The 365-1/4th Day

There, I've come to the end of this project which actually ended quite a while ago. If you've been following this blog, you will know I lost my camera at the end of August, and that derailed my momentum with this photo-a-day project. I tried to keep it going, but I began forgetting to take pictures for days on end after that. I'm quite sad - I thought I could and would see it through.

So here are the last batch of photos taken over the last one month. I am looking out for another project but none as intense as this - I was really seized with it as long as I didn't lose my camera - it made me spend more hours on the computer, more hours up at night, and for a while, I didn't even feel like working on the other blog because I was spending time on this every day. I also took a lot of pictures just for the sake of meeting a deadline - I guess it's time I eased up and learnt some photography now!

One of the nicest hotel rooms I've stayed in!

Home baked goodies from a friend!

Trying some food photography!

Same star, different shot

Cooking in progress!

It's been many days of Rajasthani food at home since my trip last month to Rajasthan - here it's pithore ki kadhi in the making. The cubes above are the pithore, made from besan. More posts here and here. 

 The pattern on this pressure cooker full of greens and dal reminded me of geographic maps.

I boiled eggs straight out of the refrigerator. An egg cracked and this yolk popped out. Maybe there were two or it shaped itself so. I found it cute.

An evening out

Hard times - vegetables at awful prices

But at the end of the day, something sane, some good advice ... 

A very happy new year to you all!

Rajasthan journey

This past week, I was in Rajasthan for a trip with my friends. We went to Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jaipur. These pictures are from Jaisalmer. The lady above is a vendor at the fort, which is home to about 4,000 people.

There are many shops for tourists inside the fort, this one selling hats and turbans and other stuff is one of them.

As you enter the fort, there are several stalls selling silver jewellery and puppets.

Just a small example of the beautiful carvings in sandstone - I think this is from Patwon Ki Haveli in Jaisalmer.

Sunset on the dunes in Sam (pronounced 'Sum', in the Thar desert.)

A 'pol' (gate) at Mandore Fort, Jodhpur

The imposing Mehrangarh fort

The Blue City, as seen from Mehrangarh fort, Jodhpur. Originally painted blue for Brahmins to distinguish their houses from others', the indigo wash was later adopted by everyone as it was supposed to have disinfectant qualities.

Amber fort, Jaipur

Inside Amber fort, Jaipur. You can see the wall of Jaigarh fort, which houses the world's largest cannon, at the back.

A large courtyard inside Amber fort - there are several courtyards, not to mention rooms, gates and passages inside this sprawling fort. The place is a maze, you can get lost very easily and waste a lot of time as there are no directions and the audio guide tour is also badly organised.

These Past Few Days

Nowadays, I don't even try to take good photos. This project has become one that's all about struggling to the finish line at any cost. Here are pictures from the past few days:

A landmark in my city

I've seen stuff like this only on the doors and walls of loos in trains, this was in an elevator!

Double rainbow! On the way back from home after the Deepavali break. I saw a rainbow on my way there too!

I still remember the days of my childhood when this creeper came to our house - how taken we were with its exotica, and its fragrance. It smelled very sweet and there were ants running over the flowers all the time. I just realise I'd posted this on my other blog a couple of years ago.

Green bananas, steamed, grated, tempered

Mashing garlic, in preparation for tawa paneer

Gravy for paneer makhani

A Smudge of Rainbow, And a Road

Rainbows

Notice the second above?

Bangle Seller

I haven't seen this cart since I was in college. Maybe even earlier. If I ever saw one of them again, I thought, I would drop whatever I was doing, shake off the inhibition, make an effort and take a picture. I'm glad to say I did. Every time I come home to my parents, I look for this.

I asked him if I could take a picture and he agreed, waiting patiently till I had taken as many as I wanted. He agreed there were fewer carts such as these but that they still existed here and there, and that he came by this area everyday.

I didn't buy any bangles from him but asked him if he would have coffee, but he declined. We thanked each other and went on.

Feeble Attempts

I'm still struggling to make a go of Project 365 ever since I lost my camera. Suddenly, taking pictures with my mobile phone, a relatively recent phenomenon for me (less than a year old) is no longer much fun. I also struggle with a conscience - I know I've missed out one more day and hence the confession before I can say one of these photos makes up for that (who's going to count anyway?)

I was hoping to have the new camera today but the one I've chosen is a fairly high-end point and shoot, so it isn't readily available - it has been ordered by the dealer and will arrive at his showroom only next week.

Here, then are the photos from the last one week or more. Bad pictures most of them, but at least they represent an attempt to not give up :(.

Travelling ...

Couscous, eaten with chicken one day and beans and capsicum the next.


What do those look like? They are neither burn marks nor a skin disease, just the shadow of raindrops from the windshield on my hand under a yellow street light!


Leeks and onions frying for an eggy delight


Feng Shui charms from a night market in Taiwan - really not sure what they represent. The first one (the circular one) is for money, that's what the hawker said, and she didn't know much more English beyond that.

Two, no, three of my favourite persons


At the bank - now rules require that the locker keys be inscribed with some code


A curry leaf fish fry that I made recently


Can you spot the "idli dhokla"?


English as she is spoken :)

The Last Two Weeks ...

... have been a mishmash of a jaunt abroad, the loss of my camera (and half my pictures), and much work and preoccupation after returning home. So instead of doing a day by day post, I'll just leave you with pictures of my trip to Taipei, Taiwan and Bangkok, Thailand. I hope you've seen the foodie pictures here?

En route to the hotel from Taoyuan Airport, Taipei. Much of Taipei is like this, with clouds touching the mountains, which redeem the city from looking like the concrete jungle it is.


The Grand Hotel, Taipei. It's built in a traditional Chinese style, which Taiwan shares with China.


Taipei 101, the world's biggest skyscraper now


A piece of art, celebrating Taipei


Incredible India in Taipei


:) I don't know who this is - I just noticed him dozing peacefully at the entrance to a building/a parking lot.


Taipei 101 by night


Longshan temple, Taipei


On the Chayo Phraya, Bangkok


Monks travelling by boat


Wat Arun, a temple that I visited, Bangkok. I had to take a train and two boats to get here.