Thursday, September 24, 2009

Mutants of the Moscow Metro

Looks like the Lexington Ave stop of the E/F line in New York, doesn't it?

Pardon the alliteration but I couldn't help myself. And there really have been mutant bugs in the Moscow subway. At least according to Alex Andreev, a digital artist from Russia, who makes us discover Moscow's underground:

"Birds are driving subway trains, a giant chrysalis hangs inside a train compartment and mutant cockroaches seem to breathe their last in disgust at a cleaner Moscow underground. And the people? Like a hoard of sheep, they board the trains, noose around their necks or wait for giant pincers to grab one of them out of their midst. What’s going on in the Moscow metro? Are we facing an urban nightmare or did someone just look too deep into his vodka glass?"

Here's the full story and interview with Alex Andreev.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

India...meri jaan...sometimes

Image via kokopellitattoo

The topic of this post is India because you can say about it what you want, it is a country that will inspire you.

Seeing it from up close, I have to admit that I have a love-hate relationship with it. And here we're jumping right into what India is all about: extremes. Extremes in temperature, extremes in food, extremes in people and yes, extremes in emotions.

Like New York, India extricates a definite reaction from people. It's hard to imagine anyone saying "oh yeah, India's okay" or "New York is an okay city." You'll get "India is mad" or "I loved the energy" or "I heart New York" or "I hate New York" but nothing vague.

Here's a list of some articles of mine about India that explain everyday rituals and objects. And "meri jaan" is something you would call your loved one. If you're one for Hindi songs, you'll hear it all the time;)

Survival Guide to Indian Weddings - a labor of love that's not getting the attention it deserves
What to Wear at Indian Weddings - the logical next question
Top Indian Wedding Songs - love them or hate them but I dare you to sit still
How to Make Indian Chai - can't get more basic than that
The Indian Bindi - what it means and where it comes from
The South Indian Thaipusam Festival - yup, the one with hooks in the back and other piercings


* I know, the picture is of a Maori warrior, nothing to do with India; I just liked the expression. *