Dec 9, 2021What is it That You Really Do?What do you do? Once a new acquaintance learns your name, this is usually the next question on their lips. What we do to earn money is shorthand for who we are, and it is a quick way to pigeon-hole someone with the least effort. …Writing3 min readWriting3 min read
Jul 26, 2021Taking the Mountain AirTravels in India — 13 — I had visions of a hot cinnamon roll and coffee for breakfast on my first morning in Kodaikanal, but tragically Pastry Corner was not opened even at the relatively late hour of 9 am. So I found myself sitting in the impeccably clean Flavours Restaurant with its red and white…Travel Blog8 min readTravel Blog8 min read
Jul 26, 2021NoiseTravels in India — 12 — NOISE Well, it had to happen. I’ve been constantly whinging about it, so let’s address it and get it out of the way. Indians, I have discovered, enjoy by necessity, a high tolerance for noise. I suppose it goes well with their high tolerance for lack of privacy (and in…Travel4 min readTravel4 min read
Jul 18, 2021EatingTravels in India — 11 Of course I am food obsessed, but at least it’s a subject everyone can relate to. The technique of eating in India is a skill to be acquired. And it’s not as straight forward as you would think. Just like our mothers go to such…India6 min readIndia6 min read
Jul 13, 2021Boot Camp for Big Books #2The Mother of Them All: War and Peace — War and Peace: shorthand for long and difficult and a by-word for extreme drama; not only in the literary world but in general, too. Such is the reputation of this Russian classic, but how many people know the book behind the reputation? Most cannot get beyond its imposing size on…Classics5 min readClassics5 min read
Jul 12, 2021Ups and Downs in MadikeriTravels in India — 10 — Reading the Deccan Herald this morning over my breakfast dosai, I noticed a regular feature called SSLC Mentor — to sharpen students’ skills. Today was factors and factorisation (one of my old favourites) with the spotlight on surds. It’s a pity we don’t have some of this in our own…India6 min readIndia6 min read
Jul 12, 2021Feeding the Animals at MasinagudiTravels in India — 9 — This morning we had to be up at 4am to beat a proposed roadblock for road repairs in Masinagudi. So after viewing the amazing weekly illumination of Mysore Palace last night, we all took to our beds early.India7 min readIndia7 min read
Jul 9, 2021BlessingsTravels in India — 8 — In the Union Territory and former French colony of Pondicherry, we had the pleasure of breakfast at a patisserie. Happily, the French influence in this town extends beyond the red pill-box hats worn by the policemen and I can confirm that the warm crisp apple danish and the pain au…India4 min readIndia4 min read
Jul 9, 2021Jungle BashingTravels in India — 7 — The coolness of Periyar’s heights (over 3,000 feet) has been very welcome. Up early, we caught tuk tuks to the entrance of the park at 7am. After reading Dervla Murphy’s account of Periyar 35 years ago in On a Shoestring to Coorg, I was eager to see if it had…India5 min readIndia5 min read
Jul 9, 2021Fort KochiTravels in India — 6 — Walking over broken pavement down Park Avenue, only Subash Park separates me from the sea. It is a lush arrangement of tropical greenery in square gardens with brightly coloured swings and see-saws for children. …India5 min readIndia5 min read
