I have subscribed to some newsletters, and I have realized that
publishing things weekly (which seems like a momentous task) might actually
just boil down to having a routine and being disciplined. A simple format, like
10 things worth knowing, or a list of must-read short books/ movies, etc., is
sometimes more than enough; enough for you to continue your weekly streak or
momentum and enough for a reader to help you stay relevant.
Here’s an attempt, in order to save myself from the personal disgrace of
not publishing even once in 2026 on my blog. After all, it would be a pity if,
after one year, I look back and realize it was that time when I actually could
have posted once, just for the sake of continuity, but chose not to.
So far, this year has been nothing short of busy. Busy in terms of work
and traveling. At the place where I work, I see colleagues and friends planning
weeks in advance for vacations, and here I am, planning my holidays around the
holidays of my partner and family.
The year began by indulging in some pleasant weather and having a
respite from the cold, grey and freezing European climate. Qatar was a surprise
destination, one where I would not have consciously travelled to, but now that
I have been there, I can strongly recommend this country for a one-time visit
at least. The streets are cleaner than anywhere in Europe I have been to.
Almost immediately, you hear people in a language that is known to you
(English). It has the best of food from both worlds; Asian and Indian grocery
markets and restaurants are in abundance, and popular EU brands like Carrefour
and Monoprix can also be found. That means you can enjoy authentic South Indian
meals (a luxury for me), without having to compromise on your croissants,
cheesecakes, and coffee.
There are more leisure activities that I could do and participate in,
and not be restricted by the language, which is sadly one of the major
drawbacks I still face in most European cities, unless they are popular tourist
hotspots.
In March, I explored in and around Split. Split is the second-largest
city in Croatia, and lies in the Dalmatia region, situated on the eastern shore
of the Adriatic Sea. The name of the region stems from an Illyrian tribe called
the Dalmatae, who were primarily shepherds and the original
inhabitants of the region.
The present city is built around Diocletian's Palace (which was built
for Roman Emperor Diocletian some 1700 years ago). The palace forms about half
of the old town of Split, and is surrounded by numerous shops, boutiques,
cafes, bars, and restaurants.
For Game of Throne’s enthusiasts- This very Palace in Split served as
the primary filming location for the fictional city of Meereen in Seasons 4- 6
of Game of Thrones.
Just 1.5 hours away from the city by road is the Krka National Park. It
is situated along the Krka River and is known for a series of stunning 7
waterfalls. It takes about 5-6 hours to hike around the area, and you are
constantly surrounded by breathtaking scenery and tranquil waterfalls
Then came April, and I revisited Amsterdam (after almost 7 years) with
my significant other. I had in mind a few things that I had seen and wanted to
experience with him together. I realized a stark difference in travelling as a
student and as a working adult now. Convenience takes center stage, and you
indulge a bit more lavishly in food, commute, and don't rely on public
transport alone. We were also lucky to witness the tulips in full bloom at The
Keukenhof Gardens. Words are insufficient to describe the palette of colors
nature has to offer!
This was followed by an uneventful month of May.
Then came June, and with it came my parents' long-awaited visit.
Although I would have loved to travel with them for a month straight, I am a
humble working-class human, after all, who has limited
vacation days/year. I was in Bologna, Italy (believe it or not, for a 3rd time
now). Followed by a quick trip to Florence and Pisa. Bologna was a charming
city; the first time I saw it was with my 2 dear friends back in 2019. A work
trip last year brought me there again, where I discovered a nice bakery with my
colleagues.
And I combined the best of both times now, and enjoyed a nice week off
with my family!
Bologna is a walkable and architecturally beautiful city! The entire
city is in shades of reds and oranges. Bologna is referred to as La
Grassa, La Dotta and La Rossa - The Fat, The Learned and The
Red. ‘La Grassa’ is a nod to its reputation as a hub of regional cuisine:
rich, indulgent and waistline-expanding. 'La Rossa' refers to its archetypal
terracotta-hued buildings and 'La Dotta' references its university: founded in
1088, it's considered to be the oldest in the Western world.
Florence, on the other hand, was busy, bustling with tourists despite
the warm, sunny days. With its entire city center designated as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, some 10-15 million tourists visit Florence every
year. The yummy frozen yoghurt and delicious gelato more than made up for
the warm summer days.
And then in August, for the first time ever, WE were all together in
Paris (a remarkable feat, if you ask me). Coming from 3 different countries
requires a lot of planning and optimization of plans. We were unfortunately
ditched by the local transport network, which was closed for renovation, and
there were several diversions and detours, but we did manage to do almost all
things touristy- boat trip on the Seine, climb the Eiffel Tower, see the
Louvre, the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur, Arc de Triomphe, and even explored
Museum Orsay in peace. Everyone went back their ways and is now settled in their
mundane lives.
So far, this month looks uneventful, and so does October, but never say never ;)
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