by P

Muscat Travelogue | Wadi Dayqah

Can you envision a plush open water-filled reservoir lake in the middle of the Arabian desert? I couldn’t too. Until I visited one last weekend. In the wilayat of Quriyat, nestled into the eastern Hajar mountains, is a crescent shaped lake filled with crystal blue waters and shapely rocks rising from the bottom. Having being constructed in 2009, the project was under wraps, while it was being tested. Finally opened … Continue reading “Muscat Travelogue | Wadi Dayqah” →

by P

Need To Wake

When a tropical hurricane struck the most developed country in the world, there were discussions, editorials , infographics and serious contemplation on the ‘why’.  Mother Nature isn’t biased. So the reason has to be scientific. Or geographic. Or climatology-related. Over the past week, I have been following the path of Hurricane Sandy quite closely. Metaphorically speaking, of course.  I was alarmed and intrigued when I came across this image in one of … Continue reading “Need To Wake” →

by P

Muscat Travelogue | As Sifah

So when a seven-day long holiday is declared by the Government, one’s natural reaction is – “Lets get the hell out of here!” I was no different. Having researched in detail about budget trips with the family, created excel sheets, pored over the maps of Istanbul, Tehran and Amman with great enthusiasm – I am now equipped to be your certified Middle East tour guide. As what usually happens to … Continue reading “Muscat Travelogue | As Sifah” →

by P

Let It Be Me

I was just spending another afternoon watching one of my favourite television series – Criminal Minds. Those who think of it to be full of violence and meaningless bloodshed couldn’t be more wrong. The core of the series is the people. As it is in life. The friendships, the laughter, the things they say to each other while they try to get through their lives. As it happens with the … Continue reading “Let It Be Me” →

by P

Pujo by the Palm

In no way like Calcutta, but Pujo was always a big deal even for children in Muscat. We had new clothes for each of the five main days.  The Indian Social Club, Bengali Wing would organise for an assortment of traditional and well, not-so traditional activities.  Recitations, cooking competitions, music and dance, theater style performance by children and adults. Over the years, it evolved into fancy dress competitions, fashion shows and things … Continue reading “Pujo by the Palm” →

by P

Magic in the Mundane.

Do you ever think that social media might just be creeping into our minds sneakily and filing it with poisonous thoughts? Do you sigh quietly, looking at the very many albums of your Facebook ‘friend’ who just sky-dived in Maui, took macro pictures in Petra, ate scones in Central London or posed with the snow at Jungfrau? Do you sometimes feel that you would better off, unwired? Does it ever … Continue reading “Magic in the Mundane.” →

by P

Crêperie, s’il vous plaît?

I am often told that I do not eat to live, but rather eat to live.  Food is my panacea.  For when I’m low, when I’m ecstatic, when I’m afraid, when boredom strikes, or even life seem hopeless! As I have already written before, one of my most favourite television shows is definitely the Master Chef series. I also take particular pride in my ‘Gourmandise’ board on Pinterest. Now, since … Continue reading “Crêperie, s’il vous plaît?” →

by P

Mirage

Isn’t it almost magical when something you least expect comes to life? It was an identical emotion when dark clouds appeared out of the blue and there were raindrops on my head this Thursday. Like I have told many, seeing a cloud cover used to prompt us to ask for a ‘free period’ in school.  The magnitude of actual precipitation can be imagined. Rumbling thunder, cracks of lightning, subtle showers.  Makes for any … Continue reading “Mirage” →

by P

Almost Pujo

Today is Mahalaya. The invoking of life in the idol of Goddess Durga. The beginning of what will be an entire week, followed by a hangover of a month of festivities. Today is the  one day when almost everyone is awake at the break of dawn. Probably the only day when the people of Bengal tune into AIR to listen to Mahisashur Mardini by Birendra Krishna Bhadra and quietly hum … Continue reading “Almost Pujo” →