Monsoon Monlater

From the roof access of our building, right above us on the twelfth floor, you can see from the fishing villages of Madh Island to the string of lights leading to Cuffe Parade. Friday evening after the sun went down, the sky became just a cloudy expanse, absorbing the light and air pollution produced by the city below. As much as I would have loved to lay face up and watch the night sky in such clear weather, smog is a pretty boring view. You will never see stars in the Mumbai sky - they all fell and landed around the Arabian Sea. The monsoon was late again this year. With the wind picking up, you instinctively knew that something was coming and the dry heat was into its last days hanging around the city.

Saturday was spent in the south at HR College. Our organization taught the medical portion of a monsoon preparation seminar. The session included volunteers modeling makeshift flotation devices from water bottles, produce bags, and other trash - probably the greatest 20 minutes of my job.

The entire event was in Hindi so it was a welcome break to have a performance. I absolutely loved this. You don’t even know.

Sunday was spent at the national park outside of the city. On our “Lion Safari” it began pouring outside – the first real rain of the year. I was soaking wet but glowing – the kids kept screaming on the playground and couples moved under trees to take shelter. Within moments the entire forest was transformed and dusty patches of lawn where we laid down for a break in the afternoon were massive muddy puddles, soon conquered by large and excited Indian families.

There were also some [ Incredible! ] caves on a peak in the center of the park. We were only able to spend 10 minutes since the park was closing but I am definitely going back. If I am ever the head of Top Model - Bombay I would do a ridiculous shoot on the large black rock covering the bald mountain. You should watch it.

Who wouldn't want to see this movie?

‘Aa Dekhen Zara’ is a fast-paced, romantic musical thriller that promises some great edge-of-the-seat action.

The movie stars one-film-old Neil Nitin Mukesh with Bipasha Basu . Neil plays a photographer while Bipasha plays a DJ. Neil Nitin Mukesh as Ray Acharya Ray, a struggling photographer, has nothing going for him until he inherits a very 'special' camera from his grandfather which changes his life in a way that he could not have imagined in his wildest dreams.The 'power' of the camera changes Ray's destiny overnight. His life becomes one big rollercoaster ride that takes him from rags to riches and helps him meet the love of his life, Simi

Bipasha Basu as Simi - Simi is an attractive, sexy DJ. An independent woman, she has a mind of her own. Everything is hunky dory between Ray and Simi and the duo seem headed for a 'happily ever after' life.

As they say, with great power comes great responsibility and in Ray's case, also great danger. He must now face up to the dark side of reality and win not only against the evil forces but also against fate.

Can Ray change his date with fate? Aa Dekhen Zara.

http://www.apunkachoice.com/dyn/movies/hindi/aa_dekhen_zara/aa_dekhen_zara-preview.html

Namaskar

After two weeks without internet access, I am finally able to blog about my summer. To start with the basics: I'm in India living with 6 other students from Yale/the rest of the world and interning with Dial 1298 for Ambulance through AIESEC. With all that has happened since I showed up at the end of May, I'm not sure if I can fully describe the way I felt upon arriving for the first time. I've only been here two weeks and I feel like I have masala flowing in my blood. I can't get over this place.

I am so privileged to see Mumbai from many angles unapproachable by transient tourists or lifelong Mumbaikars planted firm in their own segment of the city. I spend afternoon 'cutting chai' breaks at the slum stall across from my office - the same general area featured in Slumdog Millionaire. I live in a quiet, middle class neighborhood where I pick up fresh vegetables from the produce stand outside my flat each day. At the same time, I am experiencing the world of South Mumbai - one of the most privileged communities in India and the world - through the ever connected yale network. I've taken auto rickshaws, trains, taxis, and private cars. I've had sugarcane made before me on the street for 6 Rs and I've spent 600 Rs on one item at the poshest rooftop in the city. Everything about the city is filled with extremely vibrant contrasts. Mumbai is a throbbing mass of people, colors and smells which seem to fill every inch of the thick air. Each morning I wake up surprised to find that the city has survived to riot through another day.