Rajni Arun Kumar's Blog, page 2

Barcelona Blues

So this was around the time when Pickwick was about knee-height. And just about toddling around, chatting to whomsoever struck his fancy (of course, we have now outgrown that phase and have resorted to sullen silence as the standard expression to greet any unsuspecting guest). So, unfettered by school schedules, we’d planned a weekend trip to Barcelona.
Now let me tell you about our weekend

Of Volcanoes, Squalls and other Natural Phenomenon

The husband, having spotted a great deal on a low-cost airline had booked us on a spate of holidays, the last of which was to Naples. The idea was to catch the last ferry out to Capri the same evening. 
However the last ferry, this being winter wasn't going out this late anymore. so we ended up having to stay at Naples for the night. I though we were going to catch the first ferry out. But

Dear Hair...

Dear Hair, what is with you and your love affair with the bathroom drain?


Recently, someone complimented me on my hair. Their exact words were, “Have you done something to your hair? Looks good.” Now, considering this wasn't uttered by the hubby as a quick let-me-say-something-so-she-doesn’t-kill-me compliment after an argument, and it was a genuine compliment, I felt much like Child #1 feels

9 Things That Indians All Over The World Are Forever Explaining To Their Friends!

Going to an international school for the most part is a privilege my kids are lucky to have. They adore their friends, who are from different parts of the world, and the number of languages you hear during drop-off are astounding! But occasionally, you can’t help but sit back and marvel at how Rudyard Kipling and Danny Boyle have ruined India for an average European. Here’s a sample:

A trip to the Carpathians

The husband is a meticulous planner. Especially when it comes to holidays. No, really, we're talking months, even years in advance. But, just occasionally he will decide to break the pattern and do an impulsive one. Thats was this was. Very spur-of-the moment (that is planned just about 5 days in advance).
Sibiu. A good 5 hour drive away. Luck - and traffic was on our side and we made it in four

'Are we in Asia or Europe?'

... that was the most frequently asked question by my son when we were in Istanbul. Apparently the fact that we were in a city that straddled two continents simply blew his mind. But apart from the whole Continental Identity crisis, the city has so much more to offer.
Lets start with the mosques. - And the Hagia Sophia - first a church, and a mosque for a brief period of time. Each one

Whirlwind Weekend

So. Last weekend was a big one for the baa-lamb. Out of sheer respect for the elderly, Let's just say it was the beginning of  a new decade and leave it at that. But to bring in this birthday (and to perhaps tick a few places off the bucket list), we decided to head to the Puglia Coastline.
We were staying at a really nice B&B at Monopoli. Its run by a really great chap called Cesare, who makes

Mum-Zilla

I’m a newbie NRI mum. Please note, I said NRI mum, not just NRI. And there’s a world of difference between the two. Being an NRI has turned me, a (usually) sane human being into a paranoid Mum-zilla from hell during my visit back to the homeland. I’m not proud of some of the things I did. So here’s the story of my comedy of errors. Laugh, enjoy. I won’t mind you making (a little) fun of me!Read

Coffee Manna

There are just so many things I want to write about my trip to India. Everyone here asks me ‘So, how was your trip back home’ and I always say ‘Awesome!’ Because that sums up the entire experience.


But there are a few not-so-awesome bits that make up the awesome whole. Read on here to find out more. My post on Yowoto..,

There's no place like Home!

No, really, there is, quite literally no place like India. The land of so much colour, contrast and some incredible people.
Let's start off the journey with God's Own Country, shall we - Kerala.


Yes, this is how people travel in the monsoons, one handed bicycle riding is quite the rage

Oh. you were expecting something more conventional? Like beaches and backwaters? Fear not! we have that too!