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S. E. Asia 2016

Early morning of November 9th in Taipei, the US election results were coming in and it looked like Florida was going for Trump. I got anxious and decided to take a walk to the nearby Museum of Fine Arts. Along the way, a man, about 40 years old speaking… Continue reading →

New York 2016

I lived in New York in 1969-70 and again from 1977-84. In the earlier stay, I worked as a professional in the financial district, earned well, caroused a lot, got to know the city from that lens. In the second stay, I was a sedate academic, marathoner, much more interested… Continue reading →

US Open Tennis 2016

The “thwack” of Janowicz’s serves at 140 mph had a distinctly deeper and lingering sound than even a 130 mph serve. The crazy thing is that Djokovic was returning them near his opponent’s baseline.   It was the opening match of the US Open Tennis Tournament for 2016 in… Continue reading →

London, Paris and Lisbon 2016

I walked into a convenience store near Lisbon’s main square and heard two shopkeepers speaking Hindustani. I joined in and asked where they were from. “Punjab” is the answer I got, not India, not Pakistan, the two possible countries. “My family is from Punjab too”, I chimed in. “Yeah, you… Continue reading →

Dubai 2015: Architectural Cornucopia

I did not see an Emirati during my first day in Dubai. It’s population is a little over 2 million, but only 10-15 percent are Emiratis and the rest are mostly South Asians with a sprinkling of Phillipinos, Europeans and Africans. “Where can I meet Emiratis”, I asked a Pakistani… Continue reading →

Art in New York and Washington DC 2015

I never need a special reason to visit New York—the city offers countless attractions for me. But this visit was to attend the auction at Sotheby’s of a painting I own and to participate in Asia Week, a celebration of Asian Art. I did the circuit of auction houses, galleries… Continue reading →

Vietnam 2015: Vibrant

Standing at the curb to cross the street in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), I saw a swarm of bees coming at me as if their hive had been disturbed, but they were motorbikes with helmeted riders. I had read about this phenomenon, but the reality was still scary, made… Continue reading →

Penang 2015: Multicultural, Good Beaches, Great Food

With street names like Armenian, Acheh, China, Burma, Bangkok, Tamil, Farquhar, Kimberley, one would expect to be in an international city. George Town is just that. It is the main urban area of Penang, an island off the coast of Malaysia, to which it belongs. The inner city, a UNESCO… Continue reading →

New York, Vermont & Maine 2014

“When Bruce answered my knock at his door, he said “You’re looking very well.” Aptly, I was reminded of the book with that title about aging by Lewis Wolpert, an octogenarian scientist. I visited Bruce in Manchester, Vermont and David in Bar Harbor, Maine, both apartment-mates in New York in… Continue reading →

Bhutan 2014: Buddhist State and Mountains

Walking along the main street of Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan, I really wanted to ask someone if he or she was happy, but I felt shy. Bhutan’s king pioneered the concept of Gross National Happiness in 1972 based on Buddhist ideals that human development has material and spiritual aspects.… Continue reading →

A Day in Beijing 2014: Progress

As my flight was descending to land in Beijing, the cloud cover obscured visibility until the plane came close to landing. In fact, the grey pall was pollution. To balance that striking drawback, the city’s development was clearly planned with green areas near apartment complexes and streets lined with trees… Continue reading →

Mongolia 2014: Gers and Skyscrapers

Every country likes to bask in the glory of its past, but Mongolia has taken Chinggis Khaan (yes, its spelled with two g’s and two a’s) to a new level.  His image is everywhere; a huge statue that dominates the main square of the capital, his face carved on… Continue reading →

Yucatan 2013: Mayan Ruins, Merida and Beaches

I heard a man’s loud voice behind me almost yelling “Hey, hey”, but I paid no attention.  I was walking through Chichen Itza with three other English speakers and a guide.  Who would know me here?  He caught the attention of one of my group, however, who… Continue reading →

Culebra 2012: Carribean Beaches

Culebra, Puerto Rico

2012

 

Five of us were sitting outside a bar at the end of the runway of Culebra’s tiny airport.  There weren’t any planes whizzing overhead, but along came three Paso Fino horses prancing past us to a gate that opened on to the grounds at… Continue reading →
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