Life of a Tinker

From experiencing tomorrow, today; to feeling the heartbeat of old China, Hangzhou is a rarity where the unfaltering national push towards future finally calls a timeout. Rich in history and culture spanning over 2000 years, this ancient capital near Shanghai is still a bit low-key.   You find the soul of China here; in the mists and reflections on the lake, in the age old teahouses and distant pagodas and pavilions. It’s not the beauty of the city that sets it apart but the tranquility with which it carries itself. You feel something change, a nothingness washing over and setting you free. Here, I decided to be a little aimless. And my instincts took me wherever they wanted. Roaming around the lush and uber-large campus of Zhejiang University, shown around by a Croatian student learning Mandarin there, felt a great way to start. There, a group of Chinese students, welcomed me for a cup of tea. I was about to pass, when my Croatian friend elbowed me and told, “Chinese d...

It all started when my friends decided to give me a surprise Bachelorrette in Goa. It sounds such a cliché, but for me it was a novel experience. Why! I’d never been to Goa before in all my existence. So, when the invite came, my instant reply was as they had expected, ”No dude, too much work in office”. Yes! That plain and simple. But somehow, their efforts to convince me and fate interwoven together, finalized that trip. Finally, it was at the end of November, that I left for Goa. It was getting chillier day by day. Winter was smiling down upon me and I was pulling my denim jacket closer. Since this was the first trip to Goa for me, I had several pictures of the place painted in my mind. I had heard my colleagues and friends talking about their experiences of Goa. One common picture that got stamped in my mind was that it’s a place for people looking for cheap booze and parties. So, in the morning as I stepped down the bus in Mapusa just when the first rays of sun touch...

Darling love, a story is on my lips.. A tale of faith, of trust and love. Our story is in my heart, It's just begun; i don't want it to end. I remember meeting you, strangers we were. Amazingly handsome, smart and kind;  a spell you wove & caught me off-guard. I fell for you like we fall asleep, slowly at first, then all at once.. You gave me dreams that were never mine, I was still me with a little more shine. Our souls became one, hearts beating in a rhythm. You made me the happiest soul on this earth, you gave me the best feeling in the world. You loved me like we'll live no more, It felt as if i was dead till you touched my core. But what is love without longing and pain, It was your voice that gave me strength. We fought too and argued like silly, but each time brought us closer to reality. Every moment so vivid, i could feel it around me; the bond strengthening, the passion like new. Love taught me, it never stays, it needs to be made and remade. Y...