Leave of Absence & Agricultural Subsidies

I am always surprised at how many people land on this blog, often from very diverse and intelligent sources, to give me extremely incisive input. Considering their time spent here, I consider it only fair to mention that I will not be updating this blog very regularly for the next two weeks. In that time [...]

Returning to India: of Struggle and Hope

A friend pointed me to Piya’s blog. Piya has a penchant for clicking photos and has just returned to live in Delhi after several years. Only two months old, the blog is already an excellent illustration of the riot that India is for one’s senses, and the eccentricities it presents. Reading it, I finally had [...]

India Nuggets: Happy Republic Day

January 26 is India’s Republic day, the day in 1950 that we chose to be a republic. As a modern republic and nation state, India is today 57 years old.Some interesting guardedly optimistic readings to celebrate, and thank those that preceded us, for what they built (and a hope that we don’t screw it up).

Those Damn Foreigners - Immigration to Europe

Scribbled on a wall in Geneva:
Etrangers, ne nous laissez pas seuls avec les suisses.
Translation:
Foreigners, don’t leave us alone with the Swiss!
What’s all the fuss about? A recent referendum here that tightened Switzerland’s immigration laws, making them among the harshest in Europe according to the UNHCR. Odd then than a country that prides itself as a [...]

The Abyss - Bungy Jumping in Valais

This past Saturday, I looked into a 190m abyss…leaped…

…and bounced back.
After effects? A certificate of insanity, a headache, eyes ready to pop out, a few million fewer grey cells, and bragging rights to a hell of a memory.
If you cannot see the video above, you can
download the entire file and watch it on your computer.

To What End Travel?

On ne voyage pas pour se garnir d’exotisme et d’anecdotes comme un sapin de Nöel, mais pour que la route vous plume, [...]

Zurich’s Day Off

Yesterday was Zurich’s big day. I arrived from Geneva on the morning train, to find not a single grey suit. Now usually I would think I got off at the wrong place, for the city of bankers is one grey carpet on weekdays. Today, however, was a cantonal holiday. All of Zurich was headed not to [...]

Photos from the Czech Republic

I managed to get the photos from the Czech Republic online. Included: Prague, Trutnov and its vicinity, Adrspach in the North, and Kutna Hora (1 hour from Prague).
Enjoy.