Tag Archives: India

Way of the ninja….yeah, right

Posted on May 17, 2013 by subincontinentia

Recently, people have been introducing me like this. ‘Oh, Shuili, this is Rebecca. She doesn’t have AC’. To which Shuili will reply, ‘Really? How do you manage?’ Then she’ll look at me with slightly narrowed eyes, like I’m some rare … Continue reading →

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The danger game

Posted on May 13, 2013 by subincontinentia

They sent out a couple of drones at first, hovering inches from my nose, casually racking up data in their tiny sensor fields. Elegant things, the colour of mandarins. Their torsos and abdomens joined by a single cellular thread. Then … Continue reading →

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Funeral crasher

Posted on March 30, 2013 by subincontinentia

“Do you have a camera?” The question–barked more than asked –came from a lanky young man in an Orioles baseball cap and a tee-shirt with the words ‘Hot Lover’ splashed across the front. I’d been aimlessly wandering the back streets … Continue reading →

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The touching

Posted on January 7, 2013 by subincontinentia

Sunil and I wander down to his boat and sit on the undulating water, watching the day unfurl. A man descends the ghat steps, a small monkey grins at us from his shoulder. Sunil notices where my interest is going. … Continue reading →

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Tales from the time mandala

Posted on January 6, 2013 by subincontinentia

The ghats of Varanasi are the arms of the Ganges, supporting the devout as they wash away their sins or burn the bodies of those past sinning. Of all these sets of stone steps that lead to the water’s edge, … Continue reading →

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!ncomprehensible !ndia: yet another piece of the code

Posted on December 29, 2012 by subincontinentia

It first hit me as I threw a Snickers wrapper into a rubbish bin in the city of Mysore. The bin was shaped and painted like a snowman, which in the 40 degree heat made me feel even hotter than … Continue reading →

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Rakesh and the seventh stone

Posted on December 29, 2012 by subincontinentia

‘In the arms of Mother Ganga, To sleep the sleep of the stainless once more.’  Rakesh grew weary of fishing for customers, his line coming up empty each time. It was getting dark now, and the lights along the ghats … Continue reading →

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Fire on the water, Christmas on the Ganga

Posted on December 28, 2012 by subincontinentia

Rakesh found some tape from somewhere, and we set about decorating the boat. We hung coloured streamers and strings of marigolds from wire stretched across bamboo poles, finished off with a pink and silver paper star. Huddled in our coats … Continue reading →

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At the end of the world we are all Delhites

Posted on December 11, 2012 by subincontinentia

The end of the world is nigh and it’s starting in New Delhi. How do I know this? I have incontrovertible evidence. I paid 250 INR for Christmas lights – a shocking price even by ‘Second Coming’ standards. I rode … Continue reading →

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The quick and easy way to learn Hindi

Posted on November 27, 2012 by subincontinentia

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 →

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