Putting Aside Some Thoughts Before I leave For Paris

I'll go to the Picasso Museum, and the Louvre Apple Store. I can't take the rainy, windy cold anymore, so I'll leave the Parisian streets to themselves.

Dolce Far Niente

"We are simple people," Leonard said in his soothing voice on our way back. "Our approach to life is dolce far niente."

Michael Wood, and The Story of India

Michael Wood is an adorable host of his BBC program, and a guest very welcome in India, brimming with respect and curiosity toward her people.

Alexa, My Muse

"What do you want?" Alexa said. "I want ideas to write a blog post," I said, cowed somewhat by this assured voice and tone of woman.

Happy in Hampi

It is 34º at daytime these September days in Hampi. You walk a lot in that place covered in rocks and boulders.

The Yelahanka Clan and The Mayo Hall Museum

The emperor was Krishnadevaraya, and Kempegowda, a trusted vassal. Kempegowda asked to establish a new city, a mercantile centre. Krishnadevaraya said yes.

Salim Ali, Maa, Salim Ali!

Many birdie questions came to mind at The Leela Goa. How far over the sea can the crow fly? What was that golden, hawklike bird that landed by the greens?

Bats That Camped In My Tree Are Now In My Head

"You don't like bats, no?" my conscience is telling me. "You're scared they bring you bad luck. Admit it!"

The Eleventh Day, A Dream

It was the eleventh day after I’d died, they were meeting at the Dublin, where I first went in 1990, and where I’ve been going on and off ever since.

Before Aurangzeb’s Tomb

As for Aurangzeb himself, to die asking to be buried so far south from Delhi, from the seat of his empire — how did it feel? Where lay his heart? In Delhi? In the Deccan, where he’d honed and proved himself when young?