DASH! Transit…Because Waiting Sucks

Typical work week mornings for us are ALWAYS a rush.  Snoozing is default on our phones. Waking up ten minutes earlier is just NOT an option! And because of this, we are always running for our train. There have been PLENTY of times when I dash into the station just in time to see the train pulling away or have the doors close in my face.  Argh – the frustration! And on top of that, you have already paid your fare, have no cell phone service and now must wait in the hot station for the next train which for me is usually a 10 minute wait.  You can imagine what an annoying situation this can be.  I think at one point or another, most commuters have experienced this feeling.  How can I stop this from happening???

Raj Agarwal, creator of DASH!

And this is where Raj Agarwal comes in. As a commuter, Raj regularly experienced these same frustrations.  But instead of continuing to deal with it and stay frustrated, he worked on creating his own solution – the DASH! TRANSIT app.  I had the fortunate opportunity to meet Raj a few weeks ago to sit down for an interview and learn more about the app.

Interviewing Raj

A Brief History

Raj first created this app 3 years ago for his own use as a solution to his commuter dilemma.  The first version of the app was first called My Transit Alert.  Without even any advertising or promoting (he had not even told his mom about the app at this point!), he noticed that 1,000 people downloaded the app within two months. He saw there was a niche to be filled and this is when he decided he wanted to pursue this and develop an app that he could share with other users. So he went back to the drawing board and hired a team to develop and build what is now DASH! Transit.

The DASH! Interface

The Namesake:

I am always interested in how an app, program or website decides on a name.  So naturally, I had to ask Raj, why DASH! Transit?  Raj had already decided with the re-development of My Transit Alert, he wanted a new name, but what should that name be? And then he met a stranger on a long train ride from DC to NY. They shared their stories of what they do and the stranger (a scientist working on stem cell research) was interested in helping Raj find a name for the app.  For three hours, they brainstormed ideas for a name for the app even resorting to using different languages.  In the end they came up with DASH!.  Either you wait for the next train or you DASH to catch it.  What a great appropriate name – simple, easy, and catchy.  And just recently, the DASH team came up with a tagline for the app – “DASH…because waiting sucks.”  I couldn’t have said it better myself!

How does DASH! Work?

DASH! is meant for commuters.  It is basically a “set it and forget it” type app. You chose your travel agency (i.e. MTA, PATH, etc) and you set your daily commute route on the app (make sure to allow location tracking and alerts).  The app will alert you of the next two train/bus arrival when you are 2 to 6 city blocks from your train (this is also based on your personal setting).  (See below picture on my normal commute alert).  Based on this alert, you will know whether or not you will make catch the first timing or if you have a few minutes before catching the second timing.  You never have to open the app again (unless you want to change or add an alert).  It’s meant to be a seamless interface.

It is important to note this app is more of a commuter app.  It is not meant to calculate transit directions and routes for you like Google Maps or Hopstop.

I have personally been using this app for a few months now, and it has been working on great for me. Since I have set the alerts, I have not even opened the app again.  It tells me everything I need for my daily commute to and from work.

Check out their quick video on the app: DASH! 

DASH! Interface

Setting Up Your Commuter Alert on DASH!

The DASH! Alert letting me know when my next two trains will be departing.

Where is DASH! is available?

Currently, the DASH! team has the Top 11 most used transit lines on their app.  The list includes:

1. NYC MTA
2. NY LIRR
3. NJ Transit Rail
4. NJ Transit Bus
5. NJ PATH
6. Washington  WMATA
7. Lost Angeles – LACMTA
8. South Eastern Pennsylvania – SEPTA
9. Chicago CTA
10. San Francisco – BART
11. Boston – MBTA

How can I get DASH!?

First and foremost, DASH! absolutely FREE to download and use!

DASH is currently only available for iPhone users.   The app can be downloaded through the App Store by searching for “DASH! Transit.” or by using clicking here: DASH!

Android users – do not fret! The app will soon be available on Android.  Follow DASH! Transit on Twitter or Facebook and stay tuned for this release.

Exciting new updates and features:

Raj and his team are constantly working on improving the app and the user experience.  So what’s in store for this app? Let’s see:

1. Notifications on iWatch  – if you own an iWatch this will be great! You will get the alert right on your watch.
2. Uber option – you missed your train and the next one is not for another 20 minutes.  You are in a rush and need to get somewhere.  WhyThe app will give you the option to directly call Uber.
3. Your next train is 10 minutes away – what do you do with those 10 minutes besides catch up on Facebook or Instagram or The Indus Tijori blog 😉 ? How about checking out what’s going on locally – maybe a local food, art or music fair that you may have missed otherwise.

For me this app has been REVOLUTIONARY for my commuter life.  If you are using any of the listed mass transit systems for your daily commute, you NEED to download DASH! TRANSIT and put your morning commute on CRUISE CONTROL.  So DASH!..because waiting sucks!

XoXo,

heenerzz

Tips: Make sure you search for the app by the full name “DASH! TRANSIT”  otherwise it will be extremely difficult to find on the app store!  And follow DASH! Transit on Twitter and Facebook to stay tuned to their latest updates!

The Namesake

The Indus Tijori – what does this mean?!?! When I first started the blog, I went back and forth with whether my first post should explain my namesake – The Indus Tijori – or go straight into what I wanted to share.  In the end, as you have seen, I kept the About section short and simple and did not give any reference to the name.  So here goes this LONG overdue post – What does The Indus Tijori mean?

First let’s start with the word – Indus.  This word references my roots – to where and how India formulated – the very beginning (well, as far as we know) – the Indus Valley Civilization. The word brings me back to World History class in freshmen year of high school, learning about the Old World civilizations, being completely captivated by it all and wanting to go back to India even though I just came back from a two month trip from there. The word Indus has resonated and stayed with me since then. 

Now onto the more difficult word – Tijori. Essentially, a Tijori is a locked armoire. It is found in most Indian households in India (at least in the region I am from). Tijori has more of a sentimental connection to me and a personal history.

Although I was raised in the US, I was fortunate enough to spend numerous long 8 week summer vacations in India. Much of that time was always spent in my Papa’s home in a small village in Gujarat. In our India home, my parents had a Tijori (one of the wedding presents from my Nana Nani to my parents – which they still have and use today). I have many fond memories associated with this Tijori from childhood to adulthood. As a child, I remember Mummy Papa opening it every morning to get ready. It’s where Mummy kept all her daily and special occasion saris and Papa kept his tailored pant shirts, his oversized watch, Ray Ban sunglasses and his favorite colognes. To this day, I can vividly picture Papa asking Mummy for the Tijori keys (which were always with her safely tucked into her sari) and to take out my little toy keyboard piano, paint sets, or – when we became older – Nintendo GameBoys for bhailu (my little brother) and I, and my numerous collection of neon and pastel colored nail polishes to create nail art on my friends there. As a little child, it was a treasure chest – what will Mummy Papa take out of there next. 

My last trip to India, I took special interest to see what really was in this Tijori. In going through the Tijori with my parents, I found so many sentimental, irreplaceable valuables and mostly their precious memories. It contained mummy’s wedding sari, her baby shower sari, pictures of their wedding, pictures and the videotape from my bhailu’s mundan (head shaving) ceremony, a silver rattle I played with when I was a baby, my baby blanket, and even after all these years, my toy keyboard piano and our GameBoys. It really was a treasure chest – our family treasure chest. 

And that’s really how the name of the blog and the byline “Unlocking the Secrets of the South Asian Lifestyle” came about. This blog was created to share all the things that I learn and observe in my evolving world and more importantly to capture a little bit of my family history through stories, recipes and lifestyle and to encourage you to unlock your own family’s treasured memories.

A very late WELCOME to my world!

XoXo,
heenerzz

Valentine Weekend Getaway – Istanbul Part 2

The wait is finally over.  Part 2 of our Istanbul adventure is ready for you. Now, sightseeing is great and all (that is the main reason we select a location for travel) but for every destination I go to, what I really want to know is where to eat — after all a girl cannot survive on water and sights alone!

Since Istanbul was an extremely last minute trip (find out why in Part 1 of my Istanbul trip), we did not have much time to research where to eat.  The only research I did do was watch Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations episode on Istanbul.  It is always good to start with Anthony =o) Once we arrived there, we asked the locals for recommendations and others we stumbled upon.  So let’s break it down by the area:

Sultanahmet:

Lunch: Sultan Pub

The only reason to go here is for the rooftop view.  Unfortunately, that means you have to eat here.  The food was okay and my mint tea was given to me as a Lipton tea bag (big disappointment!).  Despite these let downs, hearing the call for prayer while overlooking the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and people going about their life was a very surreal experience. So for this alone, it is worth having bland food.

Dinner: Khorasani Grill 

I believe this is a salted flaming fish – a specialty of this restaurant which we did not try

 

Personally, as a vegetarian, the only thing I truly enjoyed here was the lavash bread. It a perfect airy pillow and best eaten warm.  We did a whole mezze of dips and unfortunately, they were all bland.  I would not go back to this restaurant again.

Nightlife: Sah Bar

This bar is supposed to be one of the best for music and partying in the area.  We went on an off-peak day during non-tourist season.  The music was good but there were barely any people there.  They do have a rooftop dining area which we did not get to see.  The rooftop has a great view of the Blue Mosque.

Galata Tower

Pizza Eat

Okay so I caved and had pizza.  It was not bad at all and it was a great quick eat while Hubster grabbed his doner kebab from a spot across this place which he said was really good too.  There are many sit down restaurants right in front of the tower, but I say the best thing to do is grab some street eats and sit on the big stone fence in front of the tower and people watch =o)

Beyoglu/Taksim

Sokak Kahvesi

This little café resides on a side street which is across from Caribou Café.  Great local spot to stop, take a break and have some tea or hookah.  One of our favorite spots that we stumbled upon and one we hope to visit again and again on our next trip there.

360

I loved this place for its view, ambiance and delicious cocktails and teas.  The food was eclectic mix of Italian and Asian. It was delicious.  Besides the view, the cocktails are AMAZING! – there list is extensive and for that alone I would want to go back! Make sure you get reservations and request the corner seat by the window.

Faruk Gulluoglu

Thus far, the best baklava I have ever tasted.  So much variety (chocolate baklava!) and it all just melts in your mouth. I would recommend getting a couple of pieces each to share.  We did bring some home but it did not taste the same as having it fresh.  Indulge while you are here.  I dream about this baklava!

Kizilkayalar Hamburger

 

If you are non-vegetarian, the one thing you should have in Istanbul is a doner kebab.  Although I am vegetarian, I wanted to make sure Hubster got to experience the best of the street eats in Istanbul.  This place was featured on Anthony Bourdain and according to Hubster, it was well worth the long walk up to Taksim Square (plus not to mention, I got to have baklava at Faruk Gulluoglu since they are almost across each other!) Do not miss this place!

Nevizade Sokak

 

My favorite street for nightlife in Istanbul. We were so sad we discovered it only on our last night there.  This street and its surrounding area is filled with only restaurants and bars and even some karoake.  This is definitely a street the locals hang out and they are all so friendly.  We will definitely be back on this street again.

Durumzade

This was an Anthony Bourdain spot for kebabs and late night cheap eats.  The lavash they use in their wraps have a little hint of spice which is what they are known for.  They even made a veggie wrap for me which I devoured. Probably one of the best eats I had in Istanbul – next to the baklava of course.

 

Other places, we found but did not get to try:

360 Suada 

We had seen this on the show Party On on E! Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to party here, but we did pass by it on our Bosphorus River cruise. This is a pool, restaurant, nightclub on the Bosphorous River. It’s an all day party spot if you go in warmer weather.  Reservations are highly recommended.

Havuzlu

This restaurant was recommended to us by multiple stalls inside the Grand Bazaar.  We didn’t try it since we wanted a quick bite.  However, the restaurant was massive, packed and it the food looked very appetizing. All good signs!

We stopped at a local café for some tea and sandwiches.  At this time, I cannot recall the name.  The tea was amazing, the sandwich not so much.  Just be weary of cheese sandwiches in the Grand Bazaar.

Hamdi Eminonu

This restaurant was highly recommended to us by many locals. It was in the Eminonu section of Istanbul, an area we only went by to see the Spice Market on our first day.  After, we never got a chance to go back.  I think it is a restaurant I would go to next time.

Karakoy Gulluoglu

Another really famous baklava place in Istanbul.  Unfortunately, it was out of the way for us so we did not get to try it.  It is on my list as a MUST for next time.

Other information:

1) The walk from Galata Tower to Taksim Square is well worth it in sights and people watching.

2) Enjoy fresh pomegranate juice and the roasted chestnuts anywhere in the city (NYC needs a lesson or two on roasting chestnuts like these pros!)

3) Enjoy some simits from the carts.  These are Turkish bagels and they are everywhere (like how NYC pretzel carts are everywhere).

4) Turkish ice cream is a must!  The guys use super long handled spatula type scoops to place the ice cream in the cone.

5) If you have the time to indulge, make sure you have a Turkish breakfast.  We missed out on this experience but it looks amazing in pictures and reviews.

6) Another indulgence: Turkish baths!

7) Check out this website for all your research on food in Istanbul: Istanbul Eats

Tips: Take the path less traveled and find some of your own hidden treasures.

I hope this helps in some of your travel planning for Istanbul.  Don’t forget to check out Part 1 if you missed it! Also, if you have been to Istanbul, feel free to leave comments on your favorite places and share your experiences =o)

XoXo,

heenerzz

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Valentine Weekend Getaway – Istanbul Part 1

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and I am definitely one those girls that love to celebrate it.  Luckily, Hubster always has some tricks up his sleeve for a great Valentine’s Day treat.  Our first Valentine’s Day together, he planned a trip to Cancun for our first vacation together.  For the first Valentine’s Day after we married, he planned a whole week of special activities around New York City.  Last year for Valentine’s Day, he added spontaneity to our life.  On the night of this very day last year, Hubster booked a trip to Istanbul, Turkey for Valentine’s Day.  Yup, you read right – we booked the trip and packed our bags that very night and were on our way to Turkey the next morning.

With very little planning, we managed to navigate our way through Istanbul and fall in love with the city. Istanbul offers history, culture, great food, nightlife, and not to mention it is the only city in the world that is located in two continents – Europe and Asia.  On our four day trip to the city, we explored the Europe side and hit all the major tourist attractions yet we felt like there was so much more left to explore and see. Although we are tourist and definitely do the “touristy” things, we really do like to live like the locals.  This is our way of finding those hidden gems.  Today, I will share with you our experience in Istanbul and some tips that I hope will help you!

Where to stay – Europe Side: 

In Istanbul, we stayed at the Doubletree Hilton – Old Town near the Grand Bazaar.  Since we are Hilton Honors members, we prefer to stay at a Hilton hotel to enjoy some of the perks.  This hotel is very easy on the budget, friendly service (not to mention you get the famous Doubletree chocolate chip cookie!), and convenient location.  The tram stop is located right outside the hotel! It is walking distance to the Grand Bazaar too if you love to shop.

When Hubster was booking the trip, he also found a great deal at the Four Seasons in Istanbul.  In hindsight, it would have been worth it for the view.  The Four Seasons overlooks the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Bosphorus River.

Tip: Despite our great experience with our hotel, we would chose a different area to stay in next time – Taksim.  Definitely research hotels in this area if you want to be in the lively, nightlife area of the city.

Getting around Istanbul – Europe Side

In every destination we visit, we learn and use its public transportation system.  Istanbul has a very well run tram system that can be used to access most major tourist destinations.  We would highly recommend the trams to get around. Note: The tram system uses tokens. These tokens can be purchased at any tram stop.

Our second favorite way to get around (though Hubster may disagree with this at times) is to walk. Walking is the best way to get lost and discover those hidden gems that you may have never found otherwise.

Lastly, when it’s a late night, cabs become your best friend. We had a hit and miss experience with the cabbies.  Our first experience with a cab driver in Istanbul was not so pleasant – he would not use the meter and overcharged us. However, we did give it a try again and that cabbie made up for our first horrible experience.

Tip: Beware of the cab drivers overcharging you.

Where to Shop – Europe side: 

The first place that comes to mind for shopping in Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar. This place is huge.  If you love to shop and bargain, you may want to block out a long amount of time here (don’t worry – there are restaurants and cafes right inside so you don’t even have to leave to eat!) I did pick up lots of accessories from here — gold plated bracelets and hand cuffs. (I have small wrist and it’s so hard to find ones that fit. So when you do, you buy in bulk!) The jewelry shop I bought my accessories from had unique jewelry pieces — I wish I wrote down the name to share (it is not the one pictured below). I would recommend taking your time to look around and definitely bargain!  I bargained for my accessories but not as much as I think I should have — again in hindsight… =/

Another thing I learned, some items in the Grand Bazaar are overpriced.  We found similar items for better prices near the Galata Tower (the name of the street I believe is Galip Dede Cd).  If you walk up the hill on the street towards Taksim, you will find many shops.

If you want to shop for clothes, take the walk from Galata Tower to Taksim Square.  Istiklal Cd (the name of the street) has all the major brands and not to mention a Shake Shack (if you are really craving a little bit of home).

Tips: Every new destination, we like to pick up an art piece or decor piece to decorate our home.  Personally, I also like to buy an accessory that reminds me of the place every time I wear it.  In addition to all my bracelets, we picked up tiny little serving spoons from Istanbul (a hit with all the aunties that visit us!).  Very reasonably priced and they add a special touch when we are hosting.  If I had it my way though, we would have brought a handmade rug home! Unfortunately, Hubster did not let me go shopping for rugs, so that you will have to figure out on your own. =/

Sightseeing: 

We hit all the major tourist attractions – Grand Bazaar, Sulaymaniye Mosque, the Spice Market, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Galata Tower, Galata Bridge and the Bosphorus River. Our words of wisdom on these:

View from Sulaymaniye Mosque

Grand Bazaar and Sulaymaniye Mosque are within walking distance of each other. These two places can definitely be seen in the same day. Unless you plan on doing major shopping in the Grand Bazaar, 3 hours is plenty of time to visit both. From here, we roamed the streets, and ended up in the Spice Market (it was a long walk to get here though).  Also another place where if you are not doing much spice shopping, 1 hour will be more than enough time.

Treats at the Spice Market

From the Spice Market, the Galata Bridge is within walking distance. You can definitely check it out during the day, however, we find the bridge more magical at night.  There are fishermen fishing from the bridge, stalls selling the catches, and hopefully you catch some fireworks like we did!

Inside the Hagia Sophia

The Blue Mosque

View from Topkapi Palace

Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace will require a whole day if you really want to spend time, go through everything and maybe even do a guided tour.  We recommend buying a Museum Pass – it’s more economical and you beat the lines.  We were recommended by a local to go to the Archaeology Museum that is located near these three sites as well.  Unfortunately, it was closed the day we went to these sites so we did not get to see it.  Which brings me to a great point – research the days and hours of operation for these places.  They are closed on odd days and you don’t want to chose a day when one of them is closed.  Also, if you plan to get a tour guide, there are plenty of them outside these sites. Bargain with them to get the best deal for the tour.

View from the Bosphorus River Cruise

The day we did the above three sites, we also did the Bosphorus River Cruise.  We bought the tickets for a fairly reasonable price from vendors selling them in the square in front of Hagia Sophia.  It worked out great.  The cruise is not to be missed!

The Galata Tower

Sunset from the Galata Tower

For the Galata Tower, we recommend planning to be on top of the tower at sunset.  It is one of the best views of the city and it is very surreal experience being on top of the tower, hearing the call for prayer, watching the sunset and watching the city come alive – just absolutely breathtaking and touching. Tip: the lines around sunset tend to be the longest, so make sure you give factor that in.  Since we went off peak travel season, we did not have to worry about the line.  We spent a good 2 hours on top of the tower waiting for the sunset and for Hubster to capture it.

Basilica Cistern

We did the Basilica Cistern on the morning we were leaving.  Many people forget this place, however, at that time, having recently read Dan Brown’s Inferno we had to visit it.  We went as soon as it opened and we were glad we did.  Although it is eerie being in a dark, damp place all by yourself, you can capture some amazing pictures! (Not to mention, some great pictures we got on the street right at the entrance of this site).

My last and best tip: Make friends with the locals — they are extremely friendly and helpful in Istanbul.

Oh the wonderful memories! Hubster, take me back!  I hope this helps you plan your travels to Istanbul — stay tuned for another post on the food and nightlife in Istanbul! Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! I can’t wait to see what Hubster has in store for me this year! =o)

XoXo,

heenerzz