Monthly Archives: November 2012

The quick and easy way to learn Hindi

The following is an excerpt from the Quick and Easy Way to Learn Hindi by PT. Aditya Nand. Do let me know if you find it useful. Man:         Where is Daisy? Woman:    I don’t know Man:        You’re her mum and … Continue reading

Posted in epoche, Rose Apple Island | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This explains everything…

Why some people love India… Because when you’re on your way to a meeting, the taxi driver stops at a temple half way up a hill, parks two inches from a thousand foot drop, disappears for ten minutes, and upon … Continue reading

Posted in epoche, Rose Apple Island | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shopping in India: where change must come from within

It took me a while to find the right coffee mug. You know, the one that feels right and has handles made for humans over six. Now, which to choose? The teddy bear holding a rose and champagne bottle or … Continue reading

Posted in epoche, Rose Apple Island | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Bodhgaya: don’t need a full moon for crazy

Even a full moon looks dusty in Bodhgaya. Beneath it’s grubby glow, a group of high-spirited Indian youths hijack a merry-go-round in a fair that’s closed for the night. One of them mounts a plastic baby goat while the others … Continue reading

Posted in Navel of the World, Rose Apple Island | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Double-sided drum

This morning my bicycle rickshaw passed a goat dressed in a turquoise sweater. “Perfectly natural,” said Alice, “since it is rather chilly.” These days, a damp, bone-chilling fog fills Bodhgaya in the early hours, burns off for a few hours … Continue reading

Posted in Moving on...., Rose Apple Island | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The same son

It’s not easy to find out how someone died in India. You invariably receive the most meager explanation. Sometimes simply a body part. “Stomach,” or “Heart” or “Liver.”  So, when I asked Sunil how Rakesh’s father died, he didn’t feel … Continue reading

Posted in Kashi, Rose Apple Island | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The bucket bath….millions do it, so can you!

A LESSON FOR NON-INDIANS IN 20 EASY STEPS. YOU WILL NEED: 1 ten litre plastic bucket at 225 INR (or 300 depending on whether you or your Indian friend buys it) 1 plastic jug at 50 INR (or 100 depending … Continue reading

Posted in Moving on...., Rose Apple Island | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Delhi police, the CIA, and…me

I visualized bodacious diplomats in double-breasted suits shinnying down ropes from black helicopters, flashing their business cards and saying things like, “We’ll take it from here, ma’am.” The knock had the tone of entitlement. So I was only mildly surprised … Continue reading

Posted in epoche, Rose Apple Island | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment