enigmatic

Its that time of the year. Dussehra long weekend is just two weeks away, Ishaan and I want to go someplace nice, but tadaaa!! We are too late. All cozy, wintery, quaint, rustic cottages are gone gone gone. Being ditched this way, I am reminded of those heavenly places which didn't ditch us. Which were available in their full charm and beauty. Just like the way we needed them. Just when we needed them. One such place was Jilling Terraces in an almost non-existent town called Matial near Nainital.

It was end of June. We were celebrating Ishaan's first birthday after The Wedding. Needless to say, I wanted to do something special for him. And LBB Delhi happened to have just the right suggestion. Jilling Terraces is the perfect place to go if you are bored of the same kind of tourist destinations, having too many people around. Its so far away from the hustle bustle. Literally in the middle of nowhere, atop a hill with only clouds and trees to keep you company. Though it takes a minimum 2 hours of steep hill trekking to reach there but the Aloo parathas and Maggi which welcome you make it worth it!!

Below are some useful tips to plan for Jilling Terraces.

Website: http://www.jillingterraces.com/

How to reach: By car (9 hours from Delhi, with car parking available at Matial village. Jilling staff picks up your luggage and accompanies you on the trek towards Jilling). By train (Jilling will provide transfer from Railway station to Matial)

Price: ~INR 10,000 per night including all meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Maggi, Chai and cookies) and luggage transfer from Matial

What to do when there: Just be. There are hundreds of books in the common area, many board games including "F.R.I.E.N.D.S.". The caretaker and his family have been there since ages and are a delight to talk to.

Caution: It takes minimum 2 hours for the trek to Jilling and its quite steep. Sport/ trek shoes are recommended for both your way up and down. Jilling staff provides you with Nimbu pani to help you with the trek.

White Dress: Topshop, Jabong.com
Blue stripe dress: Tailor made from a skirt from Forever21
Sandals: London Rebel UK, Jabong.com

When to go: Months of July, August, September. Good sun, good winds, not the peak of tourist season. Spend at least 4 days, 3 nights.
How to reach: Land straight at Thira airport or seaport.

How to go about on the island: Rent a car. Preferably before you reach so that the car is there at the seaport/ airport. There are many cars and scooter shops in and around Fira centre but last minute availability might be an issue.

What all to see: Oia (Preferable to just spend the entire day from sunrise to during sunset and after sunset there :P. Again and again), Amoudi Port at Oia, Megalochori (beautiful, quaint streets, shops and restaurants), Imerovigli (a more spohisticated version of Oia), Akrotiri (Red beach nearby, ruins, Light house etc.), Fira centre (hustle bustle of tourists and street artists).

Where to eat: Sea food at Amoudi Port. Many many restaurants in Oia. India food at Jaipur Palace near Fira. Economical Chinese and Doner Kebabs at Fira Centre (cheaper than even McDonalds)
What to wear: August is very sunny but windy. White helps you keep cool in the heat and it looks amazing in pictures. Blue is good too. Go for flowy clothes, e.g., Kaftans, maxis, bell sleeve tops with shorts. Don't wear flowy short dresses as they can be uncomfortable in the winds. Jazz up your outfit with strappy sandals (make sure they are comfortable as you have to walk and go up and down steps a lot in Santorini). Long, tassle colorful earrings are a good-to-have to jazz up white outfits!

When I was a kid I always wanted to be a part of the crowd. To be accepted. To blend in.

Today, I think I have been successful in doing just that. My daily life, my job, my social circle, social status is like a lot of people around me. And I thank God for it everyday. But now I want my own. Something which will not exist if not for my being in the world. Something.

This blog is just a small step towards that. I had been thinking of having a blog since my first year of undergrad and I did start it, 5 years later though. But I am happy I did. I just hope I make more of it now.

Anyway, given blending with the surroundings was such a big part of my life, this blog post is dedicated to that childhood wish. To those times when you want a perfect match, when you want somebody to echo your feelings, for the spark you feel when somebody does. For those times when you feel accepted. For the feeling, "I am not alone".

Dress, pants, bangles: FabIndia (also worn here and there)
Clutch: W
Earrings: India connection, Baani Square, Ggn
Chappals, Jabong.com

This combination literally came to me in a dream. I had been struggling to pair my magenta chanderi top with something. Anything. I love the top so much. I love the color so much. I didn't want to pair with blue, black or white. The contrast was too much and not to my liking. And then came the dream.

I have always loved magenta being paired with green in Indian suits and lehengas. Why not make the same combo with a shirt and top? And decorate it with some bangles and necklace?

Plants: Desijugaad, Delhi
Necklace: Westside
Bangles: FabIndia, CP

Top, Pants: FabIndia

So Ishaan and I are finally done setting up the house...the bare minimum that is. After we had the housewarming party last weekend, this weekend was the first one after many where we actually had no work. And what did we decide to do? Laze around on Saturday. Of course. Sleep till late, miss door bells by maids and dhobis, eat rajma chawal and just be. Sunday, we decided to get out. Out as in out of Gurgaon. And what do we do when we go out? We eat. Of course.

We went to Potbelly Cafe in Bihar Niwas. Ishaan and I had been to their branch in Shahpur Jat and we loved it. Ishaan then went to the Chanakyapuri branch with his collegues and loved it even more. So we both went again. And guess what? Loved it again! Its amazing. The fries, maithili thali and the pulao are to die for. Aam panna or masala nimbu and you are set for the summer lunch :D

Sling: Local market in Jodhpur
Photo taken at Potbelly Cafe, Bihar Niwas

As you would have guessed it, since we were going out, I took it as an opportunity to experiment with my clothes :D How I love doing that! Given it was summers, the choice for colors was limited :P What better to wear than white? And what better combo than a white on white. And just so that I don't look like a driver when I drive and Ishaan sits at the back trying to listen to the imaginary sounds the car is making, I paired my white and white with a blue jacket which I impulsively bought as part of Shadi shopping!