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Austin, I am told, is the only liberal city in an otherwise conservative state of Texas. Though irrelevant to this topic, I like adding that :-). It is the capital of Texas, fourth largest city in the lone-star state and fifteenth largest in the country. Austin was a part of my long weekend travel plan that included San Antonio. I reached Austin on the 3rd of July, late in the night and left on the 6th of July before daybreak. Day One - 4th of July Meeting with Anuranjan and Navin Anuranjan Jha was my senior at CISL Lab, Columbia University who graduated just when I joined the lab. Anu (as he is fondly called) and me share a common interest - Running. We met for lunch (actually he picked me up from Kumar's house) at Trudy's, a Tex-Mex cuisine. We had some elaborate discussions on half marathon/ marathon training, music that inspires running, music in general, general fundaes on life, life, ... :-). To cut the long story short, we did a lot of catching up. After meeting Anu, I ...

For those who are unaware, Mylapore is an orthodox (not the orthodox in Christianity sense but more like traditional) neighbourhood in Madras with a historic significance. When I went to India in Jan 2010, I decided to take a trip through the nostalgia lane like every other earning-in-dollars-US-return dude. Though not very related to the topic, can someone answer why such people take pride in dining at "Kai-endhi Bhavan" (street food, especially the ones outside star hotels), ability to argue with autowalas, board a moving bus, ... ? It is my observation that they would not settle for anything less than a Bisleri for water, pay an additional Rs.20 (40cents) to avoid any argument with autowala and dread to board a bus with no vacant seats citing unrelated reasons like timing constraints. Without further digression, let me tell you how I enjoyed my Mylapore day. Marina Beach After waking up at 5AM, checking gmail for online friends and other routine morning ablutions, I heade...

To feel at home. To step out of the airport to smell idli/ vada and sambar; to wonder if I am over-reacting and to realize that some family is invariably having idli/ vada and sambar in a corner of the arrival lounge. To get on to 21G bus wearing my "I love NY" t-shirt, with a couple of large suit-cases; to extend Rs. 500 bill for a Rs. 10 ticket and be tempted to say - "Keep the change!". To be the only guy to sweat in the bus during "Madras winter" evening. To reach home only to be scolded for the "stupidity" of carrying huge luggage in the crowded public transport. To bear hug my parents and sister. To tell them all the NY stories and reasons for me growing "thin". To get pampered unnecessarily for the imaginary "hardships" I am having to undergo in NY. To go out to a store at 9PM and find the city already sleeping. To be able to roam around in a shabby t-shirt, jeans and a slipper without feeling odd. To be able to sit bet...

People of this world can be divided into 3: Those who have no clue about Paranthe Wali Galli. Those who have heard of it. Those who have been there. This entry is intended to enlighten the first category, remind the second of what not to miss and inform the third of what they probably missed. Where is this? Chandni Chowk, Delhi How to get there? The best way to get there is by Delhi Metro. You can get down at Chandni Chowk station and walk to this street. Associated Activities Red Fort Jama Masjid Saree shopping Paranthe Wali Galli literally means bylane of Parantha (fried bread with a filling) makers. The first of the shops was established back in early 1870s. Owing to the increasing popularity of the Paranthas, the founder, Pt. Gaya Prasad brought his relatives to expand the business. Eventually, around 20 shops came up; all run by the members of the same family. According to wikipedia, famous politicians such as Pt. Jawarharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Jayaprakash Narayan were re...