Dutch

Few weeks ago, there was this phase when I very badly wanted to speak dutch.  Having lived in Holland for more than two years, it's a shame if you cannot do simple conversations in local language. With a lot of enthu, I started learning dutch on the new application that Mahesh had found on iTunes called Earworm. We bought just the first volume and started playing those lessons almost all the time on my phone. The lesson was very interesting and refreshing with addictive music playing in the background. The first volume was all about basic conversations like, to order for something, ask directions, numbers, etc. After a week of repeated listening, I finally felt I was ready :)

Pramod and I went to the Douwe-Egberts cafe at the Amstelveen stadshart. There were two guys, one taking the order (cute guy) and the other preparing the order (handsome guy). Though it sounds easy, I was very apprehensive to start. I only could speak few words/phrases and I wasn't sure if I'll be able to follow what thr other person says. Anyway, it was my turn to order.

Me(very slowly with a lot of errsss and mmmm.s):  Kan ik een klein  'lungo' en een klein 'cappucino' hebben alsjeblieft?
(Can I have one small lungo and one small cappucino please)
The cute guy had a big smile on his face cos he could see I was struggling, still trying. Meanwhile, the other guy also heard me and he also joind the cute guy at the counter and both started smiling at me and Pramod.
Cute Guy: something something something...5 euro 99 cents...oops sorry....fijf euro negenennegentig cents
After I paid,
Handsome Guy: lungo with milk?...oops sorry met melk?
Me: Met melk en suiker
We picked our cups.
Me: Dank u wel...Fijn Avond
The Guys: Graag Gedaan...Fijn Avond

The moment we left, I was yelling at Pramod that I did it. I felt like I achieved something :D:D I know it sounds stupid and funny. It was a very short conversation. But you should have seen the look and smile on the faces of those guys. They just couldn't stop smiling all the time. I will never forget this interaction. My first all-dutch successful conversation :-)

The craze has gone now, but enthu still in tact. Goal is to be able to speak and converse in dutch in one year. Wish me all the best! 

Dhobi Ghat

A friend of mine recently watched the movie "Dhobi Ghat" and she asked me what was my reaction to the climax of the movie. She felt the ending was not apt or maybe it was intentional to let the audience come up with their own versions.

Dhobi ghat is a very special movie for me. I still remember the day I watched it for the first time (yes..I've seen it a lot many times after that :-)). I was in India for vacation and saw this movie in a multiplex at ahmedabad. The 30 mins drive back home from the multiplex was more an emotional journey. It was totally overwhelming. I cannot specifically say what aspect of the movie made me feel so emotional and vulnerable at that moment. This is one of those few movies which makes you feel sad when it ends and makes you want more.I was silent all through the drive enjoying the cool breeze, gazing at the full moon with almost no thoughts and a constant smile on my face.

After a while, when I came back to this world, this was what I updated on FB.

watching this movie was a beautiful romantic experience,
like a walk on the beach on a moon-lit night....
loved every bit of dhobi ghat...
Yasmin's innocence, Arun's unexpressed love, Shai's longing, Munna's smile....
every shot is a painting,
awesome soundtrack that conveys more than words can...
must-watch for anyone who likes to get lost in the sea of emotions....

Getting back to your question Kavi, I feel no ending is apt for this movie. It's like life. Whatever happens, life just continues. There is no story in the movie. Its just the life of four people beautifully and artistically shown on big screen. It's about what people want, what they need, what they feel, what they long for. It's about how people feel incomplete in spite of having everything they need.

I personally feel it was a brave attempt to make a movie like this in bollywood. Call it experimental or off-the-beat or art movie. The fact that the movie was made by a first time director was incredible.

As I am writing this, I can think of a couple of other movies in bollywood which I think were also brave attempts with fine results. movies that can leave you pondering, have a long lasting impact on you. Do watch "That Girl in Yellow boots" by Anurag Kashyap and "hazaron khwahishen aisi" by Sudhir Mishra and let me know what you think :)

Beyond Time!

25 Dec 2012, 8:00 AM
Nina got out of her bed with a heavy head. She hadn’t slept all night. Christmas has always been a day filled with sorrow and regret for her since the big fight with her mom ten years ago. The day that changed her life forever.

After a quick shower, she got dressed and packed all the necessary documents. She put on her red jacket, mom’s favourite color. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled. She said to herself, ‘Mom, I look so much like you, pretty and polished’. The door bell rang bringing her back to this world. The man with a grumpy voice said, Maám, your cab is here.

When Nina mentioned terminal T , the driver raised his eyebrows, ‘are you sure, maam’. As she drove towards the airport, she imagined how it would feel to see her mom, to touch her, to talk to her, to listen to her. Nina has spent the last five years working really hard and saving every penny she earned to be able to make this journey. She has spent her nights thinking about what she would say to her mom when they meet. And the day has finally come. She was both excited and worried.


25 Dec 2002, 5:00 PM

Nina’s mother: Hey sweetie. Merry Christmas!
Nina: Merry christmas mom.
Mother: Don’t you want to know what your christmas gift is?
Nina (Rolling her eyes): Moooom….I’m not a child anymore.
Mother (with a frown): How I wish you were
Nina: OK now. What is it?
Mother: Here. I think you’ll love it.
Nina: Let me see (opens the packet)….aaah jacket…thanks.
Mother: Aren’t you gonna try it on?
Nina: err..not today, I’m running late. Arush will be here any moment to pick me. How do I look?
Mother: you are going out now…not staying for dinner?
Nina: I’ve made plans with Arush.
Mother: sweetie, are you sure about Arush….I don’t have a good feeling about him
Nina: Moooom…I told you I’m not a child anymore…I can take my own decisions…stop worrying about me….
Mother: he doesn’t love you nina….you are his trophy….he is just a proud man with the prettiest girlfriend in his group…
Nina: Just because dad left you, doesn’t mean every other guy is an evil man with an hidden agenda to hurt his girl.…
Mother: but Nina…
Nina: you always think I’m wrong….everything I say….everything I do…. Mother: no sweetie…I just want you to be happy….
Nina: I don’t want to talk to you anymore…stop meddling with my life….I hate you
25 Dec 2012, 10:00 AM

“We’ve reached terminal T. It’s 1500”.

Nina entered the terminal and walked towards the ticketing section. She tore the coupon from the machine. It said, ‘Number 160. Wait time of 30 minutes’. She took a seat in the waiting area.

‘I’m sorry mom. I’m sorry for being a rude, adamant, ungrateful, selfish daughter. You were right about Arush. He doesn’t love me. He never did. I wish I had listened to you. I didn’t have to learn it the hard way. I’m sorry mom and I love you’

The display flashed and beeped “Number 160 please”
A smartly dressed lady behind the counter gave a pleasant smile.

Lady: Good morning maám…how may I help you?
Nina: I would like to buy a ticket for one.
Lady: Sure. Ticket to?
Nina: 2002
Lady: OK, date and time of arrival and departure please
Nina: 25 Dec 5:00 PM till 7:00 PM
Lady: Let me check. Yes possible. I will have to ask you some questions
Nina: Sure
Lady: Reason for travel
Nina: I want to meet my mother
Lady: OK, is your mother with you
Nina: No, she is dead
Lady: I’m sorry. Date and cause of death?
Nina: 25 Dec, 2002. She was one of the victims of the church attack by the local rebel group.
Lady: I am obligated to warn you that you will not be authorized or allowed to make any changes in the past that would propogate an impact or change in the consequences.
Nina: Yes. I am aware
Lady: Where would you like to land on your return.
Nina: My apartment and the address is in my passport.
Lady: Have a pleasant trip. This way ma’am
Nina: Thank you!

25 Dec 2002, 5:00 PM

Nina’s mother: Hey sweetie. Merry Christmas!
Nina: Merry christmas mom.
Mother: Don’t you want to know what your christmas gift is?
Nina (Rolling her eyes): Moooom….I’m not a child anymore.
Mother (with a frown): How I wish you were
Nina: OK now. What is it?
Mother: Here. I think you’ll love it.
Nina: Let me see (opens the packet)….aaah jacket…thanks.
Mother: Aren’t you gonna try it on?
Nina: errrr ok…wow it looks lovely…I always wanted a red jacket.....thanks mom….Arush will be here any moment to pick me.
Mother: you are going out now…not staying for dinner?
Nina: I’ve made plans with Arush.
Mother: sweetie, are you sure about Arush….I don’t have a good feeling about him
Nina: Moooom…I told you I’m not a child anymore…
Mother: he doesn’t love you nina….you are his trophy….he is just a proud man with the prettiest girlfriend in his group…
Nina: trust me mom…I know what I’m doing…. I love spending time with him….he makes me feel like a princess….
Mother: but Nina…
Nina: I know you love me mom and you want me to be happy…but please let me make my choices….
Mother: ok sweetie….but always remember that I love you and I will be there for you. No matter what….have a nice time…..and take care
Nina: I love you mom….see you later…byeee

25 Dec 2012, 11:00 AM

Nina woke up in her bed. She felt at peace. For some reason, she felt extremely happy and peaceful. Maybe because it’s christmas, she thought. She screamed “Merry Christmas” and jumped out of her bed all set to celebrate the festival of love and joy