Looking for travel partner for Ind/Pak cricket in 2006

ChrisBurns

Anyone interested in joining me for a jaunt to Lahore and possibly Karachi for the Tests/ODIs between India and Pakistan? I am an avid (American) cricket fan who would feel much more comfortable travelling with others and not alone given recent situations...

Rob_The_Pom

I might be out there early 2006 - with the hope of watching England on tour to be honest.

Stick around Indiamike, and see what pans out.
I'm sure you'll be made very welcome wherever you go!

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mite

hi, i would love to see pakistan dunno why but always felt this strange urge to be there, though i ain't a avid cricket fan.

so like what are the dates for the matches,

also i wouldn't know how easy/difficult it would to try and get a visa for a indian , if IMers can give some feedback would be great.

i am sure we can team up and atleast 11 members from here make it, though a couple of extras wud always be handy.

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by the way , wheres india?

ChrisBurns

Hey Rob,

I actually am considering going up there as well for the Pak/Eng series. I might as well make use of my multiple entry visa...

ChrisBurns

I think I read somewhere that the tour will begin on January 3 (my birthday!), but this probably means that the tests/odis wont start for at least a week after that because of warmup matches.

I think getting a visa (for an Indian) to Pakistan for the cricket matches is actually made simpler, at least this is what I heard/read in 2004.

Although I am new to this board, I definitely sense some cool people who would be really up for it if we could get a crew together! Its still quite a time aways but this has definitely been a dream of mine in the past few years...

Rob_The_Pom

Good stuff!
Stick around the great place that is Indiamike, enjoy, and we'll talk more in future!

Cheers

Rob

Goandentist

Hey i didnt know americans follow cricket ! You must also be one of those few americans who know that the rest of the world calls soccer "football" . Any Indian genes in the family mate ??

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ChrisBurns

No Indian genes in the family (maybe in a past life), but there is definitely a story behind my obsession with "the beautiful game" (and why I am returning to India)...

Two years ago, I spent my study abroad semester in Chennai with my university's program (Colgate). The emphasis that year was placed on an intensive and large scale bharat natyam version of the Silippadikaram that we performed during the Festival season in December. At the same time, I was taking Sanskrit at the Madras Sanskirt college, a bit of yoga, and some lessons in Mrdangam drumming.

Although at that point in my life I was a NCAA Div. I track and field athlete, my athleticism did not converge with my professor's hopes that I might be a good dancer. Nonetheless, during my third week in the city, I decided to goto the first day of the Irani Trophy on a whim (I was highly curious about the game and the ongoing cable blackout was preventing me from watching the baseball playoffs). After that match I was completely hooked and went to all of the Ranji trophy matches that I could catch for the rest of my stay. Being a sportsman myself, I begged my professor to put me in contact with somebody who could teach me the techniques of the game. My professor was very well connected after having been living sporadically in Chennai for over 40 years and he was able to put me in touch with some prominent ex-Ranji Trophy cricketers/coaches. I spent the remainder of the semester training with a local school and going to various academies on an almost daily basis.

Upon my return, I brought back several hundred pounds of equipment and was able to successfully start a competitive club at Colgate University. I also joined a West Indian/South Asian cricket club during the summer and am currently playing my second season in the Washington Cricket League. These experiences in the "cricket diaspora" have emphasized the tremendous power that cricket maintains in shaping friendships and comaderie across ethnic, political, and religious ties (I wrote my honors thesis on the subject of cultural cooperation in American cricket if anyone is interested in reading it...)

I still have a long way to go in order to be considered a truly proficient cricketer, but that in part is what has motivated me to return to the subcontinent for an indefinite period of time this winter. Im hoping to reconnect with my old coaches and make them proud by showing them my improvements. It has been my goal, since I left Chennai, to return to India and play in the city leagues around the country; something which I plan to do in Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta. I am planning to compile my adventure in cricket in some kind of travelogue/blog about my experiences. I believe that travelling and analyzing my sporting journey in India, from this perspective, is something fresh and can definitely offer another interesting insight as to why this region of the world is so magical!

WHEW that was alot! But since I am new to the board, it should give you guys a real good perspective of how and what India means to me...

sticky

Firstly can I say a big round of applause for Chris, a shining example for Americans everywhere.... They lost their way, but we all knew they would figure it out in the end...


Seriously though, I'll be in india soon with my girlfriend, and we definately want to see some matches. I was planning to catch some of the England series, but im open to pretty much anything. We also wanted to get to Pakistan some time, and Lahore would be the easiest palce for sure.

We should get a crowd together and go to some matches, Thats 5 of us already.

Only one problem, I dont think we will be able to get beers.

Ps. Tally ho rob, what what. new avatar eh, simply spiffing, appropriate attire for a cricket conversation eh.

Pps. this does not mean that im joining the avatar obsession.

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ChrisBurns

So I am actually doing this. Currently in Cal, but am travelling to Delhi then probably flying to Lahore (I was told trying to get on a bus was going to be next to impossible).

Anyone going to the first test (Jan 13-17)?

Karan321

I will be in Karachi in Feb end for a conference. Leaving Feb 24th and returning March 1. Not sure if the series will be on then.

sudzindia

i want to read ur thesis chris! email me at sudheesh_s at yahoo dot com! Cheers!