Bogotá is cold and wet and I'm tired of cold and wet. I think I'm turning into a Londoner, perpetually crabby about the weather and prancing around like an elf when the sun makes an appearance. To think I'm next door to the Caribbean on one side, and the Equator on the other, and here I am, stuck 2600m (más cerca del estrellas, as they say) high in the Andes and wondering when the sun will shine again. Ok. Let me re-phrase that, when will the sun shine for more than 30 minutes and not be followed by rain. This weekend we had 'sleet' too. (Is that what it's called? When you have frozen raindrops, like in between rain and snow?). If it is indeed called sleet, then how do you word it? It rained sleet? It sleeted? Hahahahahahahaha. Ok, 'to shower sleet', I think?
Tomorrow is the big Juanes concert, and I have tickets. Juanes is Colombia's most popular pop/rock star after Shakira, lesser known internationally, but I think he's way better. 38000 people, don't think I've been in a concert as big. The focus of the last 48 hours has been 'learning' the lyrics to Juanes songs. I don't know what it is about concerts and this need to know the songs and stupidly sing along. Just a lot more fun that way, moreso I'd imagine in a foreign language.
Off to Poker night with the trainees, hope this one will end prettier than last Wednesday with them crazy people.
:: naazita ::
Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at 18:04
Seeking Sunshine
Monday, September 26, 2005 at 18:47
Cumple Años
Yesterday I turned 24. Even though I had no plans 24 hours prior to b-day, Colombia and mis amigos delivered. For some reason, this year I had one of those birthdays that just went by in a blur of fun, no philosophical jazz, no ridiculous self indulgence, no counting phone calls/emails/presents. Just a wicked time. So in keeping with the mood, instead of attempting to re-cap my 24th year or reflect on life, let me just share some photos.
Last minute got about a dozen people together, and began the pre-party at 5pm on Saturday at a friend's place. The rain killed the original BBQ plan, but there was beer and no one seemed to mind. Borrachos, these amigos of mine : ) Decided to head to 'Andres Carnes de Res', possibly the most famous and celebrated club in all of Colombia. And apparently, my lovable personality and natural good looks wasn't good enough for the place, so the girls sat me down on the potty while they plastered my face with make-up goo. Ewww.
Then we rented a van and headed to 'Andres Carnes de Res', since it isn't actually in Bogotá, but in Chia, a little town an hours drive North. What a riot of a van ride, reggaeton music and all.
So this Club, Andres, was such a hit. It was my first time there, and I was half certain it would be a let-down after ALL the hype. But I have to admit, it was fantastic, like nothing I've seen before. Eclectic decor, the place oozes character and there's just something about it, like everybody is so obviously having the time of their life, and it's all a bit infectious. And the music was great. Lots of merengue, some salsa, and lots of other random stuff thrown in from reggae to electronic to rock.
Besides dancing lots, I took a break now and then to explore the huge club, say flirtatious holas to all the waiters and photograph strangers, some with and some without their permission. Oops. Bad, bad me.
Post-party continued at Sandra's place. Till... well, I can't remember... last thing I remember is getting up at 10am on the carpeted floor, pillowless and booted.
Apparently everyone had stayed back at Sandra's place... so we just kept on till 5pm on Sunday... lots and lots of food. Tamal for breakfast, this corn dough like stuff with bits of meat all wrapped in a leaf. Hunks of meat for lunch, and lots of quality lazing around.
Great 24 hours. Or as they say, Que farra!
Thanks for all the birthday wishes... today is Rat's birthday. Happy birthday to my favourite rodent in the world. I couldn't ask for a better friend than Rat.
Last minute got about a dozen people together, and began the pre-party at 5pm on Saturday at a friend's place. The rain killed the original BBQ plan, but there was beer and no one seemed to mind. Borrachos, these amigos of mine : ) Decided to head to 'Andres Carnes de Res', possibly the most famous and celebrated club in all of Colombia. And apparently, my lovable personality and natural good looks wasn't good enough for the place, so the girls sat me down on the potty while they plastered my face with make-up goo. Ewww.
Then we rented a van and headed to 'Andres Carnes de Res', since it isn't actually in Bogotá, but in Chia, a little town an hours drive North. What a riot of a van ride, reggaeton music and all.
So this Club, Andres, was such a hit. It was my first time there, and I was half certain it would be a let-down after ALL the hype. But I have to admit, it was fantastic, like nothing I've seen before. Eclectic decor, the place oozes character and there's just something about it, like everybody is so obviously having the time of their life, and it's all a bit infectious. And the music was great. Lots of merengue, some salsa, and lots of other random stuff thrown in from reggae to electronic to rock.
Besides dancing lots, I took a break now and then to explore the huge club, say flirtatious holas to all the waiters and photograph strangers, some with and some without their permission. Oops. Bad, bad me.
Post-party continued at Sandra's place. Till... well, I can't remember... last thing I remember is getting up at 10am on the carpeted floor, pillowless and booted.
Apparently everyone had stayed back at Sandra's place... so we just kept on till 5pm on Sunday... lots and lots of food. Tamal for breakfast, this corn dough like stuff with bits of meat all wrapped in a leaf. Hunks of meat for lunch, and lots of quality lazing around.
Great 24 hours. Or as they say, Que farra!
Thanks for all the birthday wishes... today is Rat's birthday. Happy birthday to my favourite rodent in the world. I couldn't ask for a better friend than Rat.
Friday, September 23, 2005 at 18:15
Burritos
Just when life was beginning to feel terribly adult and 9 to 5, the loco-ness just crept back in. Wednesday night hung out with the AIESEC trainees, went to Quiebra Canto, a grungey salsa club downtown that does a Wednesday night of 'musica negra' , a motley mixture of reggae, funk, hip-hop, what not. I was clearly in the minority non-dreadlocks crowd, but hey, it was fun. Somehow this supposedly chilled-out evening turned into a 3am finish. I'll skip the details, all I'll say is I should have known better since there were AIESEC trainees involved. Wan Chai déjà vu.
Last night was indeed chilled out, but bordered a bit on loco. Did v4 of the Burrito House Party, since our burrito nights have been such hits in the past. Ingredients: (clockwise, L to R) chopped onion, grated mozzarella, tortillas (Indian substitute: rotis), chopped tomatoes, chili con carne (Indian substitute: rajma & kheema?), more mozzarella (you can never have enough), cream cheese with taco seasoning (this is the killer bit!) and lettuce shreds. Assemble away and plough down, preferably with local salsa station on!
Post-burritos, we headed for a drive to Usaquen for cherry shisha & vino caliente. Really, 'going for a drive' is such a novelty these days, given that the only four wheeler I get to ride around in is a taxi. As if the whole drive thing wasn't exciting enough, my certifibaly LOCO amigos did a car-karoake session all the way to 80s Colombian music. They are so crazy, I'm tellin' ya. They even stopped the car on a random street, turned the volume up and started dancing on the sidewalk. I am well tickled by this country's obsession with music :)
Last night was indeed chilled out, but bordered a bit on loco. Did v4 of the Burrito House Party, since our burrito nights have been such hits in the past. Ingredients: (clockwise, L to R) chopped onion, grated mozzarella, tortillas (Indian substitute: rotis), chopped tomatoes, chili con carne (Indian substitute: rajma & kheema?), more mozzarella (you can never have enough), cream cheese with taco seasoning (this is the killer bit!) and lettuce shreds. Assemble away and plough down, preferably with local salsa station on!
Post-burritos, we headed for a drive to Usaquen for cherry shisha & vino caliente. Really, 'going for a drive' is such a novelty these days, given that the only four wheeler I get to ride around in is a taxi. As if the whole drive thing wasn't exciting enough, my certifibaly LOCO amigos did a car-karoake session all the way to 80s Colombian music. They are so crazy, I'm tellin' ya. They even stopped the car on a random street, turned the volume up and started dancing on the sidewalk. I am well tickled by this country's obsession with music :)
Wednesday, September 21, 2005 at 17:24
The Last...
...meal I cooked by myself: Masala Mushrooms (Everest Kitchen King Masala rocks!), Rotis (ok, Bimbo Tortillas) and fresh grape juice (Saravana Bhavan style, just less sugar!)
...nightmare I had: The dentist yanking out my wisdom teeth, ouch.
...big switch I made: IE to Firefox, finally.
...big obsession: Cheetos Trissitos Picantes (and I really hope this one is over)
...CD I played: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Greatest Hits Vol 2 of 5 CD set
...book I took to the loo: The World Bank's World Development Report 2005 (now this is possibly too much information)
...thing I shot my camera at: The full moon from my window (won't win any photography awards though)
...lie I told myself: 'I'll wake up at 5.30am tomorrow and go to the gym'
...thing that made me smile: crazy KB on his latest pursuits, "I'm back in Mumbai, this time for a little longer than a couple of MC terms, and I'm finally doing something related to what I've always wanted to do - Film making."
...thing that made me laugh: Q: If Mangal Pandey led the first struggle for freedom, what should the first war for Indian Independence be called? A: Mangalvaar (please direct all feedback on quality of humour to Vineet Jawa/Sid P)
...nightmare I had: The dentist yanking out my wisdom teeth, ouch.
...big switch I made: IE to Firefox, finally.
...big obsession: Cheetos Trissitos Picantes (and I really hope this one is over)
...CD I played: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Greatest Hits Vol 2 of 5 CD set
...book I took to the loo: The World Bank's World Development Report 2005 (now this is possibly too much information)
...thing I shot my camera at: The full moon from my window (won't win any photography awards though)
...lie I told myself: 'I'll wake up at 5.30am tomorrow and go to the gym'
...thing that made me smile: crazy KB on his latest pursuits, "I'm back in Mumbai, this time for a little longer than a couple of MC terms, and I'm finally doing something related to what I've always wanted to do - Film making."
...thing that made me laugh: Q: If Mangal Pandey led the first struggle for freedom, what should the first war for Indian Independence be called? A: Mangalvaar (please direct all feedback on quality of humour to Vineet Jawa/Sid P)
Monday, September 19, 2005 at 18:49
Hot Sweet Kandi
So there was this big launch party in Bogota on Saturday for Kandi's 50th release. Fiesta del Amor y Amistad and all that. For some reason, I assumed this was a predominantly gay thing, but turned out to be a pretty normal gig (with some sexually confused 19 year olds, but nevermind that). Loved the tunes, the two Brit Team Kandi DJs were great, I especially enjoyed my silly DJ worshipping right up front. Didn't love being crammed in a small club with no place to breathe, let alone dance. Add being hit on by random strikers, bumped into by drunk fools, butted by cigarettes and what not. And coming home stinking of cigarettes...Ugh, there is nothing I hate more. So while the party was cool, I'd much rather have my dose of Hed Kandi on a nondescript stereo on a breezy rooftop (or hey, the beach works too) with good company (Holly, I missed ya)...
Oh, I'd recommend theHed Kandi 50 CD to Kandi virgins and veterans alike.
Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 17:50
Amor, Amistad & Postcards
Afterall, love is in the air, so I'm enlisting myself for the global postcard exchange, Mint Chutney style. So essentially, if you'd like to receive a pretty post card all the way from Colombia, just drop me an email with your name and mailing address.
For the sharper among you, who want to know why there's love in the air... relax. Around the corner is El Dia Del Amor & Amistad , aka Colombia's two-in-one version of Valentines & Friendship Day. Which like both Valentines Day and Friendship Day shall pass me by, without much ado (and hopefully no bouts of nausea either). Ooh, there is the wicked Hed Kandi party, so I guess that's how I intend to spend my weekend of Amor & Amistad, bopping away to Hed Kandi with a bunch of gays.
For the sharper among you, who want to know why there's love in the air... relax. Around the corner is El Dia Del Amor & Amistad , aka Colombia's two-in-one version of Valentines & Friendship Day. Which like both Valentines Day and Friendship Day shall pass me by, without much ado (and hopefully no bouts of nausea either). Ooh, there is the wicked Hed Kandi party, so I guess that's how I intend to spend my weekend of Amor & Amistad, bopping away to Hed Kandi with a bunch of gays.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at 17:07
My Latest Shots
At...
Fitness: I've started at a gym. A sprightly start has been made as well, so don't you go ruining my possibly exagerrated enthusiasm. While I love exercise and all that, the gymming thing is new to me, and it all feels a bit vain and ridiculous. I'd much rather be outdoors chasing after a ball (then again, others like my brother might opine that chasing after a ball is equally or more ridiculous). So far, I'm quite pleased. For one, I think I managed to find the cheapest gym in North Bogota. On the upside, the cute little gym comes with lesser pretensions and more personalized service. On the downside, I have to listen to 'It's My Life' and 'Mr Vain' while I work out. Yesterday, they finally turned off that crap, and just as I muttered 'thank god', they put on a Gloria Estefan concert video. Mental note, must take iPod next time.
Cultural Immersion: It turns out 'Name-Place-Animal-Thing' is some global phenomenon. Last night we ended up playing the Colombian version (called 'STOP', I still don't get why). Same thing, except the Colombians add half a dozen more columns like Name, Surname, Fruit, Vegetable, Colour, what not. I tried cheating and peeking into the dictionary and pre-preparing lists, but they were too sharp for me. So needless to say, I got walloped. Scores 8700, 8500, 5200. No prizes for guessing what the non-native-spanish-speaker scored. I'm going into training now, just you watch me, I'll be back.
Fitness: I've started at a gym. A sprightly start has been made as well, so don't you go ruining my possibly exagerrated enthusiasm. While I love exercise and all that, the gymming thing is new to me, and it all feels a bit vain and ridiculous. I'd much rather be outdoors chasing after a ball (then again, others like my brother might opine that chasing after a ball is equally or more ridiculous). So far, I'm quite pleased. For one, I think I managed to find the cheapest gym in North Bogota. On the upside, the cute little gym comes with lesser pretensions and more personalized service. On the downside, I have to listen to 'It's My Life' and 'Mr Vain' while I work out. Yesterday, they finally turned off that crap, and just as I muttered 'thank god', they put on a Gloria Estefan concert video. Mental note, must take iPod next time.
Cultural Immersion: It turns out 'Name-Place-Animal-Thing' is some global phenomenon. Last night we ended up playing the Colombian version (called 'STOP', I still don't get why). Same thing, except the Colombians add half a dozen more columns like Name, Surname, Fruit, Vegetable, Colour, what not. I tried cheating and peeking into the dictionary and pre-preparing lists, but they were too sharp for me. So needless to say, I got walloped. Scores 8700, 8500, 5200. No prizes for guessing what the non-native-spanish-speaker scored. I'm going into training now, just you watch me, I'll be back.
Sunday, September 11, 2005 at 18:05
Lift Me Up
I still don't get why they insist on categorising Moby as 'electronic music'. If anyone's music eludes definition, it would be Moby. Look at his entire career and you'll see traces, if not complete records that span rock, metal, punk, ambient, techno, etheral blues, soul, the list goes on. Oh, and here's 3 random Moby facts for you:
- Moby gets his name from 'Moby Dick', since his great great grand uncle wrote the book
- Moby usually plays all the instruments on his albums from classical guitar to Roland 303.
- Moby is devoutly Christian, vegan and anti-drugs (bit ironical, given his large ecstasy-popping following)
Oh, and on a last 'did-you-know' note, I just found out that Moby writes a 'journal', how cute... check out his Sep 10-11 notes from Bogota.
Darren Emerson & Ferry Corsten, who carried the show on until 6am were fantastic too. Given that I danced almost 5 hours non-stop fuelled only by a solitary Red Bull and heaps of water, I guess you could say I enjoyed the music. Oh, and I nearly died and went to heaven when Darren Emerson (ex-Underworld) played Born Slippy... what a moment.
Friday, September 09, 2005 at 18:04
Concierto Numero Uno
Maybe this is proof that I'm a sucker for marketing. Somehow I ended up at a launch event (the Renault Logan) yesterday, and ended up having the most smashing time. I'm actually half worried that Moby won't live up tomorrow. I've been to half a dozen big product launches but gosh, this Renault thing, it was so cool. Heaps of people (if a bit jet-setty), whacky entertainment (salsa dancers, clowns, dudes on stilts all over the place), drinks flowing, great snacks. No pretentious stuff, just good old empanadas, mini arepas, patacones, guacamole,etc. With a bit of a fusion touch. And slightly eccentric deco, but hey, funky enough. For some reason the 'papa criolla' (aka baby potatoes) flower holders amused me no end. My favourite bit of the freebies was the funky Colombia flag sombreros, this one will definitely make the packing for India.
Some genuinely impressive presentations of Renault's corporate social responsibility initiatives in Colombia (or was it just me being a sucker again?). Highlight of the evening was a 1.5 hr performance by Bacilos, a very cool band consisting of a Colombian, Brazilian and Puerto Rican. I knew Bacilos was a famous band, but didn't realize until they started playing that it was the same band I had been listening to for two weeks of jogging. Great stuff. As a bit of a surprise at the end, Bacilos was joined by Soraya, the Colombian-American singer who for some reason is a lot more famous in the US than here.
Given that until 7pm all I had to look forward to was heating up some arepas at home and maybe 'Reader's Digest' in Spanish, by the 1am finish, I was extremely pleased with the entirely gratis and rocking Thursday night... (don't go asking me anything about the Logan though, wasn't paying much attention to the car)
Some genuinely impressive presentations of Renault's corporate social responsibility initiatives in Colombia (or was it just me being a sucker again?). Highlight of the evening was a 1.5 hr performance by Bacilos, a very cool band consisting of a Colombian, Brazilian and Puerto Rican. I knew Bacilos was a famous band, but didn't realize until they started playing that it was the same band I had been listening to for two weeks of jogging. Great stuff. As a bit of a surprise at the end, Bacilos was joined by Soraya, the Colombian-American singer who for some reason is a lot more famous in the US than here.
Given that until 7pm all I had to look forward to was heating up some arepas at home and maybe 'Reader's Digest' in Spanish, by the 1am finish, I was extremely pleased with the entirely gratis and rocking Thursday night... (don't go asking me anything about the Logan though, wasn't paying much attention to the car)
Tuesday, September 06, 2005 at 17:33
Well Impressed
Just watched some of the videos from AIESEC's recently concluded International Congress (IC) in Agra, which got me all nostalgic and proud. Nostalgic because it was a reminder of just how cool AIESEC can be. Not to mention nostalgic for the crazy memories it brought back of the one IC I got to attend (Calgary, Canada 2002). Proud, for a lot of reasons. For one, in AIESEC's 57 year history, this was the first ever IC to be hosted by India. What seemed like some 'floofy' dream of Yog's, way back in Jan 2001, finally did come true. I'm proud to have played some miniscule role in the whole thing, as part of KB's Zealot Bunch that set the ball in motion. Super proud of the the two MC teams that followed, who actually went ahead and pulled this baby off in style (not that they had much of a choice). Dhanur Grandhi (CCP), you are an absolute star, IC 2005 is testament to that. Parthiv Dave (MCP), what can I say mate, rock on. These two Chennai boys I tell ya, they make me so proud I could cry ;) Personally, a very special part of the videos was watching the bit about AIESEC in India's role in starting AIESEC in Pakistan. Watch Tori Anderson, the lovable Aussie lass speak about her involvement with AIESEC in Pakistan. At the end of that video clip is a speech and a neat performance by one of the members of Junoon, one of Pakistan's biggest rock bands. The part when he performed 'Imagine'. Chills down the spine. Especially having had the opportunity to visit Pakistan and experience a bit of history in the making.
PS For those not acquainted with AIESEC & related terminology, apologies. On a brighter note, it's never too late ;)
PPS For those in the know, sorry, just had to use the word 'floofy'.
PS For those not acquainted with AIESEC & related terminology, apologies. On a brighter note, it's never too late ;)
PPS For those in the know, sorry, just had to use the word 'floofy'.
Saturday, September 03, 2005 at 15:15
Rosario Tijeras
Finally, after 5 months here, I saw my first Colombian movie. Rosario Tijeras (follow the link for a trailer), based on the famous book and set in Medellin, 1989, those bloody days of the drug cartel. Production wise, it was mindblowing. More than just engaging, the movie did not lose my attention for a moment. Definitely doesn't qualify as 'light viewing', everything about the movie is heavy - sex, drug use, language, violence. Having said that, the movie does have its light moments. There's a fine line though between humour and bizarreness, to possibly gross sometimes (for instance, the scene where they take a dead man partying, nude lap dance and all).
Says the San Francisco Chronicle about the book:
"Femme fatale" doesn't begin to describe the character whose name is used as the title of this luridly sensational novel set in Medellin, Colombia, during that city's infamous cocaine cartel's rise to power. The mercurial Rosario Tijeras attracts everyone -- men with her seductive power, women with her blood-soaked will. Her first name may echo the Catholic devotion to the Virgin Mary, but her last name (the Spanish word for "scissors") is altogether more fitting; it's bestowed on her after the 13-year-old Rosario uses a pair of sewing shears to castrate a man who raped her."
Back home, still piecing it all together. Flashes of the movie still in my head. Rosario in the washroom, touching up her blood red lipstick, snorting a few lines of coke, tucking her gun into her miniskirt, off to seduce some stranger.
Looking at myself in the mirror, brushing my teeth. Can't help but feel my life is very, very normal. Not in a bad way, though :)
Says the San Francisco Chronicle about the book:
"Femme fatale" doesn't begin to describe the character whose name is used as the title of this luridly sensational novel set in Medellin, Colombia, during that city's infamous cocaine cartel's rise to power. The mercurial Rosario Tijeras attracts everyone -- men with her seductive power, women with her blood-soaked will. Her first name may echo the Catholic devotion to the Virgin Mary, but her last name (the Spanish word for "scissors") is altogether more fitting; it's bestowed on her after the 13-year-old Rosario uses a pair of sewing shears to castrate a man who raped her."
Back home, still piecing it all together. Flashes of the movie still in my head. Rosario in the washroom, touching up her blood red lipstick, snorting a few lines of coke, tucking her gun into her miniskirt, off to seduce some stranger.
Looking at myself in the mirror, brushing my teeth. Can't help but feel my life is very, very normal. Not in a bad way, though :)
Thursday, September 01, 2005 at 18:41
Adipose Art
Had to mention the Botero Museum I checked out (as part of the bueno-bonito-barato weekend). Fernando Botero is one of Colombia's most famous artists (more on his life here). What brought him fame in the 60s (and continues to do so now) is his rather distinct style - forms and figures of exaggerated dimensions, or shall we just say a 'fat' view of the world. While some people might find his art itself a bit plain, some connoissuers will tell you there's a bit of genius in his almost invisible brushstrokes. I'm no art authority, but will admit that Botero's work was interesting and unmistakable. (For instance, if you've seen the fat birdie sculpture by the riverside in downtown Singapore, that is a Botero). Said Botero once, "I'm not making any commentary on obesity, nor do I paint real models .... I enjoy elevating reality in that way and the effect of light flowing over large surfaces and caressing everything." Hmm.
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