Harvest in Korea

For all those people with a special penchant towards farming practices, this blog is going to be a disappointment. Iam not going to write anything about the more celebrated agricultural practice of harvesting the crops. Well, this one is dedicated to my experience at the Korean saloon.

At the outset I should admit that my scalp hair growth rate is exponential and Iam a lazy man as per as getting a hair cut is concerned. But in Korea it did not really bother me as the thick growth of hair on my head was a natural protection, to a certain extent, against the sub zero temperatures prevailing here this time of the year. However somebody did not like this idea of me flaunting such a exuberant growth of it and I had to go in for the quartely harvest of my hair much earlier. I would prefer calling it harvest to cut for its abundance.

One fine bright and chilly morning, I set out to look for the saloon. I found one close to my apartment. The surprising thing was that the hair cut was done by female barbers or should I call them barbara. Well I sat down on the chair and she jumped to work. No questions asked, no preferences taken. There is mostly one style of cut in Korea, the military cut. After the initial spraying of water to moisten the hair, they trim the hair with a pair of scissors, the hair being held in between their tender fingers rather than combs. It is done this way to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of dandruff. Once the initial trimming is done, they use the electric hair remover to complete the remaining task. Within minutes, the entire process is over. They then use a vacuum cleaner to suck the cut hair from the scalp. The job is over and the price is 5000 wons (about USD 5).

I wish I could...

I wish I could tell
How much I care for you
I wish I could tell
How much I like you.

I wish I could tell
You have cast on me a magic spell
Can't think of anything other than you
Everything around only looks like you.

I wish I could tell
In my dreams you always dwell
Days are dreamy, nights are sleepless
Each passing day only makes me more restless.

I wish you would always be mine
I wish you would be my valentine.

Rendezvous with Dr. Kalam

Today was one of the greatest days in my life. Probably anyone would feel as much elated as Iam after meeting this great man. Yes, I got this rare opportunity of meeting our president HE Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam. Somewhere in the bottom of my heart I always felt that I would meet him one day, but never ever imagined that it would materialise in a foreign nation.

Dr. Kalam was on a three nation visit to Singapore, Philipinnes and S.Korea and yesterday he arrived in this country. We got the news that he would be visiting our Samsung campus at Giheung about a week ago. Our joy knew no bounds when they told us that all the Indian engineers would be allowed to meet him. This was a special moment for everyone here. The prepartions for his arrival started a day back. The security, the presentations, the food was all monitored and rehearsed. Early this morning we saw our Indian tricolor (albiet the saffron had become pale orange in many of them) and Korean flag, 'Tae Kuk', attached to all the electric poles along side the road as mark of friendship and cordiality between the two nations.

The president was supposed to arrive at our campus at 11.30 AM sharp. However unlike any other diplomat, he arrived 10 minutes in advance. After a brief exchange of greetings, introductions and plesantries, he moved on to the display room where Samsung has showcased its technological prowess. This was the place where we were allowed to meet him. He was, all the time surrounded by his men and a hazaar photographers trying to capture his every movement.

And then the big moment came when he came to meet us. My limbs started shaking in nervousness. This larger than life personality commands great respect. The persona that he carries with him is simply great. He exchanged a couple of words with us and posed with us for photographs (the Indian embassy had ruled out any such possibilty). He was in the campus for about 90 minutes which included a 30 minutes luncheon. I will remember this meeting forever.

Snow Snow Baby!!

It snowed.. well Iam wondering if any animal can represent the intensity.. as in "It rained cats and dogs" when there is heavy rainfall.. But todays was one of the heaviest that I have observed. Within minutes inches of snow covered all over. It was real treat to eyes. Everything around was covered with soft cotton like snow. Very calm and peaceful environment instilled a sense of tranquility. The snow flakes were floating in the air like the feathers of a pigeon under its wings, all the way to ground. And the moment I touched them, they just melted in my palms. All the trees that seemed to be standing gloomily devoid of any leaves were suddenly boasting of the white snow they had trapped in between their twigs. Reminded me of ShahRukh in VeerZaara with white hair :). Well that was just on a lighter note. There seemed to be purity all around. I only wish it snowed like this for some more time if not days.