A day in La Laguna

San Cristobal de Laguna, or just La Laguna as its more popularly known is a World Heritage in Tenerife. Dating to the 1600s, it also host the most niche University on the island (in fact I am not aware of any other). It was also the ancient capital of the Canary Islands before Santa Cruz. For all those who love architecture, this place is a must to see a showcase of bright colours and bold patterns portrayed with utter simplicity. For the rest, its simply marvelous to just bask in the glory of a world largely unchanged for centuries.

The cobbled streets of La Laguna

The tourist information centre

The University of La Laguna

The royal shine cathedral square

The hidden church in the back alley

The university of La Laguna

The City of La Laguna

Iglesia de la Concepcion

Read more about my weird and wonderful adventures in my Tenerife Diaries.

The village fair - a celebration of faith and hardwork

They say India is a land of villages, each different in it own way. I recently had the chance to visit one such village. Completely untouched by the changes that modern technology has brought, it felt like an oasis in the middle of wilderness. My stay there was short, but it was an experience that will forever remain in my heart.

The freshness of the air and warm people is what I distinctly remember of my trip. But other than those abstract values, I remember the village fair. A large part of the lives of these villagers rotated around their religion and work, even their entertainment. The fair, as you will see, was not grand...mostly it felt like putting together various parts of their everyday life. And yet what most reflected in it was the simplicity of these people and their faith in a higher being and their hard work.

Here are some glimpses to share

Sugercane juice...the best available drink in the village...refreshing and healthy

Thats the loacl transport...quite a rocky ride it was

The fair starts with a few local vendors selling everyday items...worth a look

My personal favourite - the bangle shop

The refreshments man...and mind you, all this was a lot more hygenic than what its equivalent in a city!

The temple entertainers

The temple top

Another one of the sister temples

Them together

Water from the local spring coming out from the auspicious cow's mouth...a drink from this tap is considered to blessing from God

Cuing up with faith

A visit by the passer-bys

In totality

Being in this place, then, was an overwhelming experience. Thinking about it now still makes me go soft. 

An autumn walk

Its been a strange setting in of autumn this year, with the soaring temperatures and heat waves here in Britain. But even then, it still is autumn, in all its colourful glory that makes this period of shedding away life so breathtaking. Just recently, I had an interview in Marlow, a very niche countryside town on the outskirts of London. It took me a while to get there, but when I did, it was worth the pain. Here is showing you why...

A trip to camden market

Camden Market is one of the most popular markets in London. A world apart from the UK high street common to every city, this market presents a variety of niche designer and trinklet shops with a range of trendy junk food from all over the world. With it attracting a 100,000 people on weekends, this is the fourth most popular destination in London!

The market is set along side the Camden lock canal and a large part of it is what originally was the Pickford Stables. You dont see the real horses any more, but their grand replicates in iron are all over the place, just adding to the varied architecture of the place.  

Think of a Cuisine and its there for you at Camden market

 

Niche designer shops with local goods from all over the world makes a day out at Camden a time to cherish and enjoy. Everyday is a different discovery...this is a place you cant get bored at.