One memory from each trip I took across India
What started as a discussion post on my magazine group on Facebook resulted in a lovely exercise that stimulated my memory. May this list grow forever...
Shimla: Riding on a yak for the first time was a thrilling experience. Imagine not having seen a yak before... my first thought was that the animal was a fairy tale creature.
Delhi: The political monuments of this city infused a sense of Indianness in me.
Vrindavan: Six monkeys doing a jig on my car made me nervous.
Mathura: A halt at a local 'tapri' in the dusk hours made me think deeply about the word 'Shyam'. 'He' seemed to permeate every corner of that city.
Agra: No points for guessing what took my breath away... The Taj Mahal, of course. The architecture of the Agra Fort is also amazing.
Bharatpur: Being a bird-lover, the Keoladeo Sanctuary blew me away. Never before had I seen such a plethora of cormorents, flycatchers, cranes and rare, migratory birds.
Udaipur: Witnessing a local wedding just outside my hotel was awesome. The colours and patterns that the womenfolk were wearing were no less than a kaleidoscope.
Alwar: Freezing in the cold inspite of wearing three layers of clothes and standing in front of a mini-bonfire, is something I won't forget.
Baroda: The enthusiasm in localites for the festival of Navratri was great.
Mandu: Imagine my sheer delight on spotting The Milky Way for the first time in my life, away from city pollution and lights. Oh, I could give anything for one more sight of that brilliant night sky!
Omkareshwar: The Narmada river flowing (nah, gushing and roaring) right below my hotel balcony was a thrilling sight.
Mumbai: Oh well... My first camel ride on Juhu beach when I eight or so, getting lost in the Esselworld mirror maze, my first trip to the Taraporevala aquarium, watching an open-air play... the memories are endless.
Pune: The first time I travelled alone in an out-station train! I was 16 or so. Met a wonderful elderly lady on the train... we talked for 3 hours non-stop.
Khandala: Spicy fish curry in the chilling rains!
Kanha-Bandhavgarh: I can never forget my first Tiger Safari! Not to mention the elephant-back safari, which seemed scary at first but totally worth it.
Goa: Lounging in a chair on the beach and watching the sun set! Can there be greater joy in life?!
Bangalore: I remember mom doing a small but sweet puja right in our hotel room as it was Diwali day. The festival didn't feel any less special in Bangalore.
Mysore: The fragrance of sandalwood wafting down almost every other tree! The streets of Mysore are a walker's delight!
Ooty: A walk in the foggy, chilly tea gardens was filmi yet refreshing.
Shimla: Riding on a yak for the first time was a thrilling experience. Imagine not having seen a yak before... my first thought was that the animal was a fairy tale creature.
Delhi: The political monuments of this city infused a sense of Indianness in me.
Vrindavan: Six monkeys doing a jig on my car made me nervous.
Mathura: A halt at a local 'tapri' in the dusk hours made me think deeply about the word 'Shyam'. 'He' seemed to permeate every corner of that city.
Agra: No points for guessing what took my breath away... The Taj Mahal, of course. The architecture of the Agra Fort is also amazing.
Bharatpur: Being a bird-lover, the Keoladeo Sanctuary blew me away. Never before had I seen such a plethora of cormorents, flycatchers, cranes and rare, migratory birds.
Udaipur: Witnessing a local wedding just outside my hotel was awesome. The colours and patterns that the womenfolk were wearing were no less than a kaleidoscope.
Alwar: Freezing in the cold inspite of wearing three layers of clothes and standing in front of a mini-bonfire, is something I won't forget.
Baroda: The enthusiasm in localites for the festival of Navratri was great.
Mandu: Imagine my sheer delight on spotting The Milky Way for the first time in my life, away from city pollution and lights. Oh, I could give anything for one more sight of that brilliant night sky!
Omkareshwar: The Narmada river flowing (nah, gushing and roaring) right below my hotel balcony was a thrilling sight.
Mumbai: Oh well... My first camel ride on Juhu beach when I eight or so, getting lost in the Esselworld mirror maze, my first trip to the Taraporevala aquarium, watching an open-air play... the memories are endless.
Pune: The first time I travelled alone in an out-station train! I was 16 or so. Met a wonderful elderly lady on the train... we talked for 3 hours non-stop.
Khandala: Spicy fish curry in the chilling rains!
Kanha-Bandhavgarh: I can never forget my first Tiger Safari! Not to mention the elephant-back safari, which seemed scary at first but totally worth it.
Goa: Lounging in a chair on the beach and watching the sun set! Can there be greater joy in life?!
Bangalore: I remember mom doing a small but sweet puja right in our hotel room as it was Diwali day. The festival didn't feel any less special in Bangalore.
Mysore: The fragrance of sandalwood wafting down almost every other tree! The streets of Mysore are a walker's delight!
Ooty: A walk in the foggy, chilly tea gardens was filmi yet refreshing.