Rag Day Flag

On the 15th August, India celebrates its Independence Day and this has been happening since 1947. Not a lot happens on this day except some speeches by politicians and parades and rallies in towns and schools. What does happen a lot are sales of the Indian flag - at every street intersection and marketplace.

I happened to run into some rag picking kids playing with the tricolor flags in the heart of New Delhi. As soon as I approached them Jassi the little girl started beaming with the anticipation of being captured on a camera. With each picture taken she and her friend would crowd around me and break into shrieks of joy seeing some of their antics and shenanigans captured in bits and bytes. They were surely celebrating with gusto so we decided to carry on the party to the local tea shack where a warm sweet cuppa was cherished by all with dunkin cookies. 

Night Moves in Bangkok

Bangkok - A city that's constantly bathed in neon hues and never ceases to offer bright lights and dazzling encounters. A city where street food is simple yet sumptuous and roadside bars are always well stocked and rarely tacky and tasteless. Taxis in shocking pink are just as much a part of the city's fabric as are massage parlors, dance clubs and lady boys. Everything that suits a shopper's fancy is just a night market away. Yet Bangkok remains artful, friendly, clean and affordable - night after day.

Market moments

Markets in Goa are just as colorful and chaotic as those anywhere else in India. The only difference is that foreign residents and visitors jostle for their share of susegad as much as the locals. A flea market in Anjuna or a night market in Arpora can be as exciting as the local shops in Mapusa when it comes to bargain hunting or downing a glass of a chilled brew! Here is a glimpse of a few sights. More details and many more images will follow in subsequent posts!

Reflective Ripples

I wandered one morning to a water body that was still and yet full of lifelike reflective images. The morning was grey and some of this overcast mood permeated into the surrounding air.  The dark branches created mirror ripples and the light appeared to bend and curve - as if on cue. The stillness was only broken by the quiet footsteps of an occasional morning wanderer or a gliding winged wonder. Melancholy morning moods often find expression in moments like these reflective ripples.

Up Close and meditative

Often after the morning run I explore parts of the green expanse and its few bodies of water. One such location is peaceful and serene and somewhat exclusive - not a soul in sight. The aquatic blooms are resplendent and nourishing the bees with all the nectar they care to gather and feast on. The reflective moments are smothered by the mid monsoon zephyr. I have yet to see a butterfly or even a larva in the nearby Mariposa enclosure - as they would call it in Costa Rica. Yet there is no desire to wish for whats mussing just an overwhelming need to just be in the moment.