Sumant in Melbourne

Actually, its more than a month since I got back from India and the India tales are a bit old and theres a lot more happening otherwise too. I just havent had the motivation to blog frequently enough to catch up on the events that I hadnt blogged about. So heres a jump, skipping the rest of the Indian tales.

Sumant, my classmate and good friend, was in Melbourne for 2 weeks on a holiday and was staying with me. We guys had a ball of a time. At the top of the agenda was the Australian Open and the Cricket. Sumant is a bigger sports fan than me and that made the agenda a great one. With tickets booked for the Quarterfinals of the Aus open the other sessions were only on an interest basis. We were lucky to have Sania and Mahesh play in the Mixed doubles after 6 pm which meant that i could get there from work. Sumant and myself were at the Margaret Court Arena with very few others in the stadium. We were sitting in the front row and cheering loudly for Sania and Hesh. We were waving the Indian tri colour and cheering them along to a win. The 2 acknowledged our cheering at various times and when the match was over Sania came over to where we were and autographed our caps.

It was a wonderful experience. Sania - i must say - is gorgeous. Shes pretty for sure, but its the way she carries herself around that gives her the X factor. Sumant and I were bowled over:) Rohan Bopanna and Rajeev Ram (US indian), who paired up in the doubles, were present there and we went to them, introduced ourselves and took pics with them too. At the end of the match we met some Aussie fans who were supporting Mahesh and said Hello to them. They supported Mahesh coz they were supporters of Mark KNowles(Maheshs partner in doubles).

A day later, we were at the Rod Laver Arena watching FedEx and James Blake in the QF. The stadium was full. It was a typical Federer match where he finished Blake off in straight sets with the precision tennis that he is known for. The next match on centre court was Bhupathi and Knowles vs the Bryan brothers. The stands were emptying and we spotted those Aussie fans in the crowd on the other side of the court and we went over to sit with them. We were just behind the family box of the Bryan brothers. What followed will be a memory for life. We were chanting slogans and cheering Hesh and Knowles on and waving flags - all this together - 6 of those guys and the 2 of us. We were on TV about 4 times (and spotted by friends in india too , who emailed us later) and we were noisy all through. Sania was in Maheshs family box and when she was shown on the big screen, i shouted in the silence of the centre court "Hi Sania". With slogans and one-liners and cheering and jeering, it was great fun. Mahesh and Knowles upset the top seeds and went through to the Finals. Sumant and I returned home satisfied that we had a great time.

The 20-20 match at the MCG was a great atmosphere, but the result was very disappointing. We also went on a road trip to the Great Ocean road where I drove a record 600 kms in a day and was exhausted by the end of it. It was fun nonetheless. Among the other activities, Sumant and I played tennis at the Aus Open practice courts and played a couple of sessions of cricket in the nets with other friends. The usual touristy things were of course on the agenda too. In all it was a wonderful 2 weeks. Now I am bored!!!! Sumant, when are u coming next?????

Pics and videos later!!!! perhaps some on orkut too.