THE SPIRIT OF THE CANYON

May 10, 2015 in travel, writing, reflections

The majestic red mountains. I had just summited them. I did not tame them, nay, I had simply monkeyed up and perched on top.

I had neither conquered nor had been conquered.

As I sat atop the ‘dune’ in bliss, from the physical effort of getting there, I felt the breeze caressing my face, my mind emptying and a strange stirring within, the beginning of a release. I cycled back downhill. Wings took shape. Where once they had been tied down by circumstances, they hesitantly spread out and I learnt to fly, once again.

The mountains speak to you, you’ll see, they said. The desert is a fountain of life, they said. Take a trip alone, they said. You will find yourself and come back with new understanding, they said.

Dublin, Eat and Drink - A Photo Post

February 07, 2015 in round up, travel

Dublin this time completely amazed me. The quality of Irish food has always been gastronomic but the city now has several restaurant that have adopted the gastronomique from global cuisines and incorporated them into an Irish way of eating.

Even more I loved the craft coffee culture that is springing up all around the city. I had several cups of beautifully roasted and well poured pulls! Below are some captures from my five days in the city just before last Christmas from places that blew my NYC mind! I highly recommend the Roasted Brown Coffee Co. for a relaxed cuppa with simple and delicious eats.

In Ballsbridge is a coffee kiosk that is also a micro-roastery. Yes, he roasted and pulls in a tiny shower stall sized kiosk. And, it is fantastic!!! Now, that is a revolution!

Tel Aviv, Israel - The 'NOW' City

January 19, 2015 in travel, writing

The pulse buzzes. The adrenalin rushes. Beauty abounds. The senses are in superlative. It is sexy. It is stylish. It is downright fascinating.

As my first exposure to Israel, Tel Aviv set the pace and tone for the time spent in the country. After spending a week in different parts of the country, I can easily say this is one place that beckons me back with the promise of more. Ostensibly, I was there to sample the cuisine and the food. But, what is food without culture and people?! Set against the interesting collage that makes the culture of Israel, food in Tel Aviv stands as an extroversion of its outlook and history.

It is without any hesitation an invigorating and entirely intriguing city. Not only does it offer the best landscape to study the congruence of diverse ethnicities, it does so with a remarkably calm composure. Given the geo-dynamics of the region, calm is hardly an adjective you would expect to connect with this experience. Yet, on the surface of this city, in the faces and lives of the people who live here, you only see a sheen of unruffled normalcy.

Happy Jolly Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2014 in travel

By this time, I am sure the presents are wrapped, the menu for tomorrow set and prepped and you are relaxing with a glass of wine as I am! So, I'll just leave you with a lot of happy wishes, good cheer and few photos....

View of the Blue Mosque taken from inside the Aya Sophia. They look across at each other. It is a stunning sight at dusk

Photos in this post are from Turkey (taken on my phone). I chose them for a reason for Christmas. Everybody knows it has been an Islamic country since the Ottoman Empire but Christianity predates Islam here and vestiges of its Byzantine past blaze across the country in a stunning collage.

The infamous Hagya Sophia was a stunning cathedral before being washed over to become a mosque. Well in the middle of the country are traces of Christianity buried amidst caves of tribes of tester years, beautiful frescoes painted in vibrant colors that are a complete contrast to the surrounding region.

Entrance to one of the seven chapels carved into the rock during the early Cappadocian times. This dates back to as early as 3rd century. Inside Goreme Open Air Museum.

The original mosaic work that adorned the cathedral that once was Aya Sophia being recovered underneath the plaster that was laid over when it was converted to a mosque in the Ottoman times.

The stunning fresco of Christ inside a carved chapel within the Goreme Museum.  I was amazed at how perfectly arched the structure within the hill was and how vibrant the colors of the frescoes that has withstood at least 2000 years! — The stunning fresco of Christ inside a carved chapel within the Goreme Museum. I was amazed at how perfectly arched the structure within the hill was and how vibrant the colors of the frescoes that has withstood at least 2000 years!

At this time as we celebrate, I send out a hope for peace, love and togetherness despite our differences. For irrespective of the religion we practice we are united in faith beyond the human understanding yet grounded by very human joys and fallacies.

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Here is wishing you all a wonderful time with those you love and cherish this Holiday season!

I Snap - Istanbul in Monochrome

December 08, 2014 in travel, reflections

Turkey is a fascinating country!

After nearly two weeks in one of the most Westernized middle Eastern countries, I came away with a ton of impressions, insights and thoughts. As I traveled through the country, in big cities and small towns, I had a lot of opportunity to get close and personal with its culture.

My visit to Israel immediately before provided a rather interesting perspective on both countries, especially, against the backdrop of their respective religious proclivities. Talking about that in detail will be a whole other piece, so I am going to limit this one to the just energy in Istanbul.

Istanbul is loud (annoyingly so, often and especially, in the touristy areas and bazaars), vibrant, pulsating, capitalistic and almost schizophrenic. It was my last stop in the country and I had ample experience of the culture to compare and contrast with other parts of the region. As in every big city, there is a tradeoff between genuine warmth and profit making. For most visitors, every connection made here with a resident would be one with an undercurrent of a sale.

Yet, if you only step a little away from the business and clutches of its enormous tourism, into the little alleys where real life exists, it breathes nearly the same as rest of Turkey does. Not only are you not waylaid every step of the way, you are also feel a lot less wary and more at ease. There is a lot more of the helpfulness, hospitality and welcome that this culture represents yet, far less of the engagement, genuineness and connection that I had come to expect from my stay in the smaller towns.

For a Westerner, the chaotic functionality of the city would come in amazement and its sheer vibrance compared to the quiet sophistication of the Western cities would be freeing. For an Easterner, it's westernization without loss of tradition will be revelatory. In short, Istanbul is a amazing place to experience whether you are from the West or East.

Nevertheless, wherever you come from, if Istanbul is the only place you travel to, you will indeed be missing out on Turkey.

Today, I have a few photos shot on my phone in the city. Moments that I think captures the life here in its schizophrenic nature. I thought it was apt to portray it in monochrome, this time, to remove the distraction of color from the feel of the place.