Leh Diaries: Milestones - Words of Wisdom at 10,000 ft

So I am just back from a wonderful 1 week holiday in Leh. Needless to say, it was rather wonderful, totally awe-inspiring and taught me new meanings of the words majestic, clam, serene, sheer-drop etc among others. But one thing stood out among all my excursions - the milestones and the words of wisdom printed on them as we went from Leh towards Nubra Valley, Pangong, etc.

One popular "quote" seen all across Leh and beyond:

"Speed is a knife,

that cuts through life"

I am posting some more such delightful Words of Road-side Wisdom, literally cast in stone. Regretfully, I could take snaps of only a few of them.

Sample one such gem:

Now tell me, who can NOT follow this well meaning advise? I mean will you now try to be a Gama (whatever that means) while you in Ladakh? No way! 

And in case, you have become confused or you have not understood that this milestone wisdom is to dissuade you from speeding, here's one that makes it clearer: 

If even this refuses to make sense to you, then you are probably one of those people who cannot take a hint. The BRO (Border Road Organization) is ready for even such dimwits, with clearly spelled out instruction about how to drive on the treacherous mountain roads:

And don't think think that they don't know about our penchant for driving after downing a peg or two, especially in these cold, cold mountains. They are on to it! Ergo, the solemn advise:

Even after all this cautioning, should you still decide to speed, here is a forecast about where you may end up: (yup, you guessed it!)

If you are by any chance not yet convinced, here's another gentle persuasion:

Now how can you speed? Another variation of this that was seen across the roads was: 

"Lower your gear,

Curve is near"

Further requests to avoid speeding include this grammatically confusing advise:

Then we also have some valuable life advise thrown in for good measure:

Now who says only the Lamas are spiritual in Ladakh? Something was bound to rub off.

However the ultimate Words of Road-side Wisdom Award went to this little gem:

 

"Safety on road,
'Safe Tea' at home"









Can one be more convincing?

And here's one other popular one in राष्ट्र भाषा:

"तेरा करते होंगे घरवाले इंतज़ार,

गाडी धीरे चला मेरे यार" 

(Translation: Your family must be waiting for you, drive slowly. )

Their concern for our safety is really heart-warming, if a little amusing. 

Is marriage so important?

I was reading this on buzz, which was forwarded by Preeti and I agree that the idea of 'happily ever after' and "all-your-troubles-will-be-over-if-you-just-get-married" are sold on glossy covers of the magazines who are selling all things bridal. And the worst part is, as long as the so-called society people are sold on this, they will force down this idea on other people. I personally feel the entire media is largely responsible for adding on to the social pressure already exerted by the relatives and apparent well wishers (my definition of well-wishers: people who wish we were at the bottom of a well), for messing with our parents' and other dear one's minds and getting into their head unreasonable expectations off their children.

What if I want to get married in a simple ceremony or in the court? Noooooo. I must have a "dream" wedding with all the over-hyped hoopla. My parents have kept aside lacs (or even crore, I really don't know) money to "marry me off", but refuse to help with a little bit of capital to start a business. So I am now looking at other people to help finance, which is a good thing actually as I am saved a lot of family drama.

Secondly, there are no expectations from the boy - software engineer and earning above 10 lac lpa - that's it! He is God himself! Dare I find a fault in him! Now I am expected become perfect for him - wear sari, well turned out, and of course a far slimmer version of myself. My parents actually give me deadlines to become perfect!! It never works out, that's a different story altogether :D

Recently, my mom asked if Manisha, my friend, mentor and teacher, was doing anything for me. I jokingly told her that she needs to first do things for herself as she is a co-founder of a very good OD Consulting firm. My mom's response was, "What does she have to worry about? She is married and has a child, what more does she need. Her life is set. If she is a true friend of yours, she should look for a suitable match for you." I was speechless! I asked if she had been appointed my guardian or something. To which the reply was more filmy dialogues. Go figure!

After 10 days...

Well, well, well...so much for the new plan!

I am very sorry to see that I have only been able to stick to the plan around 30% of the time. This is not a great figure obviously, but I have found out some holes in the plan that I had filed to cover. Today, however, was a better day in terms of physical activity.

I have also come across certain issues which were not there before, but have cropped up now (more about them in some later post, after some postmortem). So now this whole is dedicated to experiments with various techniques and finally coming up with a game plan.

It seems to me as if something is here already, but is just out of reach...Now working on increasing my reach. More power to me! :D

Can eating healthy really impact the way one feels?

I was reading this article at stevepavlina.com and I really started wondering when I reached the point where he says that vegans tend to have better relationships. Now I have been a vegetarian all my life but am I good at relationships? According to my friends, I suck at 'em. Do I really? That's a different story for different time...

For now, I need to understand if the way I eat affects the way I feel. Sure, I agree that if I put good stuff in my body, I am showing that I care about what happens to my body. But who will decide what is good and what is bad? If I crave a certain kind of food, what does it mean? Am I not caring for my body then? Am I numbing my senses to postpone facing ugly truths?

To know these answers once and for all, for the next 21 days I am going off anything that is called 'junk food'. No more eating anything that is not cooked/concocted in my house. I will also try to keep it as fresh as possible.

So for next 21 days I am committing to:
1. Light dinner, heavy breakfast
2. 50-60% raw diet
3. At least half hour of some physical activity everyday
4. No junk food, no sodas, no bakery item
5. Sweets as less as possible - can't swear off them completely, coz I have one heck of a sweet tooth!
6. Writing about my experience

This is a tall order, but I am going for it.

Hopefully, I will come out enlightened on the other side of this experiment.

Ciao for now.

Positivity Post No. 6

With every list, my positivity gets further enforced. My suggestion is for everyone to continue this for 14 more days, as anything done for 21 dyas continuously becomes a habit. And putting up a gratitude list is one habit that I am sure everyone will be glad to cultivate!

Today I am thankful for:

1. Two connections I made out of the blue, both related to a dream project of mine that has been on the back burner for a long time.

2. My MacBook - am still discovering its awesome functionalities.

3. Luxury to sleep in the afternoon.

4. Homemade pizza - that I made - loved them!

5. Complete recovery from stomach infection.

6. Great conversation with an enterprising friend - we brainstormed regarding so many business ideas!

7. Perry Mason novels - awesome companions on a dull afternoon.

Positivity Post No. 5

As my commitment to write this gratitude list deepens, I find that I have more and more things to be thankful for and hence the list invariably grows - just like that!

Today, I am thankful that:

1. I was reminded to take a deep, deep breath and take a second to do just that. It was peaceful.

2. I got appreciated by complete strangers.

3. I got friends that care.

4. I was remembered by someone whom I had forgotten.

5. small joys and gestures do not escape my notice.

6. a friend got down from his vehicle and ensured that I found conveyance. He need not have done that. especially when it was raining so hard, but he did it anyway.

7. the guy at the medicine store was amiable with us when we told him we were short of cash as the doctor took it all (he really did! :D) and gave us medicines in such a way that we won't have to go out again to buy medicines and I could even buy a chocolate!

8. I found extra 500/- in my purse exactly when I realized that I was not carrying enough to pay for my purchases.

9. I got inspired by Preeti to join this experiment, which has now become a phenomenon. Join the group on Facebook.

Positivity Post No. 4

26th July 2010

Busy day today, and therefore I have more than 5 things to be thankful for...but my list is here, it was a day of learning:

1. Learned the art of showing someone the mirror without being judgmental. Also learned to see it myself.

2. Learned to stay relaxed even while oscillating between 2 decisions.

3. Learned to let go once I have said my piece/done my part.

4. Learned to stand up for myself and take some risks even if it means some immediate situations/people will change.

5. Learned to go easy on mon estomac (I am reminded on Hercule Poirot on sea)!

6. Learned to expect small pleasant surprises: got 4 free tickets to a weekend movie! YAY!

7. New business came my way from an old client.

Affirmation for today: Tomorrow is already bringing new gifts, new joys, new pleasures and good news.