other days have been washed out by gloomy weather.

This was my first X'mas down under and yes had a fair bit of learning. The only shops that was probably open was the gas station and the mini marts with it. There was absolutely nothing else open. My friends and I planned on a trip to a place called Palm Beach. One of the scenic beaches of Sydney. Apparently the home of some of the rich and famous. The trip started with some adventure where I took a wrong exit on a Toll road. Ended up paying $15 ($5 each way) just to realize that the toll road didn't make much of a difference. We left home packed with a few snack tid bits assuming that there would be some wayside Maccas (Mc'donalds in Oz) or Hungry Jacks (Burger King in Oz). Merry Christmas - none of them were open. When we reached the beach it was a massive picnic spot where everybody had come absolutely prepared for a good barbie (barbeque). After scouring the beach for food the only option we had was a small snack shop. There was nothing they had that we could eat. Our lunch then comprised of different flavours of potato chips (or crisps as they called it), and cornetto ice cream. Kids had no problem with this LUNCH!! 

Spent a good amount of time in the water and in the sand. Nandha did a Krishna by taste testing the sand. Couldn't control him much beyond a point. He had a good time though exploring. Returned back home at around 5 PM. Had an early dinner at Billu's in Harris Park. After dinner went to see Man Madhan Ambu. Sooper duper movie. Incidentally this is a record of sorts. Our first movie in a movie hall down under and I suppose Nandha should mark this as his first movie in a cinema theater. The day ended well thanks to  MMA.

We were supposed to go to a place called Hunter Valley Gardens, thanks to weather and some lack of planning from our end dropped the idea. Hopefully we can catch up before the Christmas lights are taken off.

Traffic in Sydney - a big lesson here during the days after Christmas. Should never venture anywhere near a 3 km radius from a shopping mall. By mistake I thought of entering the mall to get some groceries the day after X'mas. After wasting petrol for about 20 minutes turned around empty handed. While we were driving today  we had to cross the mall area - bad idea. I think the best thing to do for Christmas is to stay put at home or travel to some remote place fully loaded and chill out.

Oki doki...1 more day to go for the holidays. Hopefully it is quiet.

Have A Great Week!!

Wishing you all A Very Happy New Year!!

Chetty

Sydney Stories - Week 47

Hi,

Hope you had a good week.

Looks like the maargazhi maasam (month of maargazhi)  music season has hit Sydney as well. There are a bunch of concerts happening in the last few weeks. Just that this is of a different kind - rock and pop. Eagles, U2, what not. One of my clients was mentioning that these days when every other country is watching every penny Aussies have the money to burn. Not sure how much of this is economically true...just an Aussie perspective.

This weekend we had the kids' birthday party at Hungry Jacks (equivalent of Burger King) near our place. It looked like a muhurtham day for b'day parties. There was a party before us and another after us as well. It is a neat concept where there is no worry of cleaning up the mess after the party nor the cost of booking a function hall. Just that the space is a bit limited and could've got cramped if more than 15 kids were in the group. Kids had fun I suppose jumping around. We had a Dora cake for Nandhitha and Spiderman for Nandha. Hungry Jacks was supposed to organize some "activity" for the kids but they decided not to considering the average age group of the kids. After the party couple of my friends came over to our place and we had a poker session at home. 

Today we went to Parramatta Park at around 7 PM. It was quite bright and sunny then. Nandhitha had fun cycling and playing in the park. It was getting darker and suddenly we realized that we were the only ones in the park. While trying to get out the park gates were closed. Then we read the "fine print" that the park closes at 8 PM and we tried coming out at around 8.45. Had to wait for 30 minutes before a park officer could come and open the gate. Luckily they had posted a number we could call if we had "overstayed" and yes, there was a fine as well. The most expensive public park experience so far. A couple of passers by on foot and bicycle stopped by and enquired. A desi gave some suggestions to avoid the fine. A chinese lady suggested that I go reverse (it was a 1-way loop that we had to drive on) on a curvy path for about 2 kms and find an "exit". However we stay put not to make more mistakes and increase the fine. Nandhitha almost lost her hope that we would get back home tonight and I had to prepare for answering her questions on why and what happened. Guess the weekend was wrapped up quite eventfully.

Photos uploaded at - http://picasaweb.google.com/ncchetty/KidsBDay2010#

Have A Great Week!!

Chetty

Sydney Stories - Week 48

Hello,

This week officially commences the Silly Season in Australia. Guess the term comes from people drinking silly during this season. At work we were told to come in casuals until the New Year. The only restriction was not to wear shorts, thongs and midriffs. Thongs...aka flip flops aka chappal.

The weather has been acting up really crazy. Today it was in the later 20s in the morning and was woken up to a good rain in the evening. Its all good. Keeps the weather pleasant.

Nandha is slowly experimenting his walking skills from today. Guess we will be soon start burning some calories running behind him. Hopefully we do after all the sweets and treats in the last few weeks.

Today we had a good breakfast in Parramatta called City Extra - a 24 hour cafe. One of a kind I would say for Aussie where nothing is open for 24 hours except for a select few Mcdonalds along a highway. A typical continental / European deal. Had good pancakes and eggs for breakfast after a loooong time. IHOP...miss you much. :-) We also tried a sea food crepe which was definitely worth a try (and worth repeating as well). 

Some more photos uploaded at : http://picasaweb.google.com/ncchetty/MiscDec2010#

Have A Great Week!!

Chetty

Sydney Stories - Week 46

Hello,

I had to go to the post office here recently to collect 2 parcels. One was a package from India and another from here. As expected the names were different on the envelopes. The guy - a Chinese I suppose got confused. He said, "So who are you BTW? You people always mixing up names. Me - was named Fung and will always be a Fung. No confusion.". I sure would've gotten into trouble if I had shown him the multiple identifications I had to prove either way.

Saw Guzaarish this weekend. Didn't realize Hrithik Roshan can act so well. A beautiful love story. I guess the tag line could've been "Do you love someone enough to kill them?"

Made it a long weekend this time to celebrate Nandhitha's b'day. Visited the Helensburgh temple. Got in there right in time for the Uchhi kaala (Noon) pooja and hence had "special" darshan. Had lunch at a convenience store. An interesting business model. You have a grocery story and if some customer feels hungry they can cook the food for you right there. Introduced Crumpets to Uma and Nandhitha. Crumpet is like a pre-cooked pancake with a gingery flavour. It is toasted with a dash of butter and honey. 

Nandhitha's long due visit to the beach was accomplished finally. All these days we visited a beach it was a short trip and just wet our feet. This time the weather cooperated and so was the time available. Had a good 1 hour without being too hot or cold (23 deg C). Nandha was not quite upto it at the beach. Guess he was scared by the sound of the waves.

Oki doki. Have A Great Week (the rest of it)!!

Chetty