Life in Dec 26, 2026 to Oct 11, 2026

 Life in Dec 26, 2026 to Oct 11, 2026

The previous Life-In series was written last year Dec. And that covered 9 months long. This is almost 10.5 months long. Not a good record to keep. Previous one mentioned that the time gone by was not planned and what was planned didn't happen. So is the case here also.So, some things do not change. 

Travel

(1) Hampi - travel + 12K run by Go Heritage group  - Loved the trail - mostly on the roads but next to the temple architectures. Took the overnight train and reached a day before for some sightseeing. Used 1AC train after a long long time, first time in adulthood, I would say. Visited some of the ruins - they are good. Got a guide there, they were ok. Facts are often mixed with myth/rumors but both are presented with equal conviction. Post run, went to the other side of the river to see Sugreev cave - that was not worth it. Dec 25 weekend, it was reasonably hot. Also Kanishka and I celebrated our anniversary there! Overall, a good 2 day tour.  (3 nights)

(2) Apr - Pune trip + Farmlore + Mulberry Shades (3 nights in Pune + 1 night in Mulberry Shades)

In order to do something different, Kanishka and I decided to take a break and head to Mulberry Shades for a weekend outing. I landed from Pune and Kanishka picked me up to go to Farmlore - a restaurant near airport (20 mins) which serves a 10 course menu. Not yet a Michelin star restaurant but it will become one once Michelin comes to IN. The food was good, different. I do not think that I have the palette to appreciate the finer nuances that go in such small dishes but they did taste well. Overall, one goes at these places for experiences and that did not disappoint. The chef and folks who work there are passionate about what they do and that makes up a lot of the experience. Part of the reason to visit Farmlore is because both of us are huge The Bear (TV series) fans 

(3) Solo trip to US - (8 nights)

Had a weekend to myself before the crazy week started. Spent walking in San Francisco. Day 1 - went to China town, took the tram, attended Hamnet (play) and an EDM concert at night. Day 2 was walking in SF and trying out various hot chocolate joints from this list (Five Star Truffles). Tried 3 including the top most one. Found to be ok. Learnt that I am more a fan of Europian one (melted hot chocolate) over the American one. Had lunch at a nice Mexican place and discovered a book shop (Dog eared books) where I picked up the book - There is no anti-memetics division . Good two day break. 

(4) Peru trip (16 nights) - Detailed three blog post here. 

(5) Kannur again (14 nights)

Got fed up with my lack of focus on health and decided to do a 14 day detox at Kannur. Had to jump star my journey again. This time, I also worked from there and was able to do so. 

(6) Pune trip (4 nights)

Had to do an impromptu Pune trip but then asked colleagues to plan a trek for me too. Hiked Tikona fort and roamed around in Pune for some interesting eateries. 

(7) Delhi trip - Harshita's wedding plus plus (7 nights)

Delhi trip was meant to celebrate Harshita's wedding plus heading to Vaishno devi. Day 1, we landed and met Aman and Divya after a long time at Vasant Kund. We visited Kunj and really enjoyed the experience, specifically the local game shop. Day 2 was Sangeet in the evening and day 3 was Chooda in morning followed by wedding in the night. But Aarti and mummy had severe case of food poisoning and they had rushed to emergency hospital. Mummy was admitted for 3 subsequent nights. Vaisno devi plan got cancelled. She is doing much better now. Also visited the Iscon temple Dwarka, Vegas mall (saw two movies - Resident Evil and The Uprising). Really liked the beer cafe concept - they import beers from all over the world and serve them. 

Wedding and other ceremonies were grand. Always good to meet the extended family during such joyous events. 

Total 56 nights outside with more to follow. 

Other events 

Celebrated new year (31st Dec night) by hosting a board games night. Played Power grid and Take 5 with Sobha friends . The best kind of night to have! 

New board game - Cascadia - Played first time here below and now a few times. Liked how it is Carcasoone but without the dod-eat-dog aspect. Overall, liked the game now. Good company and food also a perk. 

Lunch at Leela - 

Kanishka and I purchased an aptmt in Sobha and post registration, did an impromptu lunch celebration at Leela. 

Baby shower function of our neighbor. What I remember was their ice-breaker game called Volleyball = Divide the group into two halves. One person names a person from the other side. The other side has to name a person from their own side and then then that named person has to name someone from the original side (think of like a voleyball serve). If you finish this, you win. Good way to know names. 

I conducted Housie/Tamobla game. Orderd a bunch of kiddie gifts from FirstCry and that went well :) 

Interestingly, the baby and I share the same birth date. 

Taco got a cut on his ear. 

Taco developed some kind of infection type of thing on his ear and had to be treated. Went through an anti-biotic course, some ointment and had to wear the cone. At the end, he has a cut on his ear. Bunch of vet visits but he is doing ok now. 

Road trip for breakfast 

Kanishka just wanted to take a break and go for a roadtrip. She also agreed to drive. so then it was setlled. We went in Karnatka only, had Idli and dosa at two different places and came back. 

Attended Parvaaz concert

Plus new darshini try out in the morning - Koffee Kudka. Before Parvaaz, visited the Mary bakery on Harlur road.  The concert was good - Parvaaz sings Kashmiri songs but is a Bangalore based band. Didn't knew the last part. The concert was also on the day that Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as a result of the CJP protests. Have followed the CJP movement closely and got hope at so many levels. Tough journey ahead but you gotta celebrate the wins! 

15 Aug - Chaat GPT stall at the apartment on Independence day. 

Wanted to do this for so long and finally did it. Created Chaat GPT - Golgappe, Papdi and Tokri chaat. plus Chena Poda made exclusively by Kanishka. Almost all got sold out. For golgappe, ran out of Alu masala before everything else :) Amazing experience. Mummy Papa and Saumya also came to help. Needed a 5 member crew to get this done. Along with support from Radina and Priyank who were our stall neighbors and who nudged us to take this up. 

We also had a spin-wheel for discounts, used Lady Susan to try it out first. Made it at home DIY.  The whole enterprise was loss making mainly because we bought many boxes for delivery which were not used. Otherwise, we were at break-even, minus the labor cost. Lot of fun doing it! 

Papa was not well in between - Had some cardio issues going and had to be admitted twice. Came out but with diet and other restrictions going on. 

Attended the Play Humare Raam at Chowdial along with family. 

Humare Raam is basically the entire Ram Leela compressed in 3.5 hrs. Play had great acting especially Ashutosh Rana who plays Ravan. Also, great stage setup. It was little too longish. Had lunch at Misu Trade towers before that (lunch was good).