Having spent a week only in Mambai, India, I can hardly attest to knowing the place well..BUT, I can attest that the various bazaars in the city are mind-blowingly chaotic. They are also amazingly varied in the stuff that you can buy. They have a history and a depth as well, which is nicely conveyed in this piece from the Globe and Mail. Aways back I did a video about the Mumbai Market. It’s OK, not great. The article here is quite a bit better.
Asia
Travel through Asia by country:
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
Travel through Asia by popular city:
Bangkok, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Moscow, New Delhi, Tokyo
Travel through Asia by popular things to do:
Travel through Asia with our writers:
Infiltrating North Korea, Keyhole Into Burma, Band on the Run ... in China, Chinese Buffet, A Canadian in Beijing, Volunteer Vacation: Tajikistan
The Real Borat?
Is our beloved Borat a thief? That’s the question that a lot of news sites are now asking following the complaints of a Turkish comedian whose shtick is eerily familiar to the Kazakhstan goofball played by Brit comedian Sascha Baron Cohen. Mahir Cagri says that he is completely sure that he was the inspiration for Borat, that he’s hoofing it to London to…well, try and get some money our of it. Ah capitalism.
But there is some rather intriguing evidence to back up his claim. To wit: back in 1999, before anyone had heard of Borat, let alone Ali G, Cagri became celebrity online after posting “unintentionally” amusing photos of himself playing ping pong, the accordion and sunbathing in a skimpy bathing suit. Not the stretchy day-glow nut-hugger suit that Borat wears, but then again, perhaps that suit has not been invented yet. He was also known for his broken, albeit charming approach to women: “Who is want to come TURKEY I can invitate … She can stay my home.” You have to admit, it sounds a lot like our little Borat.
But, of course, if anyone who thinks they’re being somehow imitated can get money for that is another question entirely. I don’t know the details exactly, but I do know that the guy upon whom the Kramer character is based in Seinfeld tried to get some compensation for that fact….and didn’t….although I think he’s leading tours in the city or something. So perhaps if all else fails the “real” Borat can maybe buy himself a bus.
(thanks Karen!)
Loi Krathong in Thailand
Years ago I lived for a little bit in Bangkok and it just so happened I was lucky enough to be there during a November. Why lucky? Because one of the country’s great holidays takes place this month, a holiday that I got to experience first hand and that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The event is called Loi Krathong and this year it takes place on November 5. Loi Krathong is an fascinating festival of lights, and takes place throughout Thailand, but particularly in Bangkok. The tradition is to set hundreds of thousands of flower-shaped finely-decorated, candles on the klongs or canals throughout the city. The candles are placed on banana leaves, making them little boats called krathongs. And in the meantime, everyone and their mother sister and aunt sings a catchy little song about the krathong that rises over the cit and makes the whole event magical. So if you are heading to Thailand, definitely find yourself a great spot to watch this great little event.
Worldwide Panos 2006 Best Of
Some folks here know I’m a big fan of panoramic photography. One of the organizations/Web sites that I often visit and have occasionally contributed to is the World Wide Panoramic project. This project comes out of the geoimages group at Berkeley and has provided some of the best panoramic photography on the Web today. Every three months (each quarter) they hold a…well, it’s not a contest exactly…it’s more just an opportunity for pano photographers around the world to contribute according to a particular theme.
The previous eleven events have created a showcase of VR photography, with over 2500 panoramas by over 750 photographers from more than 70 countries. It’s very cool. Trust me. And at the end of this year the are holding their annual Best of – A World Wide Panorama event. All you have to do is contribute and you have a chance to, well, not win a lot of money but to get the admiration of lots of other pano photographers. I’m gong to do my best to contribute this year, as I have been lax in contributing to some of the other events. So, if you shoot panos, go over and upload your best shot .
Word for the Travel Wise (11/05/06)
Every time someone speaks about going to Asian countries, I so often hear talk of purchasing cheap luxurious looking fabrics to have sewn into beautiful dresses and gowns or other items. As a young child I remember my uncle traveling to Thailand, Taiwan and various other countries later bringing back all sorts of souvenirs, but the fabric was always the main prize for some reason. I don’t think he ever found his way into China, but if you so happen to and it tickles your fancy to buy fabrics and such then this word might be for you…
Today’s word is a Cantonese word used in China:
jeuk – wear
Cantonese is mainly spoken in southern Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and by Chinese minorities in Southeast Asia. Check out Wiki for a pretty extensive historical look at the lingo. Cantonese Online – A Tribute is a colorful site packed with info which offers a variety of free resources to learning to this spectacular language. If you’d like to learn some street slang as seen in popular Hong Kong movies there is a book for purchase on this site here. Last but not least scope out or pick up the LP pocket-sized guide to keep you talking on the go!
Past Mandarin / Cantonese words: zhu ni hao yun, guo nian ha, mu di di, hao, xiang zi, zai jian, léui yàu, känt