Victorious
How do you enjoy art without feeling the human behind the poured genius? You are afraid of grief. You cannot bear to listen to trauma and refuse to note its signs not even when...
Tagged: humanity
Why You Should Not Fear Scams in India
The very first person I met when venturing into Varanasi, was probably a scammer. This may be a strange way to begin an article about not fearing scams in India, but stay with me. Then...
We Nearly Bought a Goat in the Delhi Goat Market!
I did not expect to see much sign of Eid-ul-Adha in New Delhi, when I found myself there last year of the eve of the holiday, instead of back home. Although Muslims are a significant...
The Tuktuk Driver in Lucknow Train Station
I did not need a tuktuk driver in Lucknow. The modest 3-star hotel that I booked (mainly because I couldn’t find backpackers’ hostels for Lucknow), came with a pickup service. I suppose Lucknow is...
Leaving Varanasi on a Train Bound for Lucknow
I stowed my things beneath the bottom bunk, climbed up to mine, and breathed a sigh of relief. The train leaving Varanasi had not left without me. A detour for Banaras silk before leaving...
Underground in Varanasi: Contrasts and Blasphemies
By far, the most common remark from foreigners who have travelled in India, is that she does not leave you unmoved. Whether you loved her or hated her, whether you’ve felt both – in...
Travel Sustainably | NEPAL | How I Tried To Travel Responsibly
Travel Sustainably is a Teja on the Horizon article series reviewing my efforts to travel more responsibly. This first edition reviews new things I tried when I travelled to NEPAL – whether by pre-planning, or...
Annapurna in the Monsoon Day 3: The Rock Stacks by the River
Poon Hill! I suddenly remembered, once my sleepy brain processed the knock on my door. I leapt out of bed and opened it. My guide Devi was on the other side. By this time, she...
Dancing with Pulau Carey Guardians on Mah Meri Spirits’ Day
“Why don’t you ask the shaman directly? He’s at ease now, since we’re waiting for low tide,” the organiser said. He led me over to the rough wooden platform, bedecked in nipah frond origami decorations,...
One Key Choice to Sustain the Sustainable Journey
“You said you would help me think of a sustainability project. You haven’t done anything; I still don’t have one,” complained my friend from his habitual stretched-out position on my sofa. “I said I’d...
“What do you say when you pray?”
I paused in the dim light, still seated on the floor where I was praying. The room was near-darkness, in the hour before sunrise. My room-mate Belle had sleepily asked the question from where...
The Man Who Asked Me For Food in Den Haag
It took me some moments to realise what he was asking. He wanted some money for food. We were at the far end of Wagenstraat, near the canal. This part of the street was...
