Hike 12- New month of hiking :) April Fools Day Hike - Alamera Falls ! Coastal Trail. 8.3 miles

It was a beautiful day =D

Beautiful lake with Monet's Lilies 

Picnic shot. amazing delicious organic food healthy all non meat ! ahh Drool !! the salad was bombastic ! chomp!

More lakes

The moon by the sun. What a match :)

 experimenting with the camera :) Lovely try Pal !

These flowers smelled so fragrant. I wanted to put them all in my pocket.

Distance of Hike : 8.3 Miles
Weather: Brilliant Sunny Day
Difficulty: Easy Peazy

Hike 10 and 11 =D Cataract and Bay trail

Was a very rainy day so we went to a flat Bay Area trash trail  but had a good time :)

Hike 11 Cataract Falls - redone =D

Was raining.  The water fall was heavy and loud !

I meditated on my way up. Was completely silent and only just observed colors, mostly the green. 

On my way down, took pictures and giggled a whole lot =D hehehe

 Tons of Greenery and Lush

Les Quatre Cents Coups or To Raise Hell or 400 Blows

Celebrating More M's this Month ! M for Movies in M for March!                                                                                 

I happened to watch Antoine and Colette sometime back.  I liked it so much I watched it again. After getting to know Antoine and Colette are only part of a larger anthology, I knew I couldn't not watch the other 4 parts of the series. Antoine and Colette is the second part of the 5 pieces of the anthology. This post is about the first part of the series called Les Quatre Cents Coups also translated into English as Raising Hell or 400 Blows directed by Francois Truffaut where Antoine is a little boy. 

Antoine in checks and his friend

400 Blows is about a 12 year old boy that goes through a series of unpleasant adventures. But somehow, because of his strength and his positive personality, throughout the movie, I am nothing but in awe of him. This movie somehow reminded me of how I felt while reading The kite runner. You see things from a child’s perspective and the whole world around the child can seem brutal. Although, Raising Hell is not as intense a story as the Kite Runner. 400 Blows brings out in us, much milder, subtle emotions for Antoine and his world. 

When Antoine runs away from home and then steals milk, the first thought that crosses my mind is how hard it must have been, for a 12 year old Antoine to starve all night and then to be compelled to steal just to feed himself. Truffaut is successful in making us focus on ordinary strives. 

Antoine in Class

When Antoine’s mom promises him a 1000 franks for a good essay, Antoine works hard towards his essay and instead, gets accused of plagiarism and gets thrown out of class. Antoine's father slaps Antoine for lighting a candle in front of his favorite authors photo, which accidentally burns a curtain in the house. At that point, I thought, for once the kid is trying to do something right and everyone seems to turn against him. At the juvenile center, a psychiatrist asks Antoine, that his parents said that Antoine lies all the time.  Antoine responds saying, “Oh, I lie now and then, I suppose. Sometimes I'd tell them the truth and they still wouldn't believe me, so I prefer to lie.” He is clearly a misunderstood child.

Antoine witnessing his mothers infidelity

Truffaut also shows that Antoine is not seeing best examples of morality around him to learn from. Antoine uses knowing about his mothers infidelity as a shield for getting away with skipping school and not being reported to his father. 

Antoine seeing his friend through the glass

The kid gets yelled at, slapped , ignored but, the only time he cries is near the end of the movie. That too, its just one tear. Throughout most of the movie, his face is very innocent but stoic.He sheds a tear when he is being taken away to jail and he is in a barred truck, seeing himself move away from everything he knows. He does not bawl in that truck, he just leaves to find another world to be in. That one tear does not seem like a sign of weakness. It seems like a sign of his vast threshold for catastrophes. Maybe that one tear, is a, ‘I am so relieved to not have to go home’ tear. Maybe its a tear for when he decides, that chapter of his life which meant the world to him at one point, is now closed. Maybe that one tear is for being cut off from everything he loves, his friends, his warm sleeping bag, the movie theater and the city. You know from that crucial barred truck scene, that the one tear is going to make him stronger, not weaker. Its a scene that shows his transformation into coming of age and doing what adults do, conform. He is forced to conform behind those bars. But the viewer wonders if that will stick for too long?

Antoine in Juvenile system

When he is being questioned by the juvenile center, he never once feels sorry for lying, or stealing, or running away from home.He doesn't seem like the type to stop and blame himself for something he does not deserve blame for.  He is confident in his statements and believes what he did was right and he tells the psychiatrist with dignity that he prefers to lie.

Antoine Running- Long and Single shot scene

Everything he is doing is for self preservation. The last scene when he is running miles away from the juvenile center and towards the sea, it is a one straight long shot, which builds up anticipation about where Antoine might end up once he stops running. But, once he reaches the sea and you see him playing in the water, there is no more curiosity. I felt a sudden relief to see Antoine was free from the Juvenile center and that he was where he always wanted to be. Right in the middle of the movie, there is one scene when he casually tells his friend, he wants to go to the ocean. So, Truffaut ending the movie with Antoine playing in the water at the sea,is a fantastic time to Fin. It takes load off your chest, that he is out and away from all the bars, and it also makes you curious about, whats next for this 12 year old. But, from all the escapades Antoine has been through, Truffaut gives the viewer confidence that, Antoine is going to be just fine. 

Antoine's step  father and mother 

What I love about Antoine is, how he is winging it every step of the way, that too, with a lot of confidence. Antoine seeks out the best in the worst of situations. Antoine is someone who looks at the bright side of life. He is not raising hell, he is reaching for things that make him happy. He does not give up easily, he keeps stomping through the many thorns and reaches his destination, even if it took him repeated escaping. 

Antoine at the beach YAY !

Truffauts elements in 400 Blows of common adolescent and human circumstances, makes 400 Blows a crucial movie that defines the French New Wave.This movie brings out supple feelings in us, using very plain and simple life situations. Transformations during adolescence for most people can be hard and challenging. We can all relate to Antoine in some form or the other, or, we may identify with him in every situation and scene. The viewers heart goes out to him. At the end though, there is definitely a feeling of his freedom, a feeling of his victory and a feeling of him looking forward to more.


If you are curious about Antoine, instant watch it on Amazon for $3 :) He has 4 more movies after 400 Blows and I absolutely enjoyed Antoine and Collet ! 

Lake Chabot Regional Park Hike - 9 Miles (Hike 7)

It was a nice sunny and chilly day. 

The hike was mostly flat with some slopes. There is a cafe at the entrance. You can bike here, you can swim, hike, jog, go boating and you can fish here. Other than  hiking, I ran like SRK in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. I sprinted from one end of the wooden bridge surrounded by water to the other end creating loud dramatic thudding sound effects. 

This may be a Pacific Ninebark leaf. It had a whole lot of white on it. It looked like tobacco. Is it a disease or is it just trying to attract more sun for photosynthesis? 

Along the way, I had a super intriguing discussion about spirituality and emotional intelligence with a business minded gal pal. This conversation that outlasted the 9 miles distance and four hours to the car park made my day just totally wowsome.

I ended the hike with instant ice- cream from Smitten in the Hayes Valley. It's made fresh in front of you with a Kelvin and within a minute. I didn't think I could handle anymore sugar for the day so, I had the olive oil flavor. Unexpectedly, I  just loved it !  Olive Oil ice cream, I know what you are thinking.

Since it was a very windy day, getting pushed around by the wind and holding the tree pose at the same time was comical. 




Distance - 9 Miles
Weather- Sunny and Cold
Time- 4 hours

Celebrating M for Maratha Empire in M for Museums in M for March !

Asian Art Museum, San Francisco 

This post is a list of the six Maratha Royalty and Maratha Empire artifacts  at the Maharajas Exhibit in the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. The exhibit was in London earlier, it is in San Francisco now and it travels to Virginia. Photography of all the pieces was not allowed for visitors. So, I have only some pictures from my visit.

His Majesty 
Shivaji Maharaja
 on his throne

1. Shivaji’s Maharajas Sword- It is titanium black in color. It's cover is satiny and gold with resplendent  pink and gold art work.  To see a piece of weapon from 500 years ago, that looked so stunning and so fierce was a very surreal experience. I have always seen swords that look like steel, but Shivaji Maharajas sword would make your blood run cold. It has a very dark, onyx look to it. Fortunately, I haven’t seen any shrapnel shells or any scary weapons in real life, but seeing this cutting piece of metal that was pitch black with an illuminating handle, was intimidating to say the least.

Bagh Nakh's were made from the 1640's

2. Tiger Claw-Bagh Nakh
When I first laid my eyes on this piece, I knew exactly what it was. It was a weapon that goes around your knuckles and acts as a tiger claw or Bagh Nakh. I have always found this story of Shivaji's Bagh Nakh fascinating. Mostly because, this claw is so different from the swords and knives that are commonly used by most kings in those days. So, if anyone remembers or knows their 4th grade history in Maharashtra, Shivaji pulled out this slick tiger  claw to rip out the enemies intestines. As a kid, I remember being extremely scared reading this story and I remember how animated my teacher was telling us about Shivaji's defense. His enemy who was physically double the size of Shivaji, wanted to take over Pratap Gadh (fort) where Shivaji was staying. The enemy during a meeting smothered and stabbed Shivaji and in return got his guts gouged out with the Bagh Nakh.

Madhu Rao II Narayan, the Peshwas
Oil on canvas, 1792
 (Displayed in the the museum)

3.Madhu Rao II Narayan, The Peshwa, with Nana Phadnavis and attendants is the third piece I want to talk about. This Peshwa is sitting calmly in a graceful posture and has a sharp and strict look in his eyes. This painting is an oil on canvas piece. Peshwa is a title given by Shivaji. The Maratha Empire had eight various Pradhans called the Ashtapradhan. Shivaji appointed the Peshwas as the top level administrators who delegated administrative duties. I think of them as the mastermind behind the rise of the Maratha Empire. It's while the Peshwas administered the empire, that the Maratha dynasty ruled most of the landmass of the Indian subcontinent. 


The Peshwas carried out beautiful clothing made of exquisite muslin fabric and magnificent red shawls. Madhu Rao's turban holds majestic head adornment delicately and decoratively studded with precious gems. Today, Indian and Pakistani dresses that are very beautifully fitted tight on the top and flowing long at the bottom are called Peshwas. (I am tempted to talk about Peshwa fashion here, but thats a whole different post.)

Shivaji Maharajas Portrait 
(similar to one in museum)

4. A portrait of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja– Shivaji Maharaja reestablished Hinduism in India against the imposing Moguls. Shivaji Maharaja was a seasoned ruler who built an Empire, to establish Self Rule or ‘Swaraj’ for his people. Led by his majesty Shivaji Maharaja, the Maratha Empire emerged as a major power in South Asia. He was a fair king who worked toward reestablishing and preserving regional and political identity.


Shivaji is seen wearing various alluring and exquisite royal attire with gold and silver work dazzling regally on bright colors. He carried out ceremonious, embellishments ranging from diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphire and pearls.

Shivaji Maharaj Darbaar

 5. Map of Maratha Empire - That map took me by surprise.  Looking at the borders and the wide spread color of the Maratha Empire was stunning .  The Maratha Empire at its peak, stretched widely through the South Asian landmass. It started from where Peshawar in Pakistan is today, from the border of Afghanistan to     
Tamil Nadu to the South of India to where Bengal is today in the very east of India.  Shivaji built countless forts on land and in the 

Maratha Empire in 1758

(in Orange)

 Map from Wikipedia

sea. It is during the time of his Empire that the navy in India took roots.The Maratha Empire had its military use guerrilla warfare tactics and Shivaji Maharaja formed a powerful intelligence network to spread all over. 


Credit for the rise of the Maratha Empire goes to many people and one of them is Malik Ambar from Ethiopia. Under Shivaji Maharajas Rule,  people were allowed to practice whatever religion they wanted. He treated people based on merit regardless of their religion or caste. Malik Ambar a muslim from Africa, trained some of the Maratha military. Malik Ambar and Shivaji Maharaja’s grandfather Maloji collaborated. The Muslims and the Marathas came together to fight off Moguls. Aurangabad today, is the result of Malik Ambar's battle along with the Marathas against the Moguls. 

Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II,
Bernard Boutet de Monvel, 
Paris, 1929 (Oil on canvas)
(Displayed in museum)

6. The Jazz Age Maharaja  There was a splendid oil painting of Maratha Royalty Holkar by Bernard Boutet de Monvel, Paris, 1929. By the painting was a majestic and modern dark wood and glass table with a bright vermillion red soft leather chair. Jazz tunes played in the background in the area where this painting was displayed. Yeshwant Rao Holkar  held many residences abroad, in Paris and the US. As the audio in the museum said, he was a citizen of a larger world.

Maharaja Holkar II,
(Displayed in museum)

This exhibit is mind boggling. At first, I thought, I'd just get to see beautiful dresses from the past. But, when I saw these beautiful artifacts from so many hundreds of years ago, I was simply spellbound.

Tilden Regional Park - 8.5 Miles (Hike 6)

 The hike started with a heavy drizzle. And someone at the begining of the hike made everybody laugh saying, "Why does Snoop Dog need an umbrella?" Guess? It is a riddle. Right ! Because it may shizzle drizzle! shizzle dizzle. So luckily, I carried my raincoat. Some of the path was concrete but most of it was dirt stone ! Golden Gate Bridge is in that fog in the back in the picture above. This is the Wildcat Peak's summit. It is marked by a stone lookout where we ate lunch.













I saw a salamander.  I am so fascinated by this wildlife that is pretty foriegn and new to me. Salamanders have a bright yellow color underneath and on top its dark. This puppy was in love with it.

On the way up,there was this plank here to the right that says, Redwoods Grove was planted by Berkeley Hiking Club in 1925.  People have been hiking forever it seems. In 1874 a team of four climbed to the highest summit in Europe. In 1953 Edmund Hillary a New Zealander and Tenzing Norgay a sherpa from Darjeeling climbed Mount Everest. I got to see a lot of Edmund Hillary's gear and journey at the Akaroa Museum in New Zealand. It majorly inspired me to hike regularly ! I read stories about Freda du Faur who climbed the absolutely gorgeous Mount Cook in 1910. I saw exhibits of many other female hikers at the Mount Cook foothills  and it opened my eyes to a new passion!   (I will write a post of this visit to the museum soon! )









In the picture to the left is the San Pablo Dam in the background from the Wildcat Peak Summit. There was a 1000 feet elevation change with a view of the Wildcat George. This dog was very strong and heavy and jumped me a few times.  His name is 'Q' or Cue.

We walked past inspiration point and along few streams of water. The hike was a loop with only 6.3 miles, but to see more water streams we hiked an extra, a bit over 2 miles of the Nimitz trail.




 The Anza Lake below, was an awesome treat for the beginning and the end of the hike.

We walked the Nimitz way in combination with various trails, called the Curnan trail, Meadows Canyon trail and Wildcat Peak Trail.
 
I finished the hike with Chole Bature at Viks in Berkeley!


Hike - 8. 5 Miles long. 
Time- 4 hours
Elevation- 1000 feet
Weather- Overcast

Cliff House to Golden Gate Bridge to Vista point and back on the bridge (Hike 5 )

Step 1 : Cliff House We started at the Cliff House. One of my favorite spots since 2005. It would be interesting if I could find pictures from way back then, but that would require a lot of digging.  I took off from the Mid-West and visited the West Coast every chance I had. Cliff house has lots of waves, lots of slope, lots of great scenic views, lots of good food and lots of breeze. 

Step 2: Lands End Trail  We first hiked over the Lands End trail. You can see Golden Gate from afar. This orange vermillion bridge is the most photographed bridge in the world.

Step 3: Sutra Baths At the Sutra Baths is bar and bistro and a dining area.From there we went on to do the El Camino Del Mar Loop. You can see dark cypress trees in the back. Golden Gate got closer. 

 

Step 4 : El Camino Del Mar Loop Here is the El Camino Del Mar loop. This exotic cactus in the picture below is part of the upscale Sea Cliff houses and gardens. We walked past the Presidio.

Step 5: Bakers Beach  El Camino Del Mar Loop took us down to the Coastal trail. Baker Beach was a good spot for lunch. Family picnics and kids flying kites filled up the beach. In the picture is an Airplane kite and an orange bird with a beak kite ! My everything bagel was delicious. Yes, I am finally getting used to the San Fran bagels, but not the pizza ! Never getting used to the pizza here !

                                                           

Step 6: Coastal Trail Got back on the Coastal trail and after many wooden steps, we got even closer to the bridge. It's like a sand ladder, except not so steep at all. The bridge got closer.

  

Step 7: Batteries to Bluff Trail  Batteries to Bluffs Trail can be used in combination with the Coastal Trail.The Golden Gate Strait in view in this picture, is the entry or a gate-way to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. It is three miles by one mile in area. The bridge now got even closer so I kept marching.

Step 8 : Golden Gate Bridge Finally, I was on the bridge! Even though there was no plan to walk the bridge, we decided to walk over it and take the bus back. It took me three years in NYC before I even thought of walking the Brooklyn Bridge. On the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge bridge, I had New York pizza and ice cream.( I wish I could find my Brooklyn Bridge snaps.)I'm ecstatic I walked the 1.7 mile long Golden Gate without waiting for years.

 On the bridge, there were these signs posted (pic to the right and bottom). At first I thought, they were cute, but then a friend told me some horror stories and the idea of kids slipping through those rails freaked me out.

 

   There were also signs that read, "There is hope", Emergency Call. I wondered what that was and someone told me, they saw a middle aged man once on the other side of the railing, trying to commit suicide. This bridge is the suicide harbor of the world.The man was saved because people held on to him and would not let him go. The police came and took the man away. Apparently this happens often and thus this phone is planted there. I do not remember hearing any stories about the Brooklyn bridge when I was walking there in the bright summer day. It was a foggy day on the Golden Gate. Dont ask me what Silas from the Da Vinci code is doing beside this phone. ( In picture above.)

Step 9 : Marin County Vista Point Despite the grave stories, we walked carefully, dodging the various bicyclists and bearing the wind and the deep blue sea on one end and fast cars on the other end. I made it to Vista point which is at the end of the bridge. Also, now I can say I walked from San Francisco to Marin County ! 

Step 10 : Back on the bridge  When we got to vista point we realized buses were not running that day. So we walked back 1. 7 miles on the orange vermillion colored suspension bridge. Though, walking back, it rained. I had my thermals on but no raincoat. Yet, the walk was very enjoyable and I am glad I have finally walked here. The last two pictures are from the way back on the bridge, in the shizzle drizzle.

 

Total Walk - 9 Miles. 

Time- 4.30 hours (Noon to 4.30)

Weather- Mostly overcast with occasional sun