A blind Date With A Book

Ever been on a blind date with a ...book? Ok ! This is a real thing that I discovered at a book fair. Ah! The memories of that fair are fresh in my mind. Books in neat rows and many chucked in chaotic piles. There were heaps of second hand books too and stacks sorted…

I Dream Of Korea

I am going to South Korea, the Land of Morning Calm and calm is the only thing I am not feeling. Huzzah! I’m all lit up! “Why Korea?” That’s what anyone who hears of my upcoming trip says. Korean dramas, of course! Not too long ago, in 2022, I embraced the fandom and let myself…

Of Wine Gurus And Wine Tales

I come from a long line of tea drinkers. Wine on the other hand was rare, strictly for the grown-ups, seasonally brought out around Christmas. Perhaps that’s what made it more luxurious and decadent in my mind. I was in college when I first tasted it. My roommate thought that the dark red, sweet, Port…

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.

Dinner In Trastevere, Rome

"We have to visit Trastevere to experience the real Italian vibe", Mami declared emphatically. Trastevere, in Rome? It rang a bell. I had devoured Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Eat, Love and Pray. Actually, only the Italian 'eat' section as a part of my Roman research. Trastevere was mentioned in it. Well, I was definitely going even…

Vatican Cameos

I had a wish list of the things I had to see in Vatican. a) Sistine Chapel, specifically The creation of Adam by Michelangelo. b) The Swiss guards in their colourful pantaloons designed by Michelangelo. By the way, he didn’t! c) Bramante Staircase or the double helix spiral staircase. d) Michelangelo's Pieta. Everything else I…

Pompeii Calling

For me Pompeii always had a mystical aura around it. To think, it was obliterated when it faced the fury of the Roman god of fire, Vulcan himself. It then rose like a Phoenix from its ashes and lava to become a legend. Honestly, my imagination had run wild ever since I heard its story…

Special Spots in Aurangabad

Think of Aurangabad, Maharashtra in India and Ajanta and Ellora Caves come to mind except they are really far from the city. Meanwhile what does one do in Aurangabad other than make travel arrangements to the caves? Well, you pack the family into an auto rickshaw and go see Deccan's Taj Mahal- Bibi ka Maqbara.…

Sunday Walk Through Paltan Bazaar, Dehradun.

Things I tell myself the night before Sunday walk: a) Be resolute, be strong. Be ready to abandon bed-blanket on a Sunday morn. Sigh! b) Be on time to hit the trail. Set the alarm for 5.45 and 6.00 am. Another one for 6.15. Then RUN! c) Carry the essentials. Excitement , wonder, curiosity, and…

Perched On A Roof In Milan

“Milan is the fashion capital”, Ms Teen chirped. The Knight of course had to counter, “ San Siro Stadium- AC Milan- the gods of football.” Both good choices but I stuck to the Milan Cathedral. I should know because I was astounded when I saw it for the first time. You see, no amount of…