Thinking Out Loud

Just got back from spending a week at the beautiful state of Sikkim. As soon as I woke up, a morning chant that I heard everyday in the car while we traveled started ringing in my head and that is when I knew I miss something about Sikkim, after little more introspection I knew it was not just the chant alone that I was missing, it was the person who played this music :) Yes! Few people you meet silently make a huge impact on you, Sherpa is one of those people for me. This whole trip would not have been the same without Sherpa. As he drove us through the mesmerising beauty of Sikkim, we just felt he is one of our own.  He did not speak much, but his kindness spoke louder. In this selfish ruthless world , he is a gentle reminder that humanity exists . You will always be missed Sherpa because you are one of the treasures of Sikkim I found and this picture with you will be the one I cherish the most from the entire trip and the 'Saili' song you introduced will be in my favourite l...

In India Biriyani is not just a food item it's  an emotion. What I believe is if you ask 10 people at least 8 of them would be biriyani lovers. Biriyani is a full package because of the flavours and delicious smell oozing out from the perfect combination of rice, protein and hell lot of spices to blow your senses . As you all know there are several  varieties of Biriyani in India based on the region. Every variant is unique in its own way but equally scrumptious. One such variant is Hoskote Dum Biriyani. Hoskote is located about 25-30 kms from Bangalore. Two popular biriyani eateries here are Mani Dum Biriyani and Anand Dum Biriyani. So what is special about these places ? Here the biriyani is cooked through the night and served early morning. Yes! Biriyani for breakfast. All the ingredients (ghee, herbs, spices, mutton etc) used in the recipe are organic, locally grown/farmed to ensure authentic flavours.  Unfortunately I am "I can't eat biriyani for breakfast" kind ...

'Childhood'  has always been a favorite topic among writers, poets and even instagram junkies. Everybody acknowledges childhood as the simple golden times of one's lifetime. I am no different . However my childhood was extra special because I grew up with my amazing cousins and so #mycousinsarebetterthanyours is my favorite hashtag because it is true. All our houses are a few meters apart, its almost a joint family and so everybody's nose is in each other's business 😉 Just kidding! Honestly it has its perks. If in my house they are cutting a jackfruit open, then be sure my cousins house will also smell like a jackfruit that day, as they will be getting a piece of it and vice versa. If somebody from one house goes to Mangalore and brings some extra special fish, all our houses will get the supply. This is not limited to jackfruit and fishes,  "Sharing is caring" has been our mantra , always in good times and bad ! Not only that we are a huge support system...

Full disclosure : This is my first ever blog and I am not really a writer.  I wanted my first blog to be light and what is lighter than that unique experience I had meeting this special guy ! 💕 May be this is what they call 'Love at first sight'? His name is Chahol or Kahol or Cahol. I am ashamed I don't know to write his name right . Maybe I was so spellbound admiring him I did not think about how I will spell his name. Anyway I am talking about the time when I met my favourite dolphin on the entire planet. He is the happiest soul and his positive vibes are just infectious. Coming to the experience itself, how will I put it in words ? It was refreshing ? Thrilling? Liberating ? Enchanting ? Well ! not enough words. Chahol or Kahol or Cahol was the most intelligent marine animal I ever met. For all I know he might be more intelligent than me. He knew how to strike a pose for a picture with me,  he took me on a jolly ride on his soft belly , he knew to twerk and twirl with ...