I’m headed to the Northeast (Arunachal and Meghalaya) for a month starting tomorrow, September 20, and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s been some 30-odd years since I was last in Arunachal but I still have vivid memories of that beautiful state. We lived in an Army cantonment perched on a hilltop in the Tenga Valley. … More Northeast, here I come
I miss the rain. Not the Mumbai monsoon that has finally decided to honour us with its presence, but the quintessential summer storm. Earlier this week, one evening, the thunder and lightning that hit this city reminded me of dust storms up North and I started longing for Delhi. I’m guessing the dust storm is … More Ode to the ‘aandhi’
Whenever I tell friends or colleagues that I’m taking the train instead of flying within the country, they look at me as if I am insane. Why would anyone choose Indian Railways with its decrepit trains and smelly stations over newly-renovated airports and somewhat affordable low-cost airlines? I have a simple answer: I love travelling … More In defence of train journeys
So, you’re going to Ireland?” asked a friend. “You will eat well there.” I wasn’t so sure of that. Before my trip the only food item that came to mind when anyone said ‘Ireland’ was the potato. And as much as I like potatoes, there is only that much you can do with them. I … More Ireland: Worth the weight
As 2012 slipped into infamy and 2013 was readying to be born, I was in Mumbai. That was the time people in Delhi, and many parts of the country, erupted in rage against the December 16 gang rape and assault of a physiotherapy student who died of her injuries a few days later, far away from home. … More The Protestor’s Carol
I’m usually lost in deep thought when I’m in a taxi, so I don’t always start a conversation with the drivers. But whenever we do talk, I have been treated to some very amusing observations, rants, requests and questions. A selection: SHIVAJI PARK TO KING’S CIRCLE Age: Mid 60s Madam, my ankle is hurting because of … More In Mumbai, life in black and yellow
The first thing you notice about the island of Ireland is that it’s so gloriously, vibrantly, voluptuously green. The green assaults you in a rather pleasant way as you drive across the isle past its meadows and quaintly named counties of Antrim, Londonderry, Limerick and Tipperary. Country music legend Johnny Cash was so enamoured with … More Ireland: Notes from a Green Isle
The ocean rushed out one December morning and swallowed Sonali Deraniyagala’s sons, husband and parents. Wave, her memoir of life after the 2004 tsunami, is a chronicle of the rage that followed and a piercing grief that simmers. But mostly, it’s about love. The morning after I started reading Sonali Deraniyagala’s memoir of life after … More Book Review: Wave
I achieved loo nirvana three years ago in Tibet. This simply means that I have been released from the burden of expecting and worrying about finding clean loos when I travel. To put it simply: I have been to loo hell and back. After that, everything else is an improvement. I am therefore free of … More Loo and behold
Our Toyota Land Cruiser, one of a convoy of 38, circled past a colourful Tibetan flag pole with a flourish and screeched to a halt. “Gang Rinpoche, Kailash, Kailash,” said our Tibetan driver Tashi, pointing excitedly. I stumbled out of the car, glad our dusty journey was almost at an end, and started taking photographs of … More From the Holy Mountain: An account of a trip to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet
Colleen Braganza 