R for Rosendal - for Real

Rosendal. Rosendal. The valley of the roses. Yes, that's where I went. Rosendal, one of the 26 dream destinations we visited together in April, remember? So, there I was - for real this time. In company with my good childhood friend ready to explore her summer paradise. Rosendal.

Aaaaahhh, happy days - filled with the joy of: making it all the way up to that tall mountain top, swimming in that chilly summer fjord and visiting that red barn which turned out to be a modern art gallery. Guarding that sweaty sticky chocolate cake from the wasps while sipping tea outside the tiny white wooden house built hundreds of years ago. And jogging smoothly away from that crowd of cows that we, a bit too late, discovered were oxes and not cows...

Red sweet cherries, bright green hill sides, clear blue sea and white sheets drying in that soft summer breeze...

Here are a few of my Rosendal moments - I hope you enjoy them as well...

...getting that top-of-the-world-feeling when finally reaching that mountain top, sitting down and seeing that fjord scenery open up in front of us:

...forgetting about the time while sitting outside the cottage, chatting with a good friend, while the long bright Nordic summer day turn into night (this pic is from the middle of the night):

.... and for some reason remembering one of my favorite poems:

...and feeling grateful:

 ...you know, simply enjoying every moment of those bright summer days, the fresh air, the clean sea, the good friendships and just feeling gratitude for those amazing little things in life:

Enjoy your moments wherever you are, dear reader, and thanks for following.

Ta ta:-)  

Summer salad blues

Ya ya. I know. Not exactly super active on the bloggers front lately. Well, I do have a lot of things on my mind, and somehow my writings seems to get stuck back in the thinking phase.. They all bottle up soooo well in that comfy zone.. That, combined with long bright nordic summer days (and nights), make my thoughts take it really slow in materializing themselves into words and actually managing the journey - from my mind - all the way to the pc - and on to the blog. Go figure?!

Today I did it. Because today I was thinking about salads. Yup. Perfect food for long warm summer days, I think. And I was applauding myself for this summer having pushed my salad comfort zone to the limits (oh yeah) and thrown myself out in new and unknown salad territory. This summer I have been such a brave salad explorer. Very adventurous, I tell you:-)

So, let me show you my favorites so far, and please do feel free to tell me yours. First up: a green salad with tomatoes, asparagus, salmon and avocado. With a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, some nuts and the crispy green lettuce the flavors went so well together. That rich nutty/sweet texture of the avocado went so well with the light salty fish:

The next runner up had crispy fresh lettuce, spicy red chili, salty shrimps and (my Mumbai favorite) sweet mango. What a great combination of flavors also - that balance of spicy, sweet, bland and salty... Perfect!

One of my favorite ingredients in salads are tomatoes, and I couldn't help laughing thinking back to some shopping vegetable moments in India. So fresh. So tasty. And those guys who thought it was hilarious with this foreign lady who wanted to take pictures of something so ordinary as vegetables.. But hey guys: you presented them so well,, that's why:-) 

I think my conclusion is that I am a big fan of salads with balanced flavors: salty with sweet for example. Like the shrimps&mangoes, avocado&fish - and of course: sweet watermelon&salty feta cheese:

And let us not forget that balanced Greek salad: freshly cut red sweet tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, olives and onion - always a perfect dish on a hot summer day:

So, besides eating my way through the worlds salads, what have I been up to lately? Well, a bit of this:

- Sweating myself up steep hills to reach mountain tops ....

 ... to feel like I am on top of the world...

... and topping that feeling with throwing my sweaty self in to ice cold mountain water..: 

So, peace and quiet and just some blues to go along, and as we are hooked on salads, what can be a more perfect dessert that fresh blueberries and strawberries:

And in a few days I am going traveling...

Do you remember the crazy AtoZ challenge I participated in in April? When I traveled around the world - and took you along? 26 days and 26 dream destinations. Well, now I am going to travel to one of them.

Stay tuned to see where I will take you along dear reader... Buckle up...

Ta ta! 

A to Z challenge 2014 - my reflections

So, I did it. I jumped on that Atozchallenge express train, just as it was leaving the station. I had not really planned to take part, but I did. And now, I feel so happy. My first big blog challenge, and I did it.

Since I decided almost the last minute to take part, I did not have much time to grasp or prepare for what I was up to. Still, I had some ideas on the first letters - and a few more letters had already popped in to my head. I found the first week easiest, but from week two: DID I feel the heat? - Oh YES, safe to say that I did! Just to manage to get my own posts published was the first challenge, and then to visit the other blogs, commenting, sharing... At some point I did wish the day had more than 24 hours.

Fortunately I have some amazing friends who were willing to write a guest-post. I enjoyed having other voices on my blog, and tagging along to my friends' dream destination was just awesome! A big thanks to my friends who took us along to their special places. If you haven't read them: please have a look:

• 07. April 2014: Leila takes us to Faroe Islands.  Part of atozchallenge 2014/Dream Destinations
• 11. April 2014: Jazz takes us to Jamaica. Part of atozchallenge 2014/Dream Destinations
• 16. April 2014: Farah takes us to New Zealand. Part of atozchallenge 2014/Dream Destinations
• 21. April 2014: Torill takes us to Rosendal. Part of atozchallenge 2014/Dream Destinations
• 22. April 2014: Amelia takes us to Sydney. Part of atozchallenge 2014/Dream Destinations
• 29. April 2014: Arti: Y for Yatra. Part of atozchallenge 2014/Dream Destinations

Back home we have a saying: "Ingen nevnt. Ingen glemt" meaning: "Do not mention anyone, because then you will forget someone." Kind of a one-for-all-all-for-one - philosophy. So, that is why I will not mention single names, but simply scream out a BIG, WARM and heartfelt THANK YOU to every single one who visited my blog during the challenge, left the sweetest and most encouraging words and just kept that travel-sparkle in me alive and kicking!  

Through the challenge I discovered some new blogs, and they gave me that a little bit extra - feeling every day with their themes, way of writing and interacting. You are great:  

• Aditi - for giving me that daily emotional short story
• Jayanta - for giving me wisdom on my adopted country India - and especially during election time. 
• Sunila - for giving me more knowledge on yoga - food for body and soul! 
• Beloo - for giving me deep insight in education in India - a theme close to my hearth
• Meena - for making me want to travel even more
• Vishal - for that amusing trip down memory lane 

And, there you go - I have fallen in to my own trap: I was not going to mention anyone, and when I do, I feel I just want to go on and on, because there were so many talented writers and bloggers who gave me so much - throughout this challenge. I discovered fellow soul mates, I raged, I cried, I giggled, I laughed, I was moved, thrilled, blown away, surprised, happy...You are awesome! So, friends- be proud! We completed the task - the challenge! Here's to us, and atoz2015: bring it on!

Did you have any favorites among my dream destinations? Did you enjoy the ride? Here they are:  

• ▼  April (26)
• Z for Zakynthos
• Y for Yatra
• X for Xenos
• W for Window
• V for Venice
• U for Udaipur
• T for Table Mountain
• S for Sydney
• R for Rosendal
• Q for Quebec
• P for Pondicherry
• O for Olympus
• N for New Zealand
• M for Memory Lane
• L for Lofoten
• K for Key West
• J for Jamaica
• I for Incas
• H for Hong Kong
• G for Golden Temple
• F for Faroe Islands
• E for Egypt
• D for Disneyland
• C for Cappadocia
• B for Banganga
• A for Acropolis

Z for Zakynthos

The last letter, Z, is here. The challenge is coming to an end, and it feels like saying goodbye to a friend. A friend who has stayed for a month, but who you are sad is leaving (and yet you are also a tiny bit relieved). Hmm. I could play the Norwegian card... - because our alphabet doesn't end with Z. After Z comes the letters Æ, Ø and Å ..So if I want, I can keep the party going for 3 more days. But what's the fun in partying alone...?

No, let us do the farewell party together. And you know, to my own surprise I discovered that I have yet to take you to one of my top favorite places on earth: the Greek islands - the perfect place for a party, even a farewell party. Conveniently enough, one of the island, (and a beautiful one) starts with Z, so today I am taking you to the white beaches of Zakynthos. What do you say dear reader? Are you in?

Greece has over 3000 islands, and the Greek islands is a concept itself. Hoards of tourists are every year attracted to the crystal clear blue waters, the white beaches, the food, the culture and history of Greece. And most of them go to one of the islands.

Zakynthos is in the Ionian sea and is the third largest of the Ionian islands. It is an island with green hills, gorgeous beaches and villages packed with atmosphere. It has its name after Zakynthos, the son of a legendary Archadian chief Dardanus. Zakynthos' nickname is To fioro tou Levante meaning The flower of the East, given by the Venetians.

VisitGreece.com

So, lets gather at one of the beaches, stretch out in the white sand, and just be.. Hearing the waves coming in, feeling the soft sand between our toes..And - look: there is someone joining us with a bouzouki  - and warm music fills the air .. At sunset we can do barbecue, get some refreshing drinks, dance and the night is still young under the stars on the beach of Zakynthos......

And you can stay here for a while, if you like, dear reader? You can jump with parachute, or just relax and rest a bit. We do need it. Our grande world tour of 26 dream destinations in 26 days has come to an end. I am feeling a bit melancholic. But this doesn't have to be Goodbye... I am going to head back to Mumbai now, and you are so very welcome to join me and follow my tales from there. I hope you will.

So, sitting on that beach with sand between my toes and with a chilled glass in my hand, I am signing off atoz 2014. But what is a party without music? I give you a favorite of mine, a song of Giannis Ploutarchos: To Fonazo. ( = I scream it: my love). With love to you dear reader who came along to all my dream destinations. I hope you will enjoy:

  

And always remember: Chase the dreams wherever they may lead, and live today. Enjoy your moment. Be blessed and happy.

Bye bye dear fellow travel companion - my humble thank you - for coming along!

1-30 April I participate in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is written as a part of that challenge. Check out some amazing participating blogs here. My theme for the challenge is Dream Destinations. I hope you had fun coming along. 

Go to a-to-zchallenge.com

Y for Yatra

One of the first fellow bloggers I discovered was Arti's My Yatra Diary. The way she took me along on her travels and made it more than just travel - went straight to my heart. Arti brings you right there. She captures those valuable small moments of life, and is one of the most awesome bloggers I know. Kind, humble and she puts her heart out. Therefor I am thrilled to present a guestpost by her today. Thank you so much dear friend Arti for saying yes. And dear reader: I am sure you will be as blown away by her writings as I was. Buckle up for Arti's Y for Yatra:

**************************************

Let’s explore the letter Y today,

 “Y” … Y is for Yatra …

But, what is a yatra?

Yatra is a journey;

Picture & Caption: Magh Mela Yatra

I was nervous as I had seldom seen crowds of such huge intensity, let alone be a part of it. But I was mentally prepared for the battle, if ever there was one and my gut feeling told me this was going to be deep and exciting. And thus, began a journey, on the auspicious occasion of Hindu festival Makar Sankranti, to the sacred confluence of the Triveni Sangam in Allahabad. A journey of me, with people – one in belief, one in faith, one in yatra.

Yatra is having experiences;

Picture & Caption: River Ganga in Himalayas

I sat rooted on the cold boulder, staring into infinity, mesmerized. From somewhere beyond, she seemed to rush forth in delight, dancing to the wind, tumbling over rocks, and singing to the mountains, even opening my senses to an exquisite experience. I witnessed all this in a small hamlet in the Himalayas when I touched her with my hand. She responded by softly comforting it back with hers. I was with mother, not mine but of the entire humanity that has ever been in existence. She was River Ganga, an enigma, so beautiful and pure, all set to take me along her own little journey of sharing, caring and loving since times immemorial.

Yatra is learning;

Picture & Caption:  Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi

Vishnu Kaka circled his oars up and down, patiently explaining the significance of each ghat as we crossed them. Until here, where as if in a silent tribute, he rested his oars down. Close the lens of your camera, he motioned to me and began explaining the significance of the place. Far in the distance, I could see fire leaping out towards the skies while a strange decaying odor billowed in the atmosphere. I was taking a boat ride in Varanasi, the land of salvation, and this was the Manikarnika Ghat, a place bustling with death… death here, I learnt, was not the end but a new beginning.

Yatra is a dream; alive and breathing,

Picture & Caption:  Mount Fuji, Japan

I had stood there on the airport with my passport in hand, wondering if this was indeed happening for real. Even before I could gather any answers, I felt a strong rush of emotions running down within me. My first visit to a land outside India, the land of the rising sun, Japan and little did I know then, that those 6 days, of a dream I had never seen, would make cherished memories of a lifetime.

What is a ‘Yatra’ … ?

Yatra, is a journey,

… of learning, experiences, moments and dreams …

Picture Collage & Caption: My Yatra diaries.

My journey, where I am getting lost, each day…

A journey where I will find myself… someday…

********************************

I hope you enjoyed our yatra destination today, I sooo did. You can follow her travels at MyYatraDiary. Thanks again dear Arti:-)

So, we are almost at the end of our 26 dream destinations in 26 days challenge, dear reader. We have been a bit dreamy the last few days, so it's about time that we finish our world tour with a real rocking farewell party, I think! So please; gather your party gear, dancing shoes, dress up and let' me take you away to the amazing Z.........

1-30 April I participate in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is written as a part of that challenge. Check out some amazing participating blogs here. My theme for the challenge is Dream Destinations. I hope you had fun coming along? Please stay tuned for a new destination tomorrow, and that will be our last one for AtoZ - 2014. 

Go to a-to-zchallenge.com

X for Xenos

Once we leave our home country we turn into a foreigner.. Isn't that so? We can be a tourist, traveler, visitor, guest, explorer - but we are still a foreigner, a non-native..

Some people are more concerned with the term foreigner than others. I am not one of those people. For me, the chemistry with - and personality of - the person I meet on my path will always overshadow where the person is from. And let's face it: we are each and one of us a foreigner somewhere....

The word xenos in Greek means foreigner, but it can be interpreted as (the more hostile) enemy/stranger but also as guest friend ... and that takes us to:

Xenia - which is the ancient Greek concept of hospitality: the generosity and kindness shown to those who are far from home. You remember our Greek gods right? Well, people back then believed that the gods mingled among them, so a foreigner could be a god or a goddesses in disguise. That is why they were always kind and respectful to a stranger, because if he/she was a god, they could be blessed by him/her (and if they were not, there was a risk of incurring the wrath of the god in disguise as a humble xenos). Even though the origin of xenia was around the gods, it became common practice with the Greeks to incorporate xenia into their customs and manners in their everyday life.

Xenia consists of two basic rules: The respect from host to guest. The host must be hospitable to the guest and provide him/her with food, drink, bath, shelter and protection if required. The respect from guest to host: The guest must be courteous to the host and not be a burden.

So, where does my dream destination come into this, dear reader? Well you see, for me, some of the best destinations has been the places where I have met new people. New friends. Foreigners, like we all are really. Wherever I go. Whether it is on a beach, on a mountain top, on a plane or at my local supermarket. That meeting between people, regardless of background, home-country, faith or beliefs, that makes it just my favorite place to be. There and then. That moment. With that xenos. 

So, I let myself inspire of the ancient Greeks: treat every foreigner with kindness and respect, because you never know if it is a god or a godess in disguise... 

********

There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.
― Robert Louis Stevenson, The Silverado Squatters

I am a foreigner, but I like to hide the fact. I'd rather people be prejudiced against my personality. 
― Bauvard, The Prince Of Plungers

But I don’t think of myself as a foreigner or a Frenchman! I just think of myself as a director. Whether I’m French or Australian or whatever, it’s really not important.
— Michel Hazanavicius

In Paris, one is always reminded of being a foreigner. If you park your car wrong, it is not the fact that it’s on the sidewalk that matters, but the fact that you speak with an accent.
— Roman Polanski

**************************
So, as an expat I feel the foreigner concept can be even more confusing. Norway will always be my home country, but living so many years in Greece makes it my home too. And now India, my dear "adopted country" - it also feels like home... And when you live so many years abroad... can it also be that you may feel a bit foreign in your original country? I'm just asking...

A post on the philosophical side today dear reader. Only two more days to go, and I am sooooo excited about taking you to Y.... tomorrow. For me it will be one of the big highlights on this world tour, and I am pretty sure you will enjoy it immensely.

See you soon, guest-friend:-)

Have a relaxed afternoon:-) 

1-30 April I participate in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is written as a part of that challenge. Check out some amazing participating blogs here. My theme for the challenge is Dream Destinations. I hope you had fun coming along? Please stay tuned for a new destination tomorrow. 

Go to a-to-zchallenge.com

W for Window

He is watching the rain trickle down the window in his room. It is dark and misty outside. The window is dewy on the inside. He stretches out his finger and touch the surface. Slowly he draws a face on the dew. A sad face. He sighs and looks up at the poster on the wall. Thierry Henry. The best. The one and only. 

It doesn't hurt so much today. The new medicine helps. He closes his eyes and picture himself running on the football field. Dribbling, tackling, hearing the cheers of the fans, focusing and then shooting: Goal! He smiles with his eyes closed. 

The door opens and dad comes in. He looks exciting, waiving with an envelope. He sits down on the edge of the bed and reads the letter to him. He feels the tight hug of his dad and hear his voice whispering in his ear: You got it son. The foundation granted you your wish. You are going to Wembley! A VIP dream day. You will meet the whole team. Arsenal.

His eyes wander off to the window again. He is trying to prevent the tears from running. He stretch out his finger and touch the sad face, slowly making the sad mouth into a smiling one. He is going to Wembley.

Wembley - the home of Arsenal football club. Pic from: e-architect.co.uk

She is sitting at the kitchen table watching her grand-kids run around in the sun on the green grass out there. Through the open window she can hear them giggle as they chase each other. A honey bee is trapped inside, and she gives it a gentle push out the window opening and watches it fly off and land on her rose bushes. Her hands tremble again as she looks down at the ticket. A gift from her son. 

She had always said she wanted to go back, and here it was. The opportunity. She takes off her glasses and presses the palms of her hands on her eyes - to stop the flow of tears pouring down her wrinkled chins. Her birth city. Her beloved Warzaw which was bombed to ruins. Totally destroyed. Her home gone. Her town that was occupied and where the enemy had put up that awful camp. The camp which stole her loved ones. Killed them. Only she survived. But just like her dear phoenix city she rose from the ruins. 

She had walked away and never looked back. But then the dream. The dream about seeing it again. Night after night, and at daytime too. Sitting by the kitchen window, looking outside and seeing only her: Warzawa. Her city. Her home. She wanted to go back didn't she?

Slowly she gets up and with the ticket in her hand she walks out in the garden. She sits down at the bench by the roses, and the bright sun feels warm on her face. The kids' laughter fade away. She smiles and closes her eyes. 

Facts: Warzaw, Poland was almost completely destroyed after the World War II. The city dates back to the 12th century, but the whole city was reconstructed after the war. You can find more info here. 

Dreams....  -  are they always where we expect them to be? A different take on my theme today, dear reader. I hope you came along and that you found my www: Window-Wembley-Warzaw enjoyable or interesting? What else is there to say but: Chase your dream and live today.

So, another AtoZ week is coming to an end, dear reader. This week we started off in Rosendal and then headed off to Sydney, Table Mountain (with a detour for those Indian mangoes), majestic Udaipur and then lovely Venice. On Monday we are traveling off again - the last 3 dream destinations are coming up. And this should be interesting, because X for x.....?

1-30 April I participate in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is written as a part of that challenge. Check out some amazing participating blogs here. My theme for the challenge is Dream Destinations. I hope you had fun coming along? Tomorrow Sunday we have a challenge-free day, but please stay tuned for a new destination on Monday. 

Go to a-to-zchallenge.com

V for Venice

When I was living in Athens (many years ago) some friends and I decided to do a road trip to Italy. We took the ferry from Patras and arrived Brindisi early morning. The sun was just up and as we hit the roads and the landscape opened up in front of us I got this intense feeling of...  belonging. You know, one of these places on earth where you just feel like home the moment you arrive. Italy was that kind of place.

We visited Bologna, Florence and the mini state of San Marino on our trip, but the highlight for me was the one and only magic city of Venice.

Venice consists of 18 island and the whole city is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city is unique because of the canals going in between the houses. It is often threatened by flood tides pushing in from the Adriatic Ocean. Six hundred years ago, Venetians protected themselves from land-based attacks by diverting all the major rivers flowing into the lagoon and thus preventing sediment from filling the area around the city. This created an ever-deeper lagoon environment.

What I love about Venice ( and get ready for this one:) - is that it is the world's only pedestrian city. So No. Cars. Anywhere (!), something that makes strolling around sooo enjoyable. If you want to get around quicker, you can take the vaporettis (water buses) or the water taxis. If you go to Venice on a romantic trip or honeymoon (we were in neither categories), going for a gondola ride on the canals is a must. (but not advisable if you are an impatient non-romantic soul wanting to get from A to B as soon as possible)

When we went, we stayed close to Piazzo San Marco. I was enjoying the strolls in the narrow alleyways, and over the picturesque bridges crossing the canals, the art work and just sitting for a coffee at the large open squares (though really expensive coffee)  - watching the doves fly up. It was early spring, the weather was beautiful, and I was thinking to myself: yes, this feels right. This could be home.

Masks - the big carnival in Venice is in February. 

But just as I left Udaipur behind yesterday, the time to leave Venice behind, caught up with me back then also. I did leave.

And as sad as it may be, now it is our time to fly away from lovely Venice - our dream destination for the day. What? You don't want to leave? Come on, dear reader, I will take you with me to another place which I think you will find interesting.. Trust me. Pack your bags and get ready for W...

1-30 April I participate in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is written as a part of that challenge. Check out some amazing participating blogs here. My theme for the challenge is Dream Destinations. I hope you had fun coming along? Please stay tuned for a new destination tomorrow. 

Go to a-to-zchallenge.com

U for Udaipur

Have you ever dreamed of getting into a rickshaw with James Bond and drive like a maniac through narrow lanes and market places while a bunch of bad guys is chasing you (in another rickshaw) and exited crowds of people are cheering you on (or cursing you)??

007museum.com

Yes? No? If yes, you are a very adventurous person, and today's destination might be your dream come true. If no, then please still come with us for the ride, because I guarantee you - this place has a lot to offer.

You see, last year we went to the Indian state of Rajasthan. We visited Jaipur but then we chose to travel east - to Taj Mahal. No regrets - it was an amazing trip, but aaahhh - it left me with this a-yet-to-visit-dream-destination... Because I had wanted to visit that City of Lakes, Venice of the East in Rajasthan - the city of Udaipur...

Udaipur is known for the many lakes, like Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar. It used to be the historical capital of the kingdom of Mewar. And in addition to its history, culture, and scenic locations, it is also known for its Rajput-era palaces. The Lake Palace, for example, covers an entire island in the Pichola Lake. Many of the palaces have been turned in to luxury hotels.

Lake Palace

So, let us bring back mister James Bond to our story. You see, most of the film Octopussy (from 1983) was shot right here in Udaipur. If you go to Udaipur and want to walk in mister Bond's footsteps, you can for example visit the Monsson Palace (Kamal Khan's house in the film), Lake Palace and Jag Mandir Palace (both as the home of Octopussy herself ) and Shiv Niwas Palace (Bond's hotel).

Aha. Are you still thinking about that rickshaw drive with James Bond? I know you do.. Well, here is your chance, dear reader. Enjooooy!

Did you have a good time? Well, I hope so, and that - whether you enjoyed the rickshaw - drive or not, you found Udaipur as fascinating as I have. And I am dreaming about going there one day, to indulge in history, palaces, culture and those shimmering silver lakes at sunset....

You can check out Rajasthantourism for more info.

So, just as we managed to leave Table Mountain behind yesterday, we will have to bid farewell to Udaipur also, whether we like it or not. But do not despair, dear reader, I promise I will take you somewhere exciting tomorrow when we fly off to V....

1-30 April I participate in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is written as a part of that challenge. Check out some amazing participating blogs here. My theme for the challenge is Dream Destinations. I hope you had fun coming along? Please stay tuned for a new destination tomorrow. 

Go to a-to-zchallenge.com