This is wonderful, Swarna. I felt like I was right there with you, driving on the left! I pulled up Google Maps to try to follow your journey. The countryside looks beautiful, so wild, and yet so close to your city.
In high school in England, what little we learned of India was through the lens of colonialism, with India presented as a monolith. It's fascinating to hear about the indigenous peoples.
I remember as a child that in my grandfather's coin collection was a quarter Anna coin, the currency or token of the East India Company. Holding that coin in my hand, it felt light. I could not then feel idea the weight of history and oppression that it carried.
Wow, your writing is breathtaking. Just - WOW. I love the moment of recognition that the delicious espresso is a tiny luxury in life. I love savoring those moments, especially as luxury is not a boon companion of mine.
I'm constantly knocked off guard by the weight of trauma greed has put upon this earth, and my goodness, did I find myself there again whilst reading this. I'm not sure why this greed always surprises me, perhaps its my inner child clinging to naivete? I'm not sure. So looking forward to part two!
Beautifully told. I was trying to imagine the heat and the smells - so different from my winter forest walks right now! I watched the ted talk today that Antonia shared a few weeks ago about the doctrine of discovery and wow, this gave me the same sense of frustration and dismay. Looking forward to part 2.
Tremendously beautiful, Swarna! Like John, I found myself right there with you, and wanting follow along with a map. I want to evoke the scents of that forest, so different from the ones I walk yet still the language of trees. Thank you for sharing this with us! (And for your cat’s patience—he doesn’t seem quite as enthralled but who would be after the night he’s had?)
I’ve truly missed your writings. I felt overwhelmed which of your publications I should start and I’m so happy to have opened this one. I loved all the photos, especially the one of your kitty☺️. Now I need to go into my neglected email account and catch up.
Swarna, what a gorgeous, enchantment of an essay. I too felt I was alongside you in the journey, getting to view those beautiful elder trees, and the spotted deer, the scents, the heat. I love to hear of your journeys and feelings and the history of the places you write of so much--so look forward to the next post! And I love that the simple or more common/everyday are appreciated alongside it--the eyes of your adorable cat along with you, despite the complications, the wonder of a coffee and someone who makes it for you. Just love how you write and share all of this with us so beautifully. 💜🧚🏼
This is wonderful, Swarna. I felt like I was right there with you, driving on the left! I pulled up Google Maps to try to follow your journey. The countryside looks beautiful, so wild, and yet so close to your city.
In high school in England, what little we learned of India was through the lens of colonialism, with India presented as a monolith. It's fascinating to hear about the indigenous peoples.
I remember as a child that in my grandfather's coin collection was a quarter Anna coin, the currency or token of the East India Company. Holding that coin in my hand, it felt light. I could not then feel idea the weight of history and oppression that it carried.
🕯
Wow, your writing is breathtaking. Just - WOW. I love the moment of recognition that the delicious espresso is a tiny luxury in life. I love savoring those moments, especially as luxury is not a boon companion of mine.
I'm constantly knocked off guard by the weight of trauma greed has put upon this earth, and my goodness, did I find myself there again whilst reading this. I'm not sure why this greed always surprises me, perhaps its my inner child clinging to naivete? I'm not sure. So looking forward to part two!
What a gift of an essay. I look forward to its sequel. I would love to hear this post read aloud in your voice!
Beautifully told. I was trying to imagine the heat and the smells - so different from my winter forest walks right now! I watched the ted talk today that Antonia shared a few weeks ago about the doctrine of discovery and wow, this gave me the same sense of frustration and dismay. Looking forward to part 2.
Tremendously beautiful, Swarna! Like John, I found myself right there with you, and wanting follow along with a map. I want to evoke the scents of that forest, so different from the ones I walk yet still the language of trees. Thank you for sharing this with us! (And for your cat’s patience—he doesn’t seem quite as enthralled but who would be after the night he’s had?)
I’ve truly missed your writings. I felt overwhelmed which of your publications I should start and I’m so happy to have opened this one. I loved all the photos, especially the one of your kitty☺️. Now I need to go into my neglected email account and catch up.
Swarna, what a gorgeous, enchantment of an essay. I too felt I was alongside you in the journey, getting to view those beautiful elder trees, and the spotted deer, the scents, the heat. I love to hear of your journeys and feelings and the history of the places you write of so much--so look forward to the next post! And I love that the simple or more common/everyday are appreciated alongside it--the eyes of your adorable cat along with you, despite the complications, the wonder of a coffee and someone who makes it for you. Just love how you write and share all of this with us so beautifully. 💜🧚🏼