This, That and Some More

I am not sure if the heading does justice to the content of the post but it’s what first came to mind and so it is titled Guided Glue, while it has nothing to do with actual glue, but this post is about the guides who take us around in places we visit and how they remain with us as a memory of that place. I have travelled solo and with family to many places and that place was made special by the guides who took us around walking tours or city guided tours, the guides are mostly local and know the city inside out, they walk (fast) and talk confidently and are passionate about their city, usually they are history students or graduates and will often have funny tales to tell about local history and culture and food. They will help you with directions, what to eat, where to eat, where to shop, how to bargain and a whole lot more. They are literally a mine of information and in general very resourceful. I have fond recollections of many of them, for example Chris who would come across a...

Picture Courtesy: Bongeats Kolkata is where home and heart both are, Gunter Grass had a love hate relationship with Kolkata and Dominique LaPierre labelled it as 'City of Joy' and it truly is a joy to be home ensconced in the warm welcome of family and friends. Here, the people are harried yet politically aware with a vague sense of dissatisfaction around them, phrases like "eyi chole jachche" (it's going on) or "benche aachi" (I am alive) are common responses when asked "How are you?" I have always been saying that France resembles Bengal and before I could articulate that thought, it was written by someone else , anyway people like to complain about the politics, weather, transport, rising prices and whatever else is worth complaining about. The city is culturally aware, progressive in thoughts and actions, has an exuberant expression of art and creativity during festivals, it has a street dedicated to book shops and a road dedicated to worsh...

Image  Courtesy : Wikipedia Whatever is written here comes from an assimilation of personal experiences, readings, viewings, conversations and discussions and I don't claim to have any knowledge of my own and I am not factually correct. It is an attempt to write about my experiences which almost edges between dream and reality, so don't believe a word of what I write, go experience for yourself... What does one do on a long weekend? Now that's no dilemma really, because the answers are now quite standard, bingeing online streaming content, revenge retail therapy, meet friends and family or a short break to a resort nearby. From somewhere Kashi / Varanasi / Benares popped up and it was planned and booked, while being knowingly unknowing about the heat, the flocks of people, the temples (I am not religious) and my diet which forbade me to eat anything which tasted good. As the day came closer, the destination was much questioned and debated but finally the cancellation w...

An attempt to write about connections we make during our travels... I boarded the plane without too much hassle, this time I had the aisle seat and just a laptop for the overhead bin. It was a day flight thankfully and I could watch two movies and read a bit and by evening I would be in Paris. I was contemplating how to spend the evening in Paris, maybe a walk down the banks of La Seine after the long flight would be nice and wrap things up with a ham, cheese and egg crepe from the roadside stall opposite the Eifel tower? Or maybe a hot dog from that sweet old man just beside? My thoughts were interrupted by a lady who demanded to have a better seat than what she was assigned, the air hostess politely asked her to exchange with any other passenger if they agree. She sat down grumbling right next to me - we wear in the 4 seats in the middle. "I will complain about the service" she muttered, "This is very bad, it would not have happened in Air France!!". I offer...