Like a second home.
Ah, home. I was excited to return to Bangalore, after having been away for six years. Bangalore, especially the area around the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), still feels a bit like home (we lived here for a year in 2008-09). This week, I am in Bangalore with a group of Dartmouth colleagues to explore a potential academic relationship with IISc, and for me it is also an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and friends from our life here 16 years ago. Read on!
Exploring old Delhi.
As I walked through the hotel gates on Sunday morning, Raju was there, as arranged after yesterday’s outing. I reminded him I had less time today, and asked to go to Old Delhi. I suggested he drop me at Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in Delhi and, I think, in India), because I knew that neighborhood involves many small streets and alleys filled with tiny stalls in which vendors sell every imaginable product or service. It was Sunday morning, so it would be less crowded than usual … but no doubt full of interesting sights and sounds. Read on!
It feels good to be back!
India is one of my favorite places to visit. After we spent a year living in Bangalore, I used to visit at least once every year… until Covid interrupted. As a result, I have been away for six years. This week I had the opportunity to return to India on Dartmouth business… spending a few days in Delhi and a few days in Bangalore (Bengaluru). I arrived in Delhi two days early, giving me time to explore some of my favorite places. Although this blog post covers only one day, there is a lot to say… read on!
I hope to return someday!
In the spring of 2009, when we lived in India, we took a trip to Darjeeling in the far northeast corner of India and spent a week walking along the Singalila ridge, which forms the border with Nepal. It was a beautiful walk, despite being in the clouds much of the time… and never catching a glimpse of Mount Everest. It was a fantastic trip, despite some challenges, and I still think often of finding some time to return. Read the original story.
Hungry just thinking about it.
Worth visiting again and again.
Our family visited the Taj Majal twelve years ago this spring; after that 2009 visit I wrote “Taj is, quite simply, stunningly beautiful, exquisitely crafted, and a marvel of engineering and art.” Portions were under renovation at the time, so I was excited to return in 2017, as part of Dartmouth’s Mystical India tour. On that day we enjoyed blue skies and a fully-open site. Visit both posts for more info and more photos!
A place worth revisiting – again.
My first visit to India’s Ranthambore National Park was in the spring of 2009, when we were on a tour of northern India. This park is famous for its tiger population, and we were not disappointed – but is also home to countless other species and beautiful scenery. Read about our 2009 visit and, for that matter, our 2017 re-visit. I hope to return again!
Worth a return visit!
Two of the most stunning historic sites I’ve visited, anywhere in the world, are Ellora and Ajanta. About two thousand years ago, ancient Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu cultures carved and painted elaborate caves and entire temples from the basalt cliffs in western India. The results, preserved as UNESCO World Heritage sites, are nothing short of stunning. Take a return visit with me to that blog post, Ellora photo album, and Ajanta photos album.
Revisiting an epic trip.
One of the most epic trips of our year in India involved our travels from Delhi to the remote village of Dharamsala in the foothills of the Himalaya, where we met up with old friends for a few days around New Years’ Eve. The travel itself was the most challenging – but the time in Dharamsala, with its visit to a school for Tibetan refugee children, and the headquarters-in-exile of the Dalai Lama, was entrancing. A hike up to snowy Triund Pass on a sunny New Year’s Day offered incredible views. Check out the story of the round-trip journey, of Dharamsala itself, and our hike on New Year’s Day, for the full story. It’s worth a visit!
One of our favorite trips.
A dozen years ago, in December 2008, we visited the southwest corner of India for a week-long tour of the famous “Malabar coast”, taking in its Arabian sea beaches, historic sites, inland waterways, spice plantations, wildlife parks, and more. It was a fascinating experience for all the senses! The four-part series begins here.
David Kotz 