India: It’s A Wild Ride

“Nothing can prepare the uninitiated for the riot of noise and color. The heat, the motion, the perpetual teaming crowds… “Initially you are overwhelmed but gradually you realize it’s like a wave. Resist and you will be knocked over.” —Quote from Judi Dench, in the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Now that I am … Continue reading India: It’s A Wild Ride →

Discovering India: Fascinating Places Beyond Mumbai and Delhi

Most people are familiar with the big Indian cities of New Delhi in the north, Mumbai in the south and Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located. But there are many other cities and towns of interest in this massive country, the seventh largest in the world with a total area of 3,287,263 square kilometers … Continue reading Discovering India: Fascinating Places Beyond Mumbai and Delhi →

Varanasi: The Spiritual Capital of India

If you already know something about India, it might be that you have heard of the ancient city of Varanasi, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Kashi, which means city of light, was the ancient name of the city and it was part of a kingdom from 2500 years ago. Indeed, … Continue reading Varanasi: The Spiritual Capital of India →

Taj Mahal: India’s Crown Jewel

Taj Mahal early in the morning As part of my two week trip to India with the UK-based Explore travel company, we took an early morning to the Taj Mahal in Agra. We had to leave our hotel at 5 am so we could get in line at one of the three entrance gates before … Continue reading Taj Mahal: India’s Crown Jewel →

Ranthambore National Park is Delightful

Do you like to see wild animals in their natural habitat? If so, I recommend a visit to Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan if visiting India. It’s about 130 kilometers from Jaipur, a city well worth visiting too, and 13.5 kilometers from the city of Sawai Madhopur. It used to be the hunting grounds for … Continue reading Ranthambore National Park is Delightful →

India: Noisy And Crowded But Magnificent Too

Picture a noisy, crowded and dirty big city. Horns constantly blare, vehicles quickly and closely roar pass you as you are forced to walk in the uneven street. An old woman holding a baby stands in your way with her hand out. This is India. Now imagine a royal fortress high upon a mountain, with … Continue reading India: Noisy And Crowded But Magnificent Too →

Cultural Wonders of India: My Journey Begins

Tomorrow I will be taking a two-week guided tour to India with an English lady friend. It is sponsored by a British company called the Adventure People. My husband has no interest in going to India nor does her husband so we are going together. I really don't know why India has always held such … Continue reading Cultural Wonders of India: My Journey Begins →

Pachinko: A Book Review

Cover of this National Bestseller Pachinko is a compelling novel that deals with many issues faced by a Korean family living in Japan over four generations of the 20th Century. What stood out the most for me while reading was how much I learned about Korean history in this work of historical fiction. For instance, … Continue reading Pachinko: A Book Review →

Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

Photo by Ivone De Melo on Pexels.com The birth of a healthy child brings rapture Falling in love can do it too Of course, proposals of marriage Can be a seventh heaven As long as one is entranced by the one doing the asking Re-establishment of a formerly-fractured relationship Might make one feel euphoric While … Continue reading Finding Joy in Everyday Moments →

Focus on Nature & Family

What details of your life could you pay more attention to? I could always focus more attention on the small joys of everyday living, such as looking out our kitchen window at the many birds on my feeders. Today I looked but I also took a moment to be happy knowing I am regularly feeding … Continue reading Focus on Nature & Family →