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My Inverted Rainbow

Originally posted on redefiningidentity's Blog:
My Inverted Rainbow –Utkarsh Amitabh My grandmother introduced me to the world of colors when I was in second grade. Every afternoon she sat by my side and together we colored the newspaper cartoons with color pastels. Soon after that, she read out my favorite folk tales and put…

The Journey to Haci Abdullah

It is our second night in Istanbul, and we have just finished surveying the Grand Bazaar. When we are done, Aditi and I sit on a bench to plan dinner. It is dark, and we are eager to get back to our side of Istanbul. We make a plan to go to the Golden Horn,Continue reading “The Journey to Haci Abdullah”

Exploring Sultanahmet: Haghia Sophia, The Basilica Cistern & The Blue Mosque

We start the day slowly, though we are awake unusually early. Although the weariness of our travels makes us sluggish, the time difference means our body clocks are two and a half hours ahead, which means 8:30 am makes for a pretty leisurely start. After we shower and get ready, we grab a pumpkin spiceContinue reading “Exploring Sultanahmet: Haghia Sophia, The Basilica Cistern & The Blue Mosque”

Etihad Airlines, Eggs & Our Istanbul Transit Adventures

Aditi and I booked window seats one in front of the other for our trip to Turkey, via Abu Dhabi. I am seated in 32K, and Aditi has the window seat behind me. However, when we get there, there is already a man sitting in her seat. He looks confused, as he doesn’t appear toContinue reading “Etihad Airlines, Eggs & Our Istanbul Transit Adventures”

Fight or Flight: Anxiety and My Adventures in Mental Health

Adrenaline surges, your muscles feel weak yet poised to bolt. You feel every moment of contraction in your heart as if it was the first time you heard it beat. Cool sweat erupts from your pores, glistening your skin. Your throat closes half suffocating you. Maybe your fingers or your lower lip trembles. For moments,Continue reading “Fight or Flight: Anxiety and My Adventures in Mental Health”

The Road to Nong Khiaw

On the morning of my trip from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw, I am running late, and in my haste to order breakfast, I do not think to specify that I want my egg hardboiled instead of soft. I do not think to question why the server hands me a tiny spoon, or why myContinue reading “The Road to Nong Khiaw”

Finding Freedom in Laos

Although I’m told that Laos is an “off the beaten path” destination, flight QV 634 from Bangkok to Luang Prabang, features a disproportionate number and variety of foreigners from young backpackers and couples to retired seniors. I have no idea what to expect. I have come off a hectic work schedule, don’t speak a wordContinue reading “Finding Freedom in Laos”

My Jaipur Auto Rickshaw Adventure

As I leave my last Jaipur Literature Festival event, I get a frantic phone call from my friend Shampa. We had come to the city together, along with her family and had split for the morning to pursue our respective interests. She tells me they are stuck in traffic and cannot come get me onContinue reading “My Jaipur Auto Rickshaw Adventure”

Papa

Last week, I made half my staff cry with this story (unintentionally of course) – an adaptation of something I wrote 6 years ago when my grandfather passed away. I guess some emotions stay buried, but as it is the 6th anniversary of his passing, I figured I would share it on here: In April 1984, whenContinue reading “Papa”

Wanting It All

Now and then I pace my place I can’t retrace how I got here I cheat the light to check my face It’s slightly harder than last year And all at once it gets hard to take It gets hard to fake what I won’t be Cause one of these days I’ll be born andContinue reading “Wanting It All”