Filmy Thoughts: Dune 2021

Yesterday I watched the movie Dune on the big screen. Thoughts of a giant sand worm with its maw open wide, flashes of startling blue eyes against brown skin and desert sands swirled in my head. Woke up in the morning with the Dune hangover intact. Hence, I had to pour my thoughts in this…

Memories Of The Golden Temple, Amritsar.

Have you ever been to a place, saw the things you knew were there, then have your mind completely blown away by something you see unexpectedly? “Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown." Anthony Bourdain Perhaps Anthony Bourdain knew best. I was in Shri Harminder Sahib, aka the Golden Temple in…

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…

Chasing Art On Streets Of Italy.

Honestly speaking, street art was the last thing in my mind while visiting the land of the Old Masters. Florence was picked because of David, the one that Michelangelo carved. Well, he was spectacular but then so were Michelangelo's unfinished Prisoners/Slaves that really don't get the attention they deserve. Anyway more of that in another…

Magical Venice!

I have always dreamt of Venice like the way made famous by our very own Bollywood films and romantic novels. Water would lap at the doorsteps of these grand buildings that would stretch on either side of a winding canal. The gondoliers would be dressed in their jaunty striped shirts humming a tune, their gondolas…

Cats Of The Most Beautiful Bookshop In Venice.

It was my Instagram savvy teen who told me first about the bookshop that goes by the tag line- The most beautiful bookshop in the world. It happened to be in Venice and since I was going to be there, perfect opportunity to check it out. Well, the online chatter around it was amazing and…

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…

Struck By Wanderlust

So it is official and the countdown has begun to my very first international holiday. Yay! I am still pinching myself. For the longest time, my deepest desire was to go on a trip around the world. I lapped up travel shows, movies, articles, books (Travels by Michael Crichton tops the list). I would dream,…

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.…

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…