Sunday, June 26, 2005

VEDIC VILLAGE

Around 20 hashers met in front of ITC to car pool. Gherda wasn’t keen to take his motor bike on the 30 min dirt track, potholed drive up to the Vedic Village once past the Rajherhat flyover.

Fortuitously, we had timed our outing there between the hot days of summer and the rains of the Monsoons. Everyone was delighted to be able to get away from the city on such a beautiful day. Quite a few of the hashers were on the Rajherhat flyover for the first time and were impressed by the new techno parks, the high rises and then the greenery of the villages.

We were able to view the various facilities and have a walk around the gardens and estates. The Dutch even managed a tour of the sewage treatment while we got a guided tour of the health spa treatments! Madhuri and French physiotherapist volunteering at an NGO for disabled children in Uluberia had a blood test on a new fangled machine and were quite scared that their blood sample didn’t make the wellness quotient. Guess we really needed the healthy breakfast on offer.

I believe some of the organic fruits and vegetables grown there were also served to us at our “wellness breakfast” – yoghurt with aloe vera, mango, and pomegranate, mint and cucumber juice, hibiscus tea!

Zoria, Siddiqui and Delphi stayed back and enjoyed a swim and lunch along with other treatments. Zoria even went horse back riding and had a reflexology foot massage. Delphi, who had organized an AIDS benefit concert the evening before, really needed the relaxing Ayurvedic massage to which she treated herself. It was a family outing for some of the hashers such as Rajesh and Payal. Two of Payal’s contemporary designs from ART BUNKER were in the hall of Vedic Village. She is participating in an exhibition called AKARSHAN at Stall No: 16- ICE SKATING RINK from 5 to 7 July 10.30 a.m to 8 p.m with creations to do up your homes in natural materials by craftsmen in the rural belts of East and North India.

Paurush was unable to come early in the morning with his baby girl, but the family enjoyed a day’s stay, with the 3 Hasher aunts doing a spot of babysitting till the evening.

All the hashers enjoyed the green and quiet of Vedic Village. It was a very unique Hash visit and the chance to bask in a relaxing environment.

Mr. Mike Robertson and Mr. Ravi Mahapatra have been thanked by e-mail for extending their hospitality towards the Calcutta Hash Group last Sunday at Vedic Village.

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Dear Hashers,
On the Municipal Elections Sunday, with the streets looking very colourful with party flags and bunting blowing in the breeze, we met at the Lakes at 7 am, to find the Buddhist Temple. We had two guests with lovely names - Wanja (Delphi’s guest) from Kenya via Ranchi which she finds very dull compared to Calcutta, and a French English dog belonging to Nicolas of The French Association, called Kiboko which means Hippopotamus in Swahili.

While we wanjared around the Lakes we noted that the wall had been heightened to prevent bathers washing their clothes in the Lakes. Peter was pleasantly surprised as he’d been there in March and hadn’t enjoyed the walk half as much. Having someone from Nairobi with us, it was quite a safari as I pointed out the hidden elephants, giraffe and dolphin (slide). There was even a man in a Ganesh mask promoting a painting exhibition of Ganeshes at Sikka Palace. For most of us it was our first visit to the Buddhist temple. George and I were surprised to find artifacts from Buddhist sites. There were pictures of other Buddhist temples all over the world and even a letter from Milton Keynes inviting us there to offer flowers, incense and prayers on their 25th anniversary celebration!

The prayers are held here every morning around 6 am and in the evenings around 6 p.m. We saw the huge drum, which is beaten during prayers I imagine. We even climbed up to the first floor where we were joined by latecomers Pradeep and Bonani who left Kiboko with Shantanu waiting downstairs. We continued our walks around the lakes but as we had stopped a while at the temple and again to see the idols under the trees by the lake of Sitola devi on a donkey who is never immersed but left to the elements, we were quite late getting back to the starting point.

Peter and Cees insisted also on going up to the mosque. I was delighted with the beautiful suspension bridge of Burn &Co Ltd dated 1926 leading up to in the middle of the lake the mosque that was unfortunately shut. From the bridge we saw the rowers practicing on the rowing machines of the Lake Club. The regatta may be this week.

Back at the Taj, we enjoyed our breakfast - even Kiboko who got some fried chicken liver and sausages that Bonani smuggled out to her during breakfast. Unfortunately dogs aren’t allowed in the Taj. Except for the sniffer dog we saw afterward when some of us visited the banquet room, which was being decorated for the lavish engagement party of the children of two industrial families. Delphi had insisted on showing this to us as she thought it was a horticultural show! Baishaki, the decorator who had organised the flower and landscape arrangements, had transformed the banquet hall into something easily mistaken for a garden show.

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Citizen's Park - Flury's - Hash Fan Mail

Sunday, 12th June, we met at the Citizen's Park with the musical and dancing fountains behind Victoria Memorial. Entrance opp. Academy of Fine Arts beyond Rabindra Sadan. There are a number of entrances as the Park is quite large.

We were a Baker’s Dozen at the new Citizen’s Park. George turned up as a surprise to some of the Hashers. Jaap and Cees are back. Christyne joined us as Alain is holidaying in Bangkok. Zoria drove over with her driver in the pilot seat. I gave Carl the Nash Hash in Mysore 13-15 August teaser t shirt Will you be a treat for My-sore Eyes?

As there were few trees to take shelter under, we walked from one end of the garden to the other noting the bins in the form of dolphin, kangaroo, chimp, koala bear hugging bamboo tree etc. There is still construction underway. The Dutch were startled to see people filling up cans of water from pipes for the water used for the musical and dancing fountains that are on only after dark and attract a lot of spectators. We continued on around a lake in the Victoria memorial Gardens noting that they have a sound and light show there all June at 7:30 p.m. but not during the monsoons. Guess we’re still waiting for the Monsoons to start.

We then went on to Flury’s for a complimentary breakfast organised by Shaun who is now responsible for the Flury’s chain of patisseries. Most hashers ordered an All Day Breakfast with rashers of bacon, sausages, fried egg, hash browns, and toast. Rajesh Nath ordered an intriguing dish of paneer and Mexican beans. George ordered beans on toast and as usual was the last to be served. However, Bonani noted that the service at Flury’s had definitely improved, but something had to be done about the flies that must have been attracted by the large chocolate, meringue decorative pieces all around of ships and wedding cakes. I had the fans switched on and the flies were no longer around us. I ordered the Flury’s Special Viennese Coffee that I love. Christyne enjoyed the coffee, as did George, which means that the coffee is perfect for North American sensibilities.

Here’s Christyne’s message to the Sunday Hash:
"It was nice to join the popular group of Sunday Hash. As much as I have to admit it, I didn't see much resemblance with the Worldwide Hashes, but I loved my experience. Waking up early was not too fun, but meeting all these new friendly people was nice. It was also a great experience to have a good breakfast (thanks to Flury’s) and getting to know the people I didn't know before or just enjoying the company of the ones I already knew. I hope to join you, once in a while... maybe with my husband next time (if I can make him wake up! hehe).

I have been receiving more hash fan mail if I can call it that. Here’s one from my French flatmate Patricia.

Dear Hash friends,Im so happy to know all of you ... I come back to Kolkata in july until middle of august 2005 and, of course, I want absolutely to continue to walk near detritus and everything like that !!!For the moment, Im with my french friend Isabelle in the marvellous indian moutains. Last week in Sikkim, this week in Darjeeling and next week (for 2 weeks) in Darhamsala.Wonderful temperature, wonderful weather, wonderful country and ... wonderful people. I met and spoke with a lot of people from Kolkata and perhaps, i propose you new members for Hash Club when I come back in July !I wish for everybody the best in life (only love it's enough...) and see you again in julyTake care and warmest regardsPatricia

Sunday, June 05, 2005

Botanical Gardens - Ferry - Taj

There were 9.5 hashers at the Botanical Gardens as Peter put it.

Rajesh Nath brought his daughter.

Peter brought his wife.

They, Zoria and Delphi took the ferry at the Botanical Garden ghat and went across the river and back.

Then back to the Taj for breakfast.