Food chronicles from China

The one thing everybody warned me about was FOOD. And this post just about that!

Hmm....15 days of chinese food, day in and day out, at a new restaurant each day ....i guess it is enough experience to talk about it ...well I agree that the food made at homes must sure be different and more tasty :)

One thing that I read in all the websites about Beijing is the famous roast duck. And I followed instructions to the extent that my meals for the first 3 days consisted of the great Beijing duck. I had the best of them at this fancy restaurant called The Old Dadong, apparently the best Duckie place in Beijing :D I also saw some real weird stuff in the display...the yuck looking sea cucumber and some lobster stomach noodles stuck up wih the lobster head staring at you....Cheh! this kinda stuff is hard to handle!

Now coming to the normal food...I think the best food I had was at a very inexpensive place right infront of the office...the dishes are sumptuosly served, following the Chinese tradition of sharing the food. The portions of almost everything are basically for a grp of atleast 4 people. This is a big problem for a person travelling alone in China. Serving free Chinese tea is a common practice in most restaurants. Beware, they wont have normal water. Initially I didnt like the tea being forced upon me...but gradually i kinda liked it and one day i chose Tea against Water! I also got myself some tea leaf as well from the WangFujing market :)

A few other things that are really my favourites now are the Dimsum specialities (almost like Biryani) , Congee, Glass noodles, the beijing nut, Salted sunflower seeds, the spinach pancake, pumpkin cake and the Hot pot way of dining :)

My first peek

Pack Pack Pack, Fly Fly Fly was all we were doing for 3 weeks. Attended Laddu's wedding and one final stop at Chandigarh before heading to my place down south.

So here was Bhabhi, all excited that she will have company to share more adventure stories. And Bhai was all about advice and counselling the scared two of us.
We made the appointment just to confirm, I knew there was no need to, but I still wanted to get a stamp on my non-singular status from a certified doctor.

Warm gel, a transducer and there it was...a tiny heartbeat fluttering away..a living proof of what I had been feeling lately. Finally it was real, in my mind and body that I was pregnant.
I walked right out smiling with the tiny black and white printout in my hand, read every line of it may be 5 times, and gazed at that picture of something that will change our lives forever.
I was so ready to meet the little one, I was 8 weeks through, 32 to go...long way ahead!

Promotions - Can they ever be fair at all?

Just browsing, i found this blog that argues whether tenure/experience based rewards/promotions are fair and sustainable. Interesting one and it also got me thinking...so here comes a little from my experience -

To promote someone, there has to be the clichéd 'Business Need' (which is sometimes preferentially created in the face of a threat!) and there has to be the more clichéd 'Experience' (you have talked at length about this). And as rightly proposed, then comes the ‘Performance’ debate. It is only fair to say that in most cases, it takes more than performing well to be a good manager and be worthy of promotion.

Let me illustrate with an example of team in a software development firm -

I once had a colleague who realized that he was ‘Manager Material’ very early in his career. He tried to reach that goal by grabbing and sticking to managerial work and by sharing a lot of smokes with influential people. He was totally into networking and making contacts and sometimes into many of those initiatives that are just there for the sake of having some. Not to mention, he repelled all the regular work that the others of his level were doing.

He was an eye-sore to his team, but strangely, the management liked him! ( for doing their work?!) and promoted him. Here is what happened –

1.Everyone in the team felt cheated, they thought they were the ones doing the work, their performance measurement stats were good. But someone who was just fooling around gets promoted because he can just ‘act’ managerial. Fair? No.
Motivation levels of everyone spiraled down to the ditches.

2.The Manager Material thought that if he wanted to become a manager faster, he had to start behaving like one. Smart? Yes. But he totally ignored the fact he cannot be accepted as a manager unless he really earned it.

3.Management thought that they have found the right fit in our guy and according to them, they were setting a good example by promoting someone who takes initiative to network and do managerial tasks and think all is well with the world.

The Result?
It should be easy to guess what happens to this team with a delusional manager, members that lack motivation and big bosses who are oblivious to the micro team dynamics.

Although everyone started off with an agenda of their own, the big bosses failed to manage expectations in the following ways
1.They let the team believe that if one does well as a developer, he should be rewarded with a promotion to be a manager
2.In spite of point 1, they promoted someone who just wants to be a manager without being a developer at all.

Sounds not too far from ridiculous, but a lot of promotions happen this way!

Thankfully not all was wrong with the world -
I once met another guy in a client workshop who introduced himself like this – “I am from the ‘ABC’ team, we are a team of 8 developers currently working with XYZ client. I also have the additional responsibility of managing and sharing the status of our activities with the client”.
How clean is that!! He knew exactly what his place was and he didn’t think being a manager was any more glorified than being a developer. He treated it as additional responsibility and that is the attitude that people appreciate. The right attitude along with his expertise and the willingness to do what everyone in the team was doing made him the favorite in his team.

While experience and performance may denote all the good things, it should also be seen that it takes a real leader to be a good manager. The key is to find someone who is an expert in his job, but also has the natural instinct to lead a team. In most cases, such people (if you have them at all), come through as leaders who are well accepted by their teams, sometimes even nominated because the team believes that this person knows enough to get them through a tough situation.

I wish they made more of the second type than the first! :)

A Blessing, not just as little

These days, there is only one news coming from every direction, nahh...am not going to start cribbing about the economy here...it is another kind of news, a very good one at that...the coming of a new life into this world. I have been made an aunty several times this year (although i had a lot of resistance to the title, i dont mind it now). :-)

What is it that makes babies so special...my first thought about babies is the way they grab your finger with their tiny hands. Thats instant connection, probably the fastest between 2 humans, its like they demand friendship, love and care all at once, with just that one touch and you are on your knees and ready for the deal. If they can do this to a stranger, just in a few seconds, I cant imagine how much of a life changing experience it is for the parents.

It's nice fun deciding over the name, a whole bunch of heads searching for just the right one...philosophical names, funky names, trendy names, new names, grandpa names..what not...and in the end, a good bunch of kids grow up to realise what a strange name they have! and I find it especially entertaining to watch the family (distant cousins included) fight over looks, whose nose is it, whose hair, whose eye color, well almost anything...i remember, when i topped my class, i was my dad's daughter..and when i asked for something relentlessly and almost close to being pestering,i was mom's. :D

I know being parents is a blessing, but its not an easy one. Despite their sweet innocent face, babies make you wonder in disappointment, about their stubborn resistance to give up their jetlag, sometimes lasting several months. No matter where and what time they are born, they always manage sleeping during the day and crying for attention in the night. Sorry Mommy....its not nice but you gotta have it! :)

I have been hearing this and several such stories these days, from new mommies who are friends and relatives, all of them excited, some nervous and a few of them sometimes complaining....but without doubt, all of them ever so thankful for the gift they have got. Congratulations and Good luck ladies !!

Indian train journeys

Every journey in India tells a story...unless you completely ignore your surroundings and decide to catch up with your sleep.. :)
My last 3 journies have been sheer pleasure....On my way to Hyd last month, we met these 2 genetlemen...one a hotelier...sort of a hifi guy who makes business proposals for top hotels...and the other an Army Major. What a conversation that was...started off with hotels, moved onto politics, cocktails, real estate, personal struggles in life, wifey bitchy talk (one activity men love to indulge in...apart from drinks ofcourse) ...and many entertaining stories went by that night between us.
Another journey was with an old uncle with his family (his grandchildren were damn smart!)...he was also a hot shot...atleast so i thought after an 8 hour conversation with him....he had been to almost every place on the maps...and spoke with the calibre of a great orator and entertainer....even if he wasnt a hot shot, it was fun for those 8 hours..:)

Just yesterday, i took a train from Rajahmundry to Bangalore, back from my short visit to home...Got into the train, was almost sure that this journey would be boring, i was ready for it .....thanks to the book i recently stuck onto....
So it was the first box, right after the door. Quite disturbing i thought. I just managed to put my bag right under my seat, bidding a bye bye to my dad, who had come inside, i noticed a woman staring at us constantly as we spoke our bye byes.....you kinda sense that stare even without looking at the person....
She asked my dad - "Where are you both going to?"
My dad politely answered her and clarified that it would just be me.
"Where are you getting down madame?" asked my dad....its some kida courtesy i guess, to ask someone the same question they asked you....even if it means nothing to you...
"Jollarpet" was her reply.
"Oh, so you are not going?" she continued.
I hate such obvious questions....anyway...my dad gotoff and i quickly plugged my headphones and tuned into the local radio station, i had never switched to radio to get to this channel, because they play loud telulgu songs...but still it looked like a better option at that time.

Ignoring my silent request to be left alone, she continued - "So are you married?"
I answered very reluctantly, again i hate such questions and moreover this doesnt qualify as the first piece of information that you want to know about someone.
"So you work in Bangalore?"
"Yes"
"Your husband also?"
"Yes"
"Are you both software engineerings?"
"Yes" , trying hard to conceal my smile, coz i didnt want to look friendly at all.
"Which street in bangalore?"
"What?"
"Which street you stay in Bangalore?"
"Whitefield"
"Oh (!!!??)"
and then at that pause, I rushed to open my book and and wore a 'Dont Disturb' look. I didnt want her to get to my salary next.

10 minutes passed. I was off and on trying to move my eyelids to confirm she wasnt looking at me, ofcourse trying also not to get caught with eye conact, lest she would start again.
She said something in between, i could half hear it, but didnt react to it as i wasnt sure.
"hello, Iam talking to you"
"Oh yes, what?"
"I will give you a number, can you give a missed call? my people will call me back."
"Sorry, what?"
She repeated the same without the slightest hestiation.
I dont have balance, mine is a prepaid connection (a 100% lie , I think she got that too.)
I went back to my book.

She kept waiting for eye-contact i guess, may be she was damn bored and hadnt opened her mouth in years...but i still didnt care. I am quite this reckless thing when it comes to irritating people, especially those who start off conversations with a personal question, i get putoff in a second. She then decided to sleep. thank god!

Ok, it was close to 10pm...eyes getting heavy after reading about a 50 pages in a moving train. I decided to walk around and brush, kinda getting ready to sleep. Having found a dirty wash basin on my side, i decided to walk the long way to the other side.
And i got to the box next to mine ...empty!
the next one - empty!
and the next one - empty again!
OK, i felt my heart beating a lil bit fast.....until i saw the next one, with just one guy lying down...and it went beating faster !
He was the blanket supplier guy (in AC coaches).....and i was really scared when i found the whole damn compartment with just me, this lady( who already had made me her enemy i guess) and this man....who looked a bit drunk....although iam not sure...but you know i tend to dramatise in such high drama situations anyway...

I was really now with my antenna all straightened up....I HAD TO find a way out!
May be just Do something! Scream? or Call the Railway police or the TT....whatever ...lot of agitation and tension building up......
but ahh.........Why?
I couldnt answer myself, so i decided to shut up and go back to the seat..i forgot all about sleeping. I was kinda latching on to the book, so that i dont fall asleep....and in a wierd sort of way, i was waiting for this lady to somehow wakeup and be friends with her again....i also figured out the exact lines to start the conversation this time! :)
what a shit thing i was that day..ignoring people when i wanted to ...and wanting to talk to them again because i got scared of some illusionary risk....
anyway, thats human.... and i am one!

Kodai Kanal....meet peace and beauty!

Packed my bags in a hurry and got on to the taxi waiting by my door....i deliberately didnt research anything about the place...i wanted to experience the surprise ...and yes, it did pay off.
Kodaikanal is one of the most beautiful places i have seen....every place has its own charm and probably it is not right to compare ..but i still would rate salzburg as number one and kodai number two in my list...followed by many places like Venice, Shimla, titisee....

Kodai has this nice feel about it .....it is one of the most frequented places of south indian tourist destinations ....but surprisingly you wont find irritating taxi wallahs, wanting to push you to some hotels that may give them comissions ...the place manages to retain a kind of dignity, beauty, the difficulty of getting there ....but equally modern to become a great tourist destination....in short, no nonsense place....quite like i want a place to be.

It is very easy to find educated, english speaking taxi drivers to ferry you around the whole of kodai, there are a variety of packages to choose from, rates are standard and fixed by the government. we took the one which had the most number of places listed, about a six hour trip for a charge of about 550......we wanted this to be split to two days and the guy agreed for a 100 Rs extra :)
The few places i really enjoyed are
Coakers walk - amazing view...great feeling having a walk at 8000 feet height :)
Upper lake view - great view for pictures of yourself with the famous lake as backdrop - true kodai moment!
Suicide point (its called green valley view now) - Superb View - scary to death though !!
Pillar rock - must hv seen this in many movies .... good one!

nd finally, the best part....the LAKE - in fact you can spend a whole day here. I had amazing fun getting back to a cycle probably after 8 years...cycling/ horse riding around the lake makes you feel so fresh ...you just get out of any kinda tension. Boating is another option....worth a try. And nothing can beat aimless strolling around the lake...dont try all at once, it is 7km overall.
Kodai, I fell in love with this place and have promised myself to go back again!

I was 'Soccered'!

Its really a treat to watch the enthu on every face that has gone scarlet from cheering for their favourite team and hands that have clapped for every pass of the ball.And needless to say, I have learnt to do it too...and am just living it up in Germany.

For lack of much associaltion with anything that was football-ish, all i knew about it before the world cup was probably the famous player 'Pele'.
All thanks to the noise after each match and a series of Gyaan pilletes from my colleagues here on visit with me, I was interested!

Though not with extreme enthu, I had to succumb to the pressure of some colleagues, extremely passionate about soccer and i HAD to walk up to the Local Market place of this small town Walldorf in germany (Walldorf is currently where we are staying)

It was totally sunny at 5:15 in the evening, almost like the afternoon in India. I was not so aware that it would stay like this for the next 4 hours!

Ya, so we reach as the match was 15 mins up...the two teams playing were Argentina and Deutschland! Wow what a combination! I could make out the importance of this game only after looking at some tense faces..actually a good 1000 of them standing along with me, watching a big green screen under the scorching sun. and all of them roaring their throats away at every pass...Screams, Bands, drums, whistles, beer, flags and what not! And believe me, that was a match of its kind...1-1 till the end of the second extra time is tough! And Finally Germany makes it to the Semis after beating one of the world's best teams....phewww!

The whole crowd burst into puffs of excitement with each goal of the penalty shoot-out.I wish I was watching this in a stadium...the roar would have been deafening!
And then it was celebration time for the Germans....Flags, horns, beer, music all over!
It was an evening to remember! Iam sure this was one of the few things, I would feel lucky I was a part of.