5 days of action
26th Monday
Finally got the travelling to work right. Did not miss the stop.
Went to lunch at a seea food restaurant. Had an awesome bombay duck...which is actually a fish dish. Went to my first focus group. Slighlty nervous about it, cu i have to conduct it and make a room full of strangers comfortable with each other and gain some useful insights. But it was quite fun.
Took the train home from Dadar (one of the largest stations in Mumbai)
27th Tuesday
Took the ppl at work some Gal Seeambala. It was fun seeing their reactions at this very exotic looking, tamarind tasting fruit :) Had lunch at the amazing office canteen. Wainted till late to discuss the Afla discussion guide with the AE.
28th Wedensday
Today is the focus group i organised. Ajeeta is doing one at 3, so we leave for that. Its was amazing to see the brains (Ajeeta and Rajeev) in operation completing the focus group DG in the car. The location is in Vile Parle (further than last times dadar) about half an hour car ride. The others had though that my grp was in walkeshwar and so we had assumed that we would come to work an pick up the stimulus and DG on the wasy (hence i had left it here), but my grp was also in Vile Parle. So i called the account guy up and he sorted it out for me. I should have seen this coming. Got some amazing insights about women and thier motivation for fitness and why they don't like going to them.
The first thought when people realise i'm from SL is Murali. Then come the LTTE and the war. The tsunami is a distant last. Rajeev took the group as it was conducted in Hindi. Again amazing to see him handle them. Rajeev was a bit pissed that i had not taken the tags and branding off the suitcases (stimulas) though he hadnt told me to. I guess i should have realised that too (2nd boo boo).
Ahd some amazing food (idli and sav puri) from a nearby place that was fabulously mouthwatering. The location is in front of a Hindu temple where a sermon was taking palce.
It got over at about 8. On the way, Rajeev confirmed that i'd be attending the wrokshop tomorrow).Got dropped to a cab and went straigt to office where i updated my blog and got some work done before i left for home, a bit late (at 11.00)
29th Thursday
The hotel is The Grand Hyatt in Santa Cruz and starts at 9.00. Had to leave home by 8 and take a 20 minute train ride to santa cruz station. 40 minutes is quite a distance cuz the trains are amazingly fast. But not fast enough to miss the huge no. of people shitting on the track with their butts in the bloody air and a bucket of water by their feet. Had breakfast of sandwiches in the train seeing allthe scenery (including the shitters) go by.
None of the ppl i asked knew the location of the Hotel, so i called up Ajeeta who picked me up from the bus stand next to the station.
After the workshop (it wasnt residential) i got dropped off by the Barista in Bandra at the top of Linkin Road. There is some amazing shopping here. After much deliberation and bargaining bought a bag and a belt. Wanted to get bling bling, but wasnt sure of what would be nice, so left it (sorry ppl who could have recieved blin bling gifts from me.)
Met another fellow burnetter (hot chick) who directed me to hill road for some shoe shops. But came away dissaponted. Tool the train from Bandra back home and switched tracks at Dadar. Came home to a pissed Huzi bhai cuz i had not called and they were worried.
30th Friday
Got late for the workshop today. But it was cool. There were so many ppl going in out and tho, it was pissing the conductor. Everyone at the office is so fucking smart its really humbling. Even the creative ppl are hands on with the brand and are fully involved. The ideas they came up with was bloody amazing...Eg: At the ESP workshop last week, they came up with some crazy ideas for McD's in 2 hours. the essense was a boring thing..."Happiness" Thought that they will have trouble getting good ideas from something as general as that...but no...
The strategy was to make it enjoyable to teenagers, so they will have movies screenings, special menu, music etc.
One idea was you see on the frame a large built man on a chair munchin on a burger. Then some one from the back taps his shoulder and asks him to bend down a bit (line...movie screening at McD's). Another had ppl eating their burgers and then all together gurgling the word bock ku (say it out aloud). This happens together every few sceonds. Then the background sound slowly increase. The mucis is "we will, we will Rock You" AND the ppl are all asying rock you with food in theri mouths. There were about half a dozen like this. Supper....
Had bloody awesome dessert of Kesar Rasgullah.
After workshop got dropped off in a Chevrolette to the top of the road (only) and walked to the station which was actually not that far. (people assume everything is far apart, but in my walking shoes, they are not actually. I guess thats cuz i don't mind walking). Near the station, i got a bus to Juhu beach. The beach i really large and wide. The water sucks. Gently and apologetically lapping at your feet like a dying mongrel. There were some nice food stall that i passed by (damn). Was walking for about a km on the beach. Came out and headed for my destination of Pritvi Theatre. The show Sir, Sir Salra starts at 9.30 and it was 7.30
They have some art on the wall, a small libabry and a cosy restaurant. But i didnt hang around there for long. Went back to the beach and succumbed to the temptatiion of the food. Had the special of some joint there called Mysoor Masala. Damn Yum. As a treat to myself on the way back stopped by at Barista and had an exhorbitantly rich and yummy but expensive (84/-) coffe and chocolate with ice cream and whipped cream in a tall glass thing.
The play was in hindi and unfortunatly about 50 % of the dialogues went aver my head. But i understood the gist of it. Just 3 actors, live music (funky stuff with a digaroo and playing a guitar with a bow like a celo) The stage was right at the foot of the audeience and we were really close to the actors. It was a really cool setting. I thouroughly enjoyed the 150/- i paid for it.
Went to Vile Parle and took the train back home via dadar. Reached at about 12.00
1st Oct Sat
Took the no. 3 bus all the way to the end to navy Nagar. This is a place where all the navy folk live. Practically all of it except the main road is off limits to ppl without passes. But it was nice to know that i'm at the extrememe tip of mumbai. Nice old, large houses as well as apartments. Like a seperate community altogether.
Walked to the Afgan church. An old one in dedication of ppl who died during the Afgan war in the 19th Centuary i think . It was closed, so i took the buss to Cuffe Parade. Again a very posh place with large hotels and the world trade centre. By Maker apartments i coiuld reach the ocean and see all the way to marine drinve, Walkeshwar and nariman point/. Went to the mall and brought a cd.
Took bus to Jehangirr. Went to the art gallery first. Its in a heritage buidling. 3 floors. Really nice. It had indian art from way back then till present day. ppl there were quite strict. Don't let u use mobiles and you cannot see the painting in reverse orer against the floor of traffic.
Crossed the road and went to the museum. In both these places i paid 10 and went in as a local. At the museum, if i was a foreigner, i would have had to pay 300!!! Again in an old building. It was a bit musty and old. But the exhibits were awesome. The history and culture in there and in india is stunning. The best part though is the weapons.
Regal is across the junct. Opposite this is little joint called Chicketas. Had a (recommended) Franky here. Its basically a fotti with a filling of yum chicken and cloeslaw. From there i walked to the Gate way. Tried to climb up to the Taj and take pics, but they were onto me i think. But went up to the top floors and checked the view out anyway. Apparently the architect who built the place had made a huge blunder. He put the entrance the wrong way round. Had later killed himself after realisin the mistake.
Took the no. 3 bus home after it got dark at the gateway. Got into some killer traffic and horns at Mohamadali road. The horns are a huge pain. Its continous. When one taxi stops, another bike starts, and then another. It just doesnt stop.
After reaching home at 8, went straigt to my Masi (aunt)'s house for dinner. After the amazing dinner and playing kabadi with the kids and checking out the hilarious spoof of monopoly by MAD, went for some sight seeing.
Bhen and huzi bhai on their respective bikes took us to marine drive and queens necklace. We hung around at the far end (tip) of this - Nariman POint - in fron of the theartre NCPA for a while and came home at about 1.00 am.
Finally got the travelling to work right. Did not miss the stop.
Went to lunch at a seea food restaurant. Had an awesome bombay duck...which is actually a fish dish. Went to my first focus group. Slighlty nervous about it, cu i have to conduct it and make a room full of strangers comfortable with each other and gain some useful insights. But it was quite fun.
Took the train home from Dadar (one of the largest stations in Mumbai)
27th Tuesday
Took the ppl at work some Gal Seeambala. It was fun seeing their reactions at this very exotic looking, tamarind tasting fruit :) Had lunch at the amazing office canteen. Wainted till late to discuss the Afla discussion guide with the AE.
28th Wedensday
Today is the focus group i organised. Ajeeta is doing one at 3, so we leave for that. Its was amazing to see the brains (Ajeeta and Rajeev) in operation completing the focus group DG in the car. The location is in Vile Parle (further than last times dadar) about half an hour car ride. The others had though that my grp was in walkeshwar and so we had assumed that we would come to work an pick up the stimulus and DG on the wasy (hence i had left it here), but my grp was also in Vile Parle. So i called the account guy up and he sorted it out for me. I should have seen this coming. Got some amazing insights about women and thier motivation for fitness and why they don't like going to them.
The first thought when people realise i'm from SL is Murali. Then come the LTTE and the war. The tsunami is a distant last. Rajeev took the group as it was conducted in Hindi. Again amazing to see him handle them. Rajeev was a bit pissed that i had not taken the tags and branding off the suitcases (stimulas) though he hadnt told me to. I guess i should have realised that too (2nd boo boo).
Ahd some amazing food (idli and sav puri) from a nearby place that was fabulously mouthwatering. The location is in front of a Hindu temple where a sermon was taking palce.
It got over at about 8. On the way, Rajeev confirmed that i'd be attending the wrokshop tomorrow).Got dropped to a cab and went straigt to office where i updated my blog and got some work done before i left for home, a bit late (at 11.00)
29th Thursday
The hotel is The Grand Hyatt in Santa Cruz and starts at 9.00. Had to leave home by 8 and take a 20 minute train ride to santa cruz station. 40 minutes is quite a distance cuz the trains are amazingly fast. But not fast enough to miss the huge no. of people shitting on the track with their butts in the bloody air and a bucket of water by their feet. Had breakfast of sandwiches in the train seeing allthe scenery (including the shitters) go by.
None of the ppl i asked knew the location of the Hotel, so i called up Ajeeta who picked me up from the bus stand next to the station.
After the workshop (it wasnt residential) i got dropped off by the Barista in Bandra at the top of Linkin Road. There is some amazing shopping here. After much deliberation and bargaining bought a bag and a belt. Wanted to get bling bling, but wasnt sure of what would be nice, so left it (sorry ppl who could have recieved blin bling gifts from me.)
Met another fellow burnetter (hot chick) who directed me to hill road for some shoe shops. But came away dissaponted. Tool the train from Bandra back home and switched tracks at Dadar. Came home to a pissed Huzi bhai cuz i had not called and they were worried.
30th Friday
Got late for the workshop today. But it was cool. There were so many ppl going in out and tho, it was pissing the conductor. Everyone at the office is so fucking smart its really humbling. Even the creative ppl are hands on with the brand and are fully involved. The ideas they came up with was bloody amazing...Eg: At the ESP workshop last week, they came up with some crazy ideas for McD's in 2 hours. the essense was a boring thing..."Happiness" Thought that they will have trouble getting good ideas from something as general as that...but no...
The strategy was to make it enjoyable to teenagers, so they will have movies screenings, special menu, music etc.
One idea was you see on the frame a large built man on a chair munchin on a burger. Then some one from the back taps his shoulder and asks him to bend down a bit (line...movie screening at McD's). Another had ppl eating their burgers and then all together gurgling the word bock ku (say it out aloud). This happens together every few sceonds. Then the background sound slowly increase. The mucis is "we will, we will Rock You" AND the ppl are all asying rock you with food in theri mouths. There were about half a dozen like this. Supper....
Had bloody awesome dessert of Kesar Rasgullah.
After workshop got dropped off in a Chevrolette to the top of the road (only) and walked to the station which was actually not that far. (people assume everything is far apart, but in my walking shoes, they are not actually. I guess thats cuz i don't mind walking). Near the station, i got a bus to Juhu beach. The beach i really large and wide. The water sucks. Gently and apologetically lapping at your feet like a dying mongrel. There were some nice food stall that i passed by (damn). Was walking for about a km on the beach. Came out and headed for my destination of Pritvi Theatre. The show Sir, Sir Salra starts at 9.30 and it was 7.30
They have some art on the wall, a small libabry and a cosy restaurant. But i didnt hang around there for long. Went back to the beach and succumbed to the temptatiion of the food. Had the special of some joint there called Mysoor Masala. Damn Yum. As a treat to myself on the way back stopped by at Barista and had an exhorbitantly rich and yummy but expensive (84/-) coffe and chocolate with ice cream and whipped cream in a tall glass thing.
The play was in hindi and unfortunatly about 50 % of the dialogues went aver my head. But i understood the gist of it. Just 3 actors, live music (funky stuff with a digaroo and playing a guitar with a bow like a celo) The stage was right at the foot of the audeience and we were really close to the actors. It was a really cool setting. I thouroughly enjoyed the 150/- i paid for it.
Went to Vile Parle and took the train back home via dadar. Reached at about 12.00
1st Oct Sat
Took the no. 3 bus all the way to the end to navy Nagar. This is a place where all the navy folk live. Practically all of it except the main road is off limits to ppl without passes. But it was nice to know that i'm at the extrememe tip of mumbai. Nice old, large houses as well as apartments. Like a seperate community altogether.
Walked to the Afgan church. An old one in dedication of ppl who died during the Afgan war in the 19th Centuary i think . It was closed, so i took the buss to Cuffe Parade. Again a very posh place with large hotels and the world trade centre. By Maker apartments i coiuld reach the ocean and see all the way to marine drinve, Walkeshwar and nariman point/. Went to the mall and brought a cd.
Took bus to Jehangirr. Went to the art gallery first. Its in a heritage buidling. 3 floors. Really nice. It had indian art from way back then till present day. ppl there were quite strict. Don't let u use mobiles and you cannot see the painting in reverse orer against the floor of traffic.
Crossed the road and went to the museum. In both these places i paid 10 and went in as a local. At the museum, if i was a foreigner, i would have had to pay 300!!! Again in an old building. It was a bit musty and old. But the exhibits were awesome. The history and culture in there and in india is stunning. The best part though is the weapons.
Regal is across the junct. Opposite this is little joint called Chicketas. Had a (recommended) Franky here. Its basically a fotti with a filling of yum chicken and cloeslaw. From there i walked to the Gate way. Tried to climb up to the Taj and take pics, but they were onto me i think. But went up to the top floors and checked the view out anyway. Apparently the architect who built the place had made a huge blunder. He put the entrance the wrong way round. Had later killed himself after realisin the mistake.
Took the no. 3 bus home after it got dark at the gateway. Got into some killer traffic and horns at Mohamadali road. The horns are a huge pain. Its continous. When one taxi stops, another bike starts, and then another. It just doesnt stop.
After reaching home at 8, went straigt to my Masi (aunt)'s house for dinner. After the amazing dinner and playing kabadi with the kids and checking out the hilarious spoof of monopoly by MAD, went for some sight seeing.
Bhen and huzi bhai on their respective bikes took us to marine drive and queens necklace. We hung around at the far end (tip) of this - Nariman POint - in fron of the theartre NCPA for a while and came home at about 1.00 am.
posted by The Grin Reaper at
11:58 AM
1 Comments:
*giggle* on the 29th, I hope i was the hot chick ;-)))) I loved reading your blog.. you should have had a handycam and you could have sent it to GlobeTrekkers...
(my secret dream job- did i tell you that)
By
Spazsim Chasm, at 9:10 PM
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