Travelling to another city? Fly and rent a car!

All of us travel to far off locations for various reasons, on job, seeking new jobs, visiting family and friends, taking a vacation, attending a conference etc. Travelling can be quite a hassle especially when we know that we will be needing reliable transport in the new city and can't depend expensive cab services or abysmal public transport. This concern about local commuting often makes us take our cars and drive all the way to far off places.

Car rental companies have been around for several decades, but somehow some of us don't feel comfortable dealing with them. Some of us have had bad experiences with these car rental companies. Well now this worry can be thrown out of the window. The most dynamic car rental company is out there waiting to serve you. And what is more their commitment is not only to give guests the best service but also ensure that their cars are eco-friendly, low emission and help rejuvenate the earth.

Now you don't have to drive days to reach your destination, you can just fly down there and rent a car from Advantage's eco-friendly fleet. Let us know a little about Advantage Rent A Car, a privately held rental car company, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Advantage has operations in over 150 U.S. locations and 130 locations in 33 countries. That should make you trust this company.

At Advantage you’ll always find the best rates available on all vehicles including brand new SUV models. You can rent a Suzuki XL7 for as little as $34.99/day in select markets. Wherever you're going, Advantage has you covered with a fleet of new cars, trucks, vans and SUVs. So in short I would say just fly, your car will be waiting for you at the destination. And your car is safe at home resting till you return from vacation. Isn't it a good deal?

Images of Western America

I landed in the US in October 2007 at the west coast, Los Angeles to be precise. From Los Angeles to Texas, I have come a long way and it seems as if my exploration of this continent sized country has stopped there. But believe me the journey so far has taken me through some of the most amazing terrains I have ever seen in my life. The beautiful green mountains of California; stark deserts of Arizona; flat-as-pancake plains of Texas and New Mexico; Ruins of an ancient American-Indian civilisation. The modern highways of America connects every nook and corner of the country. If you have a car and money to pay for gas you can get to any corner of the country. There is no need to walk, you just drive. It is kinda very cushy and comfortable but at the same time sometimes it can be frustrating to see so many cars on the road, when you know for a fact that America has only about 20% of India's population and 500% of India's land area. I sometimes wonder if the entire population of America is always on the road driving their cars... but anyway let us not discuss that, enjoy the pictures below.

Hills along the road to San Jose

Sea view from Big Sur Highway

Grand Canyon - in all its grandeur

Grapevine lake in Texas

Ducks in a local lake near home, Carrollton, Texas

Walnut Canyon, notice the native Indian dwelling on the hill side

Painted Desert, Arizona - beautiful natural wonder

White Rock Lake in Dallas area, beautiful aqua forte

Exploring America's Wild West Country

The best way to learn about the history and heritage of a place is to visit the best museum out there. Texas the second largest state in the US is famous for as Wild West Country and is known for its adventurous and carefree cowboys and cowgirls. When one hears about the Wild West, one tends to think only of cattle, cowboys, fighting, drinking, vast plains etc. But wait there is lot more to Texas than just that. The Wild West evolved its own form of art, Art of the American West.


Recently I heard about this wonderful museum with a vast collection of art, collections lay special focus on the art of the American West. Sited in Orange, Texas the Stark Museum of Art is a treasure trove of Western Art, American Indian Art, Decorative Arts, and Rare Books and Manuscripts. The museum is one of the best places to learn about the rich cultural and artistic heritage of American West in general and Texas in particular.

Stark Museum began as a private collection of Miriam Lutcher Stark who brought in pieces of art, furniture, and decorative items from around the world. Her son, Lutcher Stark developed a similar passion but specialised his interest towards nature and art depicting the American West. Both mother and son shared the desire that one day a museum in Orange, Texas, would display the works of art they collected.

Lutcher Stark began his collection with artworks of Texas artists and during the late 1920s and early 1930s, he amassed American Indian objects from New Mexico. And as he passed out of university and entered into business he continued to build his collection with his wife Nelda Childers. During the 1950s, Lutcher Stark expanded his collection with the rare five-volume set of John James Audubon's Birds of America; porcelain birds and flowers by Dorothy Doughty and Edward M. Boehm. Towards the end of the 1950s, the Starks added 230 works by Paul Kane.


In 1961 the couple founded the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation to enrich the quality of life in Southeast Texas through education and the arts. But sadly in 1965 Lutcher Stark passed away and the foundation came under the direction of Nelda C. Stark, who initiated building of the Stark Museum of Art. After over a decade of hard work, the Stark Museum of Aat opened its doors for public on November 29, 1978.

The Stark Museum of Art is famed for some of the finest collections of 19th and 20th century Western American art and artifacts in the country. The main focus of the exhibits at the Stark Museum is the region's dramatic people, stunning land and diverse wildlife. The collections have been carefully organised into four distinct galleries viz, Western Art, American Indian Art, Decorative Arts and Rare Manuscripts and books.

The Western Art collection conveys the artistic interpretation of the American west through the works of the region's best artists. Artworks of over two centuries have been collected and displayed in this section.

The collection of American Indian Art comprises of fascinating works of art created by members of the native Indian tribes of the Great Plains, Southwest, Eastern Woodlands and Northwest Coast. A must see section in my opinion.

The Decorative Arts section of the museum features stunning artworks in glass and porcelain including numerous items by Steuben Glass and also the only complete set of the United States in Crystal.

The collection of Rare Books and Manuscripts at the Stark Museum is a treat to the eye and envy of museums across the world. The collection includes John James Audubon’s rare work titled The Birds of America, seven Books of Hours, and hundreds of rare manuscripts.

Linguistic conflicts plague America

I read this article recently in the Dallas Morning News about how Spanish has begun to dominate America. The author Mark Davis rues the fact that an increasing number of Spanish speakers are dominating various aspects of life in America and how the official language, English, is being sidelined in the country.

Coming from Bangalore, India's sole cosmopolitan city, I can relate very well to this peeve of the author. Bangalore's salubrious weather, accommodating and friendly people, favourable government policies have made the city the destination of everyone seeking better opportunities. This is one capital city in India where you can speak any language and yet lead a normal life. I have met several families who have lived for generations in Bangalore and yet don't speak a word of Kannada, the local language.

In fact the influx of outsiders is so much that natives or people from Karnataka have become minorities in their own capital city. This is perhaps the only capital city where locals don't have any say in any matter. Several of the MLAs and municipal councillors, people occupying government posts are non-Kannadigas, I mean they are not natives of the city or even of the state.

This article sparked off memories of my own city and the constant grouch I had against people who have lived for generations and not bothered to learn the local langauge. I get irritated and angered when people proudly said "You don't have to know Kannada to live in Bangalore". But it is of no use, my getting angry will not motivate people to learn, in fact it makes them even proud of themselves.

In my opinion, more than anything, this kind of abhorrance to the local language only shows arrogance on the part of immigrants, who want to live off the land but don't want to show even scant respect to the people who have helped them lead a better life. Anyway who is bothered about my opinions, in a democracy it is the majority opinion that counts and Bangalore's majority are not Kannadigas!

Teenagers elected to run two US Cities

What is common between Bedford (Tx)-based Chris Brown (19) and Muskogee (Ok)-based John Tyler Hammons (19)? They both are going to cast vote to elect the American president later this year. They both are underaged to buy alcohol or enter into a nightclub in the US. They both are in their college and studying hard for future careers. This is what most young people of their age are doing anyway, what is special about these two?

For one thing both of them were recently elected to the City Council and Mayor positions in their cities, with thumping majorities. While John Tyler Hammons won the Mayor's post with 57 percent of the vote over former Mayor Hershel Ray McBride, Chris Brown, successfully won a heavily-contested race for the Bedford City Council by an overwhelming margin. Hammons is a freshman in at the University of Oklahoma and Brown is a political science major in University of North Texas.

Commendable achievements considering the youngsters age. These young men have swayed huge populations (Bedford: 48,000 and Muskagee 38,000) in their respective cities to win with overwhelming majorities which even seasoned politicians find difficult to achieve. What is the secret of these victories? I would say a combination of self-confidence, enthusiasm and hardwork.

According to newsreports Brown worked diligently on his campaign, including spending several days going door-to-door to meet voters. He also raised about $5,000 – much of it in contributions of $5 or $10 from college friends. The results paid off, with Brown sweeping to victory in the Place 6 race with 83.7 percent of the vote. Opponent Jim Wallace, a closed-captioning editor, took 16.3 percent.

What is impressive about these young men is that though they have been elected to key city positions, they retain their youthful humility. Brown will take a break from school during the summer and return to his part-time job as a waiter at Raven's Grille at Texas Star Golf Course in Euless. And Hammons will continue with his studies at the University.

I think this kind of opportunity will help give confidence and enterprise to youth and should be emulated in other parts of the world. This is the only way we could make sure that the world is in safe hands.

Read more on: Houston Chronicle and Dallas Morning News

Using a gun to scratch the back?

Would you ever use a loaded revolver to scratch your back? Well I am sure most people would answer no to this question but our man in Fort Worth doesn't belong to the majority. I read this news report in Dallas Morning News about Jorge Espinal (44), who had a bad itch on his back and grabbed the nearest item he could find to scratch and relieve himself. The item he laid his hands upon happend to be a loaded revolver with its safety lock open. As he vigorosly scratched his back, the revolver went off injuring him severely, but not fatally. He is currently recovering in a local hospital.

It takes all kinds of people to make this world.

Remembering the Wild visit to San Franscisco

I visited San Franscisco during February 2008 and travelling alone by public transport, trains, buses, walking etc was an invigorating experience indeed. With $100 in my pocket and a full day to explore the vibrant, crowded city of San Franscisco, I set off by Caltrain towards my destination. I was deposited in the San Franscisco station in 45 minutes and now the adventure started.

This was my first visit to this city and I really didn't know anyone or anything. I had no idea about the various things to do in San Francisco. All I knew was about the Golden Gate bridge, the Alcatraz and of course I had heard about China Town. Armed with this limited knowledge I got out of the train and walked out of the railway station into the crowded city streets.

As I walked along the main thoroughfares not knowing where to go or what to do, I remembered my visit to Los Angeles. During that tour I had taken time to learn about things to do in Los Angeles and had a great time pubbing, clubbing and hiking. After some walking around in the back roads of San Franscisco, I found a bus which would take me to the Golden Gate bridge.

As I explored the Golden Gate area, I walked across the green acres, the old fort ruins through the under ground passages, the bastians and the walled city area I was thrilled to see the azure oceans and savoured the cool breeze. I wish the weather was warmer so I could have had a dip in the ocean's blue waters. I wanted to see but lack of proper information prevented me from exploring the city completely.

Going on sightseeing tours is something that I enjoy and I wonder if I should just opt for package tours, so I can sit back and enjoy rather than worry about making reservations, hotels, flights etc. I have recently come across this wonderful newsletter which will serve as a resource for my future travels. And the best thing about this newsletterBut I am glad I know of the newsletter now because signing up for it can help me win a $150 itunes gift card, so that next time I travel I will be entertained by the music.

One of the best ways to plan a sight seeing tour to a big city like New York is to first get to know about Things to do in New York City and then start compiling information and planning your tour accordingly.

Cleaning up natural habitats

My friend is part of this unique group known as Clean and Green which is working towards cleaning up natural public places, mountainsides and wildlife sanctuaries along the river Cauvery.

Their modus operandi is simple and straightforward. They get together go to the place equipped with trash bags and enthusiasm, collect all the plastic waste they can find lying around polluting the forests and bring it back to the city for safe disposal. While they are there they also try to educate local and visiting population about the importance of cleanliness and civic sense.

Their Goal: Cleaner environment, conserving forests and maintaining sanctity of river banks.

They have done 13 Trips in so far for cleaning up various locations - parterning with the Forest Department to arrive a long term, self sustainable model.

A group worthy of emulating in all places across the world.

New Car pictures now...

I posted a blog about vintage cars I saw at the Carrollton Vintage Cruise. The same day we bought our second car... a jet black Toyota 4Runner. Here are the pictures of our SUV. The purchase happened after nearly scouring the entire Dallas-Fort Worth used car market looking for a decent used mid-sized SUV. Though we were not too much in favour of buying a black colour car, we had to settle for a black beauty for lack of choices. Anyway we are quite happy with this relatively big car. For American roads this is not so big, it is just a normal SUV, but in my opinion it is pretty big.

Left/ driver side view of the car

Rear view of the 4Runner

Right side view of the car

Beautiful Vintage Cars

Yesterday was the monthly cruise of the Late Great Chevy, a vintage car club dedicated to owners of old and antique Chevrolet cars. According to the club members, this monthly car cruises are held at Rick's Famous BBQ in Carrollton, Texas the second Saturday of every month from April to October.

It was a lucky coincidence that took me to the venue and gave me the opportunity to look at some of the very finely restored antique Chevy's. I have been to vintage car rallies in India, where old car collectors bring in their restored beauties to show off. But this event was totally different, owners (mostly senior citizens) brought in their cars parked them with bonnet open and walked around chatting up with other participants.

The event is peer judged and every participant gives ranking to every car in the lot and the car which gets the highest rating at the end of the day gets the first prize. A great concept indeed. Some of the cars I saw there were not new to me, like the Chevy Impala, but I was wonderstruck by some of the real old cars out there. Here are some pictures of the beautiful cars I saw yesterday. For those of you who are in the Dallas area and wish to attend this rally next time around just visit the Late Great Chevy website and get details of the next cruise. More pictures on my other blog Passenger Views.

Antique 2-seater, open engine car

Proud owner with his beauty

Toy replica of the large antique car

Another Antique 2-seater car

This one definitely takes the cake... a V-8 convertible in the old style

An old time racing machine V-8 again

Equally grand and lovingly restored interiors

Look under the bonnet and there is a beauty there too... not a spec of oil or dust... wonder how they maintain these cars so clean? Another picture of a V-8 engine... this is an open engine car without bonnet, wonder how the cylinder heads are so shiny...