Specially for Women's Day - Some positive quotes!

Enjoying the little things

Pont Alexandre III, Paris

Took a lovely walk on the banks of the River Seine. 

Admiring the beautiful Pont Alexandre III 

Lesson

We fall, we rise. 

We make mistakes, we survive and we learn. Nobody is perfect and nobody has the perfect life. Sometimes even though there is sadness in our journey, we cannot give up because its just part of the ride which actually helps us to learn and also get things in perspective of what truly matters and what we are capable off! 

Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

I started my second day in Paris by visiting one of the most notable landmarks in Paris - L'Arc de Triomphe.

This iconic structure stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle (originally named Place de l'Étoile)
It was inaugurated in 1836 to honor those who fought in the French Revolution and in the Napoleonic Wars.

If you walk under the Arc you will see there lies beneath the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War 1.

As I walked around it, I realized that the arc is beautifully designed and is a grand structure.

For those who enjoy hiking, climb up to the top which has only 284 steps or else take the elevator and go up from where the panoramic view of Paris city is breathtaking. 

                       

You can see the different avenues around it, Av de la Grande Armée heads northwest to the skyscraper district of La Défense, from where you can see the Grande Arche which is a building which is hollow in the middle. 

 On the west end there's the lovely and very famous street Champs-Élysées.
You can see Sacre-Coeur, Eiffel Tower and many other iconic monuments in the distance. 

                        From the top it really looks like you are standing in the middle of a star. 

                       

This arc should not be confused with the smaller arch, the Arc de Tiomphe du Carrousel which stands west of the Louvre. Some pictures attached so you can spot the difference. 

                                    

La Tour Eiffel

Visited Paris for a few days and the first thing I went to see was the Eiffel Tower. 

By the time I reached the sun was already setting & the scene was picture perfect! There were pink clouds in the backdrop of the tower and it was just the perfect sight to see! 

Life is Art, Live yours in Colour

It makes alot of sense when we say that our attitude in life creates filters to colour the way we see things in the world. It is so important that we try and do things that make our soul happy; however simple or frugal it may be. 

As the good old saying goes "Its always fun to use the whole box of crayons!"

Make your life as colourful as you want it be. Its your life, its a gift given to you so don't send it back unopened. 

Grateful

Taking a moment to realise how lucky I am to be surrounded by people who get me, who I can be crazy with, who I can be me with. #mytribe 

The real Lacoste

Blue vs Red

Blue vs Red

Life

As Buddha said 

"The trouble is, you think you have time." 

Full Moon

Approaching Destination

The Storm is Coming

Monsoons are here!

Sitting on my balcony & enjoying the rains! #mumbairains 

Night Heron

I was told that many of these birds are pushed out of their nests when they are little and are seen fallen below trees. This is done either by the rascal crows or by their stronger siblings.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Was in the mood for some chocolate chip cookies but unfortunately did not have any chocolate chips so cut up some Lindt dark chocolate and actually the end result was much better and everyone enjoyed it.
This recipe is not too difficult. Just follow the instructions. 
 

All purpose flour - 200gms
Chocolate chips - 180 gms (I cut up a slab of Lindt Dark chocolate into tiny pieces)
Sugar - 100gms
Butter - 90gms (Room Temperature)
Egg - 1
Baking Powder - 1tsp
Vanilla Essence - 2 drops
Salt

Directions

• Sift the flour and baking powder. Keep aside

• Cream together the butter, sugar, a pinch of salt, egg and vanilla essence.

• Add the sifted flour mix to the the butter mixture and knead with your hands till you get a smooth dough. 

• Add the chocolate chips. 

• Make small balls and flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand so that they take the traditional cookie shape.

• Grease the baking tray, arrange the small balls and bake for about 15-20mins at 200degrees.

My last day. Thank You Kolkata.

A year ago I got the news that my husband had got a 1 year transfer to Kolkata. I was not too happy about it, with leaving my home and setting up a new one. Initially kept comparing it to Mumbai, but in no time I settled in, started exploring the city and today I cannot believe how time has flown by and its time to go back home.
It was a great experience for me and I will truly cherish the moments spent here.
An experience which included meeting new people, enjoying the different weather conditions of the East like pre-monsoon, observed new cultures and festivals, saw the lovely landmarks of this city, tried the delicious Bengali cuisine specially the different types of river fish. I tried so many types of fish from bhetki, rohu, katla, pabda, hilsa and many more! Each so yummy! My experience even included feeling the horrible tremors of the earthquake which happened in Nepal which was the scariest and a learning moment for me.
Conversing with the locals was the funniest because I would say one thing and they would give me a bizarre response mainly because of the different pronunciations. Most of the locals were friendly but the cabbies are not the most friendly people so will miss them the least.
Kolkata reminded me of Bombay in the 80s. The city does not have skyscrapers, mostly 4/5 stored buildings & the confusion of a bunch of electric wires hanging everywhere, a little congested. However the green areas this city has maintained is lovely. To see big open spaces is refreshing for a change from Victoria Memorial to Eco Park to the Botanical Garden. I was very impressed.  I was lucky to stay in New Town which was a much better area and more organized and of course near my favorite location that is the airport so I could enjoy watching the planes land and take off!
   So many different memories, so many different lesson learnt. Will truly miss all the lovely times and remember this place fondly.

Some lovely places I saw and pictures I took when I was here.

The Beautiful Victoria Memorial

St. Pauls Cathedral

Belur Math

 

Howrah Bridge

Dakshineshwar Temple

Botanical Garden

Eco Park

Mothers Wax Museum

Durga Puja

Hello Yellow

Dusk

Norwesters

Sun playing peek a boo