Our wanderings and perceptions

Made an impromtu drive to the near by Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Temple on the vijaya dhasami day. Near expected it to thronged by a vast Indian population. Took uber to reach the 4km destination.  Just like in uber app picks up the next while still the last leg of the current one.  Just few meters before we could reach the temple there was traffic congestion due to vehicles coming out of the temple. Losing patience we decided to walk up the slope to reach the temple.  No wonder the path sloped up, Perumal always stays abode. Happy to see many south Indians ladies in the traditional silk saree in the temple compound. This is called SSDS complex. Perumal's sanctum is a floor above the ground and the gopuram was shining in festival lighting. After you walk up the stairs, you can see the sanctum where the Lord Venkateswara gives you darshan along with Sridevi and Boodevi, that's why he is Kalyana Venkateswara in Nairobi. Navaratri has been celebrated here in the t...

After a day of cooking and eating to a heart full made a visit to a near by mall - Diamond plaza.  This houses all types of shops and also eateries with chat items. Here again one can see many Idians around you.  On the ground floor outside the shops locals have their products spread out in open which range from bags made of jute,  beaded jewelry and traditional mats. Had to bargain for sometime to buy these items. Quarter and variety was good. Elephant carving Elephants in queue There were lot of carved animal miniatures in variours colors. One would love to buy all products had made by these talented people.  Beaded bowl Pot carving Masaai beads are used not only in jewelry but colourful bowls, plates and various miniatures too. Kazuri beads Also on sales were numerous basket bags in attractive colors just to be bought and taken home.  Plastic bags are banned in Kenya so one has to carry their own bags for purchases. Here is th...

ஆப்பிரிக்கா கண்டம் அடர்த்தியான காடு  மிருகங்களின் தாய் வீடு செழிப்பான பூமி  பழங்குடியினரின் சாமி வறுமையில் மண்ணின் மைந்தர்கள்  அயல்நாட்டவரிடம் கைப்பாவைகள் காரணம்? மனிதனின் அடங்கா பசியா  கடவுளின் மகா சதியா

 Naivasha lake was our first place of visit since our arrival at Kenya. From Nairobi city it took around two hours to reach the lake while a distance of 100 km was covered. Mode of transportation was an SUV carrying 5 of us and driven by Kenyan driver- Daniel.  Had a short stop in a petrol bunk for checking the tyres and another stop at a view point to admire the green valley. At the view point we were constantly persuaded by the local shopkeepers to buy traditional Kenyan animal carvings,  masks and other hand works. Though we had not planned to any shopping here,  we nevertheless ended up buying. Colourful and intricately hand carved each one of them was a beauty of art. Half an hour to reach the lake we treated to the sight of zebras on the way. Could only capture them in mind as there wasn't enough time to hold them on the camera's eye. Also coming into view were lamps grazing and donkeys being used for running carts. We took the mountain route to...

 We are off to Nairobi,  Kenya, this September.  The next few posts are straight from our experience here.   First to African continent, experienceing a different state of mind.  The vehemence is at seeing a culture and people still some years behind us. Gives a fair idea on how this continent is yet to pickup speed while others who have already are taking advantage of the people who are just inches behind them. Indians can be spotted every where in Nairobi,  most hailing from the state of Gujarat. South Indians also come close by with few travelling with in the same flights. The others who traveled out of Chennai in our flight were from medical tourism. With the current NEET related issues in Tamil nadu and due to which vellore cmc having filled only 1 seat this year,  one feels extremely sad about the vulnerability of medical aspirants and doctors in the country.  While writing this, cant help offering our deep condolences to Anita, RIP. ...