ಮುಸ್ಸಂಜೆ

I was very anxious about this trek because it had been raining heavily for the past 2–3 days, not only in Bangalore but all over Karnataka. At the same time, I was equally excited, as it was my first trek with my hubby and cousins. We started off to Kodachadri on October 1st at around 8:30 pm in one of the KSRTC buses and reached Nittur early the next morning. The locals there warned us about the heavy rains and mist at Kodachadri. After having breakfast at a small hotel, we began our trek. From the moment we started, it was drizzling. Holding umbrellas, we protected ourselves from the rain and leeches and kept walking. The muddy path was alive with nature—the sonorous calls of birds floated through the mercurial mist and crisp morning air. The rain-washed trees with their bright green leaves lined our path. We spotted orange-colored mushrooms, tiny hopping frogs, rare insects, and butterflies. The earthy smell of wet soil calmed my mind, and my heart was filled with a joy I can hardly...

1/09/2009 Waterfalls have always beckoned me because of their incredible beauty. I had always wanted to visit Jog, especially after listening to the famous Rajkumar song  “Jeevanadalli omme nodu joga gundi,”  which I now realize is true, word for word. After an overnight drive, we reached our destination,  Mutthuga’s homestay , located amidst lush green areca plantations, just 8 km before Jog Falls. After a morning breakfast with a refreshing cup of coffee, we set off to Jog. After a fifteen-minute drive, we reached Jog Falls. There, we experienced the magnificent view of the Sharavathi River dropping down as Raja, Rani, Roarer, and Rocket from a height of 930 ft. We could witness many moods of Jog as the weather kept changing from sunny to gloomy, and cloudy to rainy—a unique experience of its own kind. A mantle of deep greens covered the ridges and hollows of the rocks surrounding the falls. I was fascinated to see the rainbow that appeared at the base, adding to the ch...

For the past few months, I have been teaching Gargi rhymes, science, language, and art regularly, of course using the Montessori method. She simply enjoys learning while she plays, and I have noticed tremendous improvement in her. At this point, I felt like sharing a few thoughts I have gathered from my Montessori course. Children have an extraordinary capacity to absorb the universal details of life during their early years, especially between the ages of three and six. Before the age of six, they should be exposed to subjects like science and mathematics, and introduced to the skills of reading and writing. When early educational experiences are pleasurable and stimulating, a child is far more likely to achieve long-term academic excellence. It is the duty of elders to carefully observe and nurture a child’s development. Regardless of a child’s ability, challenging her intellect should always be a joyful experience. If the process causes irritation or fatigue, it is a sign that the a...

14/7/2009 This weekend, I watched the movie  Little Women . Back in my high school days, I had read the novel of the same name, written by Louisa May Alcott. The story follows four sisters learning the harsh lessons of poverty and growing up in New England. The movie held me captivated until the very end, largely because the settings felt so familiar. The March sisters’ house, in particular, reminded me of  The Mark Twain House , which we visited two years ago in July at Hartford, Connecticut—one of the New England states of the USA. Somehow, watching  Little Women  made me want to write about that incredible place and my experience there. Every time we [GNG] visited a mall in Connecticut, Gargi loved playing in one particular area. There was something special about it. The adventures of Huckleberry Finn seemed to come alive here. In one corner, a small note mentioned that this area was dedicated to  Mark Twain , one of the most beloved writers of all time, who ...

Date: 23rd may 2009 – 25th may 2009 Place: Gopalaswami betta, Biligiri Rangana betta and Kgudi Wilderness camp The forest has always fascinated me with its wildness. I love the forest feel—the smell of the mud, the fresh air—everything about it makes each moment magical and memorable. There are countless reasons to revisit Kgudi, but the excitement of spotting a tiger for the first time still lingers in my mind. We [GNG] started early on 23rd May and reached Mysore by 10 AM. After having dosa at one of Gautham’s favorite hotels, GTR, where he always feels nostalgic, we set off for Gopalaswamy Betta. I am always curious about new places, so I was eager to see this historical temple perched atop the hill. The drive was about 87 km from Mysore—roughly an hour and a half—but I couldn’t take my eyes off the lush, green mountain ranges along the way. Gopalaswamy Betta We entered the temple, which felt like stepping into a historical monument. What captivated me the most was the  Gopalasw...