The Great Driving Challenge

...through tinted windscreen

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11:25 PM

04 August 2009

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mUMBAI mERI jAAN !!!

Posted By Amit Singh

LIGHTS: Our assignment on Day 2 of the auditions is to travel for 180 minutes into the city in the ravishing Cedia. The task was to click pictures, make videos & give you a feel of the dream city.
CAMERAS: As we roam about the streets of Bombay, of course showing off a hard earned trip, we know this is a city we call home & yet it has many unexplored rooms for us. Andheri: THE TINSEL TOWN OF MUMBAI, A place were most producers reside, a few film stars a whole lot of budding artists with countless T.V. artists. Also there are hundreds of small workshops, where the most happening works for all these are done. We cover a designer duo here.
Juhu: A poor man’s haven & a rich man’s neighbourhood.
Bandra dubbed "Queen of the Suburbs": The area is eclectic, visually inspiring and home to high-end boutiques also an abode of roadside clothes shoes & bags. There’s something for everybody here. Bandra is a great place to start your shopping jaunt. It is the hub of the youth, it has the hippest joints to the cheapest jaunts. More than many hangouts, be it sipping coffee or smoking hookah, catching up over a sport with beer or just talking automobiles over drinks. They are all here.
ACTION: So here is our blog that is celebrating the unbreakable spirit if Bombay.

The mumbaiya term for anything outstanding, remarkable & superb. It can be used anywhere comfortably replacing the English ‘WOW”.
CEDIA: Our first drive out in cedia, the drive was smooth. Must say it is a remarkable vehicle. Also as we went around we couldn’t stop being noticed. People looked at the car with awe, it explained pretty much that in everey mumbaikars’ eyes the car’s simply Jhakaas.

BANDRA FASHION BOUTIQUES: when it comes to fashion nothing beats Bandra, this queen of suburbs pulls enough townies to see whats up. Its is a shopper’s paradise you can buy anything ranging from the cheapest to the most expensive. Bandra boutiques offer the latest of the fashion trends and are often in sync with the trend forecast. Though most of them get products from Bangkok to sell, each has its own forte. They do such a wonderful job at dressing up. We say Jhakaas! Amazing accessories, latest clothes, funkiest shoes & sexy bags. Any woman can have a makeover here.

TOTO’s: The little garage pub barely has any capacity yet gets crowded every evening. Its for the automobile lovers. The insides are pretty much parts of old car & bike parts. They play great music & have lasted a lot of competition. This place is truly Jhakaas.

and, Jhakas in its own way;

A Mumbai word for carefree, the free-spirited, the one’s who don’t much bother. The true chasers of their dreams. These are our bindaas mumbaikars.
SHROYUKEN TATTOOS: Kevin a young entrepreneur and artist owns this little tattoo studio. He comes from an advertising background having worked in Dubai & O&M, India’s largest advertising company. Kevin retired from it to chase his dreams, doing what he always wanted to do. Today he owns two studios one in Andheri, Lokhandwala & the other in Bandra. While the third one is opening in town. Kevin is known for the fineness of his work.

Rajesh & Anirban: Another story of chasing the dream, these gentleman have left back great paying jobs to start something which is their own baby, their brand RA. They are retailing their designs from the most top end stores of India, have been a part of the Femina miss India collections, have been a part of the Lakme fashion week & are the first Indian designers to have showcased their designs in the Malaysian Fashion Week. They are exporting their products to countries like Dubai & are sure there’s a lot more coming their way.

The kitsch, the loud, the funky.
The Dudes with the piercing, tattoos & weird hairstyles are often branded dinchak.

Our roadside shopping which is usually bright colourful & cheap. Is more often than not dhinchak.

The funky flip colored flipflops are quite dinchak.

04:19 PM

04 August 2009

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(ig)NIGHTED!!!

Posted By Amit Singh

Today was a fab day in more than many ways........some you shall see by tomorrow morning.
After a morning mental alertness session which was fun-task-tic, with a couple of other contestants....
I got to drive with my two ladies : I hope the frist doen't take offence.
No denying the second is as sexy........
and now we sit ignighted as we put it all together.....to tell you the story.
Love & peace.

06:34 AM

02 August 2009

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‘story of the tRAVELLING jEANS’

Posted By Amit Singh

This is the story of a denim that fought like Achilles and survived during its invasion trail of 5000+ kms across the distant lands. It carried on its ancestor’s legacy of facing boldly the harshest conditions and only got polished and sexier with every passing day.

This is my 2007 GAS denim, made in Tunisia (comm.. 01820000, art. 03-35-0673-34-04-2558 ALBERT RIC., lab. 44-3669).
I bought this wonderful mid-wash denim just before my marriage and yeah it did survive that invasion too. It wasn’t my favorite though and at times got lost in the many shades of blue hanging in my wooden wardrobe…..few months passed and it adorned me just a little more than fewer times. Then began the planning of ‘RIDE TO FREEDOM’ trip….freedom from the monotonous life…life that needed a much needed break….to break free our spirits from the clutches of predictability….and to leave our fate on instincts and not daily plans. A bike trip that was to start from Mumbai and storm to the desolate lands of northern India. The route was planned (not the halts)….music was I-podded (not the moods)…..medicines were packed (not the spirits)…..and clothing was decided (not this denim).

Came the day of rolling out my machine….to gun down the road. I loaded my 500cc Machismo and garbed myself in the pre-decided armor…..but something didn’t feel right. It was the denim I wore that didn’t seem to be in the right mood. So, went for a change and lay my hands on this lady hiding somewhere in the closet. It hugged me well… as if thankful to me….and I could feel the warmth and comfort in it.

550kms was a good long distance for the first day of ride. We reached Ahmedabad under the shadow of stars and dropped like dead-meat, while she lay bundled at one corner of our abode. We wished Sun ‘gud morning’ the next day and got on with cladding ourselves. I set my eyes on her lying in a corner as if vying for my attention…..and she did manage to. I picked her up and held from the waist with her legs dangling in air. And as she unfolded I was sodomized by her mystifying charm. The tan from the last days ride gave her a dusky blue complexion that tickled the indigo running in my blood. Then and there I decided she’ll adorn me for the rest of the ride.

The only time she was off me, was at nights when we both needed a much awaited break from the tiresome rides. Together we rode the highest peaks….roughened roads and ‘not-so’ roads….we braved the chaffed nature….survived snow, landslides and sandstorms….muddled with puddles…. And shared the endless emotions day and everyday. At one point she was stretched beyond her capacity and tore right from the crotch….and her smiling face just drooped like an autumn leaf. But her smile was stitched back by my lovely wife Jace, and though it reminded me of the Joker….it nowhere behaved like the character. The stitches did give up time n again but only to strengthen our bond. While I was worried about her survival through the ride she was concerned about my embarrassment, but soon we got over it and paid no heed to the staring eyes.

The 45 days ride soon got over but the denim left its indigo on my soul. She still hangs in my wooden wardrobe but always standing out amongst the many shades of blue hanging in.

She’s the warrior….she’s my HERO.

03:13 AM

02 August 2009

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The day has arrived!

Posted By Jace

I was trying to fall asleep last night, but the sleep seems to have gone out of the window (for over three weeks, I guess) One thing that kept jogging through my mind was............ we'd be there tomorrow!
And here we've reached 'tomorrow'.... it is today. A morning where almost nothing is done, be it the packing or wrapping up the household or even having thought of what has to be carried. There sits a fat feeling, which fills me up, not an outstanding thought to anyone but me. The past one week has been frenzied for the two dozen people that we are. As I sit up here, almost sure someone else is also thinking of GDC if not typing their mind away. We are the people going through the same pressure, the same dream and the same process, yes, I did say process. We all are going through the same chemical reactions everyday, of thoughts rattling at one moment and going numb the other.
We have built a connect, a strange thread that is tying us all in a bond & a weird telepathic connection. We are learning to interact in our own quiet way; we end up thinking more than often the same things.
We are all looking forward to meet each other. On the occasion of friendship day, we shall meet, the twenty four people, 12 couples, all with one common dream.“Competition” they mentioned we'd be meeting, and I think of them as friends, isn't that what we have all become with the delicate strings GDC has tied us in. I begin to wonder how often these situations have I faced in life, competing with people I like. Are the other people also going through similar emotions? Well, well, well..... its just s few more hours. We shall meet & find out.
Looking forward to meet all the twenty two and the team, what an eventful day I say.

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From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 17th Aug 09 12:59:02 PM

Beautiful drive from Nashik to Bombay, one of THE best roads we have driven on!

From : TWaC

Sent : 17th Aug 09 12:40:00 PM

Had fallen in love with Cedia. Now, it s time for detachment.

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 16th Aug 09 03:20:55 PM

Bright, blue sky.. Cotton candy clouds.. We head to Nasik

From : TWaC

Sent : 16th Aug 09 01:30:31 PM

Heavy rains in Konkan. Near zero visibility.

From : TWaC

Sent : 16th Aug 09 11:58:04 AM

Back to Maharashtra

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 16th Aug 09 08:27:16 AM

on the road again, heading from udaipur to baroda

From : TWaC

Sent : 15th Aug 09 04:28:50 PM

Rain welcomes us at Goa

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 15th Aug 09 03:54:33 PM

In pot-hole territory. Thank god we are on empty stomachs!

From : TWaC

Sent : 15th Aug 09 03:36:16 PM

Now on the fringes of Western Ghats

From : TWaC

Sent : 14th Aug 09 04:05:56 PM

Touched Kerala once more. At Bekal Fort

From : TWaC

Sent : 14th Aug 09 04:02:45 PM

Morning drive through misty Coorg

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 14th Aug 09 01:31:24 PM

just reached jaipur... Its super warm here

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 14th Aug 09 01:17:21 PM

300km from home! :) :) racing to indore!

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 14th Aug 09 12:18:33 PM

Still pouring, hoping its also raining in MP where the soyabean farmers are looking up hopefully at the sky

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 14th Aug 09 12:08:08 PM

2361 Shivpuri

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 14th Aug 09 11:51:43 AM

Pouring all the way from Agra into Jaipur

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 14th Aug 09 07:54:28 AM

On our way to Jaipur

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 13th Aug 09 11:12:33 PM

Blogging! The bed beckons..

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 13th Aug 09 07:46:54 PM

Just out after seeing the taj mahal!

From : TWaC

Sent : 13th Aug 09 04:51:36 PM

Madikkeri - Ghats, rains and pot-holed roads

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 13th Aug 09 04:10:44 PM

10km from Gwalior, pulled over by the police to be asked Kya yeh sports gaadi hai? ;D

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 13th Aug 09 03:43:28 PM

Had breakfast AND lunch today! Niiiice! :D

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 13th Aug 09 12:38:26 PM

Still on the road to Agra...

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 13th Aug 09 08:04:32 AM

Heading to Agra. Its going to be a long drive..

From : TWaC

Sent : 12th Aug 09 06:31:31 PM

On our way back to Mysore

From : TWaC

Sent : 12th Aug 09 05:35:06 PM

In Wayanad. Western Ghats Kerala episode

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 12th Aug 09 02:42:18 PM

Tan! Tandan!! .. Aaja aaja dilli chhodein! .. Delhi dropped from plans. We head straight to Agra!

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 12th Aug 09 01:46:03 PM

It s hot at the Hawa Mahal! :|

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 12th Aug 09 12:59:33 PM

In Varanasi, walking along the ghats and looking at the Ganga

From : TWaC

Sent : 12th Aug 09 11:48:58 AM

Through Nagarhole National Park

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 12th Aug 09 11:41:21 AM

At Akad Cars, the Mitsu showroom. Mr. Abhinav, the MD, is tellim us the best way around Jaipur.

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 12th Aug 09 09:13:27 AM

Good morning world! We are in Jaipur! Today s objective: getting Joe a pink shirt/kurta ;)

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 11th Aug 09 10:20:04 PM

In Varanasi, just got back to the room after the ganga aarti. Stunning.

From : TWaC

Sent : 11th Aug 09 09:03:36 PM

Swine flue alert in Hassan. We cancelled our stay and hit Mysore.

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 11th Aug 09 07:55:47 PM

On NH8, long day comin to an end.

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 11th Aug 09 04:51:56 PM

Dust storm outside, but IIM Outdoors is snugly cocooned in the Blackhawk :)

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 11th Aug 09 04:06:41 PM

30kms from Varanasi and its pouring..

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 11th Aug 09 01:51:31 PM

Leaving Jodhpur ... On our way to Ajmer.. Hoping to visit the dargah today .. Jodhpur was beautiful! *sigh*

From : TWaC

Sent : 11th Aug 09 01:40:47 PM

Cedia Sports turns its SUV mode on. Climbs Kemmana Gundi peak.

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 11th Aug 09 12:28:05 PM

Superbly bad roads on route to Varanasi. Soaking in the last sights of Madhya Pradesh.

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 11th Aug 09 12:20:07 PM

Just had a long conversation with Mr.Brijraj Singh - great-grandson of HRH Ratan Singh .. Visit to Mehrangarh Fort delayed

From : TWaC

Sent : 11th Aug 09 12:20:02 PM

Driving through coffee estates to Kemmana Gundi peak

From : TWaC

Sent : 11th Aug 09 10:23:44 AM

Bhadra dam & WLS. Touch & go.

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 11th Aug 09 08:52:51 AM

Just got up, not a single post been uploaded so far, gotta hurry.. ttyl :)

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 11th Aug 09 08:31:52 AM

Passing through the Panna Forest Reserve..stopped on a bridge..

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 11th Aug 09 08:01:54 AM

Heading from Khajuraho to Varanasi..

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 10th Aug 09 08:43:24 PM

Sitting at Raja Cafe having a European thali.. :)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 10th Aug 09 07:56:44 PM

In Jodhpur old markets - SHOPPING!

From : TWaC

Sent : 10th Aug 09 07:50:45 PM

At Shimoga after a rainy day in rain forests

From : One Foot Wild

Sent : 10th Aug 09 07:40:11 PM

Back at the hotel after seeing the absolutely stunning temples of Khajuraho.

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 10th Aug 09 06:47:10 PM

As the sun sets, we enter Jodhpur, today s travel - 396km, but not feeling blue at all :)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 10th Aug 09 04:50:05 PM

100 km away frm jodhpur, horrible truckyktraffic on the way. Had lunch for the second time in four days! :)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 9th Aug 09 02:27:22 PM

Just had tea with Mr.Dhanraj Mallik, Rann veteran & advisor to the BBC. Right now, on our way to discover some salt pans, thts how we spend our Sunday! ;)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 9th Aug 09 12:05:24 PM

On state highway 07. Namrata s driving while I m writing and Enrique s crooning.

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 8th Aug 09 07:30:34 PM

At the Vintage Villa of classic cars, droolin over the sports tourers. Got here after blastin the 88km NE1 Expressway in 42mins! Cedia, take a bow!

From : TWaC

Sent : 8th Aug 09 12:01:23 AM

Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary A manmade forest spread over 84 sq km A haven for deers peacocks an many birds

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 7th Aug 09 10:25:40 PM

Ab hum bhi poore punjabi! ... Current track: Kangana .. For Gaurav from Chandigarh :)

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 7th Aug 09 09:56:45 PM

Just discovered d USB connector for the blackhawk s music sys... one of d best moments of d day! :D

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 7th Aug 09 05:28:25 PM

Reached our first destination Daman, it even has its own airport! :)

From : TWaC

Sent : 7th Aug 09 04:38:22 PM

We haven't heard the 'Suprabhatham' chant for many many years. While we were in Chennai and Kerala we used to hear that quite often. First day morning. And as we walk into this nice restaurant at Vashi for breakfast, the 'Suprabhatham' chant welcomes us. Perhaps a good omen on the first stop on first day.

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 7th Aug 09 04:19:19 PM

Just drove 21 km in our cedia, for the very first time! This vehicle is just so smooth!! :) 50 km from Daman. Joe s taken over coz we have to reach by 12

From : IIM Outdoor

Sent : 7th Aug 09 03:09:15 PM

Good morning! :) on our way frm thane to vapi. Jus done upma n rawa dosa at Kamat Vithals. Catch the pic on our flickr n twitter!

About us

Amit Singh ( read: the tranquility of the Himalayas) Jasleen Chopra (read: the effervescence of the Ganges) In the little journey of knowing us better that we are about to take you through, we hope to give you a reason to hook on to us.

This Dehradun guy has a keen interest in photography & observations he always seems to have a new muse. Travel albeit has remained a constant. Jasleen, a chatterbox, is happy with whatever comes her way.

mUMBAI mERI jAAN !!!

(ig)NIGHTED!!!

‘story of the tRAVELLING jEANS’

The day has arrived!

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