Auckland

My most memorable hospitality experience was when I first started to serve the guests in our church, the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle, in 2009. Before that, I was not really a hospitable person, even though I am from India, a very hospitable country. In India, as soon as the guest arrives, the host serves that person water and then asks for their food or drink preferences.  This hospitality is based on the principle “Atithi Devo Bhava”, meaning “the guest is God”.  Indian people treat their guests with proper warm hospitality, which certainly requires extreme care and attention.  In fact, we are even friendly and hospitable to strangers on the road.  If anyone asks us for directions, we will likely not only tell them where to go, but also accompany them to their destination, especially when the place is nearby  Yet, despite these good hospitable qualities, I never fully understood the relationship between the host and the guest.  I was not really a people...

Community Get-together: One social event like birthday party can help you to forget all the differences you have with your neighbours. It’s a real magic, a miracle. The one beautiful moment changes bitter thoughts in our minds into wonderful evening. It’s a miracle in 21 st Century. But who believes in miracles these days? Well, I do. This one beautiful miracle happened with me on the night 10 th May 2013. After my exam, when I went back to my hostel, Vadim the Russian boy one of my hostel mate was cooking in the kitchen. He approach me and said, “Ashish, I forgot to tell you but today is my birthday…..and I want to give small party, I will be cooking delicious Russian food in the evening at 7pm.” I said, Ok I will join and went to my room for relax. At 7pm, the most memorable event took place, after a long gap I was having a dinner with my hostel mates.  Something I had given up cause of differences between me and other people.  It was wonderful time, s...

Owning a car is matter of necessity and convenience. But convenience comes at a price. Even though the parking is free, it's only for limited time. So even if we want to spend more time talking or playing social games in a coffee shop or restaurant with friends, we can't extend the time limit unless we are willing to order more.  Last night after evening church service, some of us decided to go to Denny's for extended fellowship. As some of us owns a car, we decided to go back cars instead of walking 3 km . We knew there is a car park at Denny's but didn't knew the fact that we are only allowed for one and half hours. The parking voucher is available with the manager of Denny's.   Just before the time limit was about to expired I went to the manager to check if we are allowed to extend the time limit, so that we could spend more time talking or playing games with friends. Even though I don't own a car, spending time with friends is a magic of the moment...

Cherry Blossom... ...And Sun Shines In Auckland

Huaraki Gulf, Tamaki Drive, Devonport Motuihi Island East Auckland Approaching Auckland International Airport

Toro Churro’s Spanish doughnuts are golden-fried fresh, you can enjoy them with a pot of delicious dipping chocolate, or drizzled with chocolate and caramel. Toro Churros are made to a traditional recipe, using only natural ingredients,  no preservatives and no additives. Come & Enjoy Churros MOBILE LOCATIONS: Thursdays 10 am – 5 pm at the University of Auckland’s student quadrant Sundays 6 pm - 10 pm Glenfield Westfield Night Market Saturdays 6 am – 12 pm at the Otara Market Saturdays 6 pm - 12 am Pakuranga Westfield Night Market Sundays 7 am – 12 pm at the Takapuna Market Website:  http://www.torochurro.co.nz/

28 th February 2012 10:30PM Tonight my friend Calvin and Reshmi and I were on our way to Hulucat Teahouse when we witnessed an act of robbery. We were walking along St. Paul Street. I was just talking to Reshmi about how dangerous  St. Paul Street is during the night time. I told her about the events happened on that street. The next moment we heard some screaming for HELP! I turned back and started walking to check what was going on, and then suddenly a girl who was running away with a bag bumped into my friend Calvin. The bag fell onto the footpath. Another girl who was the victim came running behind her she picked up her bag. I grabbed robber's jacket with one hand and with other hand I got my cellphone to call the cops. In meantime we were joined by other people who also heard the scream. The thief took her Jacket off that I was holding and tried to run away. We saw a car passing by, people inside the car opened the passenger door for her.  B...