Being stuck at home makes you even more nostalgic about certain trips and memories. This week, the memories assailing me are those of which I don’t even have many photos. Memories of countless visits to artisanal markets, like the regular exhibitions at Chitrakala Parishad, and the innumerable flea markets that had become such a big … More Throwback to Riverdale ArtWalk 2019
Who doesn’t love a good platter? Cheese, fruit and meat platters in the West, the ubiquitous vegetarian and non-vegetarian platters in Indian restaurants on the home ground, the famous Lebanese mezze platters, the more exotic Ethiopian platter…there must be a version in almost every culture. A popular favourite for large groups at restaurants, platter meals … More Grazing Plates And Lazy Meals
One of the most vivid memories from my childhood is of the big jar of homemade black grape jam slipping from my clumsy fingers, and crashing to the ground. I don’t remember if I was scolded for being clumsy, or how we cleaned that ensuing mess. All I remember is that distinct feeling of loss, … More For The Love Of Jams
Discovering Linger Leisure and Balur Estate in 2012 is perhaps one of my biggest achievements in life. We fell in love with Balur & the Linger Leisure hospitality the first time we visited the coffee plantation. We had driven away at the end of an idyllic two day trip with promises to return soon…little did … More Delectable Memories of Balur
« Au bout de chaque rue, une montagne… » / “At the end of every street is a mountain…” – Stendhal, 1783-1842 The very mountains that captured my heart when I landed in Grenoble in 2009. I could see them from the window of my bedroom, from my classroom, from the windows of the bus … More Grenoble, where there’s a mountain at the end of every street
Visiting Strasbourg was a dream since I took the ICE from Frankfurt to Paris in December 2003. The first stop in France after we crossed the German border, I remember my delight when after months of not understanding much beyond the basic greetings and numbers, I was suddenly able to follow most conversations. I was … More Christmas Magic in Strasbourg
There can be nothing more frustrating than a strike in the country when you’re travelling. Especially a strike that lasts for days and weeks at end. In a city, where everyone relies on public transport, an unending strike of the RATP, which manages the bus and metro network, is a big deal. It’s a bigger … More Paris during a grève
When we planned our trip to France, I had images of speeding across the French countryside in comfortably seated in a TGV towards my beloved Grenoble. Little did I know that a grève nationale was going to interfere with my grand plans. A nation wide strike of the SNCF was announced a few weeks before … More Traveling in France during a nation wide strike of the SNCF
An intermezzo is defined as “a short connecting instrumental movement in an opera or other musical work.” In a larger context, this absolutely delightful word can also be used to signify a brief interlude or diversion. Though a word of the world of music, I first learnt the word while reading about food. in In … More The importance of an intermezzo between books
This is a part of a series of my personal recommendations for eating & drinking in Toronto, a city that aspires to be the second New York of North America. After three visits to the financial and business capital of Canada, I’ve had my fair share of experiences in restaurants & pubs of the city. … More Balkan Dreams on Queen Street West
