Happy birthday expatliv!

2 years ago today I published my very first blogpost. A handful of people read that one, mostly family and friends (who I think felt that they had no choice really)..

During those 2 years lots of things has happened and my baby has grown into a more confident and mature 2 year old. But still a 2 year old...You know how they can be like...:-)

Expatliv: 

• has 264 blogposts
• has 98 859 pageviews
• has 3374 published comments
• has most readers from India, USA, Norway, France, Germany and Russia
• 's most read blogpost is Expat Epidorpio
• 's most commented blogpost is D for Disneyland

As I have mentioned before, the wonderful side effect of blogging is the network of friends, fellow bloggers, writers and others I have connected with all around the world through my blog. Sharing excitement, laughter, tears and anger through comments and communication has been wonderful. I have loved writing and receiving guestposts. 

More and more expatliv has turned into a global fusion blog... where people, music, culture, food, idea, thoughts and philosophy travel across borders of countries. I think that has become the essence of me and my blog. Know your roots, but be open to new ways of doing things and new ways of thinking. There is always something new to learn from another person. And a new friend - can pop up from anywhere. That's what I believe anyway. 

So, dear reader, a warm Thank You for coming along so far. I hope you have enjoyed the ride, and do stay tuned for more. Let's see where that two year old will take us next...:-)

PS:

 

Let there be light

- Remember Eli, over the dark clouds, the sky is always blue

That is what my grandfather used to say to me. In those moments when the worries seemed unbearable and there was absolutely no light in the horizon whatsoever. 

- There is always light in the end of that tunnel. No matter how long and dark it might seem to be. There is always light at the end of it. 

Was another one. He collected good quotes, my beloved late grandfather, and he never hesitated to shower us with them. Simple words of inspiration. Of encouragement. Of wisdom. Words that could lift you up on that grey day, in that dark moment and when u felt utterly totally in misery. My grandfather would be there and would not leave us alone until that feeling was there. The feeling that Everything Was Going To Be Alright. 

He passed away many years ago, my grandfather, but I still miss him. Missing his wise and comforting words. I feel grateful for the legacy he left behind though - maybe above all - the kindness and curiosity he met other people with. When he listened to you, he listened 100% , and he was there. With one of his quotes. One of his own or one of someone else's.  

- Always be the light in someone else's life, 
he would say, nodding and smiling like he let me in on the world's biggest mystery:
- Always be kind to people. Be generous with your smile. Share a kind word and a question. Show interest - and what do you know - you might be the light in that other person's life that day. 

And speaking of light, dear reader. Diwali, the festival of lights is just around the corner in India. The decorations are coming up, and everyone is getting ready: 

Diwali, the festival of lights. You know, I love the craziness of the Ganesha festival, the fun and women-power-spirit of Dusshera, but Diwali is to me like the Mother of all Indian festivals. The Queen. So vibrant, so powerful, so beautiful, so emotional... It's amazing. This is what I wrote last year: Happy Diwali

And after Diwali, we are heading towards Christmas. Another celebration where lighting candles and light bulbs play a big role. A candle for someone or something. A light for hope and gratitude.

So, dear reader, light a candle if you like. But maybe just as important: try to be the light in someone's life. All it takes is a smile, a kind word and some attention. It may mean more than you know.

Let there be light.

  

1 day and 2 celebrations

First: thank you for all kind comments on my previous post about Geeta. It warmed my heart, and I feel so grateful for all the virtual hugs you sent me. And as I knew it would, the sadness and misery I felt, vanished in a flash of a moment, because who can stay sad when you are surrounded by a group of ladies in colorful clothes who are pushing wooden sticks into your hands and nodding enthusiastically: - dance, dance.... ? Not me...

Oh yes, dear reader, another festival is upon us, and has been here for almost 9 days now. The celebration of the divine mother Shakti in all her 9 forms. The 3 first days is for goddess Durga/Kali, remover of evil, suffering and imperfection, and then goddess of healing, wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi is worshiped, while the last 3 days is for Saraswati, goddess of creativity, wisdom and knowledge. Its a wonderful festival, that I have been so lucky to experience for the third year now. I love the decorations, light pulps in the streets, the flower garlands, the food, sweets, the colorful clothes and the bling bling - feeling about this festival. And the intense-ness of the dandiya dance... Magic days in Mumbai - what can I say...

So, 9 days, 9 nights... and 9 colors: one for each day. So on the blue day, for example, the ladies will dress like this:

Last year I also wrote about this lovely festival - and you can have a look at it here: Navrati festival 

*******

Today, 2 October, we also celebrate the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi in India.

His home Mani Bhavan is one of my top favorite places to visit here in Mumbai, and the guests we have had from abroad, have all enjoyed their visit there immensely. Like me, they have all heard about Gandhi and how he led India to independence, and then visiting his home brings history alive in a very emotional way at this house.

More than anything, I love the philosophy and the words of Gandhi. I am sure that they will live forever and they will keep being a unique source of inspiration to people all around the world, myself included. 

Here are some of my favorite quotes by Gandhi.

1.

 2.

3. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

4. Be the change you want to see in the world.

5. An ounce of practice is worth a thousand words.

- So, dear reader, which one is your favorite quote? 

And as we continue with our celebrations here in Mumbai, I wish you all Happy Navrati and Happy birthday Mahatma Gandhi.

I hope you have a good day wherever you are. Enjoy your moments.

Ta ta from Mumbai!

Ganesha drums and Autumn symphony

I had to smile, when my blogger friend, Arti, My Yatra Diary, asked me to write a guestpost on her blog on the Ganesha festival. That was going to be fun:-) And it was! Thank you for hosting me, dear Arti. 
________________________________________
Ganesh Visarjan: Close up with Ganesha

" It had been 4 years since I had been religiously covering it. 

But not this year. This year, I wanted to pass the baton to someone else. 

I wanted to hear the story but from the other side. 

And... it didn't take me long to circle who that someone else would be. 

How about my dear blogger friend, Eli @ Expat Liv? An expat journalist

and writer from Norway living in Mumbai since the past two years?  

I thought. It would be nice to hear what she feels about the Ganesh 

Chaturthi festival. Being a regular reader of her blog, I already knew 

her love for India and that she connected with the festivals and cultures of 

the country at the same emotional level that I do. Thinking thus, I immediately 

set off to shoot her an e-mail requesting if she would like to be a 

guest on My Yatra Diary... and pen down something on Ganesh Visarjan 

and the festival from an Expat's point of view?

And voila, there she was, in the midst of flying in from Goa and 

flying out to Europe, all excited to make some time and honor 

this little corner of mine. I simply couldn't stop feeling grateful and 

thanking her for this kind gesture of hers.

So on that note, there we go -- sit back, relax and read all that the 

festival of Ganesh Chaturthi means to an expat, from an expat's point 

of view -- rest assured, Eli is the kind of writer who shall leave you 

wanting for more! 

******

When I was invited by dear friend Arti to write about Indian festivals in 

general and Ganesha in particular, I could feel a huge smile spreading 

on my face. Because even long before we moved to India over 2 years ago, 

I had a vision of the Indian festivals. Colorful, noisy, wild, crazy, fun 

and with crowds of happy people drumming and dancing all over, 

all the time. I was not disappointed. The festivals here are all that 

- and so much more. 

I go with the flow, from festival to festival."

You can read the rest of my guest post here: on Arti's amazing blog My Yatra Diary.

____________________________

So, one day I am right there. In the middle of a wild crowd in Mumbai. Surrounded by people who are drumming, dancing, laughing and together we are moving like a human winding train towards the water. I can feel the heavy drum beat. As I stretch back, I feel raindrops on my face. I start to laugh because it all suddenly feels so crazy, loud and intense. And here I am -  right in the middle of it. This enormous crowd of people, all here to follow their Ganesha to His last journey. The immersion. And the drums do not stop. At all.

And then the next day I am somewhere else. I am walking on a path in a green forest. No drums. No people. No cars. No sounds. Just quiet. I can hear my own heartbeat. Lots of trees. The colors are changing. From green to yellow, orange, red-ish and brown. An Autumn symphony. And yet, the drums are with me. Somehow. They do not stop. Not even here.

A short week back in Bergen, but already today I am moving on... To where? Stay tuned...:-)

Ta ta! 

And then the Prime Minister came to town..

Our eyes turned wider the further down in Colaba we drove .. There we were - in the back seat of the car cruising down the street - but where was the usual vibrant Colaba causeway scenery? No shops open. Hardly any people around. Cafes closed. Stalls closed. Streets closed. Only police. Heavy armed police in their khaki uniform and soldiers with bullet proof vests.

- The prime minister is in the area, they told us. Yes, it turned out that India's prime minister Narendra Modi was also in Colaba that Saturday morning, so what did we do? Well, I for one, suppressed my instant urge to drag up my camera. I politely listened to advice given to me - and I did not start to click pictures of that highly unfamiliar scenery...

And in the end - what a beautiful perfect south-Mumbai day it became....

We strolled around, viewed some sights, architecture, green spots, did some shopping, had a good lunch and lots of good laughs. And with my enthusiastic friend Alice - we also decided it was high time we had our names written on a grain of rice. And ta ta: a new key chain for 20 rupees... How awesome art is that?:-)

And after a good lunch and some parsi refreshments (with a guarantee: contains no fruit:-))...

... we were still in an artistic mood, so we decided to pop by one of the many amazing Art Galleries that are in this part of Mumbai. Great decision! So many young artists showcased their work, and I got hung up in this one painting: "Fairies taking away the books". The artist, Shahed Pasha, was there himself and it was so fun to talk with him.

And then - what could be a better way of ending the day - than on my good friend's balcony - sipping a cup of tea, chat, and watch an amazing day turn to evening in this way...:

PS: And if you have been wondering throughout this whole post what on earth the Prime Minister was doing in Mumbai on that particular Saturday - check out Times Of India:-) Wouldn't want to leave you sleepless dear reader:-)

Hope you had a good weekend and I wish you a good start of the week:-) We have the amazing Ganesha festival coming up- and for me also some traveling... Stay tuned:-)

Ta ta from Mumbai!

Mumbai and Me - a guestpost

 - Eli, you make me miss Mumbai like hell - he writes in his comment. And I know it is him, the outspoken Vishal, whom I share my intense Mumbai - fascination with..

You see, dear reader, an amazing and unexpected joy of writing this blog has been connecting with fellow writers/bloggers. Vishal's blog: Scripting the story of life is a pure addiction to me. Vishal writes with humor, depth, style and strength and he has an incredible ability to cover a wide range of subjects. And he is, like me, in a passionate relationship with Mumbai. It was meant to be. I just knew that at some point I had to ask him to guest post. So, guess what he chose as a theme..? 

Please dear reader: buckle up for an emotional, funny unforgettable ride, when Vishal takes us to his Mumbai:

******************************************

Mumbai and Me

When true-blue Mumbaikar Eli- that’s how I call her- asked me to do a blog post for her, the idea that popped in my head was, Mumbai. No prize for guessing. Now, what do I write about Mumbai? A city that fascinates me to no end, where life is celebrated unplugged throughout the day and night.

I was not born and brought up in Mumbai. Like millions, I came with aspiration to chase my dreams, owing to my fascination for this amazing city where I know I can make my life. Mumbai struck my senses on Day One as I stood, amazed at the towering and iconic Chattrapathi Shivaji Terminus, less known as CST but more as VT, dating to the colonial era, yellow-and-black cabs, Best Buses and, of course, fake Gucci bags, sold at Colaba causeway. It was a life-long thrilling experience where we made memories drinking to heaven at the cheap Gokul, Leopold or Sports Express Bar. It was love at first sight.

The local trains became my life line. My first tryst with local train was when I hopped on a jam-packed local from Churchgate to Santacruz. As the train ambled past Bandra, I became shit scared. How can trains be so crowded? How on earth I am gonna get out! I wriggled my way, shoved by the crowd and finally pushed my my tiny body out. I felt like the Olympic champ, fighting the human masses to breathe free. Don’t they say if you fight the crowd out of the train, you’ve won the first Mumbai battle. How true!

I would spend two and half years in Mumbai, making friends with two twin sisters and street urchins at Marine Drive who would call me, ‘Seth’ (Boss). We became friends. What I like best about this cosmopolitan city is that no matter where we belong to, Mumbai welcome us with open arms. The cute twin sisters, no matter how battered they were with life, would always delight me with a smile on their faces. For the rest of the world, they are beggars but for me, they were two sweet friends who are an inspiration. I still miss them!

Once I reached Mumbai past midnight and was clueless where to go and find a place to sleep. At that time, I was still in Pune and but had to travel to Mumbai every week for my Post Grad’s admission. The time I reached Churchgate, I couldn’t find any place to stay but went straight to the University hostel, International Students Hostel (ISH), trying out my luck to find a shelter for the night. The security guys didn’t relent but some boys, somehow, convinced them to let me in. Finally, I was accommodated on the dining table in the mess. Yesh! In Mumbai, you can sleep anywhere if you got the pace to survive, be it the pavement, Marine Drive or a table. Deep inside, I decided that I have to be in Mumbai no matter what it takes and even if it means, sleeping on the streets to survive.

Experiences! There are many. My first encounter with the beggar, who skillfully hid his right hand under his shirt, walked to the taxi I was sitting in, asking for money. I readily gave him ten bucks, feeling sad that the poor man lost his right hand. The next day, the beggar-actor pulled another coup but this time, the left hand was lost. I felt like an idiot. This is Mumbai for you.

I call Mumbai, my city. Maximum City, as it is called, gave me so much where I experienced and learned so many things about life. Right now, I am not in Mumbai but the addiction that it is, grows on me every single moment, reminding me that I’ve never left and not once, I don’t miss Mumbai. It’s my muse. No matter where you go, the city will grow on you so much, reminding you that it’s waiting for you with open arms. I shall be back. It may take me some more time but I will embrace my muse. 

That’s the power of Mumbai. You cannot bid good bye forever.

Once a girl told me at the time, I was starting my life in Mumbai, “If you got the pace, you survive.’

My muse! I’ll be back soon to make new experiences and memories.

Loove you, Mumbai

Vishal

  

*************************

There, dear reader - what did I say... ? Amazing huh? 

Vishal is a freelance journalist and runs the blog Scripting the story of life. He also do book reviews and can be contacted on vishal.v.bheeroo@gmail.com. He stayed in Mumbai for two and half years, is fascinated about Maximum City and calls it his muse. Mumbai is an obsession for him. He is passionate about movies, books and loves writing short stories.

Well, I hope you enjoyed Vishal's journey as immensely as I did? And what do you know: tomorrow is another day, and yet another celebration here in Mumbai... Human pyramids coming up..... Happy Janmashtami everyone! 

Thank you so much Vishal! I am so happy you accepted my invite for a guest blog. It was such a pleasure to have you here.

Ta ta from Mumbai! 

Happy Independence Day 2014!

- Do you do anything else than celebrating? - my friend from back home asks me on Skype... - Because judged by your blog - you do not..

Hmm. Do I sense a bit of envy in her voice? She obviously thinks that I do nothing else than moving gloriously from one colorful festival to the other - cheering and laughing as a part of a dancing/drumming/laughing river of happy smiling people dressed in bright shiny bling bling clothes...

Well. To tell you the truth: this time of the year is quite busy - festival - like here in Mumbai. And today we celebrate Independence Day, and I am about to cheat a bit now, because looking back I quite enjoyed my own words from last year's Independence Day. Hope you will too:

************

- India is a great country with many temples and famous things to see. India is beautiful. All Indians are my brothers and sisters. I love my country deeply.

The kids in my class have been asked to give a presentation on their home country. They talk with pride and passion. About India. About the temples, about the mangoes, about the music and about the village where their grandparents live. And about their city, Mumbai.

15 of August we celebrate Independence Day here in India and what a country we are celebrating, dear reader! One country which is home for around 1,3 billion people! A country with 28 states, 7 union territories and where over 1000 different languages are spoken! The birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism and of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda. And around the world: who hasn't been to an Indian restaurant to taste yummy Indian food? History and culture...

And as I sit there, listening to the kids, I feel it. They care for India. We care for India. And they show it - for example- yes, when we go to the movies, we do stand up for the national anthem before the film starts. That's the way it is. India.

India got its freedom from the British rule on 15. August 1947, relatively peaceful, at least the events leading up to the Independence. So, how does the Indians celebrate? Well, the Indian flag has been for sale everywhere for the last few days, there will be some parades and flag-ceremonies and otherwise people gather around a good meal.

Wikipedia says it like this: Indians celebrate the day by displaying the national flag on their attire, accessories, homes and vehicles; by listening to patriotic songs, watching patriotic movies; and bonding with family and friends!

I wish all my Indian friends, known and unknown, a Happy Independence Day!

Monsooney Mumbai

Rain. Rain. Rain. The rickshaws pull down their raincoat curtains. The roads turn into rivers of brown water. You leave your fancy shoes at home and wander out in plastic flip-flops and jump (as elegantly as you can) over lakes of water gathered in the middle of the street. It doesn't stop. All day. From morning till night. And till morning again. 

And then the joy. The kids playing in the rain. That breeze of freshness in the air. That lovely moment when you see the glimpse of blue sky up there in between the old trees in the deep green forest. The joy of just throwing the umbrella away and feeling your bare toes getting all wet in the green grass. Because it is still warm - all hot and humid in the Mumbai monsoon. (ya ya, we look out for snakes and leopards..:-))

And then the joy of getting back home inside. Dry up, cuddle up on the couch, watch the rain pour down out there, put on some nice music, have a cup of tea and maybe some pakoras - (remember - the onion ring's exotic cousin)?

And then thinking back to when we first arrived in Mumbai, also on a rainy day, over two years ago. How the intensity of the rain and wind blew me away - (literally). And then how months and months without rain made me longing for it... How happy I was when the first raindrops came, and how happy I was when the sky again turned from grey to blue...

And then how happy I am that no matter how grey the sky is, or no matter what for that sake, there is always a cause for celebration over here in India. So also today!

Because if you have a sibling you love - today is the day to show her/him that. Please read more about the celebration on my post from last year.

Happy Raksha Bandhan, dear reader. I wish you all the best.

Happy Friendship Day!

If you have followed my blog for a while, you will know that I am an enthusiastic fan of the many Indian festivals... And what happens after being away for a while? Yeah - my feet has barely touched touched Indian soil - and whup: a celebration is coming up. Of course.

Today we celebrate Friendship Day here in India. A day to tell our friends how much we love them, care for them, and how much they mean to us. And I sit here reading the article  "Friendship Day not so cool anymore" in TOI.  Apparently, the social networks is taking over more of the celebration of Friendship Day, and it is less common now to gather with friends on this day to share a cake, hang out and celebrate their friendship live. Also if you see your friends and appreciate them every day, why make something special out of this day? And yes, maybe it's celebrated more among long distance friends?

I think back to the previous weeks when I was back home, and the time I spent with some of my closest friends. So many good talks. So many valuable moments. Nothing can replace that? On the other hand, what a blessing the social networks are for people like us - who have friends spread all over the world. At least we can keep in touch even though we are on different sides of the planet...

In India, I still get the feeling that celebrating friendship is still pretty cool though.. The first sms' ticked in this morning, and they keep coming:

 Tie

    Dizz

         band

              On

                   Your

                         Hand

                                bcos

                                    i

                                Want

                            To

                       Be 

                1st

           person

     To

 wish

        you

               Happie

                    Frdshp

                           Day

                                 And

                                         pry

                                     To

                                Carry

                           same

                     frdshp

                  Till

              The

          End

       Of 

   Life

∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..

"YEH SUCH"

∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..

"HAI "DOST"

∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..

"AAP JAISA"

∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..

"FRIEND"👬

∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..

"KISMAT WALO"

∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..

"KO MILTA HAI"

∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..

."☩"☩"☩"

" HAPPY  "

".☩."☩."☩"

."☩"☩"☩"

" FRIENDSHIP"

".☩."☩."☩"

."☩"☩"☩"

"  DAY" 

".☩."☩."☩"

∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..∷∶*•*..

¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸

¸.•*•HAPPY¸.•*•

¸.•*•FRIENDSHIP¸.•*•

¸.•*•DAY¸.•*•

¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•

.¸¸

So, I grab the opportunity for another celebration (of course). I embrace Friendship Day, and  I am sending warm greetings and thoughts to all my friends: wherever they might be: India, Norway, Greece, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, USA and anywhere else. Now, that can at least never be not cool? The joy and blessings of having good friends in you life, don't you agree? Warm hugs to each and one of you my dear friends: Happy Friendship Day! 

************

• A friend is someone who sees through you, and still enjoys the view.(Wilma Askinas)
   
• Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget. (unknown)
   
• The best mirror is an old friend. (George Herbert)
• A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. ( Walter Winchell)