I arrive at the ecotourism office just before 1:30 pm, much to the chagrin of my driver, who makes it clear that he disapproves of my sightseeing priorities. It has been a bumpy morning for us, as I have taken to ignoring his destination suggestions. A short while later he tells me that the twoContinue reading “Wilderness Fever Dreams”
Author Archives: msaraf
The Journey to Munnar
As I touch down in Cochin, I notice the tropical belt of trees that line the runway. As I descend towards the terminal, a small rather horizontal affair, the warmth hits my skins a nice change from the Delhi chill. Today I’m going to Munnar, a hill station known for tea plantations and rustic beauty.Continue reading “The Journey to Munnar”
Lessons Learned
I’m turning 37 tomorrow – 37! God I don’t feel it…but sure enough it’s here and I am ready for it. With each new year comes the opportunity for new perspectives and improvement, especially when you’re born close to the beginning of the year.
Letters to the Dead
I thought that when I saw your funeral pyre, I’d finally believe that you’re gone. But as I watched the logs of wood turn black and white, start to crack and finally, core charred, collapse into dust – mingling with your ashes, as I watched the flames liquefying the air above, or the fresh logsContinue reading “Letters to the Dead”
A Few Thoughts on Gratitude
“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. – Randy Pausch These words came from this absolutely beautiful book I am reading called The Last Lecture, written by the late Carnegie Mellon Professor before losing his battle to Pancreatic cancer in 2008. I’ve probably written about this before, butContinue reading “A Few Thoughts on Gratitude”
A Rant On Boundaries
Those of you who know me, know I have a knack for meeting very strange people, and a large collection of funny stories to show for it. This week however, things reached a new level for me. Three incidents have occurred in the last four days – all unrelated – and now I just wantContinue reading “A Rant On Boundaries”
An Open Letter to the Parents in My Life
A few years back, during Game of Thrones season, I made the mistake of posting on a friends Facebook wall that I could not watch that weeks episode because I was sleep deprived. Another girl who went to high school with us immediately commented something to the extent of “why are you sleep deprived Mira?Continue reading “An Open Letter to the Parents in My Life”
Why Mosquitos Cannot Be Fireflies
That ravenous yearning that Never satiates because Mosquitoes cannot ever Be fireflies, Parasites Can not be friends, Symbiosis Will never be our way of life It is far better to plunge the Knife deep into my flesh or spine Than to see me as the magic To charm your pathetic Shortcomings into muscle This princessContinue reading “Why Mosquitos Cannot Be Fireflies”
Confessions of a Vagabond
My alarm goes off at 4:30 am. My hand slaps towards my phone as if it is an actual clock, finally managing to silence it, if only momentarily. As a precaution I have set an alarm at 4:25, 4:35 and 4:40 lest my body goes on strike and I miss my flight (which has happened).Continue reading “Confessions of a Vagabond”
The Things You May Not Do
The things that cannot be bought By money, self-satisfaction Synthetic smiles or shared Rose-tinted delusions You may lull me into Submission for one night Or two or three but only In flesh, muscle and bone Skin deep, yet to pierce vein So wipe away that smugness Scrub it, scourge it from your face Underneath yourContinue reading “The Things You May Not Do”
