Dents in History!

   

PC- Ananya Saraogi 

As we wandered to McLeodganj, while visiting the “Siddh Peeths” of Himachal, we happened to stay at Pragpur's hidden gem - a declared heritage since 1997. This enchanting manor, once Justice Sir Jai Lal's private retreat, now a heritage hotel, whispers tales of the past. Built between 1914, its Indo-European architecture mesmerizes, with red brick detailing adorning yellow structures.

We had a long tiring day after exploring Plaksha University at Chandigarh in our drive to find just the right college for Ananya (not that we were successful.Lolz); here at Paragpur, we were welcomed by tan mud walls adorned with blue doors into a residency with vintage portraits by the fireplace of the family. 

Early in the morning, strolling through the quaint rustic ambience, time was like still. A majestic mango tree, gifted by the Maharaja of Benaras, blooming majestically; jackfruits gently grasping the tree’s bark, jungle babbler’s morning concert arguing with the sun’s warmth and how the black and white bird posed like surrendering its every profile to my lens. 

The floral whispers on chairs and table ware with soothing sound of acoustic piano that Suhaani took the liberty to indulge into blended together to create an irresistibly charming symphony in the dining room. Fresh lychees tantalized the taste buds at breakfast, while authentic Himachali dal makhani delighted the senses.

Under the camphor tree's gentle shade, wind chimes serenaded, as Ananya captured the moment's essence in her art book, while Gagan explored ancient valleys on the map, Suhaani focussed on capturing every detail in her DSLR frame, and Pallavi weaved a soothing melody, I sat down here bottling it up in a few words. As we all basked in, the fast-paced din faded away.

As I was checking out, I noticed a brass tag on the wooden fireplace in my room that read "Handcrafted in 1917," with a dent on the wooden piece. The scar added character to the vintage corner like it was deliberately preserved as a testament to history. Loved it. Is it not a reminder that imperfections are a part of our authentic selves; that life’s imperfections are brushstrokes that paint our canvas. And not all dents need to be mended, for in their depths, we find the wisdom of experience, courage of resilience and without them we would only be fragile, untampered steel. Instead, we are our own kind of master pieces stronger and wiser now.

कितना मीठा सा शब्द है नानी

 कितना मीठा  सा  शब्द  है नानी 

माँ की माँ होती है  नानी 

नानी  के  किरदारों  से  बुनी  हुई  कहानी 

पता  नहीं  कैसे  याद  रहती  थी  उनको  मुँह  जुबानी I

मम्मी की डाँट पर हमसे ज़्यादा ध्यान

चुप करादे उनको खींच के उनके कान

घर में घुसते ही तैयार रहता खाने का सामान 

चेहरा देखकर तबियत का लगा लेती अनुमान I

आती सूरजगढ़ की बहुत बहुत याद 

ताज़ा है सारी बातें इतने दिनों के भी बाद

नानी की पहली रोटी बनती गऊ माता का प्रसाद

सुबह उठकर पहले सूरज की घंटी और पूजा पाठ I

अँधेरे में cosy सी कोठरी थी खास,

न समझ आया उसमे नानी  की तिजोरी का राज़

बिल्ली को रोटी और ख़तम करके  घर के काम काज

नानी रहती lantern जलाये, गोंद के लड्डू के साथ I

बगल में थी रसोई, चूल्हे की रोटी क्या कमाल!!!

और कोयले पे सिलगती देगची की दाल

रात को छत पे हमारे लिए माचा डाल 

लपेटती हम बच्चो को ले लोई और शॉल I

राजा की तरह हमे सर पे चढ़ाना

नज़र से बचाने के लिए झाड़ा लगवाना

मिटटी से बीड़ में छोटे छोटे घर बनाना

फिर अपने पैरो से रेत को छुड़ाना I

हर त्यौहार पर सुन्दर सी मेहँदी लगवाना

नानाजी की दुकान पे 1 रुपया रोज़ लेने जाना

पित्रों के नाम से पैंडे में पानी चढ़ाना

“नानी घर आकर बिगड़ के बारा बाँट के हो गए”

ये सुन मम्मी की डाँट खाना I

याद आता है आपका मामा को आँख दिखाना

हमे परेशान करने पर उनको धमकाना

आपका वो हमे कोने में ले जाकर समझाना 

की ये बात घर जाकर दादी को मत बताना I

ये मत कहना की पानी handpump से लाये थे

Light न होने पर हाथ वाले पंखे चलाये थे 

ये भी न बताना की कहाँ कहाँ चोट खायी थी

और नानी ने कब कब कुल्फी नहीं खिलाई थी I

सच बोलू नानी सबसे प्यारी आपकी परछाई थी

तारों के नीचे AC तो नहीं था पर नींद बहुत अच्छी आयी थी

आपसे सही मायने में सादगी सिखाई थी

किताबो से बेहतर आपके संस्कारो की पढ़ाई थी

बचपन का सबसे प्यारा हिस्सा होता है  ननिहाल 

कुछ  special ही  होती  है  देखभाल 

जब  भी  मामा मामी को  करती कॉल 

कब  आओगी  बेटा सूरत  , यही  रहता  है  सवाल ?

In a world where you can be anything, Be Kind!!!!

In the twilight of innocence, my daughter's tender self happened to encounter the enigma of unrequited kindness that met with the harsh kiss of indifference. She came home quite low. She felt underappreciated and over-criticized for her sweet nature, unfortunately, becoming a scapegoat, unfairly scrutinized. Knowing how sensitive she can be, I understood how she felt.

But I didn’t know how to comfort her. I often struggle to distinguish what's truly important, and honestly it's even harder to teach my kids.

My question was- Shall I awaken her to the cruel whispers of reality, or let her heart continue its subtle waltz with idealism, of being kind, of being compassionate? Afterall, don’t we all agree that no one ever truly learns to love without first embracing the fragility of disappointment. In this delicate balance, I ponder.  Is it not in the giving, rather than the receiving, that we find the truest expressions?

Frankly, my instincts urge me to teach them the value of empathy, to rush to the aid of those in need, and to soothe the hurt. I'm on a daily mission to drill some compassion into their heads, lest they join the #SelfLoveSquad and forget that other humans exist. Don't get me wrong, self-love is cool and all, but not when it turns into 'Self-Love-And-Forget-Everyone-Else!"

And yet, how do we protect our lil ones from the jagged edges of a world that often refuses to reciprocate? Whether I like it or not I have also learnt that unchecked kindness can invite disrespect. The world can be unforgiving.

 As their mother, I want to empower them with the wisdom to discern when thoughtfulness is valued and when it's exploited. Kindness and friendliness, though essential, has to be be tempered with assertiveness. Boundaries, not barriers are important for the world to know that one’s worth isn't measured by their accommodating nature, but by their self-respect.

Perhaps the answer lies not in shielding her from life's turbulent sea, but in teaching her to navigate its depths with courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to her own inner light- to grapple with the delicate balance between kindness and firmness. I will tell her that even today when I'm uncertain, I draw inspiration from my fathers, who consistently give selflessly despite facing criticism and receiving little appreciation. Their unwavering optimism and resilience keeps me believing that grace is the way to life.

As Maya Angelou once said, 'Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.' So, keep doing better my baby in every step of your way and in a world where you can be anything, Be Kind!!!!

  

Hot Air and Fairy Flair

 

Back in the Roman and Byzantine eras, Cappadocia was a secret sanctuary for Christians who built intricate underground cities. Fast forward to today, and it feels like stepping into a lunar wonderland with its fairy tale-like soft rock formations scattered across the Anatolian plains.

Our stay at the Stones Palace hotel in Göreme was like living in a honey-colored village dotted with quirky cave hotels. One evening, we ventured to Uchisar Castle, which, despite its small size compared to grand palaces in Delhi, Agra, and Mysore, was charming in its own right. Perched atop a cliff, this volcanic rock castle had once served as a fortress against invaders.

A sandstorm made strolling around a challenge, but soon enough, lightning strikes illuminated the sky (a rare sight compared to Delhi) and were followed by a refreshing downpour, setting the mood for our first day of adventures!

The next day, our guide Salman led us on a bus tour of the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its stunning biblical frescoes. We then ventured to Avanos, famous for its distinctive pottery. Each piece had its own unique flaws, adding to its charm. Watching Ananya and Suhaani try their hand at crafting pottery under skilled artisans was both educational and entertaining, offering a glimpse into a craft passed down through generations.

The local tradition of adorning trees with evil eyes, lock and keys served as a poignant reminder of our own traditions of tying nazar battos, and red mauli  showing how diverse faiths share common threads.

Towards the end of our day trip, we drove around Ihlara Valley for a closer view of Mount Hassan. The real magic, however, happened at a Turkish dhaba where the lady was whipping up parathas the size of a small moon—two feet wide! Watching and helping her roll those giant golden discs was like witnessing culinary wizardry. Biting into what we thought were pancakes but turned out to be aloo parathas felt like a delicious homecoming. It was as if my taste buds were doing a happy dance, shouting, “Welcome to the desi party!” in the middle of a Turkish wonderland.

In the evening, we were buzzing with excitement for our nearly two-hour ATV adventure. But guess what? Ananya and I could barely get our ATV out of the starting position! We were third in line, hoping to cruise through stunning valley views, but ended up as the slowest tortoises in a herd of speedy hares. Everyone zoomed past us like we were standing still, and we chugged along in last place, feeling like the universe was having a laugh at our expense.

Navigating through Love Valley, Rose Valley, and Sword Valley, we got up close to those fairy chimneys—huge rock formations that looked like nature’s own abstract art project. Dusted from head to toe, with dirt invading my eyes and nose, I kept my cool, pretending I was a seasoned ATV pro while inwardly panicking.

Striking my best “cool rider” poses for photos, swaying forward like a model on a runway, I was more of a ‘wobble on wheels’ kind of girl. As the day ended, we watched the sunset at Rose Valley—a glorious view with a cool breeze painting the sky crimson. It was the perfect way to bid farewell to the day, hoping that the morning would bring a hot air balloon ride that was, hopefully, less of a comedy show and more of a smooth, soaring adventure.

 

Little did we know, we were in for a hilariously bumpy adventure the next morning too! Hot air ballooning at dawn? More like at 3 a.m.! We were all pumped up, especially since the previous ride had been scrapped due to a sandstorm and bad weather. The driver showed up right on time, but of course, we were fashionably late. He practically dragged us out of the hotel, threatening to leave us behind. But we managed to pile into the vehicle for the hour-long drive to Soganli Valley, ready to take to the skies.

Hot air balloons seemed awesome—until they told us we had to jump into the baskets. I’m pretty sporty, but tripping on a flat surface is my specialty. Now, they wanted me to jump into a balloon basket with moms and dads? Hilarious!

With a lot of help (and a little bit of grace), we finally soared high above the valley just in time to catch the sunrise. The bird’s-eye view of Cappadocia and Mt. Erciyes, a snow-capped volcanic mountain, was stunning. Landing, however, was its own comedy sketch. We had to squat like we were preparing for an alien invasion, not just touching down in a field. It felt like we were rescued and delivered back to the hotel in one piece.

This hot air balloon ride wasn’t just an adventure through the skies but a metaphor for life’s journey. As we floated gently through the sky, it reminded us to slow down, appreciate each moment, and move with grace. The calmness of the ride taught us to trust the journey and enjoy the view, knowing that even if things seem uncertain, we'll eventually reach our goals- nudging us to slow down, be present, and glide gracefully, savouring each moment while trusting we’ll reach our destinations in due time.

Dialogue in the Dark

Dialogue in the Dark" was like taking a walk on the wild side of your senses. Imagine strolling through a place where even our sense of sight is on vacation! The only relief was that we had our friendly guides Nasir, Jeetendra, Pawan and Diwan and we knew we would get all the help we needed. So here we were, with your eyes wide shut off on an adventure through a world that was was dark as a black hole's backyard.

I won't say it was not a challenge for me. Dark is not my comfort zone. This event was designed not only to challenge ourselves to get out of our comforts but also as most of us would agree , it changed the way each of us perceived the world around us.

Here's a description of what typically happened. In complete absence of light, we had no choice but to rely on our other senses - touch, hearing, smell, and taste - to understand and navigate through the tunnel and further on to our tables. I was relying mostly on my teammate's four senses than mine as I tightly clutched on to her shoulder. 

You know those awkward moments when you're trying to find your way, arms flailing like a malfunctioning robot, and suddenly you encounter another lost soul doing the same goofy dance? It was indeed a spontaneous tango of confusion until our knowledgeable experts helped us settle on our seats.  

Immediately, we started to complete tasks using non-visual methods with absolute no cheating and coordinated teamwork- coordinated?? No cheating??? - we rather not discuss. We all would agree that ears were the superheroes now, working overtime to pick up every sound. We were asked to describe objects like it was a charades without the luxury of visual cues. The laughter began as our imaginative descriptions got more and more absurd. " ye aisa shape Hai jisko hum waise lagate hai" a newfound appreciation for the power of words in a world without sight. Who knew this could be so much fun?

Next, we all became scent detectives very confident of our aesthetics that we would surely crack this one with ease. What we ended up doing actually was only creative aroma analogy knowing in our hearts that we were left with a nose that's had a workout- a futile one though. And so, towards the last bit, the taste-test comedy continued, with a huge vaierty of savouries laid out in front of us. Each description more over-the-top than the last. 

And guess what? We all left with a fresh perspective, an appreciation for the world in a new light (or lack thereof), and a story to tell that starts with, "So, I once had dinner in the dark..."

It was like our senses were throwing a surprise party, and we were the guests of honor. We emerged from the dark with a newfound awareness that our friendly guides pro at handling troublesome 50 of us were visually impaired and as capable, resilient, and full of life as anyone else...or maybe more, a life with more meaning than vegging out in front of a screen and a life that values everything like a gift. 

My takeaway? A lot of patience, gratitude, value of clear communication and helping when needed, without being condescending and most importantly a break from visual stimulation.

Been there Dune that!!

 

When Ananya qualified for the Global rounds of debate to be held in June, Shikha and me decided to take this girls trip in Doha. We were excited but I won't deny i was a little stressed by my personal prejudices about visiting a dry rich country with no natural beauty and history around. Neverthless, knowing the heat, frankly we had adjusted our expectations and were prepared to limit our outdoor activities in favor of indoor attractions such as museums, malls, cafes and air conditioned cars.

But when you think of traveling to the Middle East for the first time, you cant miss recalling the desert tales of Arabian nights. Desert Safari? when temperatures were at sweltering heights and humidity is unbearable? We wondered if that was a good idea at all. We were anyways so tired after two days of non stop shopping and Ananyas's long days at Qatar National Convention Centre. However, we decided to go just because....

The guy who organized this day trip was at the hotel to pick us up. We Jumped into a luxury Land cruiser towards high sand dunes of the desert just outside the city of Doha at the Inland Sea that is an inlet of the Persian Gulf, not knowing what we were headed for.  As we drew closer to the Sea line beach, the sandy beach desert , we were taken by the stunning vistas of the natural beauty enveloping the country. On the way we stopped for a short thrilling ride over the sandy dunes of south Qatar on camel.

Post that , I wondered what our 4 x 4 professional driver, Ibrahim was doing with the tyres. He infact was deflating them to make the vehicle ready for the thrilling session of dune bashing- an authentic experience of a rollercoaster ride on the desert. Have you ever done skiing? So imagine that gliding sensation, but instead of skis, imagine you’re in a Land Cruiser, and instead of snow, imagine it’s sand. That’s what dune bashing feels like. After the camel ride which we thought was adventurous enough, we set off with seat belts. When we saw the car ahead of us, we surely assumed that the stunt went wrong as it dived down, totally naive that we are aiming directly at that dune as steep as a mountain as well. Again and again, we climbed up a dune, or roar along the side of one, and glided down a sandy slope as if it’s a run in the Golden shimmering Alps. It was absolutely exhilarating as he sped towards another crest.

Next was Sunboarding on the list. In essence, sandboarding is pretty simple but when he asked us to glide down a tall golden dune, we looked at each other in disbelief. I could recall myself preaching my kids, " Face the fear till it disappears" but at that point I wondered what that even means.  However, we did get over our fears in our own way at a pretty impressive speed while whizzing down. The speed and the glide, I am sure Shikha, Wricha and Ananya would not want me to elaborate more on it.

Hmmmmmmm.......the last bit of a fun filled day, I wondered why sunsets are more colourful in deserts. Had I asked this question to Gagan, he would have explained that drier air means more vivid color wavelengths and blah blah blah....but to me that orange patch of cloud was as orange as a Crayola crayon with a pallette of tan and yellow ochre around-  a luminescent beauty as the sun sat beneath the desert mountains, holding its breath as night fell upon the solitude, reminding me yet again that every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn. And so, I sat there in peace watching the pink sky surrender, nudging me to let go. May be I don't have to be worried as I used to be. May be I can choose to believe that I will not miss out on what's really meant for me while I watched a sloop of amber slipping away on the banks of the Golden Yellow Sea.

In Love with History....

Only One day in Athens! You gotta be kidding me! The land of philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates, king like Alexander, poet like Homer, scientist like Archimedes......There is so much to say about the legacy of which remains the foundation of western civilisation.

 

Lots more awaited us as we first headed out to 'Manhattan of Aegean' better known for the battle between Hercules and Giants of Gaia. My first impression was a little disappointing to see such an arid and dry landscape. I wondered why the world is obsessed with Mykonos. But i was to be proven wrong -  saw the most stellar sunset by the crystal clear azure waters; partied hard at Scorpios Beach club; indulged into the delicacies; Walked down the windy cobbled streets of the downtown ‘Hora’ on the west coast ; Blissfully sat by rocks alongside the sea beaming with music at night; Relished an  amazing ice cream scoop at a tavern and of course got a rocking picture by the most photographed church Pangia. Surprisingly, the same place was a world away in terms of vibe the next afternoon - calm and serene with beautiful 16th century round windmills sitting above the harbour. Oh yes!! where Shahrukh and Rani danced to the tunes of 'Tauba tum hare.....' I got one pic too!!

 

We set out for a Ferry to yet another island in the Cyclades, Santorini. The strong Meltemi northern winds blew through the ferry deck while sailing through islands of Paros and Naxos before docking at a croissant like wonderland.  I was in awe of the multicoloured cliffs  that soared out of a sea drowned volcanic crater topped by whitewashed buildings. Walking in the rains sounds crazy but that’s what we did - in and out of villages at Fira and Oia in this “tailor-made for me weather”.  The Blue and white colours of the island made me fall in love with this jewel of nature's handiwork. Who would believe that a Minoan city destroyed by a volcanic eruption would become so?

 

The very next day we set out Sailing in Aegean on the Catamaran boat around secluded bays. It was indeed the time to switch off and appreciate the stillness of the turquoise blue waters and black sand with music and barbecue. The highlight of the evening was an engaging Zorba dance beginning with slow rhythms that got faster, bringing us all to the moment of joy and in no time we all went swirling endlessly to the beats like we were born to it.  Fortunately since you are always holding hands I did not tumble down. Lolz

 

And now to my favourite part- Athens . Acropolis Hill, the highest point of the town, Parthenon, a Temple that heaves with history and archaeology. Having seen two ancient temples of Athena and Erechtheion, it was  time to lay my eyes to this lovely stone half-moon-shaped amphitheater made by Romans where they were prepping up for  a live performance that evening. Not to be missed is the Panathenaic Stadium and the view of the Parthenon from its 21st aisle and the Hadrians Library.

 

Like they say that some of the best trips include times more spent deep inside the halls of a museum. These grand buildings which are impressive in their own right take you by their awe. It was an enriching experience though too short to have visited both Archaeological museum and Numismatic museum which houses a rich precious heritage. The inscribed stone inventories only assured a forgetful me that it's not just me who needs constant notes to keep a track of things , it was very much the  way being followed since ancient ages.  The day ended with a relaxed evening walk through the vivid streets of old neighbourhood of Plaka. You can’t help but bump into the Greek Orthodox Church with Byzantine influence, totally treasured the mosaics and frescoes.

 

Next on our list was Corinth to get a view of the 6km canal which connects the Ionian sea with the Aegean sea. This also separates the Peloponnese region from the mainland. It is is considered by many to be where you will find the ‘real Greece history’. This is where the Mycenaean king resided and from where his beautiful wife eloped leading to Trojan war with the Troys.

 

Dead tired after days of non stop fun and feast, we planned a day trip to Delphi only to fulfill my daughters checklist of seeing Temple of Apollo. I have to admit that I would have been a fool though to not have given to her wishes. Besides the incredible history of this being the centre of earth and located at a point that it makes a perfect isosceles triangle with Acropolis ( Temple of Athena) and Olympia( Temple of Zeus) this place had some inner peace n beauty about it. The serene drive along the villages was an amazing experience. On the way back we stopped for lunch at Arachova, a mountainous village nestled picturesquely at the foot of Mount paranassos. An old time village with cute little shops of olive wood stuff and gorgeous warm hosts at the tiny tabled restaurants,  we had the best gourmet experience with dishes suggested by a local. The paved walls reminded me of where snow white must have found her way into the dwarfs house and decided never to leave them and go back home.

 

It seems to me that even though there were wars, there were no phones, no entertainment, the ancients had the luxury to live in the moment and the intellect to create the times ahead that we now claim to be ours. History has some fascination to me, delving into it is like reading storybooks carved in stone. Its like falling in love with an era that I can’t experience. Only imagine an idea of how world used to be.