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Desktop Calendar: September 2011

Aug 31, 2011 Calendar Leave a comment

Background image: The Long walk at Windsor castle.

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Free hugs, anyone?

Aug 29, 2011 England, London, UK 11 Comments

I was in London last week after a long gap of 20 months (this time as a tourist taking my mom and wife around the places). On the very first day we landed in London, first place I took them was to one of my favorite locations in London – Trafalgar square. Being a Saturday and summer, the place was bustling. When we were making our way through the energetic crowd to find a place for us to sit, we bumped into a group of Free Hugs campaigners.

A group of 12-15 campaigners held up the placards inviting the passersby for a free hug. It was fun to watch people’s expressions and reactions (most of them being tourists). Old ladies were the most responsive ones. They almost ran towards a hugger when they saw the placard. Most of the elderly men with cigars just shrugged off their shoulders and looked at them suspiciously while walking past. Most of the girls usually in small groups went on giggling till they lost sight of these fellows, while some of them hesitantly agreed for a hug. Funniest set of people to watch were the couples. While the guy wanted a hug his girlfriend/partner would drag him out that place.

While I was trying to capture these wonderful bunch of people, this nice lady caught me clicking their photos. She demanded for a free hug and I had not choice but to oblige. :)

Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

Aug 7, 2011 Scotland, UK Leave a comment

Balmoral Hotel as seen from entrance of Edinburgh rail station (Waverley bridge)

Balmoral Hotel, a five star luxury hotel is a prominent landmark in Edinburgh. This Victorian style building is more than 100 year old hotel and the clock in this hotel’s 190 feet high clock tower is set 3 minutes faster so as to assist passengers in reaching their train on time!

As seen from Princess street

It is also said that J. K. Rowling, creator of Harry Potter, finished the last book (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) in the series at this hotel.

Desktop Calendar: August 2011

Jul 31, 2011 Calendar, Scotland, UK 1 Comment

Background image: Forth Road Bridge, Edinburgh. A suspension bridge a little longer than 2.5 KMs constructed across estuary (river mouth) of river Forth.

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