tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70514412012-02-10T07:17:52.845+01:00My notes on interesting things I find everyday.Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.comBlogger2701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-9519832879930073352012-02-10T07:17:00.001+01:002012-02-10T07:17:52.905+01:00

Hard to believe! When a year ago I was all ready to leave, I was done with US, it was not home,  it was weird foreign place. But today, after living in Europe for 10 months, when I come back, it actually does feel like home. Right from the car-park garage, to malls, to driving on freeway, to everything else. I had great time here, starting from San Diego. I did everything I wanted to do, I loved

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-76353702651450299102012-01-04T10:35:00.002+01:002012-01-04T10:37:08.348+01:00

As things have settled down, I have to say I hate it less here now. Getting hang of language and meeting good people has helped. New Year party in building was nice. Finally I got to meet the "nice neighbours" you only hear about. Snow is back on the mountains and cloudy rainy weather is helping.

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-65133097310093874072012-01-04T10:23:00.002+01:002012-01-04T10:32:38.603+01:00

This December I went from Zurich to Delhi. The first thing that hit me was how opposite Switzerland and India are. While Swiss are the definition of punctuality, timetables have no meaning in India. Right at the immigration counter, you could see the stark difference in Zurich efficiency and in bored kaam-chalu behaviour of "babus" at immigration desks. Some of them were randomly chatting,

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-36544718460965147742011-11-28T18:55:00.002+01:002011-11-28T19:01:17.498+01:00

Took a short bday trip to Berlin and Prague, 2 very interesting and very very different cities, still tied together by common WWII and communist past. While Berlin was a very open city, feels new, filled with interesting new architecture (obvious since it was bombed to ground at end of WWII), Prague feels like a old european city, narrow cobblestone gulleys, stuck together colourful victorian

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-51017090567564973672011-11-08T11:40:00.002+01:002011-11-08T11:44:29.113+01:00

ok, I have to admit, this is one time when Zurich is really beautiful. More so than Seattle. Of course in Seattle, we have our berry bushes that turn all red and yellow and convert mountain slopes into beautiful canvases of nature. Hiking during that time was such a bliss. But.... it was short lived, 2 - 3 weeks max and then snow took over.Here, fall happens in the city. There are very few

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-82299813852613917192011-11-04T15:32:00.002+01:002011-11-04T15:38:49.154+01:00

...yes. I guess hate is strong, it can only be used for New York. Lets say don't like it here. It will never be home. I guess its all downhill from here. Now this and then India. I am done with all the fun I was suppose to have in a lifetime in Seattle. Now that I have moved, I can totally see there is something about US that everyone wants to live there, and that something is something real.

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-55868285583361886742011-10-17T12:36:00.002+02:002011-10-17T12:44:40.229+02:00

So after all my ranting and raving about how I miss Seattle, how Switzerland is horrible! I found one good thing. On Sunday we decided to go hiking to Windgällenhütte (don't try to say it!) or Golzern. I think the place is off the track from Thalwil. So SBB suggested, we take 3 trains and then a bus and then a gandola to get up to Golzernberg to start the hike! (Thalwil - Zug - Arth-Goldau -

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-59501010199035187702011-09-16T16:27:00.001+02:002011-09-16T16:27:46.688+02:00

Finally reached here after visitng 3 great volcanoes. Pompii was great, but decided to skip Vesuvius. Its not really a hike afterall and after the 3 great volcanoes, it wont appear great anyway. Had some good oven cooked pizzas of course. Waiting to get some great Napolean pizza now. Off to Florence and Cinque Terre next. -- tuls

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-22906989391074304912011-09-11T19:51:00.003+02:002011-09-11T19:55:26.481+02:00

In Sicily now. The state of Italian train is no better than Indian. They too r almost always retarded. Its kind of fun after the insanity of Swiss people. Coast line is interesting. We also had the first moment of tourist traps, always happen

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-2383250993212964482011-09-10T20:40:00.003+02:002011-09-20T15:07:01.645+02:00

Finally able to make a trip to Italy. After more than 12hrs of train (including overnight) got to Rome. Spend 2 days here to see all the major sites. I think 4 days is more appropriate time here. We had to cram all site seeing of this ancient city in 2 days and did not get to go to any ancinet museums. Next time probably. An ideal itinerary would be take 2-day open bus tour and see what is there

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-16576292933033973502011-08-02T16:54:00.002+02:002011-08-02T16:59:12.069+02:00

Its been 4 months, and a goodish summer. Hiking is exciting again, new places, new things, new challenges. Almost every trail here is either Mt Si or Mailbox peak, nothing less steep. And you don't always go up to see towering Mt Rainier, or snow capped Olympics or North Cascades. But you see something different, or cows, or huts and people etc. etc. I know every hiker's dream!This place is still

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-67021963602375621432011-07-08T14:21:00.002+02:002011-07-08T14:28:26.709+02:00

I really miss everything about my life in Kirkland. I donno what I was thinking when I decided to move. It was so perfect there, almost everything I wanted. I miss my cool apartment, tiny comfy kitchen and 'forces you to relax' furniture. I miss my office, the nice corner desk with view of road, and my own little place. Of course I miss my car :( Shopping at REI :( Salsa, Zumba, swimming, running

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-72259927130718232902011-06-30T20:47:00.004+02:002011-10-17T13:03:02.235+02:00

... I have seenCan't be one, so here are 51. Glaciers sitting on top of Kilimanjaro2. Wild lions in Serengeti3. White endless mountains of Alaska and the sunrise-sunset colours there. We went there to see northern lights. But I was totally amazed by the vast whiteness of the place. Endless Yukon plains and mountains, all covered in perfect white. There was something completely soothing and

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-72795092322124136232011-06-15T06:56:00.002+02:002011-06-15T07:07:52.782+02:00

I cannot believe I am saying or even thinking this! But America just has something right in it. Life there was nice, welcoming, comfortable. Its just something in the culture that people from anywhere in the world soon find themselves settled and comfortable and part of society. I am realizing this after I moved here. Ok, yes, 9 years vs 2 months, huge diff, still. I don't see myself ever getting

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-82656710211220830592011-05-30T13:27:00.002+02:002011-05-30T13:32:34.198+02:00

Since I have been here, there was a nagging feeling at back of my head. I could not put my finger on it, but I think I realize it today. I think this place is really unfriendly, people around are not friendly, things are just not nice and comfortable. It just does not seem like a place for a worrier like me. As oppose to US, where I was comfortable and had confidence that things won't go terribly

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-42506174978544944122011-05-23T23:05:00.003+02:002011-05-23T23:19:53.047+02:00

So this 'incident' happened a while ago, around the Royal Wedding time, if u know what i mean. I was in train back to Thalwil, and there were a bunch of Canadians on the train. Teenagerish, definitely college students. I am guessing lost, must have been trying to get to London to attend the 'wedding'. So anyway, these folks were on train, speaking their canadian english, and I was feeling good to

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-80013092802175174942011-05-16T10:58:00.003+02:002011-05-16T11:06:48.470+02:00

Yesterday finally got around to washing my clothes in the machine. As expected, all instructions were in German, but I could manage my way around 20 different programs to find the one that I like. So I put in the clothes, did in-pin-safetypin to put soap in one of the 3 slots, and told the machine to wash for 30min. No response. I tried again. No responsem, except the 30min counter was counting

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-60547875692950600092011-05-02T07:42:00.002+02:002011-05-02T07:52:20.883+02:00

Finally I saw a view that I had to say wow! while biking down (up?) from office to new apartment. Here I am speeding down a hill, looking at a lake and distant mountain, feeling the usual blessedness that comes from a sunny day! Something was amiss though, did not fit the picture. Then suddenly it hit me! These are not Olympics! These are Alps and that is lake Zurich not Washington! I slammed by

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-81144046205769779162011-05-01T13:18:00.003+02:002011-05-01T13:53:52.798+02:00

Finally moved-moved into the new apartment. Almost saw a good sunrise. The view from apartment is such that you can almost see what you are missing! Still the day was nice and cloudy, temperature perfect (mayvbe tad bit warm) for running. What's the best way to make first commute from new apartment to office - run :). The distance is about 9km, and with rolling hills. I heard that view is good

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-21936379724596110742011-04-30T13:54:00.003+02:002011-05-01T13:57:38.838+02:00

yes, I hate it! I want to go back to comfort of my awesome double bed, cozy little car and easy banking. Spent panicky 30 min trying to find the 20 numbers and passwords and cards and what not required to access the bank account. Finally had to call help line which thankfully spoke English to figure things out. I hate this place, I don't understand the language, I miss Rainier, hiking at truly

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-35915928242972464112011-04-30T13:54:00.002+02:002011-05-01T13:56:58.601+02:00

yes, I hate it! I want to go back to comfort of my awesome double bed, cozy little car and easy banking. Spent panicky 30 min trying to find the 20 numbers and passwords and cards and what not required to access the bank account. Finally had to call help line which thankfully spoke English to figure things out. I hate this place, I don't understand the language, I miss Rainier, hiking at truly

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-52687205552700156112011-04-25T11:21:00.002+02:002011-04-25T11:30:17.795+02:00

In so many ways Zurich or Europe is literally half way between India and US. People still know how to use brain and common sense here. I found this conversation on a hike interesting -x: hey, what are you eating there?y: Its dried apricot, a bit old, I am not sure if they are good anymore. Maybe I should not eat, that's why I am not offering to others.x: If it tastes ok, then it should be ok. Let

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-75980533279506522312011-04-23T14:52:00.002+02:002011-04-23T15:20:27.772+02:00

I seem to be in sort of middle of an identity crisis here. I cannot at all decide where I am from. I feel Seattle is home and sight Starbucks brings feeling of 'home'. But then I can never identify myself with US, that will always be in India. But in some sense, I am lot more used to lifestyle in US and when comparing things, I always compare them with US. I have very little idea of current

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-10649450892229143512011-04-22T15:21:00.003+02:002011-04-23T15:28:00.605+02:00

yeah, well sort of. I am getting disappointed by the state of 'hikes' here. We would never call such things hike. We started on a nice somewhat foresty train (think Tiger mountain), which was ok, but soon there were houses and sheep, which was cute. But then soon there was a road and cars and random people on 'top'. And from there we took a motor road down. Well, my friends, that's not what you

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-33918784943884234502011-04-21T12:03:00.002+02:002011-04-21T12:05:35.241+02:00

Got the keys to apartment today! finally! It seemed lot less painful than what people described. I guess I did not have too many constraints. I can slowly move now in next 4 days of chutti!

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-41588360536366373052011-04-18T21:44:00.002+02:002011-04-18T21:56:59.441+02:00

I forgot to mention another exciting moment. When I was coming back from signing lease for new apartment (oh! I found an apartment! if it was a surprise to you, pay attention!), I stopped at the bus stop to see when was the bus to train station. There was a very old lady there, she was looking at me with interest. I saw the timetable and then looked at my no-watch wrist (yeah, I live in

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-90383137933003489382011-04-18T17:16:00.002+02:002011-04-18T17:20:46.615+02:00

The looooong weekend is here and I have no plan. I can't help compare it with the July 4th weekend when we would always take a long trip somewhere hiking / backpacking. Its kind of too early for me to plan here. I am sure there are bizzare amount of options here, I just don't know them yet. I do feel like going out somewhere and camping for a day. Snowshoeing would be just awesome! Or I might

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-59473834253246763172011-04-17T18:17:00.002+02:002011-04-17T18:26:46.202+02:00

Finally got started on hiking in Zurich. I think Uetliborg does not count like Tiger Mtn does not count in Seattle. But was kind of disappointed, as I had completely different expectations. I was expecting mountains, wilderness, snow covered peaks. But this was more of a urban hike, going through city and little hills. I have a feeling that when it comes to wilderness and real mountains, I will

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-38756630568856268542011-04-16T17:42:00.000+02:002011-04-16T18:02:07.307+02:00

Today finally I went and bought the 1 year half-price swiss rail card. As days go by it feels more and more like I am actually going to be living here. I also went and checked out some bikes and might soon buy a new Swiss (actually German) bike for every day commute. All the talk of travel is so exciting, the reason why I am here :).Though I still feel that I am here for short time and Seattle is

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-15209465952917331672011-04-15T10:28:00.003+02:002011-04-15T10:32:09.456+02:00

hmm, I think finally found apartment. Nothing fancy, no view, not cheap, not walking distance from office, not bikable, not a gas stove, but that is Zurich! I can still get into office in under 30 min, and there are plenty trains and there are mountain views outside apartment.apartmentNothing more exciting after finding the salsa club.

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-91065978671038192712011-04-12T12:56:00.003+02:002011-04-12T13:04:43.826+02:00

ok, 12 days as no significance, but its just that I am finally feeling like I am indeed living here and its going to be good. (fingers crossed). In office there is an actual Indian chef who makes real Indian food. Its so awesome! So much better food than what I got in Kirkland, and of course I have already mentioned the quality of food here, no fake GM stuff.Also went to an 'actual' authentic

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-90782549993248039742011-04-11T11:32:00.004+02:002011-04-11T11:43:12.913+02:00

Sunday night found a salsa club, thanks to friends in office. Definitely highlight of my 10 days in Zurich. It was great. I did miss Danceworks, its just different when you know all people at the party. I could see some folks doing the moves that we learnt at Danceworks and I wished it was Wednesday and I was at the party in Redmond. But oh well, at some point I might get to know more people here

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-60576727304837294092011-04-08T16:24:00.004+02:002011-04-11T11:32:50.542+02:00

1 full week spent here. Can't say it flew by. It did not, I was counting each day and it seemed really really long. But I guess feeling somewhat better, coming to terms with living here. Everytime I can understand a word of German spoken by stranger, its like awesome! wow!

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-62402944848657261262011-04-07T09:13:00.000+02:002011-04-07T09:16:29.189+02:00

Almost 1 week complete. Now is the time to feel overwhelmed with apartment search. I have seen 5 so far and all are ok, something wrong with each of them.

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-34426240935813898372011-04-05T21:11:00.000+02:002011-04-05T21:43:21.415+02:00

yes, its finally sinking in that this is a big change, that I am by myself in this strange country. The initial shock of OMG! I am in Europe! is over, and its S***! I am Europe by myself!What triggered this - I won't go in details as its office related and confidential and what not. But I suddenly found that I have 0 money here. With one click money transfer from US -> India, you would think it

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-89444465237911670362011-04-04T12:06:00.000+02:002011-04-04T13:10:44.092+02:00

Day 4, Monday, new week, back at work. Still trying to decide if I like it here or not. Its strange, its like I have no feelings about this move. Or that I have strong positive and negative feelings and they have mixed to form a no-feeling zone. Still super excited to be in Europe, to start a new life in country with new language, culture and what not. Of course looking forward to traveling all

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-21771906511989547182010-12-29T00:28:00.000+01:002011-01-07T04:28:57.827+01:00

Finally reached Bangalore. We had enough time and space to put the bikes together in tran itself. That was good. We got off at the main station and from there had a long ride back home. It was peak traffic time on weekday. But Rahul showed great navigation skill and we were able to do the whole ride by inner roads, away from bad traffic. I did have a fall on the way though, not bad, but just some

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-90686232670017018222010-12-28T04:26:00.000+01:002011-01-07T04:28:02.515+01:00

The houseboat ride had still refreshed me enough that I could so the final stretch to Ernakulum. It was all on NH and we knew that there is going to be lot of traffic and pollution. No surprises there. Going was slow, but ok, we were covering the distance. We reached a place called Aarur, from there we were able to take a Kochi bypass in Ernakulum. That was good, my cold was bad, whole

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-28952260561879512062010-12-27T04:24:00.000+01:002011-01-07T04:26:29.455+01:00

I got up feeling much better. The medicine had worked to hide the symptoms. So we decided to ride. We started early, but we had to again go on highway which I know was not good for my respiratory system. Early morning helped, though not much. We reached Allepey in afternoon and had to find houseboat. I was not really into it, because taking a boat would also mean that we will again be starting

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-70788219455066246502010-12-26T04:20:00.000+01:002011-01-07T04:23:49.817+01:00

We started really early, before dawn. The plan was to reach Kollam, and then from there take ferry to Amma ashram at Amritapuri. I had never seen ashram and wanted to see what its all about. The ride would have been great, but we did most of it in dark, at least the fun parts. We could feel that road is lined with ocean and backwaters, but could not see much. Still terrine was so much flatter now

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-50897975727191777222010-12-25T06:21:00.000+01:002011-01-07T04:29:42.194+01:00

Finally reached here after two days of really hard biking on rolling hills on kerala coast. It was totally unexpected. By end of yesterday I was completely exhausted and not enjoying it anymore. So we took a day break here. This place reminds me of Mindo in Ecuador. The place is very touristy. Not my type of place. The beach was beautiful though and we desperately needed the break. Thanks to

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-92060350744769108042010-12-24T04:12:00.000+01:002011-01-07T04:29:56.576+01:00

I got up early as usual. Some of the tiredness was gone. Rahul and I decided to check out the beach. So we went to the beach and played in water for some time. Today we had to go up to Varkala, which was another 60km north. I did not really want to ride, especially since we were gong to leave in the afternoon in lot of sun. But I guess we had to. So we again started after 11:00, under full heat

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-83832886566181907812010-12-23T05:10:00.000+01:002011-01-07T04:34:28.456+01:00

We got up early to see the sunrise. It was a cloudy day, still we saw some sunrise. Then we went and saw other memorials in Kanyakumari. We could not go to the main attraction Vivekanand smarak as it took 3hrs to get there. I enjoyed the beach in morning and then later at the meeting of 3 seas. I am sure water of Indian ocean was bit colder than Bay of Bengal.It was almost 11 by the time we

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-57382874089490136352010-12-22T04:09:00.000+01:002011-01-07T04:34:52.793+01:00

e woke up to a very heavy rain, in fact it rained all night and our bikes were completely drenched. Rahul and I were not prepared for rains at all, our bags were not waterproof.We had decided to cut short the bike ride and take the bus from Rameswaram to about 60km before Kanyakumari. Since KK is southermost tip, I wanted to ride there and not arrive in bus. We were also fighting against time. So

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-68547263406514812062010-12-21T04:07:00.000+01:002011-01-07T04:35:20.594+01:00

We started really early, before day break around 5:30. We had a total of 110km to cover today. Starting early was a great decision. Morning ride was great. The road almost hugs the coast, though we could not see any ocean. It was a very good road and completely flat and in morning devoid of any traffic. We had lot of fun riding on that road. We saw good bridges and good birds. As we neared

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-31371303356500194322010-12-20T04:06:00.000+01:002011-01-07T04:35:39.969+01:00

We started really early in the morning. The day was still cloudy and we were expecting some drizzle. Getting out of Sivagange, we met some really bad road, completely potholed. Thankfully, the road was flat and there was no traffic. It still made a pleasant ride. On the way we were coordinating with Vaibhav to see where we can meet him. Bad road was followed by really good road, and then some

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-81226349697351487312010-12-19T04:02:00.000+01:002011-01-07T04:06:00.821+01:00

Next day morning, we checked out early and waited for the luggage place to open. They opened and surprise, the bikes were still not there. One more talk about they will arrive in an hour! I had had it by now, and I said tell us where the bikes are and we will go get them. No more relying on those idiots. So they told us the place and we got out to the godown to finally get our bikes. Good they

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-59721620434366033232010-12-18T04:00:00.000+01:002011-01-07T04:02:44.951+01:00

We started our biking trip in Madurai. Getting to Madurai was interesting. We had booked Volvo bus tickets and its truck is suppose to be bog enough to fit in the bikes. At the last moment though, the bus operator caused problems and asked us to send the bikes in 'luggage' separately. We went to luggage place and things appeared very dicy. I don't know why they cause so much problem, probably

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-16739695598852545492010-12-12T16:09:00.000+01:002010-12-13T04:11:24.810+01:00

Today was last weekend of practice ride. We had decided to go to Hosur, then some other small place and then return by Benarghatta road. It was a good almost 100km loop. Once on hosur road, I started cribbing about traffic and pollution. At that time I really thought it was bad, I was not enjoying the ride at all. So we decided to take a detour to Jigni, expecting to follow the scenic route we

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-83979240437317196282010-12-08T03:43:00.000+01:002010-12-08T03:54:47.390+01:00

We have been biking the same 2 hour route, and did the same today. But today I was just not in mood to bike, and today I was trying a new shorts and they were somewhat uncomfortable. Today traffic was less, and that was good, but we had to return few meters short of usual turn around point.

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-24580242312349766212010-12-06T02:35:00.000+01:002010-12-06T05:12:52.770+01:00

After 2 weeks of practice, it was time to bump up our weekend ride. We wanted to do 100km, but the 100km loop had 3 long hills. So we decided to go for the route which was ~80km with a long hill. Starting out it was mostly downhill. This road was not so good, pot-holed etc. The route was such that we go downhill, and then come back up the hill. This was part of the 100km circuit. While going

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-15194399003773789612010-11-27T06:21:00.000+01:002010-11-29T06:22:04.474+01:00

Today we decided to do a shorter ride on our own. The plan was to ride for 2 hrs. We decided to take the same road as last time. Traffic was usual now, not much on the way out, and since we were coming back earlier, not too much on the way back also. Once we entered the city, we decided to take inner road instead of the higway we took last time. This was good. Inner road was nicer, much less

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-57341800745632154242010-11-25T06:20:00.000+01:002010-11-29T06:23:00.812+01:00

Today was first long ride on the bike. We had to leave at 5:00am in order to avoid traffic. It was dark, but nice as there was no traffic on road. We met with Kiran on highway and then started to go out of the city towards Benarghatta. After a bit we reached close to Nilgiris. The smell of mountains was over powering, and it felt good to be back near nature. Then we reached a forest road that

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-7006496116860539192010-11-24T06:19:00.000+01:002010-11-29T06:20:08.113+01:00

As soon as I landed in Bangalore, we did not waste any time and got my bike. I had already decided on Shwinn Sporterra sport, had seen and tried it at Performance bikes in Redmond. The bike guy Kiran put together the bike in front of us, it was interesting to watch. We rode the bikes home through Bangalore traffic at peak time. That was a life threatening experience. Of all the adventures I have

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-3151684196777415072010-11-02T19:42:00.000+01:002010-11-28T20:49:24.585+01:00

If someone told me a month ago that I will be thinking about doing a multi-day cycling trip, and that too in India, I would have said no way! clearly no way! I am not into biking. But as it happened, I did end up signing for one. After unsuccessful Rainier, this year end was looking glum. I was going to spend my birthday, december and new year in India quietly. Somehow that is not want I wanted

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-80456292176331131842010-09-19T19:55:00.001+02:002010-11-28T20:42:03.477+01:00

Sometime in March 2010, I started training to climb Mt Rainier, a 14000+ highly glaciated peak. I hiked on the trails covered with snow where I would never have gone before, I hiked in rainy weather, and with 30lb packs.Finally after lots of canceled plans, we started for Mt Rainier on 4th September. Weather predictions were not good, it was going to be cloudy and windy. It was already late in

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-1211602693039758642010-07-25T06:39:00.000+02:002010-07-26T00:47:33.680+02:00

Elevation gain - 4000ftDistance - 5.0 milesPack weight - 10 lbsTime: 3hrs up, 2hrs downFinally a check on Mailbox! I decided to do this hike today as it was warm, clear and dry. I decided to not take the pack as I was going with meetup and needed to maintain my speed. The hike starts out ok, but then wastes no time in becoming outright steep. Its literally cable line times 2. But I soon realized

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-52233131512607941872010-07-19T06:23:00.000+02:002010-07-25T20:49:17.632+02:00

Elevation gain - 2400ftDistance - 6.5 milesPack weight - 10 lbsThe hike starts at Eight Mile trailhead. It used to be one-way hike with car shuttle, but part of the trail after Pass got washed out. It starts out quite steep, almost too steep for 2400ft hike. Mid-way we saw the 3'o clock rock and saw some climbers. After 3/4th of the way you get into meadows where the grade eases out. There were

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-78603329872867025232010-07-18T06:22:00.000+02:002010-07-25T20:58:29.334+02:00

Elevation gain - 3300ftDistance - 8 - 9 milesPack weight - 35 lbsGorgeous day to hike Bandera. Beargrass was in almost full bloom, and so were lot of other wild flowers. I carried ~30lbs for conditioning. The trail is easy, so that was not a problem. First glimpses of Rainier were great, but main attraction was definitely beargrass filled slopes. We first went to the lake which is about a mile

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-69076884573704963962010-07-12T04:22:00.001+02:002010-07-12T04:42:16.982+02:00

5200 ft elevation gain and 14 miles, that was the hike for today, and just 40 min away from Kirkland. I took Saturday off because I thought my leg needed rest. It was rested today so decided to go for Si and was prepared to turn back in case it started hurting or anything. Started the hike with 30lb pack. Around 2 mile mark, it felt that I should get rid of some of the water and lighten my pack.

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-90495766604415646172010-07-05T18:18:00.000+02:002010-07-25T20:59:05.184+02:00

Head out @8, put on crampons, helmet, ice axe etc. Could see all the way to false summit, straight way up. Steep at places, learning to traverse. Windy at false summit and summit was looking all white-out. Almost did not want to go. Did not take much break, headed out. Was much better, longer traverses, was able to follow, less cold.

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-42758946754100127852010-07-04T18:17:00.000+02:002010-07-19T18:18:50.617+02:00

Gear check, permits etc.Drive to trail headLunch Counter, no crampons, not icy, grade was ok, feeling good.Dug to create platform for tentsToo windy, melting snow, not feeling great, too cold I suppose even with all gear. Did not eat too much.

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-9599480282308979702010-07-03T18:16:00.000+02:002010-07-19T18:17:09.073+02:00

Drove to Beacon State Park, camped

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-74174728392605323212010-06-27T23:45:00.001+02:002010-07-25T20:58:48.849+02:00

Can't believe that I am visiting Ecuador trip advisor forum, less than a year after I was exploring Kenya and Tanzania. This seems to be turning into year of foreign travel. If I can make New Zealand happen at end of the year, I would have visited all 6 continents in same year! (yes, Antarctica does not count!) Just booked my tickets, but there are still so many unknowns in the trip. Though if I

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-32898612940838777232010-06-27T07:09:00.000+02:002010-06-27T23:37:09.521+02:00

Today was a beautiful sunny day in Leavenworth. I headed for 4th-of-july-creek with meetup group. Its a not so easy hike, so I decided to not take heavy pack. I needed to keep pace with rest of the group. This hike starts out steep, gaining lot of elevation in first 3.5 miles. After that you enter the ghost forest and its quite flat from here. After a mile or so of ghost forest, you climb up to

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-54337634686080391192010-06-26T05:38:00.000+02:002010-06-27T23:45:09.579+02:00

A day of volunteering at Rock'n'Roll marathon expo! This is second year of Rock'n'Roll marathon in Seattle and they had 28000 runners. I chose not to run this year as I wanted to concentrate on hiking, plus I am not keen on running same course again. So I decided to volunteer this year. The Expo was less grand than last year's. There were more and more things for sale, than for give away. There

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-18693244531173118452010-06-23T04:51:00.001+02:002010-06-27T23:35:55.855+02:00

Today was quite a sunny day and I decided its better to not waste it sitting in office. So I put the idea on meetup group to start the hike @2 and 3 other people joined. I am loving meetup! We started the hike @2:10. This must have been my first sunny Mt Si hike this year and I was glad for all the shade along the trail. View of Rainier and surrounding mountains was gorgeous! Temp up at peak was

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-78051001393013086282010-06-20T22:53:00.000+02:002010-06-27T23:36:20.473+02:00

This weekend was totally miserable. Wanted to go to Bandera yesterday with meetup group, but just could not get out of rajai, tired and gloomy weather. Then got paged just when thinking of leaving, so good excuse to not go. Spent rest of the day sleeping. Today packed the backpack and lunch to do a Mt Si and then Tiger hike. It was raining on the way, lost interest and ended up just doing Tiger

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-71720222036495927652010-06-16T22:52:00.000+02:002010-06-27T23:36:09.181+02:00

A quick hike up cable line today. Decided not to carry pack, the weekend and rest of week had been very tiring. Did not seem to have made any difference to timing!Pack wt - 20lb

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-27697705029500084422010-06-14T03:41:00.000+02:002010-06-27T23:37:22.052+02:00

This was a easy hike, wanted to chillout before the weekly madness starts. Did not even carry a pack. The views were just great.Data:Elevation gain - 1200ftDistance - 5.4 milesTime - 4:00 hrsPack weight - 15 lbshttp://picasaweb.google.com/tulika.agrawal/Lake22#

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-48788364670099988562010-06-13T04:41:00.000+02:002010-06-27T23:37:34.584+02:00

ya, fine, call me crazy, stupid, why, what or whatever. I decided to go back to Mt Washington again this weekend. Last weekend was cloudy and I did not take heavy enough pack. This time I took 32 - 35lb pack. The view was as awesome as I had remembered on this clear day. This time went up the shorter 4 mile trail and came down the great wall trail.Data:Elevation gain - ~3400ftDistance - ~10

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-31971696293898018902010-06-06T02:17:00.000+02:002010-06-13T04:45:03.959+02:00

Second trip to Mt Washington. The first one was a snowshoe, so this was different. I was carrying only about 25lb this time. We took the great wall trail up and regular trail down.Data:Elevation gain - ~3400ftDistance - ~10 milesTime - 6:30 hrs (a 40 min detour also)Pack weight - 25lbsAt the first junction, we were suppose to make right, but we thought that we needed to go straight to go on the

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-25659517338181008512010-06-04T19:23:00.001+02:002010-06-07T18:55:13.068+02:00

Yesterday we did the "short" after work hike to Tiger Mtn. Cable line to go up - 1 hr 13 min. I had a pack of about 20lbs. The trail is relentless climb of ~2000ft in 1.5 mile. I am beginning to find flat section on the trail now :). Back using the regular 3 mile trail - 50min.

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-70839080290992401212010-05-31T21:36:00.000+02:002010-05-31T22:24:30.069+02:00

or probably 40lbs. This was a long weekend, but weather had squashed all the plans. So I headed back to Mt Si. This time I opted to be brave and stuffed almost 35 lbs in my pack. I don't think I have ever carried more than 30lbs in any of my backpacking trips. And it totally showed. Even at the first mile, I was already tired and celebrating the quarter of way done. By mile 2, I was starting to

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-50776595106502519452010-05-22T23:33:00.000+02:002010-05-31T22:31:31.380+02:00

When it is rainy and cloudy and alone, I hike Mt Si for timepass :) This time I carried a 30lb pack. There were about 200 people at the trailhead and a group of high school boy scout something. I usually don't mind crowded trails, and definitely not when I am hiking alone. Though this time it was a nuisance. I started just about the time the scout group started. First they wanted to run, and

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-35541094028206500022010-05-16T21:31:00.000+02:002010-06-27T23:37:43.176+02:00

On this perfect and sunny day, we headed for Camp Muir. Some of us started at 4:00 in the morning to make it a day hike. I was somewhat apprehensive if I would be at my best given before 4:00 wake up and 2 & 1/2 hr drive. But I was fine, driving was ok and I was in good spirits when we started. I took the bold decision to not carry my snowshoes, and see how that goes. Since we had a early morning

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-4204965482919276662010-01-27T23:34:00.000+01:002010-01-27T23:35:39.432+01:00

walked from dinner place to apartment, 10:00pm at night, -4C temp.URL for this route is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3439478

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-47617415150231678392009-10-01T22:38:00.001+02:002009-10-01T22:38:53.550+02:00

and I have no complains, and its sort of high time! This has been a amazing season. I checked off more things from my list than I could put up there. We did the big Enchantments which was definitely the best backpacking. I finally finished St Helens too. Also checked off Half-Dome which was a nice surprise. There were some surprisingly nice hikes like Navaho Peak and berries at Shriner Peak. We

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-72167793125716553542009-08-26T19:01:00.001+02:002009-08-26T19:01:25.455+02:00

This had been a beautiful summer in Seattle. We broke the record of highest temperature and if anyone was counting, we must have also broken the record for highest number of sunny days. If it was not for yesterday, I was almost forgetting what a cloudy day looks like. Needless to mention, with warm sunny summer days, comes the opportunities for hiking. It has been full on this season, going away

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-14501733231456265802009-06-02T02:06:00.001+02:002009-06-02T02:06:06.854+02:00

This weekend was a weekend of never ending fun and activity. I still cannot believe that so much can be compressed in 2 & 1/2 days. Summer has arrived and days are getting longer!It started with awesome sunny Friday. When its sunny outside Seatlites cannot think of anything but going out and enjoying the sun. So that's what we did Friday evening getting off from work early. We went on a short

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-55317521118370448642009-02-04T20:02:00.001+01:002009-02-04T20:02:05.937+01:00

Summer is still kind of far. But I am here sitting at this All-Hands meeting and planning for summer is best way to kill time. This summer is probably one of the last couple in Seattle, and in US, so a lot needs to be compressed in the short 3 months. And I totally live by moto - Dream big, plan for the best, hope for the best, be prepared for the worst (like breaking hand on a stupid hike).So

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-6571667587623856622008-12-16T06:19:00.001+01:002008-12-16T06:19:23.436+01:00

So here is why I love Seattle. I get up in the morning, there is sunrisish outside my window. Can't see well bcoz of too many trees (don't love that part). Anyway I get up, get ready, head out to take the bus to office. The road seems slick and slippery, happy that I don't have to drive. And then I came upon this breathtaking view of Olympic ranges in front. I have never seen Olympics this

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-43304145465240641742008-12-05T02:04:00.001+01:002008-12-05T02:04:05.478+01:00

Did I ever mention that Seattle gets the most beautiful sunsets (everytime sun is out). I have never seen a usual sunset here, every sunset is full of vivid colours over beautiful mountain range. All this is made possible by the constant cloud cover, and presence of Olympic Mountains. The combination makes every sunset unique. I am sure this is true for sunrises, but they are harder to come as

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-16573089616241814352008-11-26T20:57:00.000+01:002008-11-26T20:58:01.072+01:00

Another BDay is here. How much ever I try or want no celebration, let the day pass as a normal day and forget that one more year is over, celebrations just seem to happen in Seattle. Yesterday night Rahul made some cake (Devil's food, yummy) and then some folks came over for mid-night cake cutting. For tonight I had happened to find a nice Italian restaurant for a quiet dinner for 2. This seemed

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-88867122809861576982008-09-21T00:08:00.000+02:002008-09-21T00:26:41.191+02:00

without the dinner of course. So yesterday I decided not to go for dinner and movie with the guys. No surprises there, neither in the fact that I was confused till the last moment. Then a car shows up at my doorsteps without giving me a final chance to say no. So I was like, what the hell, dinner (not eating) only takes about 1/2 an hr and then I will be back in no time and do some house work (

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-72120589387695207762008-09-17T00:26:00.000+02:002008-09-21T00:42:06.554+02:00

The ultimate backpacking experience....No they did not pay me ask me to write a ad for them.This weekend we went on a 34 mile backpacking trail to Glacier Meadows along Hoh River in Olympic national park. We planned it as a 3 day backpack, with first and last day flat walk with backpacks and second day loong 14 mile hike without backpack. I was apprehensive about the 14 mile, it involved a 4000ft

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-86732720651588738832008-08-21T21:25:00.000+02:002008-08-21T21:40:28.323+02:00

So its been 2 months since I am going for salsa classes, and ya, I do like it and getting better at it. It will still be another 3 - 4 months before I can really be confident, still getting there. Now salsa is a interested choice for someone who does know what the meaning of "follow" is. I mean, me, doing something where I do not know and control what the next move is, something is terribly wrong

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-1240403230490186752008-08-06T19:03:00.000+02:002008-08-06T19:09:21.046+02:00

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1829687,00.html?cnn=yesTo qualify as "checkpoint friendly," a bag must have a designated laptop-only section that unfolds to lie flat on the X-ray machine belt and contains no metal snaps, zippers or buckles and no pockets.Obviously the security people are not going to look at each laptop bag and tell you to either take the laptop out or leave it

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-10543546748764870992008-07-11T20:07:00.001+02:002008-07-11T20:10:20.533+02:00

Now I am a true Seattlite. I am on to my second coffee of the week (TGIF). Makes me wonder, how could I live in Seattle and love Seattle and not drink coffee! It started on a very tired and sleepy Wednesday morning. I thought what the hell, lets give that fancy coffee thingy a try, if nothing it will pass some time and wake me up. So I took a cup of Kona coffee, put it in the machine and took out

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-47229081536580977582008-07-09T00:33:00.001+02:002008-07-09T00:33:14.712+02:00

For some reason, I am finding it amazingly difficult to park buckbeak. While with my old Corolla, I could park it into tinyest of compact spaces, parallel park it and even reverse angle park it. But now I just cannot get it to park well even in a non-compact spaces on left side, which is like the easier thing. I guess part of the reason is that I cannot see the nose at all and cannot estimate

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-35982085983785750432008-07-08T02:14:00.001+02:002008-07-08T02:14:08.963+02:00

Got my car. Finally did end up buying Scion Tc, automatic, but in grey colour. But that's ok, its a popular colour (though that is what makes is little uncool). Don't ask why I bought it, no reason, just wanted to buy a Scion Tc. Actually really really wanted to buy a Acura RSX, but they stopped producing that, so this was closest match. Calling it Buckbeak. For those who live in caves and do not

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-80299036679025220442008-07-04T17:45:00.000+02:002008-07-04T17:50:01.877+02:00

ok, finally finally I convinced myself to take salsa classes at Redmond Dance Works Studio. Its close its convenient and I love it. How could I not be taking the classes before. I started with the 2nd level course. After taking the first level a couple of times, its time to move on to 2nd. Though I still need to revise and work on my basics, but that will happen in time. Its all about practice

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-87122897336117889212008-06-30T23:52:00.001+02:002008-06-30T23:52:06.067+02:00

They would go to any extent to cash on Google brand name and market for free.http://www.sizzledcore.com/2008/06/19/google-saree-by-indian-designer-satya-paul/ -- tulshttp://tulika-run.blogspot.com - marathon blog

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-32655485907792651882008-04-23T14:45:00.000+02:002008-04-23T14:55:08.889+02:00

As anyone who knows me or has been following this blog would have guessed, this post is not about the dreamy narative of walking on streets of New York, mesmarized by huge building blah blah. No. This post is about a real experience of walking on the streets of New York, experience of a common person who is not getting paid by any magazine to write this.I always wondered, when I used to live in

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-7952701603622012532008-04-15T17:00:00.001+02:002008-04-15T17:00:36.624+02:00

www.nikereuseashow.com - They take your old atheletic shoes and reuse them to make sports surfaces like basketball, tennis courts, running track etc. Few drop off locations in major cities. You can always mail them the shoe. Its agreat start, given that how quickly people discard their athletic shoes. Go Nike!

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-63475185935511685852008-03-17T19:02:00.000+01:002008-03-17T19:18:13.779+01:00

My latest resolution in life is to get back to Salsa dancing. Living in New York, it would be a shame to want to learn it and not do it, there are salsa clubs at every corner. I really enjoyed it back in UCSD, then forgot it all, should be easy to pick up. Here is one very close to office.http://www.dancechelsea.com/and there is dancesport http://www.dancesport.com/and I am sure many more.

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-31557309679674073062008-03-17T06:03:00.000+01:002008-03-17T06:31:50.135+01:00

"hearing the water of sound and the sound of water"Another day in Seattle. Started be best way it can with a dance party at Trinity club. We had to wait in a line for about an hour to get into the club, it was semi worth it. The music was good, and it was a blast dancing again after such a long time. That's one of the things I definitely miss most about Seattle (though while in Seattle I did not

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-19843061583979635342008-03-14T20:13:00.001+01:002008-03-17T19:19:58.225+01:00

ok, so not really nostalgic, because I still believe i never left. But crossing 520 bridge on a super clody day after a long time was nice. On my way to new Google office, I was also driven through salmon bay, fremont area, the places I used to run though more than a year ago. I don't know why, but I do love living in Seattle (or rather love the idea). Its not just social and work life, though

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-83490439501570261422008-03-14T17:03:00.001+01:002008-03-14T17:03:17.757+01:00

I recently saw this movie "Into the Wild" about this guy in his early 20s who sort of runs away from home to go into the wild, to find solitude. After a year or more of roaming all over US, he ends up in Alaska to spend few months "living off the land", but then ends up being dead of starvation. Other than the "being dead" part, the movie was .... (i don't have the right word for it, something

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051441.post-24280508930089246732008-02-12T23:36:00.001+01:002008-02-12T23:36:57.632+01:00

that i like about NYC is that i do not have to worry about driving every day. Of course most of the time i hate that i cannot own a car and drive up I5 or 405, but then the everyday thing is somewhat nice. Like today, there is so much snow, suburb roads are mess, but i do not care. I will go home at my usual time by my usual train. kind of nice, especially after driving nightmare in seattle snow.

Tulikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01777335794769624309noreply@blogger.com0