Ahmedabad !! The Wild Wild West

Its different here, very different from Mumbai or southern parts of India. A city of about 5 million people of which 1 million are Muslim. You notice it.

Hotel first to relax for a bit before meeting up with the Agent here.
Le Meridien, part of Starwod Resorts, really nice place and was under $100 per night stay , not bad considering the amount of service you get here.

Staff was fantastic, great food, really comfortable, considering when you look out the back window to the Sambarmati River

Not the sunny beach happiness of Mumbai !!

And hot here ! Real hot like +44c hot or 112f, which makes it sound even worse and it is.
Now get inside a textile plant running around 140-160c all over the place and you dont get a break from the heat.

That heat and humidity prompted a new addition to the Camera arsenal.
Last time in India and in China , the Canon G11 was suffering. Going from cold air conditioned car to 150c temps was killing it. Started having problems with buttons not working, not taking pics ended up at warranty service for a month - Canon replaced the button panel, most likely corroded from everything.
So instead of throwing a $500 camera into that torture again, decided to pick up a inexpensive alternative.

 The Canon Elph 100HS, nice little carry in your pocket, Point and Shoot, with all kinds of fun little setups in it, inexpensive at $99 so wont feel bad if it self destructs. Not bad on batteries.
Not the quality of the G11 or big guns, but works for what i need at work without worry. Nice and small little goofy to hold but goes unnoticed.

Already has a ding on it (bottom left corner) when my hand got a little close to something turning in a machine.

and for my next trick, a picture of the back lcd display , picture of the camera with its picture haha

some other pics from this camera to come, considering its limitations (all automatic) the built in fun stuff is cool.

Something new to try, local agent contact was up for snack and wanted McDonald's , so away we went.

Form this pick we could be anywhere in Canada, the faces behind the counter are from everywhere.

One thing you will learn coming to India, Veg and Non-Veg, basically means you are getting Chicken or not. You wont see beef anywhere of course, except maybe in upscale hotels or restaurants, you never see pork.

This is the Spicy Mexican Veg Sandwich for your dining pleasure.

was actually pretty good considering, probaly lot better for you than most fast food, and good to know its always an alternative when traveling around here.

So after a quick day in Ahmedabad, managed to find some sleep and then was up again at 5am to catch my next flight to Chandigarh, via Delhi. These early mornings take it out of you, specially when still trying to beat off jet lag of being on the other side of the world.

Is bad enough i don't sleep properly anyways without something adding to it.
Will be here for a few nights in Chandigarh at the Hometel Hotel  , nice place, very clean, room had similar feel to Chinese style that i stayed in quiet a few times.

Am going to be here for 3 nights so am settling in.

Fun of the stay here was the Chill Lounge and the Phiilipino singers - basically Karaoke. They did sing some Scorpions so they are ok haha

sorry bad iphone pic in the dark

ok they looked much better in person , much much better haha
Had a day off here, but ended up sleeping most of it.

Again you see the contrasts here, the people struggling to survive amongst the high tech successful shiny things.

and quick shots out the window of course, not a lot of time for wandering around as we head to customer sites.

But go figure in the middle of no where we find, wait for it....

The Canadian Limo Company, serving your limousine requirements around the world from...India ?

Time to move again.

Sunset in Chandigarh, showing the water tower of one of our customers in the distance.

Something new for me is Train trip in India, though am not on the commute with the rest of the people here, in jam packed , hanging out the doors and windows travel.

I traveled in the Chandigarh to Delhi express train, 1st class seating. Comes with assigned seating, snack tray all for $12 Canadian !!!  and about 3 hr trip.

and to finish off some ice cream !!

3 hrs later, nodding off and on am in Delhi, staying at the Hans Hotel, over priced and not that great of all the hotels i have stayed in so far. Not even worth showing a pic.

Some fun with the Canon Elph, using the Miniature Preset in the camera, cool effect
Like something out of a Japanese Monster movie from the 60's

A fast day in Dehli though high light being cancellation of customer meeting so my local guy Mr Koul (awesome name) took me to see the The Red Fort , a world heritage site, he has only been afew times and course only with visitors, he even owes his wife a trip here haha.

Big does not describe this place.

Would put in on par with the Forbidden City in Beijing

 

Some really nice stone work here, marble is all over , with red stones used for these flowers.

These areas are under constant car as the passage of time and many hands rubbing them are taking their tole on these works.

Little close up of these flowers

So hot even the dogs are down for the count. The cool marble offering some relief.

 One thing I saw and was told about , where these shacks on the side of the road, predominately immigrants from Bangledesh, coming to Delhi in hopes of a better life. Running rickshaws around the city, squeeking out a dollar, no hope in sight. Local politicians ave been fighting this problem for years now and is always a topic of debate, what to do with them all.

 and we are off once again !

Airport seating pic time, Indira Gandhi ,Delhi International Airport, Terminal 1 Domestic

Back to my favorite place, The Sun and Sand Hotel , Mumbai.

Second week here !!

ok its been a blur to say the least.

Actually most of that is probably sleep, i don't sleep well at the best of times let alone changing beds very day or so, then being on plane, sitting in a car for a few hours, air conditioned comfort to stifling heat of a customer textile plant.

Not that I am complaining, after all am in India and out of the office.

Am on my 8th day here, have been to Mumbai, Chandigarh and now sitting in Delhi, visit a customer later today then blast off back to Mumbai.
Which reminds me i need to sign up with Jet Airways Frequent Flyer plan !!! haha

Had a 4 hrs stopover in Dubai on the way over. Spent my time walking around, to get some much needed exercise.
Spotted the next cellphone by Vertu, trying to decide between slick and cool or blackberry size, thought they could use an Iphone version. This company is owned by Nokia.

Now do i get the $25,000 version ?

 

  or do we just go do it all the way and get the fancy one at $43,000 ?

Decisions Decisions !!


ok so after spending what seemed like two days in a plane to get here, left on April 23rd and arrived April 25th, finally hitting a non-moving bed around 4am.
Now throw in Time Zone change, lack of sleep on the plan ( there must be pills for that ) and first day i was a little wacky.

Did check into the Sun and Sand Hotel Mumbai has been around since 1962, older hotel, clean , great service, two good restaurants and best of all right on the beach. About $150per night , the most expensive hotel i will stay in, while in India. But honestly you need this a few times while your here to help you relax and unwind.

Sorry for the dirty picture, outside cleaning is not on the list here. Taken with Iphone 4s, great camera when you have some light.

They had great little outdoor grill. next to the pool area.
Cold Kingfisher beer on tap and ready to serve, felt good after the last 3 days.

Diner was Kebab, chicken done 4 ways, all great tastes.

Was in Mumbai for 24hrs and then grabbed the next flight headed to Ahmedabad.
One of our premier Customers is located in the area.
Very different part of India, is alcohol free, so know drinking after work, you see lots of camels and cows in the street. Will call it the Wild Wild West of India haha.

Update to come

Internet at 37,000 feet

Ok Internet service at 37,000 feet and wifi Awesome just had to post haha $2.75 for 5mb of data

Into The Wild Blue Wonder....

Headed out !

Sitting at Pearson International Airport, Toronto, with everyone else waiting for a flight to somewhere.

Obligatory airport seating pic here at Terminal 1 , Gate 73

Our transportation headed towards Mumbai, India, with first stop in Dubai, is the wonderfully appointed Airbus A380. Unfortunately I don't have the privilege of riding on the upper desk with The Haves. Emirates from my search listed as #8 in the Top 10 airlines in the world to fly. Will try to grab a pic of the staircase headed upstairs to where comfort is the name of the game.
I unfortunately am in the cattle part of the plane, and thankfully have an aisle seat all reserved ahead of time, to keep life a little easier. This being a flight to India of course who knows who will be sitting next to me

Have been playing with Iphone 4s camera using either ICamera or Camera+ to take pics.
Light of course is always the key, anything in the dark and it falls to pieces.

This one of Starbucks Coffee and the Canon 5D w/24-105mm L4 - window light in the morning, overcast day

And last few days have been spotting some cool hardware out on the streets of London.
Like this GMC Pickup truck for Steam Whistle Pilsner.

And then just because we are on a kick of green.

A very rare site in these streets of London  a Lamborghini SuperLeggera, sitting on Wonderland South at Williams Coffee.  SuperLeggera refers to the building system developed during World War 1 using Duraluminium. Refers to being Super Light. A car using this system is basically a race car and wont pass typical crash test or road safety requirements. This one had Dealer Plates and can only imagine the insurance rate on this, let alone doing a break job !!

ok sitting and spinning waiting for boarding
Next stop Dubai

Getting back on it

Well folks 2012 has been a little up and down for the last few months.
My photographic creative side has been a little off.

Though I had done an update for a recent trip, for various reasons I pulled it down.
Maybe sometime in the future when the time is right we will revisit that.

Needless to say I did have one of the best vacations this year, and looking forward to more like that.

For now we pack our bags, some protein bars, I mean solid food, and get ready to blast off to India.
Last update was that it was around 42c or 105f in Ahmadabad, India , cant wait
nothing like a hot humid day in India !!!

At least the signs of summer are here, in London !!

And people have their bikes out, this one was just outside the office one afternoon.

another photo shoot coming up at Shiseido just before I leave and a few requests to see bands performing.  Time for some loud music and a diet coke.

Also picked up a few jobs for www.airbnb.com - this one I like the most. Downtown London, does not look to inviting outside.

So I was thinking"what kind of place am I gonna see here today ???"

This is the bedroom area, up on second level loft style !!
Awesome !

ok back to work , updates to come

A month down already !!!

Wow end of January already here, was only a few weeks ago, we were all fighting holiday traffic.

A quick self-portrait done in the office with the Canon 5D, 50mm f1.4 1/640 ISO400
And quick blast through Aperture 3.0 and a preset called Simply Silver .

Suddenly February is here, today is a spring day here in London,ON a balmy +8c.
Its been up and down, one day rain , the next a snow storm then rain, throw in a day like today and your not sure how to dress till you look outside.

Great example is this pic from Jan 3rdth at 9am ish , out the top of the office.

And then 4 hours later , like nothing ever happened !

Been a quiet month though, passed quick.
Did manage to get out for some pics and pick up some new business photo wise.

First up was The Wrecks playing at Sunny's in St Thomas,ON. Great band, great players.

The Lead Guitar Player, was suffering miserably through a need for some tooth surgery , but still managed to get up and wail away the night.

Brought up memories of seeing Rick 'Flash' Dion playing the hotels and bars of Timmins,ON so many moons ago, nailing every solo.

Have to admit I enjoy taking pics of the bands playing in London and area, though gets a little tiring when your dealing with my usual lack of sleep issues and then going out at 10pm on a Friday night after relaxing for a few hours at home.  OK am sounding old but....

Attended the London Wine and Food Show, as a guest of Lotus Thai Restaurant, St Thomas,ON.
Take a few pics of their booth and of course sample some food.

Small statue outside their booth .

The ladies of course made sure i was well fed while i was there.
Recommend their restaurant to anyone.

Interesting though was i showed up early, before opening and simply walked in , camera swinging.
No one stopped me, asked for my pass or who  I was with, even security said 'hello'
hhhmmmm gonna have to try that some day at the John Labat Centre and see if I can get in through the back door for pics.

Lots of food and wine of course, and some nice displays, like this fruit arrangement from Edible Arrangements here in London, actually not to far from the office.

And some Creme Brule from Aroma , a Mediterranean restaurant here in London at Richmond and Piccadilly. If your looking for a taste of Spain, it is the place to go.

For the price I recommend them, as the average plate was around same as The Keg, but honestly a whole lot better. Feels and tastes like someone actually cooked your meal, the heart and soul of the Chef is in the food.

Latest fun is through a posting in Flickr and hooking up with a website called www.airbnb.com.
Basically a Bed and Breakfast online service, with everything from a room for $20 a night to a Hong Kong apartment for rent at $2000/night.  So i am now the local London rep for any requests to take pics of client places, be it a room , shared or whole apartment.

My first assignment was a place in London available for rent by the night, great old house close to downtown. Really nice couple own this.

The idea is to get natural light pictures (if possible) and get the basics of the room , so people have a sense of what they will see when they get there.

You also highlight cool or interesting features of the room or place, as points of interest. There are some limitations, must be very hi rez pics and only in landscape view like you see here.

An actual paying photo shoot, and my first real one.

So that got me thinking about my own vacation plans.

If you remember from last year, I was getting all set for a whirlwind trip of Japan. Had bought my ticket and then 3 days later , earthquake tried to sink Japan into the ocean forever.
Well that credit has been sitting with our warm hearted friends (I say that very very sarcastically) at Air Canada waiting to be used and about to expire.

So what do I do with it ?
Cant transfer it, cant split it, and must fly from Canadian soil.
So the options are wide open, could go just about anywhere and decided to return to Barcelona, Spain.
As much fun as it was the last time (September) really we crammed a lot of  city into 3 days and actually missed out on a quite a bit. So this will be a week in Barcelona, really take my time, act like a real tourist and see everything, especially what we missed out on in Sept.

Instead of trying to Priceline some Holiday Inn, I used the Airbnb site and looked at a complete apartment for a week. The advantages being, no housekeeping barging in each morning to fluff your pillows, an actual kitchen to be able to have some real food, specially when it comes to breakfast. Being able to get up and enjoy a coffee and food without leaving the room and not paying 20euro is a great option. Also mean can have goodies on hand for travel snacks and night time.

After searching around and a few emails, found an apartment in The Gothic area , blocks from the beach and harbor.

View Larger Map

As we know from the last voyage most things are in walking distance, and even then the metro is fantastic there and pretty cheap. Getting around the city is least of the issues when there.

Here is a view of the actual apartment living room, with windows open to the street below.
These are from the Airbnb website

That wall and window would be great for some pics - will try some self portraits there.
will have time and got space to pull back the furniture and redecorate haha
And bedroom shot

we will find out how much photoshopping was done , once inside haha.
Kind of like a bachelor apartment, with a small efficiency kitchen.

Oh ya the place has wifi so no 8euro a day trying to get internet in the hotel.

Now just have to figure out the best time to go and get it booked before end of March, when my ticket expires.

Noticed something on the door of the Terrain a few weeks ago and made a point of taking a picture.

These stones were from a walk on the beach in Port Stanley in 2010. I need to remember to take one out and add it to my small collection in the house.
If you don't know, when I go places, if I remember , I pick up a stone , bring it home, wash it and then mark the place and date on it, and add to the collection.

Took this tonight, so you can see what they look like.

I can read  a stone and remember the place, who was there, why I was there.
Much better than any souvenir that you can buy on the street, and will outlast any picture I have taken.

Few more photo ops coming up this weekend, possibly a new band to take pics of,  and another photoshoot for Shisiedo at The Bay, Masonville Mall, London,ON.

Travel plans being put together for the new year also but nothing really set yet.

Later......

Happy New Year !!

2011 is over - great year - really no complaints about it at all.

Did not get to do a pic New Years Eve, oh well next year - haha

Finished off the year with some pic sessions.

First was a promotion I got involved in at the Shiseido counter at The Bay , Masonville, London,ON.
This started form a conversation this past summer, while picking up some product to bring to China.
Started off with "I am flying out tomorrow and need this...", where I was going, what i was doing , the subject of pics came up (of course) and then a promise to return to show what I saw in China and share camera talk. 

My original idea was to offer my services at The Bay for any woman who had a complete makeup session done, to take a few head shots, for no charge, email them. add some something to what they were already getting and to push myself outside my comfort zone once again.

It all finally happened in December, when I got contacted by the Shiseido Manager back in October , asking if I would work exclusively with them on this idea. 
Can't say no can you !!
Clientele is primarily Asian, the product is well known Japanese company.

This  would be exclusive to that counter, special invitation only to the customers.
 So took a small room in the store used for facials, and transformed it into mini-studio !!
White paper on the wall, barely squeezed in and then i was pushing my back into the drywall to get some distance between me and the subjects.

 One thing i realized after is I was getting a lot of yellow cast from the wall on the right, bouncing back into the pics . Next time will bring a piece of left over paper or white sheet to put on that wall.

First up was a lady from Hong Kong, amazing smile, after a few minutes she really warmed up to the camera and started to have fun.

Followed by sisters, Jie and Lila, originally from Shanghai.

We know who the poser is !! Lila had previous experience with having her photo taken back in China and used it to her advantage. Lucky me !

The experience forced me to talk to them , find something to take them away from the camera pointed at their head, get them comfortable, find that smile or look that speaks about who they are.
Not easy, 
Remember that next time you have pics taken at some large chain store photo studio and then compare them against pics done by a professional studio.  The difference is the person behind that camera, what they bring to the table, what they see, how they feel.  Big Box stores can pump them out at high volume, camera, lights all locked down, every pic the same. Like a cookie cutter or photo copier.



I will be doing this again ! learned alot and will be smoother and more confident the next time around.

To close off the year, I actually ended with thet Gents that helped me really get out there at the start of the year back in May 2011. Hurtin Merv and The Boys were tearing it up at The Wortley Roadhouse, London,ON.

Calm before the storm as they say. 

The Wortley Roadhouse has been in business since 1990, caters to a real broad range of customers, though seems the average person is past 40 and has a few dollars to spend.

The Wortley was its usual Cougar and Sausage fest - haha.

That's Merv down on the dance floor, doing what he does best, keep the customers happy. That's at least 8 women standing there taking it all in.

Place was packed, boys were playing their usual, so took advantage to get some shots,  like above , behind the band.
Few extra of Mr Greg on skins, he usually seems to be in the shadow of front men Ryan (bass) and Terry (guitar) holding it all together. So his turn to be in the spot light.

Would say am starting to see a difference in some of the pics I am taking of music groups now versus at the start of the year. Pushing past my fears to get those shots.

Next up Bender at the Eastside this coming Friday and then Sabbath Only Sabbath, with opener Nail  on Jan 28th.  Should be good shows.

All the best to everyone in 2012. 
I encourage everyone to get outside, take a camera, take pics, push yourself.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure.” Helen Keller