CURRENT MISSION

Explore the world!

ABOUT ME

Update (19/June/21) : I moved to Redmond, WA late 2019. The below was written when I joined CS, over a decade ago.

Am originally from Bombay and spent 10 years in Blr and 2.5 in Hyd before moving to the US. My heart still belongs to Thane, Bombay.

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Often spontaneous - brought in my sixteenth birthday riding a bike - on a national highway - in my 'short' shorts meant to be worn ONLY at home (hey, I was born in SUMMER) - on a bike acquired only a few hours ago - no practice whatsoever! (almost met my maker that night)

Totally confused, completely self-assured, unbelievably naive, extremely astute, a cynic, a 'forever optimist'. A pile of contradictions!

My key chain says : Shock me! Say something intelligent.

I prefer tea to coffee most times... especially roadside Bombay tea/ginger tea :) (though from the office dispenser - _only_ coffee!)
Other things I like include (but are not limited to!)
Adventure sports.... ice creams (especially from Naturals-Bombay)... bike rides...lazying in bed... reading... pani puris... logic... argumentative men... traveling.... quaint places... platimum... waterfalls... intelligence... fruits...Ikea furniture.... quilts...romantic comedies (movies)... salads... junk food (part of the reason for the almost constant battle with the buldge!)....cooking... getting drunk _on_ all kinds of music from hemant kumar to rock (actually truth be told I'm "high" on life, permanently!) ...school friends who last a life time *touch wood* ...instant connections ..tech toys...rain drops.. pinacoladas... cycling.... mangoes.... am 'abcaspalutely' (yup, my own - mine and a friend's actually - do that sometimes, come up with random words!) crazy about water falls..

I'm known to get excited about the smallest things, be it a beautiful sky, spotting a pani-puri chap, the smell of the first rains, a 'waterfall' that barely qualifies for a trickle, ginger tea... what ever!

I _love_ to travel. Am passionate about learning about new cultures, meeting new people, learning new languages (need to start working on the non-Indian section now! lol ...any help in that direction will be much appreciated)...am a student of life! Take great pride in showing India to travelers & consider myself a global citizen. Hosting/taking care of people comes naturally to me...and I am in my element when I'm organizing things. Will try and help out, almost always.

Create your own visitor map!

PHILOSOPHY

DON'T grow old : http://www.dontgrowold.blogspot.com/

Live and let live.
I give people their space and I like to have mine.

There will never be another _now_ - make the most of this moment.
There will never be another _you_ - make the most of yourself.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Its a shame when we are young and _want_ to travel, we have no money - by the time the money angle is sorted out - one has lost the burning desire to travel. CS helps facilitate travel cutting down costs and helping meet some fabulous people - _awesome_ idea!

Right now - for the most part (except maybe to SF & Bombay) I'm happy just to host people visiting India (Bangalore & possibly Trivandrum-Kerala).
Please make an attempt to get the conversational ball rolling - though I will try and host people even at short notice/last min - Its always nice to know someone a lil (even if it is just virtually!) before they land up at your doorstep!!

Alternatively if you are keen on hosting me (I promise I'm usually witty, mild tempered, clean and helpful around the house (and nope, don't have a nose the size of Pinocchio) ;) !
I might even give ye a sample of home cooked Indian food!) so, do get in touch :)

23/March/08
Having enjoyed a couple of BangCS events I've taken to telling everyone I know about CS...and getting them to sign up!! :)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

9/3/08
So far none! - My first day here!!

20/3/08
Met a whole bunch of wonderful CSer from Bangalore yesterday. Someone had posted on the Bangalore group about wanting to go bowling, I happened to reply.. and suggest bowling on 19/3 - a wednesday evening! (I was lucky to have a longgg weekend starting today) so many made time to come despite having work the next day! Shows the true spirt of CS - was rather impressed!

As for CouchSurfing experiences in my lifetime?
..well, I've always been a 'host' at heart! An online friend after talking for a few months decided enough was enough and jumped on a train to come see me for a couple of days, wound up staying 10! Friends from college moved into my place (one for a 2 months!) cause they found it easier/more relaxing..
A dear friend (Stefany) from Canada - someone I met on a scrabble site went on to become a good friend, her words are 'soul-sisters' i believe - and came and visited with me for bout 10 days - a really short 10 - days just flew by! :)
Friends of friends often land up at my place when stuck for where to stay.
...am blessed with fabulously understanding and giving parents - so have never had a problem with so many people coming over - though college mum took to cooking extra everyday as she never knew how many people she would have at her table!
Though I have had more experiences hosting.. a couple of blog pals in the U.S got me to visit with them... had a fab time! Both of us can't wait to repeat the experience!! :)
I now hope to host as many people from all corners of the world - especially ones who haven't ever been hosted!

10th April 08
Feel like a veteran almost! have organised many BangCS meetings...
Hosted through Couch Surfing :
the very first one was
Kamel Boughaleb - France / Marocco (landed in blore in 4th - and left today - 10th, though a couple of days in the middle a friend took him to see his village)
....plenty more - scroll down :)

1/Sept/08
Seem to have become the default choice for a host in blore - not that I'm complaining - however it might be nice if people took the time to let me know if they enjoyed their stay, by way of references! :)

Interests

a whole host of things - but 1.17 at in the morning (on a MONDAY morning) is not the best time to be doing this :)

1/Sept/08
Somehow never seem to get around to putting down anything in this section

• dining
• cooking
• indian food
• coffee
• yoga
• shopping
• technology
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• blogging
• music
• cycling
• surfing
• sports
• rock climbing
• swimming
• bowling
• languages
• logic

Music, Movies, and Books

yes, yes, YES! wait a min, that wasn't an offer... they were prompts, eh? I blame it on being sleep drugged currently..

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One??

Seeing the stars on a clear night. Especially from the grounds of Isha Yoga (Coimbatore).

Trekking through the foresty bits of N.J to come up to a clearing with a sheer drop...Manhattan by night.. at one's feet.. can take your breath away.

White water rafting - Chickmangaloor.

Sitting inside the trunk of a red wood tree! Man they are gigantic!!

Climbing up to the mouth of the waterfall in Kondana Caves - Bombay.

Swimming in the Pacific (Half Moon bay) almost froze my fingers/toes off - but man,it was awesome!

...how does one limit this to one?!?

Teach, Learn, Share

Am fairly good at striking a bargain - a skill _needed_ to go shopping in India - I'll be happy to help! :)

I'd like to learn to play an instrument..
...maybe make _good_ use of my DSLR camera.

I dabble in experimental cooking - so if someone not only wants to sample the local fare but also give it a whirl - I'm your gurl! :)

Have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, so I am always eager to learn new things!

Countries I’ve Visited

Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, United States

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