5 ways to get along with new roommates

Leaving your familiar surroundings where you grew up in and moving away from home to a completely different city and to start a new life is something most of us do in our career graph. Getting admitted in your dream college or landing that perfect job to find out who you are and what you really want to be can be either mind- blowing or mind blogging. You will have to learn how to become independent, and becoming independent will take lot of courage, the courage to face the reality and to do things which you are unfamiliar with, like not only living by yourself in a rental flat in Mumbai but also cook food for yourself, and do your laundry.

And just when you think you will manage to cope up with these things you are hit with realization that it is not just living in unfamiliar environment but also living with unfamiliar people. The fear of living with people you don't know can be thrilling and scary at the same time. But you no longer need to worry or stress out about it; here are some amazing ideas on how to interact, how to get to know or how to bond with your new roommates. So that you can become best of best friends:

  1. Get to know each other- INTERACT!

Everything is new and unfamiliar when you move miles away from your home to a completely new city. Sitting alone in your room the whole day is not going to help you in any way, it will only get harder. Instead of being self absorbed and watching your favorite TV shows, start a conversation by yourself, try getting to know each other, try bonding with each other. When you get to know your roommates you will no longer be alone or feel scared.

2. Joining a hobby class or club together
 

In order to make new friends and to bond with each other over something you all have in common, the best option for this is joining a hobby class. There are number of hobby classes such as belly dancing or salsa, learning to play any musical instrument in a hobby class or bakery class or a yoga class. Find a hobby class which you and your roommates shared the best interest in. Having to share your passion and laugh together will make bonding strong and will help to get to know each other more well.

3. Go shopping or play a sport together
 

Shopping is therapeutic. When you and your roommates are bored, to change the mood just simply saying “let`s go shopping” will help everything and then you can start planning for your day-outing. You will get to know what your roommate’s likes and dislikes are and they will know yours. Not only that but also what you all have in common will give you all a great experience. For those who don't like shopping you can play a sport together.

4. Cooking a meal together
 

Bonding over dinner table is a proven way through which you can get to know each other. So why not try cooking together and adding a twist and planning a dinner party. Pick out recipes and ingredients together that you all enjoy and which are not difficult. Pizza and pasta are the best options. And then eating the food together and gossiping is the second best.. Then at the end clean all the mess you created in kitchen by dividing the course of work. This activity will surely help you bond with them.

5. Doing laundry together

Another fantastic way to bond with each other is doing laundry together. Laughing together about how your roommate doesn`t know how to wash clothes and how to use washing machine and then helping each other is also a perfect way to bond.

So get going to explore an altogether different independent world finding a roommate and getting to know him/her better. For additional help in seeking a rental flat or a roommate in Mumbai, connect with none other than the best in the sphere. Log in now: www.flatsandmates.com

5 out-of-the-box activities to do this Christmas season

 

The holiday season is here and the antennae are already buzzing to get the best deals on activities to do this year end. Apart from the usual 31^st night party time, the next predictable activity that one ends up engaging in is shopping! Well, the demonetization has taken the sizzle out as spare cash goes missing! So, want to do something different this Christmas? Tired of the usual noise, traffic, queues and maddening crowds?

Here are five events that you can check out:

1.      Star Gazing and Camping at Dehne on 24th-25th Dec'16

This is your answer to an ideal quiet holiday celebration - being one with nature, enjoying the gentle velvety nocturnal breeze and perhaps catching a shooting star. Keep that ultimate wish ready in case you to do come across one.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1783922458538023/

2.      Nature Meets Ancient Culture on 17^th-18^th Dec’16

 

History buff anyone? Sanjay Gandhi National Park is proposing a unique camp where you can learn about the famous Kanheri Caves from the expert Dr. Suraj Pandit (Head of Departments of History and Ancient Culture at Sathye College, Mumbai). Dr. Suraj has studied these ancient caves extensively for more than a decade and his studies and explorations have earned him his PhD degree from Mumbai University. You’ll spend the night at the campsite and even learn about the stars.

https://www.facebook.com/events/226357197786060/

3.      AO Trekkers Lake Side Camping New Year Special – 31^st Dec-1^st Jan’17

Saltar Lake.. No, it is not in Leh! It is in your own backyard; in Aamby Valley, about 50kms from Lonavala. It is a lesser-known place and is best in winter months with the mist, mountains and mystery surrounding it. Not for the faint-hearted though.. It is also surrounded by a dense jungle. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1591450337829491/

 4.      The Grub Fest, Mumbai – 23^rd-25^th Dec’16

For the foodies! Savour Christmas goodies and specialities at Kurla-Phoenix Market City. Taste the Christmas spirit and spread the Christmas cheer

https://www.facebook.com/events/270879323314636/

5.      The Christmas Special Camping at Mahableshwar- Panchgani: 23^rd-25^th Dec’16

Event Theme: “HUM-TUM” Guys V/S Gals - let’s see who is best?

Food not for you? Go camping in the queen of hill stations around Mumbai. The hills of Mahableshwar are known for its variety of flora and fauna and the weather is to die for! Err.. not literallyJ

Imagine a camping trip with such beautiful surrounding, delicious food and the opportunity to make new friends. Our Theme of camping will surely make this camping unforgettable.

https://www.facebook.com/events/436243573166133/

5 hilarious situations for migrants in Mumbai

5 hilarious situations that migrants coming to Bombay face while interacting with the locals:

So you are not a Bombayite huh? Worse, you are a Delhite! God be with you. Migrants coming into this city of dreams called Bombay come with stars in their eyes and grit in their determination to survive this mad lovable city.

1.     “Kidhar se aya?”

The question that scares you! As if that if you are not from Maharashtra then you are an alien. If your mannerisms and your accent is even the slightest bit out of sync with the locals, you become vulnerable to getting singled out. Start taking Bambaiya lessons from your local ‘taporis’.

2.      “Tu akela hai?”

The rental accommodation market is probably the only place where a handsome eligible bachelor is most unwanted. Girls are fortunately spared that situation. A single male spells trouble for the neighbourhood chhokris!

3.      “Chalta hai kya chikane?”

The most horrible "pick-up" line used by trans-genders to rake out some moolah from young ‘nice’ men who look like they have come from out of the city.. Have you experienced it yet! J

4.      “Bhaiya mat bolo!”

Girls beware of the word Bhaiya! It manages to raise the hackles of all the bhaisahabs. Any localite worth his salt will give it back to you, gently or harshly, if you call him bhaiya. So alternatively try dada, mama, kaka and what works best is Sir! Try it.

5.      “Shahrukh khan ka bangla dekha?”

Shahrukh Khan’s bungalow is a local picnic spot and people throng to click pics with the nameplate of his heavenly abode Mannat. And if you haven’t seen his bungalow within 6 months of your arriving here then it is sacrilegious! Try to make a conversation in the train and show that you are a Bollywood fan, this is what you’ll get asked for sure. 

Have you experienced this yet? What has been your funny experience. Readers please take it in the same vein as intended.. i.e. lightly. Post your comments and experiences below. 

Have you tried the morning ferry to Alibag?

A bunch of us colleagues decided to take a ferry to Alibaug one Friday morning to spend the day frolicking on the beach of Varsoli. One friend suggested we take the early morning 6.15 ferry and everyone shut her up. Finally it was decided to meet up at 6.30 to take the 7.00 am ferry to Mandwa Port. 

We met up and bought our tickets. Since there was still time to depart, we engaged in nation's best time-pass - clicking selfies and groupies. 

 

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is at its magnificent best at sunrise! It is worth the effort just to go there in the morning and pose in front of the majestic monument. The golden hue cast upon its creamy exterior is like honey poured over butterscotch. There was a couple out there getting the pre-wedding shoot done and they made a pretty picture dressed in their finery.

It was finally 7 and time to leave. We mounted the ferry anticipating a pleasant ride and we were right! There is a certain charm in taking the ferry than going in a speed boat that takes only 15 minutes to get to the other side. The ferry usually takes between 45 minutes to an hour. 

As soon as the ferry took off a bunch of wily sea gulls started following us hoping to get food. Their silent demands were met. The gush of water that the ferry leaves behind is mesmerising and the view that we leave behind is an optic of Bombay that we rarely see. Far off, if you are alert enough, you see the tiny humps of dolphin jumps. You may think it is a mirage but not always! On the way, you'll see a set of ducks 'floating' around making you wonder what they must be doing so far out in the sea.

At the end of an hour, we reached Mandwa Port. It is a well-maintained port from where a 'coach' takes us to the mainland. The coach ride is included in the ferry tickets. The tariff ranges from Rs. 105 to Rs. 165. I recommend the upper deck that gives you a taste of the sun, wind, sky, water, birds and breathtaking view around you. It is an absolute delight for amateur and professional photographers as well.

One sad thing is the bad hygiene practices of the riders as well as the ferry operators. They sell stuff to eat but do not have visible bins to throw the garbage and more often than not it ends up n the waters.Do think of carrying a portable garbage bag with you to leave the least carbon footprint behind.

Varsoli beach