Montreal Olympic Stadium & Biodome

Olympic Tower at 1976 Montreal Olympic Stadium.



Montreal BioDome is located next to the stadium. From the snow covered city, suddenly we were transported to Tropical forest. And then again to Antartic !

Zoos don't lose their appeal, do they ?
We were just as excited as kids in the group
to spot hidding tiny blue Frog and another orange one, identify the Anaconda among deadwood, discover that the source of loud cracking background noise is a large blue Parrot and sit quietly for a show of Penguins being force-fed !

Bata Shoe Museum

Bata Shoe Museum at 327, Bloor Street West, Toronto.


With Bata being such a part of growing up in India, I just had to visit this museum. Also to check out how different it would be from any of the Bata shops around here. Yes, it was different. The obvious one being, not more than one piece of a model. (Ok, bad joke).

It was amusing to browse thru such a variety of Shoes. There were silk, wood, leather and even ceramic shoes. It can be really amazing to see the evolution of something we take for granted. And funny too - to see various shape used by our ancestors. I mean, there were some from French court, which were platform with no heels at all. How torturous !

Then there were from different ages and cultures. And another section for celebrity shoes - Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Churchill, Tiger Woods and more. And an entire section for the European ones with bows !

My favorite section has to be the one by influential designers of 20th century. All the high-heeled ones with beads, sequins & flowers. Piece of art actually. Some of them modern art.

Quick tour of their collection here. Some of them captured for you, here ...

Back in Bangalore

I had my usual rava idli vada breakfast and now it hits me. I am back home !

This trip has been great. Thoroughly refreshing. I got myself a fancy haircut, met newborn baby of an old friend (she is cute & spunky :), saw snow for the first time in my life. Mostly I walked around the city, rode the subway, watched people, window shopped, bought books on sale & gifts. I have not walked this much in years. This trip has given me something to talk about. Hope to post them all soon.

Not much has changed here. No, actually we have a new chief minister now. The coup had only happened when I left. After that I lost touch. Now I learn there is a new government and new CM. Interesting.

Now it's time to catch up on backlog mails.

Addition to library

Bought 5 books today. 2 shops, bargain prices. Could not resist.

That's a record one-day addition to my library. But I only hope they don't remain in my bought-long-back-but-not-read section for long !

Internet Quiz results about Me

Your Birth Month is January

You are a natural leader who is able to stand up when no one else can. Strong and powerful, you tend to overshadow those around you. Your soul reflects: deep love, fascination with life, and a distinctive persona Your gemstone: Garnet Your flower: Snowdrop Your colors: Black, dark red, and dark blue

What Does Your Birth Month Mean?

You Are Italian Food

Comforting yet overwhelming. People love you, but sometimes you're just too much.

What Kind of Food Are You?

Your Brain's Pattern

Your mind is a creative hotbed of artistic talent. You're always making pictures in your mind, especially when you're bored. You are easily inspired to think colorful, interesting thoughts. And although it may be hard to express these thoughts, it won't always be.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Your Blog Should Be Red

Your blog is full of intensity and passion. You are very opinionated - and people love or hate you for it. You have the potential to be both a famous and infamous blogger.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

Jan 25th in Toronto

So, well Happy Birthday to me !!

I had a great day.

Spent it with my hubby at the top of the world, ok CN Towers, Toronto. Great panaromic view, good lunch.



People here say I have brought warmth with me. At this time of the year, it's freezing like anything. But this time it's relatively warm - between 0 to 3 degree C !! Phew. Otherwise it's like -15 C or so ! Anyway it's not the 'warm' I am familiar with. Or 'cold', for that matter. Wind is awfully biting ... and fun. But snow flurries are not as exciting as expected. My hubby teases me now, "Is this cold good enough for you ?" Naah, I want more.

So far my visit has been good. New experiences, new places and predominantly shopping for winter clothes. But no time to collect my thoughts and blog. Anyway my pen & paper diary is going full steam. So I hope to have more posts, once I settle down or am back home.

In Toronto !

Finally arrived in Toronto ! An hour ago.

Hmm, first impression ! Good, nice, quiet.
Ah, I expected to see some snow. But no luck. Its all clean and rather warm today - 3 degrees C.

Basanti ... ein ghodon ke saamne ...

This is so ridiculous !

One adrenaline rushing scene, and they have to chop it off. Gosh.

Meanwhile, the ding ding ding ... Mohe Rang De Basanti... song is too good. More so as a ringtone :)

New Year Special Issue

The Outlook New Year Special issue was a very good one. Theme was Hero.

They devoted most part, to the Heroes of 2005 - Comman man. Individuals who emerged as Hero amidst all tragedies - tsunami, floods, earthquake.

In addition, the usual filler analysis stuff - of what or who is a Hero ? Kapil Dev, Javed Akhtar and a host of journalists present their point of view.

Happy New Year !!!

Wishing you and your family a very
Happy and Prosperous New Year !!!


Everyone celebrates in her own way. I saw ladies write their greetings with Rangoli. There were huge queues at nearly all temples. To pray for Prosperity and Good luck for one and all, for the coming year.

Office party was just ribbons & balloons & cake. For 31st evening, I went out for dinner with friends, followed by a quick tour of the whole city. It was good to see the fairy-lights decoration everywhere. All shops were closed, but there were crowds everywhere. Wrapped up the tour with a quick falooda and gol-gappas at Jayanager.

How did you spend you New Year's Eve ?