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Stop and stare… in Delhi
When running up the steps for a meeting in Hauz Khas village in Delhi… was arrested by the sight of this mural on the staircase wall…
From office art in Mumbai to stairwell murals in Delhi, any everyday art make you stop and stare?
Other Sunday Snaps:
Guest Post: Missing Canada from Paradise
Every once and a while, it is nice to hear of another fellow Canadian’s perspective on living far away from the land of our birth…
Here is what Jason Mueller, owner of Jacoropes in Costa Rica has to say:
As a Canadian, of course, I am proud. I think most people are proud of where they come from no matter what country you call your native land, from Canada to India. People seem to have an attachment to their home land that they can’t kick no matter how far away you are from home. I have talked to a lot of people who are on some amazing adventure half way across the globe in a picturesque scene and when I ask the question if they miss home the answer always seems to be yes for the most part. Most of the time the answer is “I miss my family and friends.” When I ever I go on a trip I am always happy to be back home and I think that I am definitely lucky to be Canadian. It is true that Canada is a privileged County. (more…)
Temperature Twins! Mumbai vs Winnipeg??
There are a lot of things different about living in India vs Canada… not the least of which is typically the weather!
When people think of India, they immediately imagine blazing heat!
And Canada? Let’s just say the exact opposite…
And if its Winnipeg? Try swirling snowstorms. And Mumbai? Warm, humid perennial summer!
So this week when my father mentioned how nice and warm it is in Winnipeg? I just so happened to check the temperature…
There in Winnipeg…
And here in Mumbai….
Are you kidding me? How rare is it to have EXACTLY the same temperature in two such otherwise different climates?
Related posts:
Night sky in Singapore
While I am completely happy in our home in Mumbai, we do not have a ‘view’. Our choice of location was motivated purely by practicality – close to the highway to scoot to the airport or other parts and close to my partner’s mother.
On my December trip to Singapore, I stayed one night with a friend in ‘CBD’. We went to see the documentary ‘Naked DJ‘ at the Singapore International Film Festival then returned to this view. It was a most enjoyable evening sitting and chatting on the rather large balcony, with the evening lights our backdrop.
I’ve had the privilege of many fabulous views on my stays in various cities. Do you have a favourite?
Other Sunday Snaps:
Brazil beckons – what to do?
My partner and I decided to do something quite uncharacteristic. Actually plan a trip. As in advance plan. As in a trip which is purely for pleasure prompted by a friend’s wedding with zero work or family connect.
So far all we know is we need to be at Praia de Balneário Camboriú early December 2016.
Beyond that we know nothing. Have decided nothing. And are open to all possibilities.
Balneario Camboriu at night (praias-sc.com)
Couples who travel together well tend to have one who delights in the planning process, figuring out options, tracking down great places to try, things to do. The other may have ideas which the planner takes into consideration, but is happiest just going along for the ride, enjoying the moment.
The challenge is between my partner and I, neither of us are the planning types.
Our travel tends to have a fixed requirement – work or family or event – where we throw in a dash of pleasure and detour or two for good measure. It also tends to be places where one or the other has some experience in the destination.
By contrast, our trips can also be completely impromptu jaunts to join friends in an amusing location where the ‘planning’ stage is restricted to reaching the destination – like my trips to Amsterdam, Goa and Vietnam.
Which works great for us and we have terrific travels – together and solo.
Til now…
Going all the way from India to Brazil means we cannot stop at the wedding alone! Noo… we simply MUST do something more. Who knows when we will next make it all the way to South America. Neither of us have ever been. But what? Where to start? What to do?
From Brazil, talk with another friend coming from India for the wedding turned to potential adventures in Peru, Argentina, Ecuador… um…
Clearly we need to do some research!
Any suggestions of “must do” activities in Brazil? And “Wouldn’t it be fabulous to try…” in the region?
Cristo Luz (Wiki)
Related posts:
Mmmmm mangosteens! In Bangkok
When you travel a lot, little extras in places you rest your weary head start to make a difference. Like a luscious exotic fruit plate.
What is even nicer is when there is a little help to navigate the delicacies offered… like this hotel from a stay in Bangkok in 2013 that had a menu card with explanation, how to eat and what you could expect trying the fruit.
The SukhoThai’s fruit plate
Me? I sooooo knew what I was diving into! From that tempting bowl, I went straight for the mangosteens.
Mangosteens have been a favourite since I first strolled with a friend in Singapore through a market in China Town. She made me buy a full bag – warning me that I would never be able to stop with just one.
She was completely right!
That sweet, tangy, juicy oh so yummy fruit… I’m craving it right now just looking at these photos, imagining that plump white pulp bursting into flavour in my mouth.
Mangosteen demolished
Related posts:
Bangkok – Going once, twice, thrice!
Do you have a place where you have never quite managed to spend more than a couple of days?
In fairness to Thailand, I’ve yet to do justice to this remarkable country in even one trip! Without a doubt, food is fabulous, folks I’ve met terribly considerate and I’ve only had positive experiences. It is my fault I have yet to truly explore… (more…)
Big B in Bandra
India’s greatest superstar of all time remains the “Big B.”
For those who never heard of Bollywood (is that possible?), Amitabh Bachchan, is the ‘angry young man’ who took Hindi films by storm in the 1970s and 80s. Who made “Kaun Banega Crorepati” (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?) the ONLY show you heard blaring from every single home, with streets deserted so all and sundry could be glued to the TV set. Who remains film royalty even in his 70s.
Part of the Bollywood Art Project, this image can be found strolling along the bi-lanes of Bandra.
Other Sunday Snaps:
Hey monkey! Gong Xi Fa Cai!
I’m really missing Chinese New Year!
It may seem strange that a Canadian woman living in India would be missing CNY. However I love the dragon dance and joyous celebration. Heck, for years I used to organise the annual CNY banquet when I was with the Hong Kong Canada Business Association.
And after criss-crossing between Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China where it is celebrated with great gusto, back here in Bombay, feels like a let down.
Only sign of CNY this year was an Uber notice from my Singapore account, ads for Chinese restaurant deals and a few exuberant greetings from friends scattered in other parts of Asia. Hmm….
However, it got me thinking about the plurality of ‘New Year’ celebrations. How each is linked to the cycles of a particular region, community or religion.
Here in India we have a whopping 16 regional ‘New Years’ – from Holi to Maha Vishuva Sankranti to the Punjabi Vaisakhi or the Bengali Boishakh. Then throw in the Parsi Nowruz or Muharram starting a new Islamic calendar, top it off with the western import of Dec 31st… and you can see there are an awful lot of New Years celebrated in this country!
For each, it is a special marking of time… a transition from old to new.
So for those celebrating CNY – Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!!
And those not? If you live in India… another New Year celebration is just around the corner…
Related posts:
Puuurrrfect Autumn in Amsterdam
As I enjoy a lazy Saturday in Mumbai with our kitten Zoe while my partner is busy on a chilly shoot in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, I was reminded of cooler climes during an autumn trip to Amsterdam (Nov 2014)… with a few non-human friends who tried to brighten and warm up our days!
More than just a cosy home, the Oosterpark AirBnB flat came replete with bright fall coloured garden and puuuurrrfectly friendly felines.
Off the living room was a delightful view of the garden… (more…)
Everyday Asia 