Thursday, June 21, 2007

Joie De Vivre - Sensational edition of "Life ho to aisee" (जून २००७)


Hi All,
Its my pleasure to introduce this sensational edition of Life Ho To Aisee.
I just learned the word joie de vivre and thought this will be the title of my next edition.
This is the mid-June edition of this series.
Now, you will ask whats the sensational that forced me to compose this edition … Right ??
Hold on, hold on.. I am coming to the point…
Last week,
A one day trek to Rajgad was planned with company friends and Anagha.
Friday night 9 PM, Sujay told me that he is staying there on fort. I too decided that I'll stay on fort.
{ Its like, Like that AB's song.. Ek rahe iir, ek rahe bir …
Sujay bolaa mai fort pe rukungaa, Amol bolaa mai fort pe rukungaa,
Atul bolaa mai bhi fort pe rukungaa,
To hum bole…
}
We were 14 together, on 7 bikes.
As usual after assembling at Swargate, we started towards Rajgad.
Had a break at Nasarapur for MisaL.
Parked our vehicles at the base village, Gunjavane.
Started to trek on wrong way, but still continued. At one stage, we thought we lost the way 'cause we knew we had to go on top of the hill, but roaming around.
Then we had to climb a 50-60 ft patch in a dense tree surroundings.
Lot of scratches on hands,legs. To add to it, there were no rain.
Trek was planned assuming there will be rain. It took us 2.5 hrs to reach on top.
Rajgad has 3 machi's ( or legs, spreads) as Padmawati, Sanjivani and Suvelaa.
We entered thru a chor darawaja to Padmawati machi.
We kept out bags at padmawati temple and started for balekilla (fort on a fort).
Had our lunch at bale killa. Then six of us started their way back and we, remaining 8, were roamed on balekilla.
At around 4 pm, clouds started to gather and there was coldness and wonderful breeze all around.
Very soon, the fort was all covered by clouds.
After balekilla, we went to Sanjivani maachi. By this time, it had already started to drizzle.
We came back to the temple at 6 pm.
Had our food in the temple at night.. Awesome parathas by Sujay, breads,jam,ketups,and ……..
After food, we had some talk and everybody spread their legs in the available area.
In night, it was cold and raining outside. We could hear the sound of rain hitting the roof of the temple.
Morning, 8 am.. All fresh and fine, went to Suvelaa maachi after having tea. We started our way back at 11:30 am and reached to the base village at 1:00 pm.
It was raining at that time, but awesome weather to drive.
All the day from morning, I was having severe stomach pain, though I was walking in between the haults.
Weather was good..cool and raining.. But I was sweating like anything.
Evening 8 pm, I visited Dr. at last only to find that I was having infection due to water and nothing else.
Hope you will like the photos.

As usual, waiting for your valuable comments/suggestions..
Thanks,
Mahesh Masurkar
[ Joie de vivre:- A term used to express cheerful enjoyment of life. It can be a joy of conversation, eating or anything one does. ]

May 2007




Hi All, I am very glad to send this latest edition of "Life Ho To Aisee"। Though this month, there is nothing special (read as pictorius), I thought not to miss this edition। After all, well wishers expect some updates॥ Right ?? Well, first of all sorry for not putting the Washington trip photos ॥ I keep forgetting it everyday। Start of the month was very hectic with my cousin sisters marriage on 6th। It happened so suddenly that I missed my Bangalore trip for Raghu's marriage। Then next week end, early morning 6 am॥ I went to Sinhgad along with Anagha, Sachin and Sandip। That was my first (kind of) trek with Anagha. Sinhgad as always was beautiful with the delicious food. This time, we tried a new dish available there॥ Vaangyaache bhareet ( a dish from brinjal) These are vacation days and house is full of relatives. So daily cricket, cards and other things॥ Only fun & fun॥ Ya.. I started swimming back again.. Everyday morning 6:30. Got shocked. Nowadays, getting up early so that I can swim. !!! Last week end was wonderful as we all went to holy yatra.. We visited AshTavinayak, Shirdi etc. 22 People together in a bus for 3 days.. Imagine the enjoyment.






Last Saturday, on 2nd June, again Sinhgad, with all bachche company and most importantly, my 70 yrs grandmother.
She climbed the whole fort. It was a great spirit from her. When she went to top, we all shouted like anything. That was the rocking moment of the day.
As usual, waiting for your valuable comments/suggestions..
( Earlier photos are at http://www.picasaweb.google.com/mahesh.masurkar )
Thanks,
Mahesh Masurkar

April 2007


Hi All,
Here I am with the latest edition of "Life Ho To Aisee".
I have decided not to be late this time 'cause there were lot of concerns about "Life ho to Aisee" especially after my marriage.
There are few well-wishers(I know, everyone of u are, but ...!!!) who are very curious and eager to the edition.
Well.. This time no photographs.. Only update.
There was cold and rain at the start of the month. We had a long holiday of good Friday. (No no.. Black Friday is different, it’s a movie)
Couple of plans like going to New York or Niagara or smoky mountains etc.. But we finally decided to go to Washington DC.
It was a long 12.5 hrs journey by car. We started on Thursday evening, reached there at noon, visited Washington monument, Lincoln memorial, Jefferson memorial,
capitol, II world war memorial. (No time to go to Smithsonian museum ..)
This is the season of cherry blossom. Yes, we did visit the lovely cherry trees.. ( U must be blaming me for not putting any photo.. Sorry ..)
Night, we lift for Williamsburg. We had a stay there. Next day (Saturday) we had been to Busch garden… amazing rides, rides and rides.. Wow.. Never thrilling as before.
Rides at Minneapolis MOA were great, but rides here were terrible and breath stopping. Lots of fun.. Right ?? Same day evening, we came back to Washington DC, watched the fire works for the cherry blossom , then had a good Indian food and started back to home.
We reached Moline at 3 pm on Sunday. In the evening, celebrated bday of Bharat by cutting cake. I prepared special payasam (kheer) for this occasion.
Next week end, plan for chicago was cancelled because everybody was tired. So we roamed around moline only.
Yes, forgot to mention.. I had a chance to play table tennis at the local club. It was great !!!
Journey back to India was wonderful. Always..
Chocolates for frnds, gifts for relatives and Creative Zen Vision M: 30 GB mp3 player for my lovely wife.. That’s it…
As usual, waiting for your valuable comments/suggestions..
( Earlier photos are at http://www.picasaweb.google.com/mahesh.masurkar )
Thanks,
Mahesh Masurkar

February+March 2007


Hi All,
I know you all are eagerly waiting for the new year edition of "Life Ho To Aisi".
It’s a bit late from my side. I am combining two months together now.
This year's Republic Day was quite different for me. I started realising that I am going to lose my bachelorhood very soon.
And it happened next day only. I met Anagha on 27th and and rest is the (HI)story..
My sister had to go to Norway. So obvoiusly marriage date was taken as early as possible. (Waise bhi sab se jyaadaa jaldi mujhe hi thee !!!)
11th March was engagement day and 25th was D day.. I mean marriage day. It happened so fast that I may had forgotten to invite you too.. Don’t know.
This was the Feb update. Starting from the march, I am roaming, very few days in Pune. First, the visit was to North India like Shimalaa, Manaali and Agra.
Now in USA for a short period..(yeah, 1 month is a short period, but looks like longer.. You understand..just married and then … )
Anyway, last week I had been to Minneapolis to see the biggest mall in America. No shopping as the whole time was spent in the in-door amusement park..
Coasters, twisters and …
Planning for next few weeks has been done. This will be updated in the April edition of "Life ho to Aisee".
You can get the photos at ==> http://www.picasaweb.google.com/mahesh.masurkar
As usual, waiting for your valuable comments/suggestions..
Thanks,
Mahesh Masurkar

January 2007

Hi All,
First of all, a very happy and prosporous new year to all of you.
May all your wishes/dreams come true in this fabulous year 2007.
I know you all are eagerly waiting for the new year edition of "Life Ho To Aisi".
It’s a bit late from my side.
This year, nothing much of interesting as far as trekking/outing is considered though it’s a nice and wonderful atmosphere for it.
But we have internal JD cricket tournament organised in this month and being the key person, I cant do any other activity.
It was a nice experience from ground booking, teams arrangement, schedule and much more.
Yes umpiring too..(though it blackened my skin a little bit !!!)
My team progressed till final, but came runners up. I was out of tournament after the league matches because of the injury.
I got 4 stitches on my right hand fingers. Now its OK and stitches will be removed in a couple of days.
That’s the only fun in this month or to say last two months..
Plz update me from your side too. There is a long break/gap in the communication.
(Breaks between the communication is welcome, but not communication in between the breaks !!!)
As usual, waiting for your valuable comments/suggestions..
Thanks,
Mahesh Masurkar