Valentine's day

Since Monsieur S. is miles away, I decided why not take my mom for a nice Valentine's day treat. We have a new Honda active bike and it's super zippy for the Goan roads. We rode all the way to Panjim, had a lovely Goan lunch at Anoshka's. So a typical Goan lunch includes the staple rice, curry and friend fish. I ordered a beef dish to taste as well. After lunch, we rode across the Mandovi bridge towards the little town of Reis Magos to visit the Reis Magos Fort.

This was my first time ever visiting the Reis Magos Fort. It has recently been renovated with the gracious help of The Helen Hamlyn Trust. It's a shame that our Indian multi-millionaires couldn't care less for art and architecture. The Reis Magos fort is Goa's oldest fort. It was built between 1551-1554 by the Portuguese rulers. My mother last saw the fort in ruins and she was moved to see the new shining monument. I would recommend Goans and tourists to visit the place, not only for its history but also for the breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea.

The fort is also a museum and there is a permanent Mario Miranda exhibition in some halls. Moreover there are lecture halls that you can rent out for lectures, book releases etc. You can also rent the place for your wedding (which I frankly think will be the photo op of the century!)

It's essential to spend some time around the monument to get a sense of the ocean and it's importance to Reis Magos. It's a shame that so many hotels and private colonies/clubs have cropped up around this fishing town and the waters are slowly being polluted. I wouldn't recommend the area for swimming, just walks on the beach here. 

In the evenings, you'll see fishermen, pulling their little boats to shore. Sometimes you find the odd trawler coming in with a catch. You can get a good bargain for a few kilos of fresh fish :)

The star of the village is of course the Reis Magos church. Built shortly after the completion of the fort, the church really comes to it full glory in the beginning of January. Every 6th of January, the town celebrates the Feast of the Three Kings. I sincerely wish they would keep the place open during the year for worshippers and admirers alike to get a gist of the interiors. According the the Goa Tourism website, the church holds the tombstones of two former Goan viceroys. One of them being Dom Luis de Ataide, known for his legendary defense skills. You can read more here in Portuguese if this character interests you.

The final sunset/dusk light on the way back from a tiring but eventful day.

Sketches: My second version of Picasso's Françoise.

Vive les amazing French people!

Photos and more here

Oh oui! Vive les amazing French People. Étienne Lavie takes on Paris by strategically replacing ads with classical paintings from Renoir, Delacroix, etc. What a beautiful expression of art meets life! Étienne's little revolution shows us that art should be made more accessible if not, free to admire. Even a mundane metro ride should give you something to admire and think about rather than just entice you to feed consumerism. This really made my day and I can't believe I'm missing Étienne's work!!  those of you in Paris, enjoy!!!

Food and art unite! Artist Marion Luttenberger

I'm amazed at how creative people can get. If you love food and art as much as I do, then these photos will make you oh so happy! :)

More from this artist/photographer here 

and her personal website Marion Luttenberger is a real treat for the eyes!

Margot is (approximately) 3 months old today! :)

Happy Birthday my doll! I love this picture so much. Reminds me of that Cher song, I got you babe!

2014. Hello.

It's highly unfortunate that many people CHOOSE to stay in a rut, ceasing to learn, ceasing to grow, ceasing to challenge, ceasing to grasp their dreams and ceasing to believe that life is made of better and greater things. It's shameful to consciously become insubstantial and eventually obsolete. Moving away from these people is the first step in learning, growing, challenging, dreaming.. Life goes on (in a better and greater way!) 2014. Ready.

My first still life painting with watercolours.

Easy maça assada | Pommes au four | Baked apples

Scoop out the core of the apple, add dried cherries (or raisins), walnuts, a little butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and sprinkle maple syrup (or sugar syrup). Bake for 50 mins. Enjoy!

New family member :)

After one of our three dogs was put down, we've been looking for a pet dog. My family mostly wanted a "male pedigree dog". About two weeks ago, while coming home from language class, I saw this little fur ball abandoned near our local church. I didn't care whether it was a male or female nor which breed, I just instantly knew, this was the dog I needed. Turns out, she's a girl. At first, it was hard convincing my family to keep the wriggly, squirmy living object in my handbag. But look at that face! How could they refuse! 

Moreover I don't understand why people fancy well bred dogs. I honestly think some of them are a nuisance. I have first hand experience looking after a friend's "pure bred" German shepherd. All that dog did was stay pretty and fall sick. That's probably an isolated case but hey! if you really want a pure breed dog, nothing's going to stop you. But just think about all the cute strays that are looking for a home. Secondly, the discrimination against female dogs needs to stop. How are you going to have your precious male dogs if no one wants female dogs? All you need to do is spay or neuter your pet irregardless of the sex. Your male or female dog won't become any less of a canine after the various surgical procedures. In fact you're not only helping your pet to live a healthy life but also doing your bit to help society keep strays under check. Read more here about How and when to spay/neuter your pet?

So yes, it's established we have a new family member. Everyone is slowly warming up to her. The other two dogs are finding her really strange and keep snapping at her. For now there aren't any serious injuries.

Her name will be Margot :)

Autumn things

Autumn, how dearly I miss you..

Frangipani mornings

"चम्पा तुझमें तीन गुण – रंग, रूप और बास  ; अवगुण तुझमें एक ही कि भंवर न आए पास" 

(Dear Champa, you have colour, beauty and fragrance; yet the honey-bees always keep their distance). 

A peaceful feeling

It's good to be back home. It's a beautiful feeling. A peace that I have missed. Most days I spend wandering around the hill, like I did when I was young. Sneaky and Benjamin insist on accompanying me everywhere I go. I love the company. It's a never judging faithful undivided attention they give me. We have a new addition to our canine family. I will introduce her as soon as I have good pictures. 

Home sweet home.

I've got my Masters in hand and some dreams to rebuild. I needed a short break from "la vie européenne". I decided the best thing would be to take the flight back home to Goa and spend some quality time with my family. I have missed being home and being taken care of (in the Indian child comes home sort of way). 

On returning home, my grandmother's absence is the most striking part of the household fabric. The love is still there from everybody but a big part of it is missing. There's a lot of work to do now. I spend some time everyday in my grandmum's room, sorting through her things. Quite often there is a faint lavender talc scent that fills the room when I open her armoire. That is my favorite scent for now. The ocean offers me comfort. I love experiencing that happy disposition, found only in that familiar place between the earth and the sky..

Happiness, Italian style!

I've finished my Masters and the best way to put the stress behind me is a trip to Italy! Of course!! 

Magic skies

Don't forget to look to the heavens for short while. The skies are making magic tonight.

Douce Normandie

The ocean is a powerful source of energy. It can offer you an instant soul cleanse. Soaking your feet in the Atlantic ocean on a hazy summery day. Could life get any better? :)

Today's mood board :)

Marc Jacobs beauty line! I'm lusting this.

Shop the collection: http://mjin.tl/mjbtys

My Sketches: Bombay

My postcard from Bombay: there isn't a city more maddening yet exciting, more infuriating yet lovely as this! 

Devious Maids: I love!

''Keep your friends close but keep your maids closer''  There's an uproar about the representation of Latinas in Eva Longoria's new production Devious Maids. Just watched the very first episode and I'm hooked! Stereotypes DO exist, the media feeds on stereotypes, we need to deal with that and this show does NOT in any way try to degrade these women neither does it glorify any latina stereotypes. On the contrary, instead of talking about lawyers, doctors, advertisers, the show is giving a chance to maids to tell their story and not losing out on the entertainment factor! I absolutely LOVE the story-line and the cast! If you were a fan of Desperate Housewives, you are going to lurve this show  ENJOY!!!!