Corona Virus with an official name COVID-19 hopped across China, Korea, Iran, skipped to Italy and finally jumped to India. When WHO declared it a pandemic, I had to google the word since my vocabulary on contagion began with outbreak and ended with epidemic. Social distancing physically continues to be propped up like Captain America's… Continue reading When Corona Came Marching Home.
Tag: india
FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) At Ajanta Caves!
Google Aurangabad and Ajanta Caves comes up as a must visit spot, every time! Incidentally the caves are around 110 kilometres from Aurangabad with absolutely no other historic or cultural site to see along the way. I almost missed it but the pressure of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) was tremendous! Anyway Bunker, our talkative… Continue reading FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) At Ajanta Caves!
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.… Continue reading Special Spots in Aurangabad
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… Continue reading Sunday Walk Through Paltan Bazaar, Dehradun.
A Hauntingly Good Walk!
The Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun India, is every bit grand as its name. Ask the locals and on cue they go into raptures. See the sweeping emerald green lawns and don't miss the museum and the botanical garden! The monkeys are a menace and be careful of leopards. Yes! They sneak up on… Continue reading A Hauntingly Good Walk!
Unexpected Beauty Of Akhnoor, India.
When your expectations are low because everyone says there isn't anything to see in a small, dusty town called Akhoor, you hide behind your sunglasses and nod off. You instead look forward to sampling the flavours of the sprawling Jammu City next door, perhaps launch a pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi Shrine. Till your eyes… Continue reading Unexpected Beauty Of Akhnoor, India.
Identity Crisis and The Indian Election Mahakumbh!
"Where are you from?" I am often asked this question. I blame my non distinctive looks that place me anywhere from the North Eastern region of India to Nepal, Tibet, Thailand. Once I was even excitedly pegged for a Japanese by my country men. Sigh! Closer home, confusion reigns supreme in my state of Uttarakhand.… Continue reading Identity Crisis and The Indian Election Mahakumbh!
Surviving Sheru
He arrived in a cardboard box, all the way from Kashmir, India seven years ago, a pup no one wanted, with a desi name Sheru that no one liked. In a household with two established fur balls, he was already the outsider. He made the adults apprehensive but the kids were ecstatic; he with the… Continue reading Surviving Sheru
The Water Trail Of Kumalda Village
Nestling among the mountains, Kumalda Village beckoned me like a siren's song. People spoke of its breathtaking beauty during the rains, the nearby River Song would swell in size and water cascade down in sheets. Well, I missed my chance during the monsoon but when my favourite walking group Been There Doon That announced another… Continue reading The Water Trail Of Kumalda Village
October fiestas and spooky discourse.
The festive month of October is over. We prayed and worshipped, fasted and feasted, exulted when the demons burnt and basked in the presence of family and friends. We glowed with desires and wishful thinking on karwachauth, the desi Valentines Day for the truly madly deeply in love and then in a blink of an eye,… Continue reading October fiestas and spooky discourse.