Well, it all started with this competition by Indiblogger, and seeing that I've not been to any other country (Dubai doesn't count - it's an extension of Kerala anyway!), this seemed to be the right opportunity for me to venture out. All I needed to do was win this competition on Indiblogger, which has like, oh..... maybe a thousand fantastic bloggers...... Piece of cake!!
(A word of advise to the readers : There are awesome links all through the post, which helped me in my research. Do visit these links - they are really helpful if anyone is planning a trip to Melbourne)
God and I sometimes have conversations when the rest of the world is snoring into oblivion. God, incidentally, is my mentor in cynicism and irony.
(Yeah!Yeah! I know You're Omnipotent and all that - But lets tell these good people how You and I reached that deal, shall we? Just so that they don't waste their time competing for the prize!)
So anyway, I reminded God how good I've been lately, and how badly I needed God to make exceptions to 'thou shalt not be greedy'! I did a lot of research at the official Melbourne website, and the resultant conversation went something like this:
Me : God, now that we've known each other for over three decades, don't You think it's time I got my friendship day present?
God : You've been spending too much time at Archie's gift shops haven't you? Anyway, what is it that you wish for?
Me : I want to go to Melbourne....... No, actually, I want to win this competition..... No, actually, I want to visit all these lovely places in Melbourne, after winning the competition that will take me there.
(There! that should take care of the 'watch what you wish for - it just might come true' fallacy)
God (trying to keep a straight face) : Win? The way you write? That really is pushing it too far, my child. Anyway, why Melbourne?
Me (gushing for required effect) : You know how much I love adventure, right, God?
God (with a patient look in Those benevolent eyes) : Yes, my child, I know. I am still trying to forget every high pitched "Oh Gaaaaaawd - saaaaave me!" each time you landed into one of those 'adventures'. It sure didn't look like you were enjoying yourself back then!
Me : Err.........Ofcourse I was enjoying it! That's how you're supposed to yell when you fall a few feet from a roller coaster! Any way, back to Melbourne. Did You know there's loads of adventure to do there? There's Sky diving.... and car racing .....
God : I would have thought you'd done enough car racing on Delhi roads - I don't think I can handle more swear words than that!
Me (pretending to ignore the divine voice) : .... and even battle tank riding!! Can you beat that?
God : My child, surely, with all the lovely food I put on your table, even your walk to the car must seem like battle tank riding to you.... (I told you God was my mentor!)
Me : Not fair - I am on a diet, you know! Anyway, speaking of which - there are awesome celebrity chef restaurants in Melbourne - the kinds that serves Masterchef Australia kinda food! And all kinds of international cuisine too (I've always wondered how Vietnamese food tastes, or Spanish for that matter!!) - not to mention pubs!
God : (suppressing a laugh) Yes, child. I have seen you drooling all over the carpet watching Masterchef Australia, and I am aware of the nocturnal effect pubs have on you!
Me : Err..... no, God - I didn't exactly mean I'd spend all my time eating and drinking. And its such a safe place for nightlife too - You of all, know how important that is for a woman these days! Wait - there's so much more!! Can you imagine floating past the beautiful Melbourne city in a hot air balloon? Hundreds of feet above..... sigh!! And a glass of Australian wine, and a guy proposing to you with a solitaire ring...... sigh!!!
God : Ahem! This is still about Melbourne, is it not? If this is another request for the right guy, let me tell you this conversation is over.
Me: Err..... ofcourse God - Melbourne is sports crazed, right? And so am I!
God (with one divine Eyebrow raised quizzically) : Which sport, if I may ask, do you play? For I seem to only see you having a go at the X-box in your routine of tardiness!
Me : Whoa! Who said anything about playing? I watch cricket, and football (or footy, as they would call it in Melbourne) and the stadiums are to die for!! Definitely beats having to watch a match on TV! Also, there are these awesome speed boats, on which I'd like to whizz past the Port Phillip Bay.
God : Hmmm....Port Phillip seems a nice place - actually the kind of place I would head to, if I didn't have to listen to people like you all the time!
Me (seeing a ray of hope) : Yes, absolutely God! It has over 1,950 square kilometres, and is quite comparable to Your abode. I mean, there's fishing, sailing, speed boats, kayaking and snorkeling. And for a change, all of it is clean, with a self-sustaining eco system. You know how much I admire Your creativity, God. And there is so much beauty in all that marine life in Port Phillip ..... You really are a genius you know!! ...... err......So how about that competition? Am I winning it?
God : Not so fast, you sweet talker! What else are you planning to do there?
Me : I would also love to see the penguins at Phillip Island, which is just 2 hours away from Melbourne (I promise I won't smuggle any back home!). Or even better..... maybe a moonlit walk through the bountiful natural beauty of a wildlife sanctuary You have so lovingly created in Melbourne.........
God (Smiling with such deep knowledge): So you really thought I'm going to push a few buttons and make you win this competition? You really thought it's your time to visit Melbourne NOW, didn't you?
Well, tough luck, my child........ You see, I am due for a vacation, and I'll let you know all about it when I'm back from Melbourne......... we'll have a little chat - Woman to woman! Be good till then!
(A word of advise to the readers : There are awesome links all through the post, which helped me in my research. Do visit these links - they are really helpful if anyone is planning a trip to Melbourne)
God and I sometimes have conversations when the rest of the world is snoring into oblivion. God, incidentally, is my mentor in cynicism and irony.
(Yeah!Yeah! I know You're Omnipotent and all that - But lets tell these good people how You and I reached that deal, shall we? Just so that they don't waste their time competing for the prize!)
So anyway, I reminded God how good I've been lately, and how badly I needed God to make exceptions to 'thou shalt not be greedy'! I did a lot of research at the official Melbourne website, and the resultant conversation went something like this:
Me : God, now that we've known each other for over three decades, don't You think it's time I got my friendship day present?
God : You've been spending too much time at Archie's gift shops haven't you? Anyway, what is it that you wish for?
Me : I want to go to Melbourne....... No, actually, I want to win this competition..... No, actually, I want to visit all these lovely places in Melbourne, after winning the competition that will take me there.
(There! that should take care of the 'watch what you wish for - it just might come true' fallacy)
God (trying to keep a straight face) : Win? The way you write? That really is pushing it too far, my child. Anyway, why Melbourne?
Me (gushing for required effect) : You know how much I love adventure, right, God?
God (with a patient look in Those benevolent eyes) : Yes, my child, I know. I am still trying to forget every high pitched "Oh Gaaaaaawd - saaaaave me!" each time you landed into one of those 'adventures'. It sure didn't look like you were enjoying yourself back then!
Me : Err.........Ofcourse I was enjoying it! That's how you're supposed to yell when you fall a few feet from a roller coaster! Any way, back to Melbourne. Did You know there's loads of adventure to do there? There's Sky diving.... and car racing .....
God : I would have thought you'd done enough car racing on Delhi roads - I don't think I can handle more swear words than that!
Me (pretending to ignore the divine voice) : .... and even battle tank riding!! Can you beat that?
God : My child, surely, with all the lovely food I put on your table, even your walk to the car must seem like battle tank riding to you.... (I told you God was my mentor!)
Me : Not fair - I am on a diet, you know! Anyway, speaking of which - there are awesome celebrity chef restaurants in Melbourne - the kinds that serves Masterchef Australia kinda food! And all kinds of international cuisine too (I've always wondered how Vietnamese food tastes, or Spanish for that matter!!) - not to mention pubs!
God : (suppressing a laugh) Yes, child. I have seen you drooling all over the carpet watching Masterchef Australia, and I am aware of the nocturnal effect pubs have on you!
Me : Err..... no, God - I didn't exactly mean I'd spend all my time eating and drinking. And its such a safe place for nightlife too - You of all, know how important that is for a woman these days! Wait - there's so much more!! Can you imagine floating past the beautiful Melbourne city in a hot air balloon? Hundreds of feet above..... sigh!! And a glass of Australian wine, and a guy proposing to you with a solitaire ring...... sigh!!!
God : Ahem! This is still about Melbourne, is it not? If this is another request for the right guy, let me tell you this conversation is over.
Me: Err..... ofcourse God - Melbourne is sports crazed, right? And so am I!
God (with one divine Eyebrow raised quizzically) : Which sport, if I may ask, do you play? For I seem to only see you having a go at the X-box in your routine of tardiness!
Me : Whoa! Who said anything about playing? I watch cricket, and football (or footy, as they would call it in Melbourne) and the stadiums are to die for!! Definitely beats having to watch a match on TV! Also, there are these awesome speed boats, on which I'd like to whizz past the Port Phillip Bay.
God : Hmmm....Port Phillip seems a nice place - actually the kind of place I would head to, if I didn't have to listen to people like you all the time!
Me (seeing a ray of hope) : Yes, absolutely God! It has over 1,950 square kilometres, and is quite comparable to Your abode. I mean, there's fishing, sailing, speed boats, kayaking and snorkeling. And for a change, all of it is clean, with a self-sustaining eco system. You know how much I admire Your creativity, God. And there is so much beauty in all that marine life in Port Phillip ..... You really are a genius you know!! ...... err......So how about that competition? Am I winning it?
God : Not so fast, you sweet talker! What else are you planning to do there?
Me : I would also love to see the penguins at Phillip Island, which is just 2 hours away from Melbourne (I promise I won't smuggle any back home!). Or even better..... maybe a moonlit walk through the bountiful natural beauty of a wildlife sanctuary You have so lovingly created in Melbourne.........
God (Smiling with such deep knowledge): So you really thought I'm going to push a few buttons and make you win this competition? You really thought it's your time to visit Melbourne NOW, didn't you?
Well, tough luck, my child........ You see, I am due for a vacation, and I'll let you know all about it when I'm back from Melbourne......... we'll have a little chat - Woman to woman! Be good till then!
Superb post, Nirvana. And written in such a creative manner.
ReplyDeleteBTW, when does God get back from vacation? I need to have a talk with Her too :-)
Honour having you come by, Sudhagee..... and appreciate all the kind words. Am sure God will be in a better mood when back from vacation ;-)
DeleteTo say I snorted with laughter in some places would be travesty - very interesting way to approach a contest.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, hope to see you write a travelogue of Melbourne sometime soon.
Cheers :)
AS .... thank you, and as always, your comments are the ones that bring a smug smile to my face. Thanks for the wishes - if I ever write a travelogue, it'll definitely be dedicated to you!!
DeleteLoved this post!!! :) A very innovative one especially the gender of God.. :p
ReplyDeleteThanks Sonia.... and welcome to the blog. The gender - bender was an idea I'd read somewhere and it stuck ;-) !
DeleteNo wonder , I know now god has been on vacation , i was wondering why my wishes were not being fulfilled :) lovely post and all the best ..
ReplyDeleteBikram's
hehehe!!! Like I said to Sudhagee, when God's back, (S)he'll be in a good mood - so ask away! Thanks for the praise, Bikram.
DeleteI need God too! If She is too busy, I can make do with a vacation till she returns.
ReplyDeleteLovely Blog !
haha!! Thats a good one, Shilpa.... welcome to the blog - glad you liked it!
DeleteGreat post Nirvana! You are quite a story teller I see :)Besties for the contest!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Misha .... I tell really tall tales :-) .... and thank you for the wishes!
Deletehahaha..this was soo imaginatively creative..ekdumm masstt..and thankyou for all the links..has given me a lot to love about melbourne..
ReplyDeleteall the best for the contest...
cheers !! :)
PS- i loved the last line.
WOMAN to WOMAN..i have always cribbed at many of my MOMENTS..that GOD is a SHE..pffft
Meoww.......... so glad to have you come by... and am happy that you found the links useful... the pictures are just awesome, right? And thanks for the wishes!
DeleteSuper. Loved the creativity of the post.
ReplyDeleteGBTP ... thank you for coming by....
DeleteSmarrrrt i like it..:):)
ReplyDeleteVery creative..:)
hi Ankitha.... thanks for coming by... and so glad you liked it!
DeleteHe he he..good one lovey!!!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope "Dear God" helps you win that well deserved vacation!!!
hahaha!! FINALLY! I get a visit from you!! Thanks Seema, but as you very well know, God is planning on a vacation Herself :-) !! Thank you so much for all the encouragement in everything I do!
Deletethat is so imaginative! had fun reading it :-) ...and like others I too have been wondering why's God taking so long to grant my wishes. I'd like to believe (s)he's on a vacation!! All the very best to you for the competition :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Purva.... well yeah... most of us have a loooong list for Her/Him when back from Vacation, huh? Thanks for coming by and the wishes!
Deleteoofff!! God is so hard to please!! :P
ReplyDeleteHehehe!! That is true... maybe the vacation will make it easier! :-) .... thanks
DeleteNow this was some creative writing :D..hardcore imagination and personal check with God! Loved it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Red .... it does look like I was serving time in a mental asylum from some of my posts, doesn't it? :-)!
DeleteWonderful one..(I should add "As always".) I hope and pray that you win that Well Deserved vacation.Ofcourse you will owe us a virtual tour of Melbourne through your looooooong and detailed post about your trip..Good Luck dear !!!
ReplyDeleteHahaha!! Thank you so much Sumitha ... Appreciate all the encouragement for the crazy stuff I write!
DeleteOMG, this is too creative. You should totally win this, God's help or not!
ReplyDeleteheheh!! Thanks Sumitra... really appreciate the wishes!
DeleteLaughing so hard I am finding it difficult to hit the right keys!!!Fabulous, amazingly creative! Have a great vacation :))
ReplyDeleteHi Rukhsana.... welcome to the blog. And thank you for the kind words!
DeleteOh wow!!! this is pretty awesome!!!
ReplyDeletethank you insanebloom!
Deletewow, thats one creative post!! its funny, its really imaginative, i mean it basically gives you a virtual tour of everything one can do in melbourne!!
ReplyDeletebest of luck, loved your writing style!!
Archana..... thanks for comig by. And thank you for the appreciation.
Deletelovely blog and lovely post...your creativity and wit shines through.Thanks for visiting my little "gold nugget" and appreciating !
ReplyDeleteIt truly was a 'nugget' .... thank you!
DeleteSo God is eying the prize a as well, eh!? Tell Her, She's got competition!!
ReplyDeleteAll the best to all of us :)
You bet!! I mean some of those posts are like full fledged travel itineraries!! Thanks! Same to you!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fabulous and interesting read! Loved it! The way God started, 'you are pushing it too far' and proving Him(?) to be a Her (Woman) was too good! Well, did God win some contest to Melbourne? ;)
ReplyDelete(Typo was the reason I had to delete the last post ;)
I like it when people are particular about crossing their t's and dotting their i's! Mogambo khush hui... Well can you really deny that God's a Her? Look at all the lovely stuff thats been created ;-) .... thanks for the kind words!
DeleteWell, it should be very interesting !!
ReplyDeleteThat’s a great blog post topic! Thanks for sharing your this kind of story in that post and i have really enjoyed reading your post.
thank you isaacoomber - and really glad you liked it.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis was indeed a very creative way of penning all the tourist attractions in a dialogue,with links. I am sure your friend 'The Almighty God' will seal the deal with you!! :) All the best !!
ReplyDeletehehehe!! thank you Deeptea.... appreciate that you came in to check out the blog!!
DeleteGREAT THOUGHT!! Can I have His/ Her Number? Please give me when he returns, as I don't like to enhance his roaming bill.
ReplyDeleteJokes apart, I suddenly remembered a line from Him ( Lord Krishna):
Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshou kadacha na,
Best Wishes. Love to see you in Melbourne though.
Hahaha!! yeah - completely agree - "Karm" is thonly thing in our hands - "Phal" is for Him/Her to decide! thank you for coming by!
DeleteWonderfully crafter story.The embedded information is unique too. Good wishes.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the appreciation, Amit!
DeleteVery creative.. LOL. That was very unique idea
ReplyDeleteThank you Rayyan - welcome to the blog!
DeleteExcellent portrayal, and a unique dialogue with God. very beautifully penned.
ReplyDeleteThank you MV .... appreciate you coming over to read this!
DeleteRefreshingly Creative,
ReplyDeleteHardly I come across people (read women) who have such a good sense of reality about themselves.
write on Nirvana
heyy!!!! A borderline case of MCP here? Hehehe.... having said that, thank you so much for coming by, AND for the compliments!
DeleteSomething fresh and innovative. Your post is an out of the box idea and its awesome.:)
ReplyDeleteALL THE BEST.
Thank you so much Arjun .. appreciate the kind words!
DeleteGood one! :) Had fun reading it! :) And somehow yes, everyone today thinks of Masterchef Australia, whenever there's even a little mention of Aus. (Me included). Oh and God being a She! Wooooo!!!Controversyee! :P
ReplyDeletehahaha.... controversy? not really - debatable topic no? Thank you for coming by!
DeleteVery very innovative, Ma'am :D
ReplyDeleteNot everyone can parry so beautifully with the Big Guy himself :D All the best for the contest! :D
Thank you Sushmit.... yup! the Big Guy/Girl and I do have these conversations once in a while :-)
DeleteLoved it and extracted the best humor...
ReplyDeleteThe conversation is very interestingly built up..
God was on a vacation but she did remember to make you win...Cheers!
:)
Yippppppeeeeeeeeee!!!! Manjulika- I hadn't known! You were the bearer of such lovely news! thank you! Yippppppeeeee ...... oh wow!
DeleteSuper creative post, Nirvana! Feeling really fortunate to have gotten ahead of such a beauty! Congratulations! :):)
ReplyDeleteHonored, Arti .... and so glad to have you come over! Congrats once again!
Deleted story shows ur research abt melbourne......u really need to visit n exprnce d crazy thngs u hv talked abt.......gud luck.....:)
ReplyDeletethanks for coming by Nitansha .... and for the wishes too.
DeleteYou won........................................fabulous! Hugs!
ReplyDeletehehehe........yeah! can you believe it?? Thank you so much!
DeleteThanks a lot for sharing this useful information.
ReplyDeletewaterton lakes camping