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.

Umbrella Morning

The thunder and lightning started at 5 a.m. and rain followed soon after. I could hear its pitter patter for a short while slowly but surely turning into a cascade from the second floor room of the ashram. I tried hard to ignore it all and catch some more sleep. The fury of the storm was not in any hurry to subside and the tin roof of the awning outside the room was a testimony to the cacophony despite a generous layer of tar smeared on top. After tossing around for a while, I finally gave up a little before 6 and decided to head out for a walk through Rishikesh town and along the Ganga river. The rain was subsiding a bit as I stepped on to flooded pathways and freshly rinsed glistening surfaces. There were umbrellas all around and of every color - each offering a natural playground to the fat raindrops as they slid down and merged with the big wet. 

Making Ghevar - a Rajasthan delicacy - in Rishikesh

I happened to stop at a cosy little tea shop for a cup of tea and crispy samosa in Rishikesh. It had been raining all morning after heavy thunderstorms since 5 in the morning. As I squeezed my way in I noticed the tea shop owner's son busy putting together this very interesting Rajasthani dessert called Ghevar. 

Needless to say I was mesmerized by the precise process of turning the liquid mix of fine flour and milk into a paper thin honeycomb crispy crust. Once ready, it is dipped in sugary syrup and served with nuts and cream on top to make an irresistible delicacy - especially during festivals like Rakhi and Teej.

 

Early Daylight Pune - Part 1

Pune the charming gentle city I like to call the Boston of India. After several years I found myself back on the streets of this cosmopolitan mecca with its charming old bungalows, thriving ethnic cultures and identities, exquisite bakeries and throngs of educated youthful faces. As I stepped away from the Poona Club and headed towards the Camp area, familiar sights and landmarks started to refresh old memories of a time when I too was an excited 21 year old, eager to explore and savor freedom for the first time!