A cup of Assam Tea

       Nestled on a hilltop amidst nature, in the city of movers and shakers, Park Güell is Antoni Gaudí's whimsical creation and iconic masterpiece. A captivating and, at the same time, quirky yet creative park, Park Guel is one of the most unique I have ever come across.  A burst of rainbow colors in the mosaic bask in  the Barcelona  sun, a stroll or walk will give you Gaudí's sheer artistic vision.  Initiated and planned as a posh housing community in the 19th century, inspired by the Garden City movement, this unsuccessful business venture eventually transformed into a park. Must see 1. Salamander, popularly known as "el drac" (the dragon), at the main entrance. The side walls of the entrance stairs are filled with mosaic artwork on tile. Every piece of the square-shaped tile is encrypted with its own design. 2. Hypostyle Room, the main floor, which has the roof embedded with mosaic artwork supported on big rou...

Those hot mornings are now softly turning into misty dewy mornings. Moist morning transport me back to home, Assam India. Indian festival season just started there. Festivity unfolds food, flavor and fashion. I reminisce about those beautiful days of school holidays, relishing festive food, buying and feeling the touch of crisp new clothes.    Well, the last couple of years my friend initiated celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi. She meticulously plans and creates festivity with so much care and creativity. It is a 11 days affair. Even though I want to visit every day, my kids and work just occupy me and I could only manage to visit a few days. During the visits, I enjoy dressing up for the festivity.      This year I see how linen became vogue in summer. I chose this linen white saree with a blue border and a pink achal (the top end) which played a pinch of pop of color which you need for a festival look.  I team it up with Assamese thuria and...

      Blooming bougainvillea, sweet scent of tangerines, adorned ornate buildings, closed gates when opens it feels like a home, wide and warm as every square here awaits to tell you the history of the artistic and esthetics of human curation. Seville, as if the leisurely ornate city enchants you with the quintessential splendid  Spanish holiday.  Eclectic, the capital of Andalucia and the 4th largest Spanish city has a Roman and Morish past. Main attraction THE PLAZA DE ESPAÑA:  If you want to experience something spectacular and get awestruck by mesmerizing beauty and grandeur, the Plaza de Espana with 500,000 square meters of rose gold building beautified with blue tiles, canals, bridges, and fountains, it is nothing short of a beautiful canvas. You might have to remind yourself, this is not a dream but reality. Every tile and railing of the bridges are work of immaculate craftsmanship and seating areas are enclosed with each reg...

      Being sick and lying in the bed is no fun. But imagining about good things especially memories is a solace while if you're sick. One of these beautiful memories transports me to my recent trip to Spain and it's most unique and iconic dishes. 1.  Paella : The most iconic and celebrated Spanish rice-based dish originated in  Valencia and is typically seafood-based.  If you prefer not to eat seafood, you can opt for chicken paella, or if you're a vegetarian, there's an option available for you too. There is almost no Spanish restaurant that does not offer paella.  2. Patatas Bravas : A ubiquitous tapas in Spain. Fried potatoes, often resembling French fries, are topped with tomato sauce and vary in taste from region to region. Enticing, of course. 3. Churros :   Every nook and corner proudly presents Spain's most delicious delight. Decadent fried sugary dough topped with chocolate...Ah heaven! 4.  Pimientos de...

      Small cities and towns have always intrigued me.  Small cities and towns have a wonder of their own, whether it's flavor,  food , flair, festive culture, or craft.  You will find something significant and unique about it. When we were traveling Spain , Toledo was my top pick. Announced as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Toledo is a seamless blend of three cultures: Roman, Jewish, and Moorish.       Cobblestone streets, a historic little square mountain, and situated on the banks of the Tagus River, Toledo is a postcard-perfect city and a haven for the traveling soul. How to get there and how much time you should spend        Less than an hour from Madrid by car or train, it is perfect for a day trip or if you want to witness the city at night, staying over for a day or two could be a perfect option. We drove from Madrid to Toledo for a day trip, but after visiting, I regret that we should have spent a day or t...