Fashion Tips for the Smart Traveller

My Traveler Look!   

1. Sun Block: Never carry one from your own country; you will get the right SPF value one from where ever you travel. Also; your skin may react differently in a new country.
2. Hats: Pick one up from where you travel again, use it and throw or carry back for memory
3. Scarf: A definite must have and must carry. Pick one of those soft cotton ones which you can use anyhow. I used mine to cover my legs while cycling, as a head gear and also wet it and used around my neck and shoulders for those very hot day
4. Lips: Keep your favorite shade of lipstick, gloss of balm always handy, just one. Just for prettier pics.
5. Mascara: Avoid eye liner and use the Mascara instead. This is perfect to make your eyes just pop bright for those close-up pics. Avoid the kajal too, it will smear.
6. Base: Use one only in the evenings or night, it’s too Darn hot! All pics can be fixed for an even skin tone on your phones.
7. Sun Glasses: Keep options of cheap sun glasses, they help change the look easily. Carry a couple and rest buy from flea markets. It’s fun!

   

   Try Different Sun Glasses

8. Hair Care: Just carry your shampoo, your hair will behave strangely in new weather conditions and then pick a serum from where you travel to. My soft curled hair went dry and dead in Europe, went to the closest Sephora and asked for help and was given the perfect Serum. Avoid conditioners they will make your hair limp because of the sweat.
9. Hair Styles: Carry bright colored clips and hair bands and oh try all sorts of styles for sure. Braid it, puff it and try different ponytails.
10. Shoes: Don’t carry more than 2 heels, you won’t need them in Europe. Carry fun colored sneakers or walking shoes and 1 comfy slip-ons
11. Shorts: Carry just 1. Pick a shade best suited for most of your Tees.
12. Skirts: 1 Black and 1 White is my best suggestion, they can match all your tops and you can change your look with your hair and tees
13. Tees: Keep a good combo of lengths and colors. The long ones can be tied up in different knots and change the look from morning to evening. Try not to exceed 15. With all the combinations you could be totally set for many many days.

    

    Different Lengths of Tees

14. Purse: Don’t bother with any I’d say, carry a sling bag, small enough for your lip care, tissues (not wet ones cause you need your sun block to STAY), mascara, your cards and some cash. Carry a backpack for the rest.
15. Thread: For the quick fix for those upper lip hair, learn the figure of 8 self threading.
16. Body Hair: OK, this is tricky, the great news is, Europe is cool about body hair but if you are conscious (I’m really not) pick a cream hair remover from where you travel and DO NOT keep it for any longer than advised, you WILL get skin burns (I’ve done this.. haha!) no matter how coarse the hair growth. Shave the underarms. I won’t advice the cold wax strips as unless you are practiced this can lead to many skin problems.
17. Jewellery: Just carry all sorts of earring. Necklace and Bracelets could be a pain in summers and leave tan marks.. Well also in winters actually. Take a couple of scarves instead.
18. Nails: Keep them short, I've chipped my nails more than once while carrying the suitcase but definitely carry fun shades of nail colors.
19. Night Cream: Make sure you remove make up and apply your favorite night cream before sleeping, your skin will love you for the pampering.
20. WATER: Water, Water, Water. Drink, Drink, Drink. I can’t stress enough on this. Don’t worry about going to the toilet, you barely will. Your body will need a lot of water as there is a lot of walking to do. Keep a small bottle and keep refilling any place you pause at.

And Most Importantly.... HAVE FUN!

Travelling Boots

Universal Travel Checklist

I have often made a checklist before I travel and hoped that somehow there was a checklist somewhere which I could easily refer to and then just add a few personalized items.

So, instead of looking for it; here I've created it :)
Please feel free to add items personal to you, this is a Universal Checklist for all sexes and ages (well grown ups :))

ü  Passport and Visa
ü  Tickets and Insurance
ü  Currency and Travel Card
ü  Camera, charger
ü  Phone and charger
ü  Universal Adapter
ü  1 pair comfy walking shoes
ü  1 pair slippers/floaters
ü  Socks
ü  1 pair fancy shoes for the fun nights
ü  1 cargo pants
ü  1 pair of jeans
ü  12-15 Tees (no matter how long your travel, do not exceed this)
ü  Jacket (if needed)
ü  Shorts
ü  2 party wear
ü  Under garments
ü  Night clothes
ü  Medicines
ü  Toiletries (Toothbrush, Paste (small), Shampoo, Creams, Razors, Nail Cutter, Wet ones, Make up)
ü  Deodorant/ Perfume
ü  Travel Pillow
ü  Music
ü  Reading Material (Books or Kindle)
ü  2 fun belts (Optional)
ü  Sun Glasses
ü  A little bit of your favorite snack (I carry matthi and dry achaar) for those nights when you crave home food or you’ve missed the food timings or had bad food. It can be almost soul food sometimes J (Optional)
ü  Towel: Carry a thin one which can dry easily

Finally.. have a great trip and TRAVEL LIGHT! :)

Sri Lanka- No Strangers Here! Part 1

Sri Lanka.. The most unplanned of all my travels. I decided to travel to Sri Lanka over a traveller's meet at the Hauz Khas Village by Airbnb. A couple had mentioned it, described it and within days, without any research what so ever I had booked it. Did not even bother checking areas or distances or currency.. I was told I will love a place called Galle and I looked up for a place to stay near Galle on Airbnb and booked it. Simple!

There is something about travel.. which makes all of us a little more positive and expressive and so willing to share and help. Like an old college friend reached out to me after 14 years to give me the number of a reliable cab driver in Sri Lanka so my solo travel would be safe; along with a list of to-dos and to-avoids. I wish I had trusted him blindly!

Airbnb Colombo home

I reached Colombo pretty late in the night and my wonderfully helpful landlord for my only night in Colombo; Dijen had already organised a cab to pick me up and bring me to him house. The drive was nice and lead me to a beautiful, very colonial style house. A very big house with large door like windows all over. The beds were comfy and I think I slept right away from the fatigue and excitement.

The next morning, the moment I opened my door, I knew Christmas was around the corner with my senses being overwhelmed with the sweet smells of fresh bakes and cakes. Dijen's wife was a brilliant baker with a home based business and was stocking up for the Christmas orders. The breakfast was the best I've ever had in my Airbnb stays. At the breakfast table was an adorable couple from Russia and another German couple. Alexander and Tatiana from Russia were going to be taking a car on hire and driving all over, and the only thing we were hoping for was that it would stop raining.

Gangaramaya Temple

Dijen organised a tuktuk for me to take a quick tour of the city along with getting me a local sim card and currency too. But like I said, I wish I had blindly trusted my college friend Deepak and skipped Colombo totally. The Gangaramaya Temple was my first stop and lacked any and all instructions and you are also forced to pay donation for keeping your shoes without any prior intimation. There is nothing written in English anywhere so there is no way you can know any history or why what is placed where. I was even yelled at by a local man for taking a picture while there were no signs of 'pictures not allowed'. The Buddhas everywhere were a beautiful sight inspite of the rains but I had no clue what I was looking at. And then there was a room filled with glass cupboards and many things inside them kept shabbily... even a shelf full of watches.. and sunglasses. Again.. dirty, dusty and unexplained. The temple by the lake was a bit more serene but full of people sleeping all over the floors. And the last stop at the Beira Lake was even more dreadful, with lovers making the best of the rain and umbrellas all over the benches and canopy. Oblivious to the monitors who lurched all over the lazy, wet grass. I walked with my eyes digging the walking path around the little island as lovers made sudden movements of adjustments.. haha!

The love zone of Beira Lake!

I had thought I'd leave by 7 in the evening to reach my next stop at Galle but was on my way already by 3:30! Belinda, my host in Hikkaduwa, Galle had kept constantly in touch with me and before I even met her or saw her home I had the warmest feeling of being welcomed and like she was waiting for me. And she waited and waited and kept calling to check on me as my one and a half hour journey became over four hours long due to the rains. She had some friends who had also been waiting for my arrival from Spain. Finally she suggested I get off at the bus-stop and her tuktuk guy Kumara would be waiting for me and would bring me to the bar they were heading for and then would safely drop my baggage at her place. Now under normal circumstances I would have been sceptical, but Belinda's voice was so warm and worried that without a thought I had agreed to the entire plan; not caring about me or my baggage's safety after the disappointing day at Colombo and the laboriously long journey in the bus. What a good decision!

My new Spanish friends and family!

Belinda is a gorgeous, confident red head with a smile that could light up the skies. She waiting for me outside the restaurant in the slight drizzle and came across the road to welcome me and without any hesitation we were already holding hands as she protectively made me cross the road. It was like we were never strangers! At the bar I met all her Spanish friends and within 15 minutes flat we all felt we were meant to be sitting at that table together.. like it was the plan all along. The bar had a karaoke night and the beach was right next to it. The sea was calm, the weather was damp, the music was full of energy and our group of 7 was connected! Within moments Belinda and I had taken to the stage and were hollering the songs we sang with all our emotions poured in...

Post our night of fun and my new friends Jose, Sergio and Inma saving me from drunk Sri Lankans and an extreeemely friendly Russian woman, we all got on scooters and made our way home. I held on to Belinda for dear life cause I was on a two wheeler after many many years. We crossed a railway line and then entered a forest feel place.. and shortly reached the Dragon Fly house. My room was the first room with red walls and a simple four poster bed with a white net on it and my bath area was in the open. Yes!! My shower and facilities were under the open skies and on pebbles. Five of us; Jose, Inma, Sergio, Belinda and I sat up for a while around the dining. Jose, Inma and Sergio are best friends and were travelling together through all of Sri Lanka. While in Hikkaduwa; Jose and Inma were helping a friend, Eva with the construction of her house and Sergio was taking a diving course. Too tired to think or talk I crashed in moments after being guided by Belinda to cover Hikkaduwa and Galle the next day and she promptly organised for Kumara, the tuktuk guy to take me around.

Tsunami Monument Site, Hikkaduwa

It was the 24th of December; Kumara and I were on our way by 10, it was not raining thankfully. We started with the sand Buddha, a Tsunami Memorial site. It was located facing the sea in the middle of a lotus pond. I soaked in the calm while Kumara started telling me about the devastation the Tsunami had brought to Sri Lanka and Hikkaduwa in specific. I recall just sitting at the back of the tuktuk with my hand on my mouth in complete disbelief. We paused at another Monument site where they had made a brass painting of sorts on what the Tsunami had done and how people had hung on to trees; dead or alive; thousands died inside a train... oh the tragedy of it had my heart sinking already. But the last stop broke me; it was the Tsunami Photo Museum.

Tsunami Photo Museum, Hikkaduwa

A shabby shack with hand-written charts wrapped in plastic giving details, prayers, numbers... stats... stories... events... blow by blow description. Hundreds of photos from all over the world donated by so many people. Ohhhh the story each picture told... thousands of lives destroyed by death and devastation... by nature's fury. None of us had even known a term or word like Tsunami before that day.. 10 years ago... Children being the worst hit cause they could not outrun the waves. They never stood a chance! I stood still in front of all those walls with pictures... and photos and news articles... I stood still and stared... for hours.. and even though I didn't know any of them... my eyes had welled up. I sat down on the floor for a moment with my head in my hands with the room full of photos spinning in my mind and the pain I was surrounded in. Yes there was hope that so many had come to this country as volunteers and tried to rehabilitate this beautiful and peace-loving place. Belinda was one of them. She had been invited by Joy; a social worker in 2006 and now both of them were living here ever since.

Tsunami Surfer's Remembrance, Hikkaduwa 

My heart was too heavy as I hugged the woman who ran the place and also had lost someone to the Tsunami. I just could not ask her who it was and what her story was. I requested Kumara to just stop somewhere by the beach so I could collect myself. I just stood there watching hundreds of tourist and people by the beach and then I stared at the sea... the sea they had come to enjoy... It must have been a day like this 10 years ago I thought. As I kept sulking, Kumara came to join me and said... I know just the place for you... I quietly walked behind him and sat in the tuktuk.

And he was right.. he took me to the best place.. the Turtle Hatchery... Perfect way to forget about Nature's fury is to start seeing Nature's beauty. As the owner started showing me the whole process of how they rescue the soft shelled eggs of turtles and then take care of them. They allow you to touch them and send as much time with them as you'd like. They have turtle of all ages; from a few weeks old to the few years old. The special part is that they have a rescue zone for the handicapped turtles too. The cutest reptiles ever... as I interacted with them and tickled them over their shells and let them rest on my out-stretched arms...  I kept smiling for hours. This is definitely a must do in Sri Lanka!

Turtle Hatcheries, Hikkaduwa

We decided to head to Galle from there to check out the Galle Lighthouse and Fort. Umm... Honestly.. the structure was just nice.. nothing out of the ordinary but the view was amazing and for me personally; it was the quaint food and shopping areas all around it that made this place unique. I walked around idly and ate and shopped for souvenirs.

It was Christmas Eve and Belinda being the fabulous woman she is; had been kind enough to invite and include me in her friends and family group for a proper sit down Christmas Dinner with crackers and everything. We all got home by 7 in the evening as Sergio made Mojitos for us at home and we girls got into pretty clothes to celebrate. We headed to the Crab Restaurant and were joined by Dave, a Welsh man married to a gorgeous Spanish lady and they live in Dubai, Aaron was from Australia with Anna from Switzerland, and then there was Eva, absolutely hot looking woman who is  also a ranger in Africa for a few months every year. It was a very International table of friends who were away from family and yet sitting cosy on a rainy night at a dinner table to celebrate Christmas. As we cheered we all made our prayers in our own languages and as the wine kept pouring we heard everything from Spanish chorals to songs on flamingo dancing and then came the naughty songs which were all translated for me and Aaron.

My Christmas Family in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

The next day I had planned for my Christmas to be spent at Yala National Park with leopards and elephants, and for that I had to leave Hikkaduwa at 5 am. Hence I decided not to drink and stay up all night. And my god we the women DID! Post the dinner Belinda, Eva, Inma and I went crazy party hopping and danced the night away... Saw an old man who trips on trance in his lungi, saw a couple of men dressed with Christmas tree decorations all around their heads.

Girl Fun at Christmas in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

One caution to be taken for all women travellers here is.. Umm the Sri Lankan men can be trouble and can get touchy, its best you stay safe and a bit distant.

More in part 2.....

Washington- Absolutely Expected! Completely Unexpected!

When anyone mentions Washington DC, we all get the visual of the White House glowing in all its glory in the bright sunlight.. it's almost instantaneous. And having watched every American crime series and reading American literature and stories I was really looking forward to DC. It was the only city where I wanted to see the maximum number of places... and I had just one full day. But above all, unlike most... Washington for me was all about Forrest Gump and all its romance. I mean who can forget how Jenny screams out to him at the Memorial and runs through the lake.

I landed in DC early evening and reached the house I was going to live in by about 6pm. I was greeted and welcomed by an elderly gentlemen and the house was absolutely perfect. It was almost a mansion and had 3 more rooms to rent out and the house was fully booked. Each room was well lit with white upholstery, a homely feel and an air of comfort. Joe, my landlord gave me a grand tour and even helped me with my bags till the first floor which he didn't need to nor would I have expected considering his age. I settled-in in a matter of moments. I had been very proper with my packing and would always keep clothes for laundry at the bottom of my suitcase and the clothes I'd need for that city right on top. I was in US for 3 weeks and did all sorts of weathers and yet had managed everything in one decent sized suitcase.

World War II Memorial

Leslie, Joe's very sharp and smart wife came in shortly and was the best person evvvver to ask what I could do for the evening? She had an air of confidence and sophistication that just could not be ignored. The pair had diligently laid out brochures of all kinds for their guests to be able to plan exactly what they wanted. I figured where to go and how to get there easily for the next day and then asked her what could I do on my first night in DC... and she.. with an air of sexiness said.. "If it were me, I'd get into something pretty and get to the W Hotel, get to the top floor bar and just see the entire city lit up". I noticed I was smiling just listening to her and in my head I had already reached there.. so I did exactly that. Got dressed and reached the W Hotel. Not knowing what exactly to expect made my first view of the view even more breath-taking. The terrace had the most amazing view of the White House and the monument.

I made some lovely conversations there with some Indians and other visitors, but one person stood out... Special Agent Vic from Homeland Security. It was purely cheap thrills to be in America's Capital and running into someone from Homeland Security as I looked upon the White House from the Terrace Restaurant. He was a lovely man and of-course didn't share anything about his work with me.

The next day I got up well rested and with my spirits super excited about seeing all the places I had only seen on TV. The weather had been gorgeous and sunny. The bus tours of DC are probably the most efficient and cover the entire city. A good tip again is to wear very very comfy shoes here... There's a lot of walking up stairs and dashing to and fro from the designated bus stops.

I started with the World War II Memorial. It was perfect with 56 granite pillars in a semi circle with a fountain in the middle. Pillars have the names of all states of the US and a wall which holds 4048 gold stars each representing 100 Americans who lost lives or remain missing and a quote reading "Here we mark the price of freedom". I can't really explain how I felt exactly.. the place was very peaceful and yet even though I obviously didn't know anyone nor was it my country but I felt a deep sense of sadness.. just sadness.. how many lives had been lost.. families destroyed because of these wars... How and when did lands and religions become more important than humanity. I couldn't imagine losing a family member even to old age and then there were these wars and acts of terrorism that had been destroying humanity and ruining families forever. People had lost family members in moments... just like that.. It felt so depressing and well... unnatural in every way.

And yet what a thoughtful way of giving the soldiers this honour. 

The Reflecting Lake at the Lincoln Memorial

My heart was a bowl of many mixed emotions, and the next few hours had to be crisp, attentive and focussed cause I had so many places to 'hit and run' and so will the next few paragraphs.

My next stop was the much awaited Lincoln Memorial.. iconic for its history and its importance in movies like Forrest Gump and Planet of the Apes. With the entire structure basking in the sun in all its glory... the Reflecting Pool in-front and the clear view of the monument... makes one just smile. Here I was.. standing where Abraham Lincoln was being enshrined, where Martin Luther King gave his "I have a dream" speech. It's a good idea to just sit here and breathe it all in.

I didn't have time to see all the spots so had been selective and very time managed. But then, the open top bus made a stop in-front of the Spy Museum.. and I sat still contemplating whether I should.. could miss this bit and the answer was a clear NO. I've been such a Bond movies freak... so I just jumped right out and went for it. Ok.. so I'll be honest.. I was hoping to see a lot of stuff on James Bond... but somehow they had a section for only the Bond Villains.. little let down! There is a segment where they ask you to take up a role play and try to make you feel like a spy with a cover name and stuff but... ummmm I wasn't too impressed. And was a bit expensive too.

United States Capitol

Then I went on to the United States Capitol, the seat of the US Congress. Again an absolutely gorgeous structure with the big dome and everything white. . Ofcourse it had crazy security all over but I was honestly tired and though there is a walking path all around it and everyone was only on the path I couldn't understand how and why were people not sprawled all over the absolutely gorgeous lawns all around. I was just about to walk nonchalantly but it suddenly occurred to me what if they saw it as a crime or something and arrested me ... so I took some steps back and walked up to the guards and just sweetly asked.. "umm .. will be ok if I cut through the grass for a better view?" They looked me up and down and said "Sure, just make sure you don't go too close to the bushes, they are loaded with motion sensors and alarms" GULLLP! I said thank you and obviously didn't walk on the grass.

Next stop was the Smithsonian and my main focus was the Air and Space Museum and it was every bit as amazing as every article claims. There were components of space shuttles, explanations on their working, all the success and failure stories, aircrafts of every generation hanging from the ceilings with stories about their inventions and advancements. I was absolutely wowed by everything there.

Air and Space Museum

I must mention that in the hop-on hop-off buses you don't always travel with the same set of people but then there are chances that you see someone who was with you in the previous trip through the day and familiarity comes easy with a smile and conversations flow in with suggestions and plans. I made friends with a group of 8 African American women of all ages who were from Tennessee and my god what energy levels they had.. absolute fun women. All sisters with their kids.

Another interesting spot is the Lock Keepers House. We crossed it a few times and I don't quite know the history but it was a stone built hut in almost the middle of all these new age buildings and structures. But it was a pretty site.

The Lock Keeper's House

The last stop was ofcourse the White House. Took some pictures and ofcourse I tried to look at every window hoping I'd probably see President Obama.. N no I wasn't that lucky! As I walked out to take a seat on a bench next to a lake right outside and just sat staring at the fountain a young boy in a suit came to share my bench, we both smiled and nodded. Andy Brown had just joined as staff in the White House and was an absolutely cute and adorable company. So we sat for about five minutes, I praised him for what he was doing, he praised me for what I was doing and both wished each other success and just like that became friends.

The White House

So I had planned that since I was so tired, I'd go home, rest for a while and then head towards Georgetown for an early dinner and be home as soon and get a good night's sleep before my early morning flight the next day. I had no idea what was about to take me by storm. So the cab driver who drove me home that particular day was particularly peculiar. I had got a call from my love while in his cab and after over-hearing my love talks.. he totally abruptly asked.. "You Married" ... I said "umm.. Yes... why?" hesitatingly.

To which he said in the most animated way.. "My wife never speaks to me like that.. she horrible.. always screaming screaming..." and went on and on and on... "She remember old fight and bring up after months.. I no even remember...I love her but oh my god hate living with her... she never talk sweet sweet...." and on and on... And then just suddenly asked me.. "You live here? Or visiting? Wait... you looking like tourist.. Ya?" and I think I just nodded... he just kept talking.. and then asked "So you go party party at night? Where you go?"

I till date don't know why I immediately blurted "Georgetown".. I mean who was he.. I didn't even know him but he spoke to me so easily all about his life that I almost felt like I must know him... and he immediately said "Oh Georgetown?? No Georgetown... Georgetown is like.. how you say.. umm it is very white... all rich rich ... you wanna see REAL DC?? You no go Georgetown... You go Adam's Morgan.. that is real DC... real underbelly".

Madam's Organ at Adam's Morgan

He even gave me directions and bus numbers to get there and everything... Just like that.. a complete stranger had planned my evening. I walked to my room with a smile and in awe of this peculiar character who had met me.. praised me.. opened his life to me.. and also known what I may like while I had probably just spoken seven words to him.
Adam's Morgan... Oh my God... Adam's Morgan.. Everything had been so white and prim and manicured and and... and NICE the whole day that nothing could have prepared me for Adam's Morgan. I had never heard of it but even if I had... nothing could have described the life.. the energy... the vivacity of Adam's Morgan. It was a street full of options.. and the interesting part was.. my options were not restaurants or cuisines... they seemed to be.. Countries! Yes.. Countries... It was like the funnest UN area.. There was Brazilian, French, African, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, Indian... and no they were not just the cuisine but looked like they all were carrying a bit of the best of their countries... the layouts.. the interior designs... the fragrance of the foods... and last but not the least... the music... oh my god the music...

The Adam's Morgan Street

Let me try and make you walk my shoes... imagine a small street and you walk past a quaint looking French restaurant with a little seating on the outside with the fragrance of fresh breads and cheese lingering in the air and some classic French music playing and you take a peep inside and in an instant you are there... on some street in Paris on a cool romantic night.. and you smile to yourself blissfully. And you carry on walking and a few steps further, you feel a sort of thumping in the ground below you and suddenly there is an African live band playing some reggae tunes and smiling at you while you walk past them and the air gets loaded with the smell of heavy oils and spices and you are already in Africa.. Oh the bliss.. the madness of Adam's Morgan! Just a street with no barriers and love for only fun, food and music. There was no way I wasn't going to enjoy as much of this street as I possibly could.. So decided to go restaurant hopping and soon made friends with a bunch of girls who were doing the exact same thing as me and asked me to join them. Soon we girls were trying to get as much of the street as we possibly could.. Our last stop was the landmark  of the street named "Madame's Organ" and had three floors of music.. of all kinds and graffitis all over the walls. I guess the best way to sum it is that... This street was a traveller's haven! 

DC was everything I expected it to be but more importantly it was everything I never expected it to be... Another wonderful lesson learnt.. Talk to cabbies and expect the unexpected!

This is ELLL AAAA maaan! - Los Angeles!

So my last stop in America was supposed to be LA. I was spending the most amount of time here because I wanted to just sit back and relax here. And as you will read and laugh about each and every interaction you will realise, I should have never done LA.

So the first night I landed in LA and took the cab for Hollywood and Vine; yup, that's where I had got myself a gorgeous loft and could not be happier living ON the Hollywood Boulevard. As I entered the city I had already seen cops arrest some African American but the cab was moving too fast for me to capture the moment as a tourist. This was the first time I was seeing an arrest with the guy's head put on the trunk of the car and the cops handcuffing him. To be honest, it was more scary than exciting, but we quickly moved past it and I entered the heavenly zones of the Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard. And the roads lit up with lights and colour and all the familiar names of to-dos and to-sees. From the bus tours to the big flashy theatres, a million souvenir shops, the comedy club pubs everything was there. And I was living right here... You can't imagine my excitement! As in my head I thought.. no more busses and trains, I'll just walk everywhere.. I'm living on the Hollywood Boulevard in LA!!! This was where all the action was!!

My landlord was a no show for the first night, which was very uncomfortable cause he had left his entire house open... like all doors and drawers open and I was there.. a person he just did not know. Did he not consider I could have been a wierdo, oh wait... what if he was?? What if there were cameras all over?? I checked every mirror, every corner before I changed I promise, place  looked clean and yet I did all the changing girls hostel style... well which means the girls always have something on and we struggle our way through clothes and exchange them rather than change... ask the women.... we all can do it :) I'd rather always be safe than sorry I say :)

The Hard Rock Cafe!

It was about dinner time so I thought I'll take a stroll along the Boulevard and pick up pamphlets to plan my next day and grab a meal and souvenir at the Hard Rock Cafe. So; dressed up pretty and walked along picking up brochures and making mental plans. Most friends often ask me, don't I get bored alone... And the truth is.. well cause you are responsible for your own fun you are mostly really really busy planning it and then living it... its only at restaurants that you could imagine being awkward but if you are a single woman travelling; people are generally really nice to you, like the gorgeous waitress who served me at the Hard Rock. She was a professional dancer struggling in LA and played my body guard against all the men who were trying to ask about me. When a man walked up to me to hold a conversation, she was there in moments to rescue me and tell the man I was not to be disturbed very assertively. She was fierce!

The reality of LA did not hit me till I was walking back home. It was barely about 10:30 pm and it was a 20 minute walk, when suddenly an old man started calling out to me, he was a homeless man and kept calling me by some name and walking hurriedly towards me, I started walking faster and so did he... before I knew it I was so scared I started running and entered the first restaurant I could see. My friend had long ago told me, if someone starts to follow you always head for a hotel or restaurant.. Good advice! I entered the restaurant with a dash as the hostess walked towards me awkwardly saying her repetitive line "Table For...." and I think I held her panting and saying.. "A man.. A man is following me... I didn't know where to go.. Can I wait here for a bit?" Both she and the manager waited with me as they handed me water to help me calm down and watched the crazy man disappear. I had no idea what had just happened? Was I just 'harassed' by a homeless guy in 'America' on the 'Hollywood Boulevard' of LA???? And just then before I could even compose myself and walk without trembling I was passing a club of sorts and few more 'over friendlies' started 'complimenting' me and hooting and.. and.. as they got closer.. I screamed back at them "Please leave me alone or I'll start crying" ... and ran away... Wait... What... What did F%*@ did I just say??? "I'll start crying?????????????" That was my threat????? What the hell was wrong with me??? Who says that???

The strip club from my balcony!

As I dragged my tired feet home; I was almost banging the door of the apartment building and begging the lady at the reception to let me in.. and the moment she let me in I broke down and cried like a baby holding her... I had not had such experiences ever.... even as I had walked around prepared in India; but was so unprepared for this to happen to me in America.. Where was I?? As I sobbed and told my story to the lady she totally knew what I was talking about... and said "Ya... Ummmm.. These homeless people have killed LA, we call them 'bums' and they are all over.. honey you need to keep some pepper spray with you at all times and next time just don't even think... spray anyone who even gets close." 

As I entered the empty new house I was so shaken up that I slept with every door double locked and fighting memories of movies wandering my head.. with the cop car sirens and loud noise coming from the street below, I slept with earphones in my ears that night hoping the next day came with a promise to be bright.

As the alarm rang at 7 30, I stepped into the living area and fixed myself a coffee with some good music on my ipod and as I stepped out in the balcony through a window to feel the sun on my face I was rudely SHOCKED!! My apartment was opposite a strip club which had a huge board outside it with 'fully naked girls here' written in every possible language.. yup.. even Hindi. Amused and embarrassed took a sip of my coffee to realise the milk had gone bad and being in the balcony I had no place to even spit quickly... I was beginning to pray for a better day now.

Santa Monica- And the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co at the back!

Positive me got dressed... picked up a coffee from the Starbucks en-route and made my way to take the bus tours. Met some smiling faces, took pictures, made some old couple friends and the day was gloriously beautiful and as we drove around in the open top bus... I waited.. I waited... I waited to be awestruck... to look at some place.. any place and be like.. "WOW". It... it didn't happen. Saw and stopped at many places.. made a long stop at the Santa Monica Pier too.. but I gotta be honest.. I wasn't dazzled at all. So here is what I think.. unless you are seriously "Star Struck" or something LA is not the place for you.. I mean the pier had Bubba named shrimp shops all over ;being influenced by Forrest Gump.. and oh so did the broad walk in San Francisco, I mean it was a movie for god's sake... we haven't named places where Bollywood movies were shot with the names of characters.. Imagine going to a hill station with all shops and restaurants named Raj or something. I do love the movie.. I loved Forrest Gump and know it by the dialogue but really the only thing people said about Santa Monica to me was.. This is where Forrest ran till and stopped running... ummmm LAME is what I thought.. just me! Yes it was pretty and everything but I really had seen better beaches and crowds.

Anyway.... went on to the most popular Venice Beach from there.. Now this was interesting with basketball courts right next to the beach and a flea market all along the coast with street performers and open restaurants... I walked along the beach for a bit.. posed as a life-guard and walked back to a restaurant.. had a good meal.. picked up some cool shades for like $7 and used a loo with no lights and totally UVed.

There were 2 highlights of my trip to LA, the movie show at the El Capitan where they performed a magic show before they played Maleficent and the only other highlight was Deepali Khanna. She is my elder brother's friend and even though we had never met she was most helpful and warm with every single suggestion she made. Told me exactly what to do and where to go and every piece of advice was perfect including taking the tour buses.

Venice Beach and the $7 sunglasses! :)

Unlike most of USA; LA is not the most well connected city in terms of local transport and the only way to really enjoy it is to have a car of your own really. It's very spread out with little or no connectivity. Had dinner at my landlord's restaurant Wood and Vine, a beautiful, quaint restaurant with lovely service and great cocktails. Uday, my landlord was born and brought up in LA and was a complete gentlemen and ran the restaurant with all his heart.

All LA had to offer in terms of sightseeing was where who lived and died.. the celebrities.. and that was so totally not quenching my thirst. So the next day I decided to visit the 'hot-spots' of LA; desperately hoping to be impressed. So I went to the Melrose Avenue, to check out shops where a pair of sunglasses was for $800 and ate at 'The Ivy Restaurant'. Now to be honest I was hoping that the food and drinks here were going to be out of this world, cause this was a celebrity hang out... but nope.. infact the salad was almost limp and I could barely finish it. The most incredible thing about it.. was the look and feel of the place, I felt I was in Spain with all the flowers and plants around me, the closely laid tables, it was pretty intimate yet private. Now being a solo traveller; I've always requested random strangers to take pictures for me, but the waiters here were more busy standing and waiting and looking around but could not take a minute to take a picture of me. They simply asked me to wait and then forgot. Oh! Another example of their hospitality..?? There was a beautiful bunch of flowers on the table and I requested if I could take just one flower and I was refused.. curtly.. very curtly.

Then walked to the Urth Cafe, also another hotspot, but again the bobba/bubble tea in Australia was way better than what they offered. As I then walked towards the city centre for some shopping the strangest thing happened, an old woman, well dressed walked dead on towards me and said, "Your life is about to change, a big change is coming your way" I must admit I was startled but I knew better by now and I decided to play along and said "Really? How so?" and she said "You will find what you are looking for"

"Be specific, please", and there it was... she says "Keep $20 in my palm and I'll tell you all about it... I simply walked away laughing... and went up to Blooming Dales only to run into her again in the make-up section where she tried all the expensive make up as my sales boy hid me from her... It was hilarious! Bums!!?? LA was full of crazies!!

My last night in LA, I was meeting an old friend... and this turned out to be an absolute night to remember! He had been living there for decades and was in love with LA... no no.. not like you and me love a city or our country he was obsessed with it! And had made it his responsibility to make everyone know it and love it too; so when he asked me how I loved LA.. I being the 'compulsive truther' said "It's alright! I dig history and culture and LA doesn't have much of that... It may be great for party people but I'm not big on that" Oh... My... God!! The rest of the evening he kept telling me how awesome it was here and kept making gestures to 'high-five' him every time he said... 'This is ELLL AAA man' like really every few minutes he would say something and expect me to do it too... 'This is ELLL AAA man'.... I said I was harassed by bums.. and he said see.. "The weather here is so awesome even the homeless love it here... 'This is ELLL AAA man' (high five)" . He raved about how well he was doing and seeing a British girl, and when I asked him her name.. It was an Indian name and with the confused look on my face he figured he had to explain..and said ya she is 'Gujju' but born in UK you know.... I swear if you in my head that evening you would do one of two things... hold your head in your hands or just be gaping rudely... After raving for 15 minutes on how well he was doing he almost stupidly looked at me and said "Hope you are getting the next round.." I had had enough by then and blurted out... "Honey, if I can travel the world and live in fancy hotels and apartments, I sure can buy you a drink, in-fact why don't you sit pretty, I'll take the tab" and he went on to explain, "You know this is how we work in US man.. everyone splits... It's not like India.." It was my turn now... I had heard so much of his pseudo non-sense that talking about India like he knew it when he had no clue.. was the last straw! I don't get it.. Why do all these people who had recently (ya even 10-15 years is recent) moved to US become such wannabes and desperate to blend in with the locals that they would follow everything without using any rationale... So desperate to become a 'New Yorker' or from LA!!?? Yes, here in India also, when I meet the friends I regularly hang out with.. we all split the bill but when we meet someone who is meeting us after decades in our town its almost nice and hospitable to take the tab.. Even my British friends do that! Infact when they met me after only 6 months they even got gifts for me (Thanks Victoria!) Anyone who can travel abroad for a vacation can sure buy stuff for themselves, it's not like I needed him to buy it but the audacity to demand it and assume I'm from some backward village who doesn't understand how the cool world of equality works was simply pushing it..

He did take me to a few cool places, and split after he got the message that this wasn't fun at the Chateau Marmont. Met a funny bouncer there and I was so full of negativity by the time he left that when the bouncer looked at me and asked.. bad night... I just rattled away about his stupid 'high-fiving' and he said the funniest thing.. said.. "Oh! Oh ya, I do that too all the time.. especially after sex.. you know like this was good.. and we like high-five" I laughed out loud... and said.. "That's a mental picture I won't forget man" and I haven't...!

Next day I was leaving for home, and I'd had a million awesome moments in my time in US and even though LA wasn't even close to the human interactions I had in all other parts, it was alive... and people who lived there could not dream of leaving it..

Travel teaches you a lot about yourselves, and there is more to learn from bad experiences than the good ones.. I always say.. good times may make you re-inforce what you like but the bad experiences teach you what you don't like and are not ok with. I wasn't OK with someone... talking down about my country and assuming they were superior beings because of a geographic difference. I wasn't ok with a city like LA.