Pretentious Teeterings

Rude Ass Remo - Bust, or Bust!

2010-10-12T13:36:00.001-04:00

Disclaimer: The sentences below represent my opinions and mine only. Please be warned that you might want to lambaste me to death after reading it. But who cares? Not me. Actually, I invite you to trash up all you want. I shall remain unperturbed. Thank you.

Mauritius, for all its charm and beauty, has attracted and attracts people from all over the world. Being a Mauritian myself, I am glad that the tourism sector has taken off with such a flourish. However, with it comes an inconvenience that some of us foolishly didn't anticipate.

A few (or, many?) years ago, a new wave hit the big screen in Bollywood: Overseas shooting. The likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar would be seen prancing around some of the most beautiful spots our island boasts of, with a film crew in the background. It's fascinating, not to say the least, to actually look on the numerous retakes a performing artist gives before hitting the right shot, wouldn't you agree?

Despite the dramatized thrills, it's not all hunky-dory. And that's where the cookie really crumbles.

How? Well, ask the students at the University of Mauritius! They recently discovered how much of a hindrance a film crew might pose to its immediate environment. Not to spell everything out, you can read the following blogs for more details: Yashvin , Yadhav , Ashfaq , Rikesh , Mozammil , and Furree.

So you've all heard about Remo's rude-ass behavior, right?

Appalling and disgusting. To many. To me? I'm not surprised!

I've spent four years studying in the south of India, Bangalore and trust me, rude is too kind a word to describe the people I've met there. Except the Indians on my Facebook - college friends, might I add - you're the exceptions! Else, you wouldn't be on my friends' list! Boo! (Anyway, some of them do know I don't like Indians...you would too if you'd gone through what I did!)

Anyhow, the uncouth behavior of Rude Ass Remo is definitely doing the rounds of the Mauritian blogvine. Hellbent on tarnishing his reputation, a motion was put forward on Facebook to get Rude Ass Remo a definite and sound kick-out! I merrily join the forces.

Add to that are the members of the film crew, devoid of any social graces, and turning the campus grounds into a full-blown kitchen-cum-launderette.

But the Indians are the least of my worries. They come and they go - not without littering the whole island first though! Okay, we have a problem with their annoying disregard to a cleaner environment. A big problem.

My question is: Who in hell allowed the Indians to schedule a film shooting on the UoM's premises while the final exams are just round the corner?

Seriously, the person, (or persons) who gave the thumbs-up to the crew deserves a kick-out too!

Promoting Mauritius by selling the peace of mind of the University's students? A shame and lame move!

And Remo? We're not on! We hate you. Arrogance diminishes wisdom. And whatever God gives, he takes back if and when He wishes to.

(Sidenote: Sorry for the rush job. Wrote it at work! Too tired for a proof-read...)

The Horror!

2010-10-10T02:01:00.001-04:00

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke

2010-06-07T20:38:00.001-04:00

Some days ago, I woke up to the theme music of BBC World News, ringing in my ears. Courtesy of my husband, who, when he's not overly stressed, turns on the TV in the morning for a dose of international news. (Plus, he misses the British accent, I'm sure of it.) Noise doesn't really bother me when I'm sleepy. Neither does it harass my not-so-sensitive senses when I wake up. However, once in a while, I crave for silence when I open my eyes to welcome the day.

Anyway, my mood, on that particular day, was quite indulgent and, without getting up from bed, I lazily craned my neck towards the TV. I miss the British accent too. While the mist over my muddled brain seemed to slowly clear up, I heard:

"....kidnapped by Somali pirates..."

Who did the Somali pirates kidnap again?

A British couple is being held hostage by the Somali pirates since last October. The UK government has refused to pay the $7 million ransom because they don't negotiate with terrorists/kidnappers.

"The U.K. government's policy of not making or facilitating substantive concessions to hostage-takers, including the payment of ransoms, is long-standing and clear. This has been the policy of successive governments and has not changed," stated the Foreign Office. Full article can be read here.

Paul and Rachel Chandler, the hostages, were allowed to be interviewed and filmed by a Somali reporter. I'm sure the kidnappers were nearby, looking on while the couple begged the UK government for help. They also gave a heart-wrenching recount of how they were being treated.

Listening to their plea, rather than broke my heart, it angered me. What's wrong with the Foreign Office? What's holding them up? "Closely monitoring the developments" is not enough! Look at the Americans! How they saved that captain, Richard Phillips, from the Somali pirates!

I watched the interview of Richard Phillips on, I believe, the Discovery Channel, and he was saved by the Navy and SEALs while he was being held hostage by two armed pirates. I understand that the kidnappers of Paul and Rachel Chandler are constantly on the move but that's surely not a deterrent for the British officials to save the captives?

I'm appalled! Deeply so.

Disclaimer: From whatever information I could gather from the web, besides "reiterating statements", the Foreign Office is not doing enough. I know I'm not aware of ALL the facts pertaining to this kidnapping, and I will stand corrected if someone chooses to enlighten me on how the Foreign Office is helping Paul and Rachel Chandler and their family. In the meantime, let me seethe with anger. Thank you.

Not Here. Never Here.

2010-06-04T11:54:00.001-04:00

The dogs are barking madly. One of them is trying to bite its own leash with the intention of pouncing on whoever entered the premises.

Since we are into the accommodation business, we know most of the times it's a walk-in guest who's looking for someplace to stay. Renting apartments is no mean feat. The dogs bark and we rush to the porch to investigate.

This morning, a couple walked in. So, I went downstairs (our living quarters are at the back of the apartments) to check the couple in.

Me: Hi.

Couple: Hi.

Me: How can I help you?

Him (The Male Guest): Yes, we're looking for a room.

Me: For how long?

He came nearer to me and whispered: For one hour.

Me: I'm sorry. We don't rent rooms for an hour.

Him: How do you rent it then?

Me: Daily. Not hourly.

Him: How much is it?

I told him the price and he said: "That much?"

Me: Yes. ( I gave him the rate for the air-conditioned apartments)

Him: So you can't rent me the room for an hour?

Me: No. I'm sorry but we don't do that.

He shook his head and walked back to where he left his 'girlfriend' and relayed the information to her.

Now this is a typical occurrence we face almost everyday. There's always someone who's looking for a room for just a few hours so that they can relieve themselves of the sexual tension they most obviously bear. A few of them try to convince me, after they find out that we don't run a brothel here, that they are willing to pay the full price. Well you see, it doesn't make a damn difference. I already know you came here for sex and whatever you say, I won't be swayed.

I'm not a prude. I understand some of the people - especially in a country where polygamy is almost a societal norm - want some privacy, away from prying eyes, where they can indulge in clandestine affairs. However, my father-in-law is very adamant on certain principles and does not yield to such shenanigans at all. At the end of the day, it's not about making a quick buck, it's about maintaining his lifelong principles, preserving the business' integrity and to appropriately prosper. Thank you very much.

Famous Richie's, Heritage Square

2010-05-27T16:51:00.002-04:00

Last Saturday, Hubby and I were on our way home, driving through Heritage Square, when one of his friends insisted we had a drink with him. We quite unwillingly obliged. After I ordered my water (the heat was abominably crippling my sense of consciousness), I sat on a wooden bench, getting ready to people-watch. Because I knew it'd be a long time before we went home.

Heritage Square is one-way street where on one side you have at least 2 commercial trailers, and various unadorned street bars; HS is converted into a massive open-air night-club on the weekends. Most of them sell food as well. There's Famous Richie's who makes the best fried chicken in town (A matter of taste. Some dispute that KFC is the best!). The owner, Richard, just extended his menu to smoked chicken, pork and fish.

That Saturday was his first day of introducing the new items. He was handing out samples! With a special sauce he himself concocted. Hubby and I opted for smoked fish and fries! Richard assured us that later on, he'll include other side dishes to the menu.

That smoked fish was heavenly delicious! And I'm a fan of the sweet sauce.

If you're coming to St Vincent for the Carnival don't forget to try it out. Treat your palate to good food!

And that's where he smokes the meat! Crazy!

Looking forward to my next smoked fish meal!

Pretentious Teeterings

2010-05-26T10:38:00.000-04:00

Writing first posts always proves to be a mental struggle. I searched for ideas high and low, dug up my brain for inspiration. Nothing seems to fire up my imagination at this point. It's not a usual occurrence for my brain to take such a nose-dive. I reassure you.

Whenever my creativity bucket dries up, I turn to the husband and the best friend. They never let me down. Bless 'em. But right now they are unavailable. So that leaves me in a ticklish situation.

However I must tell you all about the idea behind the blog title. After all she insisted. I was struggling with the blog title. Initially, it was Debatable Impressions. I slept over it for 2 nights and on the third morning, Debatable Impressions got a proper burial because it wasn't catchy enough. In between our chat sessions, Best Friend came up (on her own) with Pretentious Teeterings. She really knows me. I am clumsy and she is clever!

So I proudly present to you Pretentious Teeterings, a blog by Parweza Trotman!

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