(Continuing my series on Parks in cities. This one on Central Park) माया नगरी, माया बाजार,भांडवलशाही राज्यांचे हे सुवर्ण दार.काम नाही तर राम नाही,काम नाही तर राम नाही,शहराला या आराम नाही. तरीही, भाग्यवान मँहँटनकरांनाआहे एक हक्काचा हिरवा गालिचा,सामान्य माणसाच्या यादीत असतोCentral Park चा फेरफटका. भटकता भटकता दिसते, त्या एखाद्या गरीब बापड्याला,Park मधून डोकावणारे ते पंचतारांकित शहर.तेंव्हा चंमचंमणार्या त्या मंझिंलींचीही भिडते […]
(Remembering my walk around Stanley Park, this time around last year) I walk hurriedly like the Mad Hatterbut with an air of a friendly West Coast jet-setter.Very determined, I open the Stanley Park map.A light grey sky cannot deter a Londoner armed with a rainy cap. The Lion Gate bridge adds to its glory as the theatrical sea planes fly […]
Underneath the floating clouds,drawing funny shapes in the air.We lay down aimlessly with an afternoon to spare.The Belfry of Petersham at distant,chimes sharp at three.The birdsong, the whizzing bees, orchestrating an afternoon melody.The grassblades whirling like dervishes,reveal that the Gods of Heaven have stopped time.A tummy full of chutney and brie, anda true partner in crime.
Dear Crystal Lodge Thank you for sending me reassuring reminders that you would be opening soon. As much as I want to get into my airport look, I believe I would be shopping for extra pair of pyjamas (at a discount, ofcourse) instead.Trust me, I occasionally scroll through our last year’s pictures. The happy days by the tranquil lakes and trails in the woods. Impromptu jumps in the pristine waters.I was secretly thrilled as my very adventurous husband was rather squeamish through the daily gondola rides. Nothing was empowering as telling him to take it easy on the Sasquatch zipline.Those dangerous cliffs were also a testament to our fitness. Hardly, a mountain goat! More of those grazers, who get lured by greener pastures(or burgers).Speaking of which, there are days when I contemplate that I should have moved to Vancouver in first place, seven years ago. I bet our Megan Soonbai feels the same way considering, it was her first choice as well.But, believe I would have still suffered the familiarity fatigue.Maybe, another lifetime. Deal?Until, then I hope to have a quick tete-a-te whenever time permits. No, we won’t be returning this Winter. We are Indians, not ski people.Yours longing customerJP (Sorry no, Xo Xo) P.S: I am attaching my picture post a dip in the lost lake. We will leave the ‘Rising out of water’ images to Bollywood heroines.
This challenge has truly taught me the importance of a strong Mind.We were probably the only Indian family doing this together at the event. It’s a day which I will definitely narrate to my grandchildren. Here is my story:The first 30km were achievable. But the last 10km it was 75% mental battle and that made a difference!! The Plumpton hill ( last 10km) killed me even though I had prepared there only two weeks ago. Whilst training, I had wondered if I should move from London to that lovely part of Sussex. Last Sunday, when I was almost alone on that stretch, with barely any human interaction, I wanted to get out of there!I still can’t believe I have done it but I know for certain that I won’t hang my boots yet. For those of you know me, I was always a ‘ Bhatukli Samarat’, always taking solace in imaginary worlds and books.If you asked me when I was 10, if I would walk a long distance, you would have heard me cry!As a teenager, I did enjoy going for walks but academia took over. There wasn’t ‘E’ for Exercise in my dictionary.The walks which I usually did were upto Shivaji Park or Worli Promenade with a pit stop at local pani puriwala. Or as Adi would say, in a Mall.Marriage to Mr Sports Charming and family meant, exercise and sports were at Dinner table.Its only when I arrived in […]
The Colloquial Chutney and Little Miss Elf 