Utensils, Vessels and Hand Engraved Plates

Even now, in most of the Indian households stainless steel utensils and vessels are used. Whenever I go to my hometown (Madurai, India), I am tempted to checkout the shops for new arrivals. Let me try to relive the experience of how it feels to visit a prominent utensil seller.

At the entrance of the shop, the distinct sound of chisel and hammer emerges above all the chaotic noise that is predominant in Indian roads. I take time to look at the silent craftsmen, laboring to beautify brass/copper/stainless utensils.

Hand Engravers - very cheap labor

This time, they were working on brass plates, which are used in pooja (Hindu religious activities).

Doing wonders with chisel and hammer

Engraved with Vinayaka

Once you enter the shop, the dazzling array of utensils from wall to wall is a sight in itself!

It's hard to decide on what to buy and what not, finally I end up buying things that I don't need as well^^.

Like teasers, vessels with handles are hung on the roof and it looks so colorful that I can't stop myself from gazing at them!

Colorful food containers

Actually, this type of carriers is eco-friendly, because locals use it to pack food instead of plastic containers and covers.

Picturesque India - Aliyar Dam & Monkey Falls

In 2010, due to various reasons I had to travel a lot. Moreover, we had several opportunities to travel with family in India! I had missed out on blogging side because of these travels and other commitments. I realized this only when I started to archive and take a back up of the photos. To do away with the guilty feeling, am trying to come up with this eleventh hour post...

Path leading to Monkey falls around 65 km from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Superb weather and no crowd...we were very much tempted to take a dip, but unfortunately we had no change of clothes...so just satisfied ourselves with waddling in the stream...

Aliyar dam is just about a couple of km from Monkey falls and is surrounded by western ghats...

Though it was a hot day, it was windy and pleasant.

The park adjoining the dam was very inviting and we settled there for a picnic lunch...

Bettle nut tree...

Another view of the western ghats...

Typical bazar meant to attract the tourists...

On the way back, we saw someone casually throwing trash out of a moving car. This made to sigh and think, when would be change?

Is Shopping an Addiction?

Recently, I have been on mad trips to nearby super markets at least once a week and buy things that I need or might remotely need in the future. It all started as an act of escapade when there were elders at home and I didn't want to get in unwanted discussions early in the morning. Thank heavens, after two months my situation has changed.

Looking back at the stock in hand I'm shocked to realize how desperate I have been in these days. Then, I was doing a flash-back of the yester years and how I used to shop only for the necessities. This made me to Google and find if there are compulsive shoppers.

After reading the indications and symptoms of compulsive shoppers am shocked to realize how shopping could lead one towards addiction, which further would lead to financial destruction! Here is a description on chronic or compulsive shoppers...

Shopaholics (as they are sometimes referred to) when they are feeling "out of sorts, shop for a " pick-me-up." They go out and buy, to get a high, or get a "rush" just like a drug or alcohol addict.

Here is a questionnaire you might want to go through...

• Do you often go on buying binges?
• Do you find yourself spending more time and/or money buying on the Internet or on the shopping channels than you want to?
• Does money burn a hole in your pocket?
• Do you go shopping because you want to make yourself feel better?
• Do you often buy things because you think they will make you more like your ideal image?
• Do you sometimes feel that something inside of you pushes you to shop?
• Do you shop to avoid doing something else in your life?

If you answered YES to most of the questions, it is time for you to wake up and take stock, lock and barrel on your shopping habit.

A Visit to London Harrods

When I told my friends that I wanted to go to London Harrods, one of the world's famous luxury departmental stores, they joked that I must be super rich to go there as it belonged to Princess Diana's boy friend Dodi's family! After hearing this, I was even more tempted to go and visit this shop, and at least do one of my favourite time pass, window shopping^^:)

From Wellington Arch we asked for directions to go to Harrods and we were told that it was about 10 minutes walk. Well, if a Londoner says, "10 minutes walk" then for my speed it should be at least 20 minutes! As the weather was pleasant, we headed towards the Knightsbridge underground station, next to which Harrods is situated.

The unmistakable crowd taking photos in front of the Harrods signboard shows that it is one of those "must see places". At the same time, I was pleased that am not the only person to go there for just seeing it.

As soon as we entered the shop, we were stopped by the security guards and they asked us to take off our backpacks and carry it in our hands, as it would disturb the other shoppers. Though, I was first irritated by this request, I did realize it was for our own good, only after being hit by a careless backpacker who was gazing at the ceiling :( The ambiance was too good to be true, and it felt like Alice in Wonderland. After much hesitation, I took out my camera and clicked it.

We wandered through various departments and ended up in the watches section. Most of the models that I liked was priced in 5 digits...well, might as well buy a piece of property in India or Malaysia.

Then, we thought that at least we could buy something in the food and drinks section. But, unfortunately, I couldn't get veggie stuff. Then biscuit tins and chocolates looked attractive but prices were scary...

We saw a signboard "Dodi and Diana Memorial" and followed it...

The shiny board set in this splendid store reminds me about the mortality of the human beings. I did sign in the guest book to pay homage to that great lady and left the shop with a rather heavy heart.

Chocolate Fountain

Though it was my umpteenth trip to Mid Valley, today I came across something new or I'd noticed it just this time! A chocolate fountain!

First I thought it must be some deco item in the Belgian Chocolate counter at the Center Court. But a closer look and finally buying Marshmallow dipped in that sinful delight proved that it is, indeed a REAL fountain of rich warm chocolate!

Best Bargain Books!

Roadside shopping in T.Nagar Pondy bazzar is always an unique experience to me. This time around I was scouting for books and see what I managed to buy for just Rs 710, which is around RM 50!!! Moreover, all these are new paperback versions and not second hand books!

The Interpretation of Dreams - Sigmund Freud
The Word - Irving Wallace
The Miracle - Irving Wallace
Doctors - Erich Seagal
If Tomorrow Comes - Sydney Sheldon
God of Small Things - Arundhathi Roy
To Cut a Long Story Short - Jeffery Archer
The Kitchen God's Wife - Amy Tan
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari - Robin Sharma

I'd just started on the Freud's book. This is a English translation from the original German version. Though am intrigued and captivated on this subject, I find difficult to concentrate on long winding sentences. I wish the translation was done using simple English rather than the archic style!