Spots And Dots Of A Kumaoni Pichora

The last time we wore our ‘Kumaoni pichora’, or 'leopard spotted stoles' as my youngest insisted on calling, was for my cousin’s wedding two years ago. I took this picture of my mother around that time. She was among the few ladies who glowed in her distinctive Kumaoni nose ring. Draped on her was the…

Lens – Artists Challenge #135: Glimpse into your world.

This week, I have the pleasure of guest-hosting it with the theme ‘A Glimpse into your world’. Show us the things you love that makes your world spin or things about your world that makes you delirious with joy.

Masked Emotions.

Recently I was called to school to update some records. You could say I was eager as my pet Sheru, featured in the header, to get out of the house. The school campus was deserted except for a few workers pottering about refusing to meet the eye. I suppose, after months of isolation and work…

Throwback To 2020.

January 2021 and time for the annual, "Where in the world did the last year go by?" 2020 was to be my 'Year of Travel'. I was in Aurangabad in Maharashtra, exactly at this time last year. I had explored the Ajanta caves but it was Cave 16 , also know as Kailash Temple at…

A Potpourri Of Italian Memories.

I flip through my old Italy travel photos and I'm instantly there. Was it just a year ago? My happy place where I frequently disappear. Perhaps this is what is, 'wistful longing'! Then it was euphoria, curiosity and anxiety. My old Whatsapp chats are proof. "Am I packing right? Is it enough or too much?…

Lingering In Lansdowne, India.

Lansdowne is a small military cantonment, tucked in the hills of Uttarakhand, India. I often find myself reminiscing of it, 'a land frozen in time'. It was the last place I visited before the COVID pandemic hit us all. Lansdowne is not flashy. You would recognize it as a small hamlet from a Ruskin Bond…

Loud Conversations And A Quiet One

Last week we went to Santala Devi's temple. Ms Teen had experienced the divine power of the goddess, 'an impossible wish that came true'. Hence she wanted a darshan. Was it another favour or just an excuse to get out of the house, she wouldn't say. The Government had unrolled  Unlock 5 Guidelines but home…

The Ultimate Guide To Florence.

Ignore everything- Pinterest photos, the blogs, the books. Florence or Firenze as I learnt to call will always remain a whopping surprise. For starters, the city is small but comes with a tall reputation. It is perfect to explore on foot, you never quite know what wondrous things you might encounter. 

Date with David

I was in Florence for David, the one carved by Michelangelo. Well, if like me, that's all what you think you would see, you are in for a massive surprise. Anyway, this post is all about my date with David at the Galleria dell’Accademia or the Accademia Gallery.

Travelling Into The Tuscan World

"A Chinese poet many centuries ago noticed that to re-create something in words is like being alive twice." -Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun Tuscany for me was Florence till I signed up for a day tour with lunch at a winery. I was truly excited! Out of the three places the tour promised, only…