Food!

Food here is fantastic, especially for vegetarians. I was sitting around a dinner table the other day, and it came to light that I was vegetarian. I then found out that the other 11/12 people at the table were also vegetarian. What's even more funny were the questions everyone at the table asked the non vegetarian: "how do you stand the smell of meat?" "what do you eat?" "why aren't you a vegetarian?" Usually, the vegetarian is under the spotlight!

Anything that is vegetarian has a green dot or is in green packaging, and if it isn't vegetarian, it's cooked separately, packaged in red, and clearly marked "NON-VEG."

 I think my favorite kind of Indian food is Chaat - likely because a lot of it is fried!
  More Chaat!
 The McAloo Tikki (Aloo is Potato)... and it's Vegetarian! This needs to go International.
 Ironically, KFC also has Veg food - here's their Veg Zinger!

Then there's the grilled panners, curries, daals, puris, rotis, chapatis, dosas, idlys, utapams, etc... Look out for a 200lb version of me when I'm done eating my way through India.

New Delhi!

I've been in India for a week, and it's been fantastic. What's great about this trip is it has a mix of sightseeing and visiting friends whom I haven't seen in a while.
Here's my trip itinerary:

• New Delhi (flying from HK), visiting Adi and Anu, seeing Old Delhi
• Agra, seeing the Taj Mahal
• Darjeeling, going to Tiger Hill, Riding the Toy Train
• Kolkata, visiting Varun
• Amritsar, seeing the Golden Temple, Going to the India/Pakistan Border for their "changing of the guard"
• Udaipur, visiting the Lake Palace and Jain Temples
• New Delhi (flying back to HK)
  

Here are some pictures from my first stop in New Delhi, my travel hub while I'm in India.
I got to meet up with Anu, whom I knew from ME masters, was also in town for a few weeks.
I've known Adi since freshman year, so it was definitely good catching up. Here's a picture of us at his place, where he's introduced me to black salt/black pepper/lemon grilled corn on the cob. Way better than just butter!
Here is the Qutb Minar, the world's tallest brick minaret from, contruction started in 1193 (wikipedia link).
Lotus Temple at night (wikipedia link). Inside the temple is probably the quietest spot in Delhi.

In New Delhi!

Today is my first day in New Delhi, and after all the hype about India being crazy, loud, dangerous, dirty, etc... it seems perfectly fine! It actually reminds me a lot of Myanmar, and I love Myanmar!

I'm heading out to a feast with a friend soon - let the games begin!

1/1/11 - Ringing in the New Year!

Time flies fast and it's already another year! Hello 2011! It's hard to beat the view from my buddy Chris's place, so I rang in the new year in HK.

 Before going over to Chris's place, I walked around the Avenue of the Stars, where people were camping out. Lots of people playing with their iPhone 4s (everyone in HK seems to have one...) and playing Uno! I got out before the crowds got crazy.
 What's awesome is being able to walk around in the middle of the streets because the close off most of the roads near the waterfront. Safety and efficientcy... very HK!
 Fireworks!
 A few friends and a view of the IFC tower from the apartment...

Great company, awesome view, fantastic year. I'm excited about 2011! Happy New Year everyone!

Next Adventure... India!

So I lied. This will be my last post for this year. I just bought plane tickets to go to New Delhi, India for the first two weeks of February for Chinese New Year. What am I doing there? What will I see? I have no idea yet. Time to pick up a travel book, get a Visa, book some hostels... Talk about an impulse buy!

Let the travel planning begin!

Housewarming! Last Post of 2010...

So after a few months of settling in (and procrastinating), I finally threw an official housewarming (Christmas themed with a white elephant gift exchange). My place comfortably fit 18 people!

 
What happened this year?

• I traveled to Singapore, Malaysia, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Jiuzhaigou.
• I hit up Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego during my stint in the States for Susan's and Sirena's graduations!
• I bought, tore down, and remodeled my apartment in the city.

It's been another fantastic year. I've learned a ton (with many many mistakes), traveled to some cool places, and met lots of amazing people. Who knows what will happen in 2011!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dinner at Naples!

Well, I didn't actually go to Naples, but it felt like it! My friends Constantino from Madrid and Paola from Naples had me over for a nice homemade dinner... Spinach and Cheese Rustic Pizza, Eggplant Parmesean, vegetables...

 
 Like my red slippers?
 
 Layers of eggplant... yum!

It's the holidays and I won't be going home. What will I be doing? Not sure quite yet. 3 big holidays are coming up (Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year) and this is what I'm thinking:

• For Christmas, I'll be throwing a Housewarming/White Elephant Gift Exchange/Christmas Party. On actual Christmas day... don't know quite yet.
• I'll be ringing in the New Year with by buddy Chris in HK, just like last year.
• For Chinese New Year, I'm still trying to figure it out. Harbin is the current favorite. Thoughts? Anyone want to go on a trip?

I think the next time I'll be back in the States will be August? So... come visit!