DesiGupShup » Places to Visit http://www.desigupshup.com Chit Chat About Desi Stuff Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:09:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Monday Morning Inspiration http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/09/monday-morning-inspiration-7/ http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/09/monday-morning-inspiration-7/#comments Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:01:43 +0000 Yumna http://www.desigupshup.com/?p=516 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> Wake up! It’s Monday and it’s back to school and work. ;) Grab your caffeine fix, and gear up to enjoy the day and the week!

Time for some Monday Morning Inspiration. I was thinking about how old and new do not always mix, but sometimes they do. We should not be afraid to let go of the past, and embrace the new life experiences waiting for us.

At the same time, sometime we can fuse both the old and new together and come up with something really neat for ourselves.

Does that make sense? :) I hope so.

This picture reminded me of fusing the old and the new together. This building is the Louvre in Paris, France. It used to be an old palace, but now it’s a museum and houses a wonderful collection of history.

At first, I didn’t really like the new pyramid thingy in the middle, but then it sort of grew on me and I’m starting to appreciate the fusion of a new concept amongst an old ideal.

Things can be mixed up and still turn out great. It’s just about how we perceive things and how we decide to react to it.

Have a wonderful week! ;)

Cheers!

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]]> http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/09/monday-morning-inspiration-7/feed/ 4 Monday Morning Inspiration – Labour Day http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/09/monday-morning-inspiration-labour-day/ http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/09/monday-morning-inspiration-labour-day/#comments Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:22:58 +0000 Yumna http://www.desigupshup.com/?p=460 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> I hope you are all enjoying the Labour Day Weekend! Aaaahhh…..it’s Monday and we have a day off. :) How nice!

My weekend was fun and relaxing. Today I’m going to chill a bit and relax some more, and perhaps in the evening I’ll do some serious work, like organize my room. There is a pile of washed laundry that needs to be folded, and I’m being lazy about getting around to it

Labour day signifies the start of a year, even though it falls near the middle/end of the calender. For those of you going back to school, best of luck during this academic year! I hope that you work towards all of your goals – and achieve them!

This photograph was taken in Karachi, Pakistan by the seaside. I thought this photo was neat because it shows a poor fisherman’s boat getting ready to go further out into the sea. To me, it symbolizes an immense amount of courage and persistence.

It’s a vast world out there and sometimes we may not see our destination, but the point is never give up. If you have a desire to achieve something, keep going forward and the hard work will pay off!

Best of luck this school year! Have a wonderful first day back tomorrow. ;)

Cheers!

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]]> http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/09/monday-morning-inspiration-labour-day/feed/ 2 Monday Morning Inspiration http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/monday-morning-inspiration-6/ http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/monday-morning-inspiration-6/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:01:21 +0000 Yumna http://www.desigupshup.com/?p=413 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> Good morning everyone! After an exceptionally humid weekend, I am looking forward to a cool breeze. I know, I know…when the cold weather arrives, I will probably want it to be warm again. :) Spring and Autumn are my favourite seasons, so I enjoy a certain temperature that is not extreme, hot or cold.

When I was driving my car this weekend, the sunset was so pretty that it reminded me of a lovely, (I should say breathtaking), sunset during my travels this year.

I took this picture in Wales, at the same bed and breakfast that the cute pony was at. The colours were a vivid orange and red, and it felt like the entire sky was a huge bonfire. It was amazing!

So on those days when you are tired, or just feel like seeing something beautiful, step outside or just look out your window and take in how wonderful the sky looks when the sun is setting. There is beauty all around us…take a minute or two each day to appreciate it, and see how awesome it will make you feel! :D

Have a wonderful day and a spectacular week!!!

Cheers!

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]]> http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/monday-morning-inspiration-6/feed/ 3 Monday Morning Inspiration http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/monday-morning-inspiration-5/ http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/monday-morning-inspiration-5/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:16:08 +0000 Yumna http://www.desigupshup.com/?p=376 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> Good Morning Everyone! It’s nice and sunny today, and that’s a definite bonus to starting off the week. I hope your weekend was fun, and you got to do all the things that you planned.

While you are enjoying your coffee and tea, I wanted to shared with you some Monday Morning Inspiration. This photograph was taken in London. He is a persistent little fellow, and was fully engaged with finding what he needed.

No matter how old or young you are, always keep trying and stay persistent. You’ll never get that dream if you stop dreaming. So keep going after whatever you want, and always keep that beautiful smile on your face. :)

Enjoy your day, and have a wonderful week.

Cheers!

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]]> http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/monday-morning-inspiration-5/feed/ 2 Monday Morning Inspiration http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/monday-morning-inspiration-4/ http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/monday-morning-inspiration-4/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:07 +0000 Yumna http://www.desigupshup.com/?p=331 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> Another Monday morning! I hope your weekend went well and you had lots of fun. It’s been a wet August here in Toronto, but we won’t let that dampen our spirits. Let the sunshine through!

This picture was taken north of Toronto, in the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, near Cataract Falls. It reminds me of the journey of life – not quite sure where it leads, with twists and turns along the way. But it’s an adventure, and a beautiful one if we take the time to appreciate it.

I hope your week is full of positive vibes. Enjoy your morning coffee and tea, and don’t forget to smile. :)

Cheers!

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]]> http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/monday-morning-inspiration-4/feed/ 6 Monday Morning Inspiration http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/monday-morning-inspiration-3/ http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/monday-morning-inspiration-3/#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:40:37 +0000 Yumna http://www.desigupshup.com/?p=273 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> Another week has started, but for some of us it’s a long weekend! Yippee!!! For those of you that are off, enjoy the day and make the most of it. But for all of you that had to go to work, take a nice stroll outside during lunch and enjoy the beautiful weather.

This picture is from Scotland, and the lake is Loch Ness. Yes, it’s the fabled lake where Nessie is supposedly. :) It’s a pretty and serene site and I hope it helps to brighten up your day!

Cheers!

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]]> http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/monday-morning-inspiration-3/feed/ 6 Places to eat at in Karachi http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/places-to-eat-at-in-karachi/ http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/places-to-eat-at-in-karachi/#comments Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:59:12 +0000 Yumna http://www.desigupshup.com/?p=261 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> If you’re travelling to Pakistan and you’ll be visiting Karachi, there is one place that has AMAZING Gol Gappay! The restaurant is called Cool Inn and it’s at the Boat Basin in Clifton. Special thanks to my cousin’s wife for introducing this place to me. Oh my God, the Gol Gappay are so delicious and you just want to keep eating them!!! So make sure you check it out. I would definitely recommend it as the best place in Karachi to fulfill a snack craving!

Now if you want a breakfast alternative, a really good option is Halwa Puri and Chanay from Nirala. Thanks to my other cousin and his wife for taking me there for this traditional delight!!! It’s available at any Nirala location, and the good thing about it is that it’s in a clean environment. If you’re having Halwa Puri and Chanay and you’re visiting from a Western country, then it’s best to have it from a proper place like Nirala to avoid any stomach upsets. Plus, it tastes really good, so you’re not compromising in any way! Yummy! :)

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]]> http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/08/places-to-eat-at-in-karachi/feed/ 5 Masala! Mehndi! Masti! This Weekend! http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/07/masala-mehndi-masti-this-weekend/ http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/07/masala-mehndi-masti-this-weekend/#comments Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:35:04 +0000 Yumna http://www.desigupshup.com/?p=172 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> For all of you people in Toronto looking for something to do over the weekend, there is a desi venue for you!

Masala! Mehndi! Masti! is back this year, and the event promises to be a colourful and enjoyable South Asian Arts Festival. Entry is FREE, and there are over 80 free events/performances to check out. There’s also film theatre, an art gallery, 12 restaurants, 24 vendors, a kids camp, workshops and seminars, and so much more!

The festival is taking place in the exhibition grounds at the Bandshell Park and Better Living Centre from July 25-27, 2008. HAVE FUN!

“This spectacular multi-generational presentation connects today’s world with the wonders of 5000 years of civilization, its ancient traditions and modern influences. Our vision is not only to make South Asians proud of their heritage but to make them proud partners in Canadian culture. It provides an opportunity to established and emerging artists in traditional and contemporary spheres of music, dance, film, theatre, literature and poetry, natural health practices, social issues, cuisine, arts & crafts and much more. We open doors to cross cultural collaborations and diverse thinking.” http://www.masalamehndimasti.com/2008/

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]]> http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/07/masala-mehndi-masti-this-weekend/feed/ 0 Travel Highlights: Murree http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/07/travel-highlights-murree/ http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/07/travel-highlights-murree/#comments Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:38:55 +0000 Yumna http://www.desigupshup.com/?p=106 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> During my travels earlier on this year, I enjoyed visiting the scenic hill station Murree. It is the most frequented mountain getaway in Pakistan, as it’s about a one and a half hour drive from the capital city of Islamabad.

The drive from Islamabad to Murree is fantastic. As you start ascending into the foothills of the Himalaya’s, it feels like you’ve got wings and are soaring through the sky. The views are beautiful as the road winds around the mountain, going further up. It is quite a busy road, as many people go for a weekend break with their families or friends. I am always amazed at the way people drive on the mountain, almost without fear, as they pass each other on the road. I like to sit by the window and turn my head towards the valley below, so that I can see all of the views.

I’ve been to Murree many times, but every time I enjoy it thoroughly. The main bazaar is huge and is located on the main street call Mall Road. There are all kinds of colourful shops selling a variety of things like artifacts, jewellery, household goods, dried fruit (which is a specialty that comes from further up north), and so many more goodies. Bargaining is a must because the prices are inflated and the dukaan daar (store owner) will almost always state a price more than double the actual amount. But that’s fun in itself, especially when you walk away and the dukaan daar will call out and drop the price to a more realistic figure.

Another fun part is to watch people that are on school trips in Murree. It’s like a mountain soap opera. The guys will try to get the girls attention, and the girls will be giggling away and it’s quite entertaining.

Murree offers a full day of enjoyment and pretty views along the way. From this point, you can visit many other places and discover lots of things. I really enjoyed the experience of Murree, and would definitely recommend visiting there as one of your mountain stops. You will love it!

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]]> http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/07/travel-highlights-murree/feed/ 14 London and the famous Green Street http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/07/london-and-the-famous-green-street/ http://www.desigupshup.com/2008/07/london-and-the-famous-green-street/#comments Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:30:47 +0000 Yumna http://www.desigupshup.com/?p=15 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> When I was visiting London, England this past June, my cousins took me to the famous ‘Green Street’. It is actually an entire street, which keeps going and going, that is full of desi shops. Indian, Pakistani, Bengali…there are so many stores that never end! It seemed much longer than Toronto’s Gerrard Street. We actually went there to feast on some desi food and it was a fun experience.

The first thing I noticed is that the menu in all of the restaurants on Green Street were similar to each other. They all carried this dish called something like ’shredded tandoori chicken’. It was tasty, needless to say. That is generally not an option here in Toronto. The kababs were disappointing. They were all made from goat meat and I just don’t enjoy that. That is different from here at home because beef kababs are readily available and they are so much more tastier. The salad was different as well. The Green Street restaurants have the same style of desi salad: everything put in one plate with the yogurt, chutney, etc., all beside each other. The presentation is nice but I think maybe I was homesick and wanted my salad and chutney in separate plates.

Overall, the food experience was good and we went back to feast on some desi delights again. I haven’t made up my mind yet if London has more desi accommodation or Toronto does. I think each caters to the fusion of culture in their respective countries.

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