February 2016 | Transition of Thoughts

Moscow Diaries: An evening at the Red Square

On February 27, 2016

In Moscow Diaries, Travel, Uncategorized

Red Square is considered as one of the most important landmarks in Moscow as it includes a varied set of monuments including Kremlin (the official residence of the Russian president), St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, Kazan Cathedral, Gum Store and the State Historical Museum among others.

It is said that Putin generally works in Kremlin but stays on the outskirts of Moscow. Legend has it that Lenin’s body is still embalmed and kept at the mausoleum. Whether tourists or even Russians believe this or not is another matter altogether.

One evening, when a few of my office colleagues asked me if I am interested to make a visit to the square, I was quite excited at the opportunity. Little did I know that it would be about -15 degrees that night. It was so cold that I was starting to feel my hands getting frost bitten. The Starbucks coffee I was holding became cold in no time ;). Nonetheless, the experience was fantastic.

St. Basil’s Cathedral (the garlic shaped domes of different colours look amazing, don’t they?)

Kremlin

Dubai Diaries – A trip to the Miracle Garden

By transitionofthoughts

On February 27, 2016

In Dubai Diaries, Uncategorized

Spread over 72000 sq m and with over 45 million flowers, Miracle Garden is the world’s largest natural flower garden. In a country where temperatures can easily cross 50 degrees in the summer, this is quite a spectacular achievement which points to the vision of the authorities to create varied tourist experiences for the avid traveler.

The garden is open for visitors from October to April and closed thereafter as the peak summer starts. There are flowers covering trains, the Eiffel tower, a clock, peacocks, cars, village houses, Burj Khalifa and more. For those who are interested, a butterfly garden has also opened its doors next to the Miracle Garden.

The way the flowers have been arranged shows the amount of effort which would have gone in ensuring that tourist have a lovely time. It’s an amazing place to take in the fresh air and relax.

Miracle Garden

Microblog Mondays: The spirit of Neerja Bhanot

By transitionofthoughts

On February 23, 2016

In Microblog Mondays, Uncategorized

Neerja Bhanot

Source: http://wirally.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/630.jpg

I can’t really get over the experience of watching the Bollywood flick – ‘Neerja‘. It’s the story of Neerja Bhanot, a 22 year old senior flight purser who died but not until she had saved more than 340 lives when 4 terrorists hijacked Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi way back in 1986.

Though she was young, she taught all of us so much about humanity and love that even the oldies could have learnt a lesson or two. The courage and thinking which she displayed in the time of despair was unmatched.

Rather than differentiating passengers based on their caste, creed, religion, region, gender and so on, she went all out to save each and everyone. It was as though even fear got scared looking her in the eye. She could have been the first one to escape but instead chose to stay on until every passenger had been evacuated safely.

While she was awarded by India, Pakistan and USA, her legacy lives on with the Neerja Bhanot Award which is given to a woman who has fought injustice in society with determination.

Linking to Microblog Mondays

microblog_mondays

The pain of losing someone..

By transitionofthoughts

On February 21, 2016

In My thots and scribbles

Have you ever lost someone?

Source: http://www.theafterloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Benjamin-July-18-greatest-pain.jpg

All of us have an expiry date (the date we would die). There’s no one who can expect to live forever. If there was a possibility, how many of you would want to live forever?

But this expiry date is not something any of us actually know. At least among us Indians, as soon as we reach the wrong side of 50 many start thinking as if our time on Earth is nearing its end. Interestingly, on the other side of the spectrum, I have seen men and women at the age of 70+ in countries like Germany, UK etc. fit and fine to even go on tourist visits all alone without their kids.

Movie Review – Neerja

By transitionofthoughts

On February 20, 2016

In Movie Reviews

Neerja Bhanot – India’s braveheart..

Source: http://www.moviezin.com/file/2016/02/Neerja-2016-Hidi-Movie-Wallpaper.jpg

Directed by Ram Madhvani and starring Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Yogendra Tiku and Shekhar Ravijani (special appearance), Neerja is a biopic of Neerja Bhanot, the senior flight purser on the ill-fated Pan Am Flight 73.

Pan Am Flight 73 was to be a routine flight from Mumbai to New York via Karachi and Frankfurt. While the Mumbai – Karachi leg passed off without incident, four terrorists hijacked the plane as soon as it landed in Karachi and took everyone hostage. The rest of the flick deals with how Neerja and her fellow colleagues helped almost all the passengers escape.

42 word fiction: Depression

By transitionofthoughts

On February 18, 2016

In 42 word fiction

Depressed-Girl

“My life has turned into a living nightmare.”

Married off for money at 16, Anu worked in the fields daily from 6am to 6pm to feed her family.

After coming back home she was forced to bear her husband’s beatings and mother’s abuses.

Six word story: Eerie

By transitionofthoughts

On February 17, 2016

In Six Word Story

She was walking alone..

Source: https://varunpunj.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/sadness_8_by_scarabuss.jpg

The road looked

dark and deserted.

Microblog Mondays: Aviation turbulence..

By transitionofthoughts

On February 16, 2016

In Microblog Mondays

Is aviation turbulence dangerous?

Source: http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–knb91vr4–/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/192lbdifs7dobjpg.jpg

As we took off from Delhi for our 55 minute flight to Lucknow, we ran into quite a bit of turbulence. Sitting almost at the tail of the aircraft, we could feel the bumps even more so much so that one of my fellow passengers asked the air-hostess if this was happening for the first time.

While aviation has made our world smaller than ever before by reducing distances and times between continents, there are many who are nervous flyers. Whether it’s sweaty palms or a chill down their spine, the signs are ominous.

For those who don’t know, turbulence isn’t always associated with stormy weather. There is also the concept of clear air turbulence (CAT) which occurs when different bodies of air meet at varied speeds at a height of 23,000-39,000 feet. Interestingly, CAT is also the most difficult to detect.

And therefore, it is always suggested to keep your seat-belts loosely fastened at all times during the flight lest you suffer any kind of injuries.

Linking to Microblog Mondays

Dubai diaries: The different moods of Burj Khalifa

By transitionofthoughts

On February 10, 2016

In Dubai Diaries

Standing tall at a height of about 829m, Burj Khalifa is the tallest man-made structure in the world. With observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors, the Armani hotel and the world’s highest restaurant (At.mosphere) at the 122nd floor, this is one of the biggest tourist attractions on Dubai’s tourism map.

If you thought that was enough, you are wrong. Burj Khalifa is also famous for it’s record LED projection which uses about 70,000 LED bulbs in creating some fantastic shapes and designs.

Burj Khalifa

100 word fiction: The swamp

By transitionofthoughts

On February 10, 2016

In 100 word fiction

By the river

It was a gloomy day with ominous clouds lining up the horizon as far as the eyes could see. But the cool breeze and the tranquil surroundings around Lake Manny were enough for the Smith’s to plan a family’s day out.

Good food, swimming, games with the kids and more importantly, a nice little walk on the banks of the lake, this was the perfect way to relax. But the animals in the swamp had other plans up their sleeve.

Before the parents could even realize, the kids had disappeared. It seemed as though the swamp had gobbled them up.

Written for the photo prompt and you can read the other entries here.

Transition of Thoughts

Weaving thoughts into words

Month: February 2016

Moscow Diaries: An evening at the Red Square

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Dubai Diaries – A trip to the Miracle Garden

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Microblog Mondays: The spirit of Neerja Bhanot

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The pain of losing someone..

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Movie Review – Neerja

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42 word fiction: Depression

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Six word story: Eerie

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Microblog Mondays: Aviation turbulence..

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Dubai diaries: The different moods of Burj Khalifa

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100 word fiction: The swamp

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Weaving thoughts into words

Month: February 2016

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