Waakiye

Tag: travel

  • From Chaos to Joy: My Incredible Vacation Experience

    From Chaos to Joy: My Incredible Vacation Experience

    Daily writing prompt
    Describe your most memorable vacation.

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    One of the most memorable vacations that I ever went to spanned across two weeks…

    The struggles…

    It was a plan that was being put on hold for two years,
    and eventually,
    we (my friend, one of his friends and myself),
    got fed up with things not matching,
    someday it was just dates not aligning,
    vacation days for some,
    for some it was a family emergency,
    others were just struggling to make time from their schedule…

    Impulsive acts…

    So,
    the week before Christmas,
    we decided to just go along,
    and started to make payments in advance,
    to the travel guide,
    to the homestay,
    and a few days when all others bailed on us,
    I took my cousin with me,
    and my sister to the trip,
    so in total I booked the ticket for the 4 of us to reach the nearest state through train,
    from where the route was halved,
    and my cousin brother picked us from a railway station in Haryana,
    along with the taxi driver in his hatchback…

    Our arrival at our destination..

    The trip was complicated and messy,
    around six hours later we reached,
    but,
    we were a total mess,
    all of us throwing up,
    as we weren’t accustomed to the change in the atmosphere and the environment,
    as we climbed what seemed like an infinite flight of stairs,
    praying to the Almighty,
    holding our stomachs in pain,
    we finally found ourselves a place to sit outside,
    and wait till they cleaned the homestay…

    On seeing the place where we were supposed to sit and rest it brought tears to our eyes,
    as we picked out spots in the room,
    and opened our bags and went to shower and later eat something to replenish our lost energy after throwing up,
    and after eating out fill,
    we went out for a stroll,
    watching the sunset,
    snacking on our way back,
    and grabbing a few bottles to drink as we came back to our homestay,
    and we lit a bonfire and took our solo cups and smashed 1.5 bottles within us 4 (one sober guy)..

    Things We did for fun..

    We went to sightseeing,
    climbed a hill,
    did adventure sports like ziplining,
    ice-skating (during which I took so many falls and ended up with bruises),
    playing in ice (My first time seeing real ice),
    visited a temple,
    and returned back to the homestay in the evening,
    the running waterfall was the best thing to ever see,
    as we took a bath and came back shivering…

    Last day…

    The day of our return was the saddest,
    as the night before we emptied all our bottles and got piss drunk and all of us fell dead asleep,
    on waking I saw my first snowfall,
    a very real event that I haven’t seen before,
    bringing me to tears,
    as we were packing to leave,
    we took some of the stuff that was popular in the area as a parting away gift,
    and a bundle of memories to remember them by…

    One of the most memorable of my vacations,
    that I ever took,
    flashbacks till this day…

    Cheers (to good times) 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

  • Delicious Eats: Hidden Culinary Gems in Delhi

    Delicious Eats: Hidden Culinary Gems in Delhi

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    Today comes the question that I can aptly and fully answer without any single thought that disrupts it or takes it away from the topic,
    because in all of this life I’ve tried on various foods and drinks and on many occasions and from places that are common,
    some are hidden in plain sight far away from people see,
    and the gems go on and on until there are none left to be explored…

    You will get the best coffee and drinks along with snacks from “Josie’s coffee house” in Rajinder Nagar Delhi…
    I got a chance to have Irish cold coffee and an Affogato on a special occasion;
    and,
    it was the best thing ever…

    For Chinese category,
    I’d recommend “On the wok..” in Gautam nagar,
    near Aiims in Delhi,
    I got a chance to try the corn crisp and spring roll this Monday,
    and let me tell you,
    the quality and the taste,
    immaculate,
    out of the world…

    For north Indian,
    I’d recommend Sita ram Diwan Chand,
    Chole Bhature but,
    none of that packing thing,
    you have it hot as soon as they give it to you,
    and with that a glass of lassi (curd blended in water &/or milk with sugar),
    its rich,
    and filling,
    and something that makes you fall asleep if you have it at your place,
    putting you in a total food coma…

    For south Indian,
    I recommend DS Dosa factory,
    the vast variety they have its mind boggling,
    I had a chance to go with my family there,
    AND let me tell you what we ordered,

    Their Uthappam (mix veg),
    Rawa masala dosa,
    vada,
    the cute mini idlis,
    and ghee and butter idli,

    brings water to this mouth,
    this early in the morning remembering it,
    again,
    it’s better to have it there,
    because things get soggy,
    as they arrive home,
    because,
    I’ve tried both,
    and the latter always arrives like that…

    Being a foodie,
    trying new things,
    and telling others about it,
    and them having a good experience gives me pleasure,
    and that’s what we do when we find a new spot…

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

  • Influential Leaders: Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Legacy

    Influential Leaders: Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Legacy

    Daily writing prompt
    Who is your favorite historical figure?
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    Well,
    another day another great prompt it is,
    my favorite historical figure…

    Have you ever heard of Maharaja Ranjit Singh…?

    One of the most admired figures even this day in Panjab,
    with such a leadership that extended from near borders of Afghanistan,
    Khyber Pass in current Pakistan,
    to Panjab’s Satluj river in current day Panjab…

    The sole leader who had the power to unify Sikh factions,
    making the land of Panjab a secular empire where the rules of each religions were followed and respected,
    being a Sikh he was inclusive of all people,
    including keeping people from different faith in administrative and military positions,
    which were very important to give to anybody…

    The religious sites and their protection belonging to different faiths,
    to the point he ordered repair of Mosques and temples,
    Also,
    The credits of modernization the forces belong to him,
    hiring European mercenaries and military experts to train the army,
    Having a special branch called Fauj-e-khas,
    specializing in close order formation and bayonet tactics…

    Having invested in artillery,
    cannon foundries were built,
    and field guns were standardized,
    and that induced fear in the British Raj’s mind,
    which were also because of traditional Sikh fighters,
    called Nihangs ;
    known for their ferocious nature and tactics that brought enemies to their knees…

    Training men and equipping them with better arms than the rest of the states,
    while keeping British rule at bay,
    And his work and life were mentioned in British curriculum later…

    Respecting Hindu sentiments,
    cow slaughter was banned,
    and having a corruption free court even though diverse,
    that had wide focuses,
    and,
    living a modest life,
    He never took the title of Maharaja,
    But,
    he accepted himself as the Servant of Khalsa…

    Having a court in Lahore that became a center of culture and arts,
    Also,
    architectural marvel,
    Known as,
    “SHER-E-PANJAB”
    “LION OF PANJAB”,
    remembered till this day,
    with deep respect by Panjabi speakers and Sikhs worldwide…

    Imagine being alive at that point of time,
    to witness all of this…!

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

  • Exploring India ‘s Rich Heritage and Beyond

    Exploring India ‘s Rich Heritage and Beyond

    Daily writing prompt
    What countries do you want to visit?
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    It’s another one of those great prompts kinda day,
    what countries I’d love to visit,
    such an open ended and a great question…

    To be honest,
    the country that I belong to,
    India,
    has such a rich heritage,
    that as each and every state boundary changes,
    the culture,
    along with their language,
    a different dialect from the last one,
    also,
    the food with their differing preparing techniques…

    Within this country,
    there are oh so many things to explore,
    but,
    the responsibility of work has landed on my shoulders,
    which forces me to be there,
    at the place of my work,
    and due to that I am barely able to explore,
    explore this country of mine…

    The last trip I took,
    it was to Himachal back in ’22
    and nothing can beat it ever,
    That is where I first saw snow,
    and it stays in my memories,
    forever…

    I imagine for some of you it might be a common occurrence,
    but,
    imagine being a person who saw snow for the first time ever,
    it was such a heavenly experience,
    that the flashbacks still stay till this day,
    and the trip was executed in the last week of December,
    for this reason,
    so,
    me and my sister,
    along with a cousin of mine,
    and my best friend and his friend,
    we all went and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves…

    Well,
    there are so many things left to explore,
    Karnataka’s coffee,
    to Assam’s tea plantation
    Mumbai’s sea,
    to luscious apple plantations in Kashmir…

    There’s a lot to see,
    in this country of ours,
    until,
    I can be free or,
    make time from the responsibilities that bound me,
    one day or another…

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    As far as eyes go,
    a wonder,
    the wonders of the world,
    within this country of mine comes to mind…

    As the clicking and clacking comes to rest,
    and the low humming of the devices come to a halt,
    An eerie silence surrounds me,
    without a clue,
    what’s causing this,
    and what’s the cure…?

    This life still continues,
    so does the work,
    but the life,
    that doesn’t…

    In a limited time frame,
    we have to find our happiness,
    something that makes us happy,
    something that brings us joy,
    something that we love from the deepest of our hearts,
    something that we can’t live or survive without…!

    But,
    this day still continues,
    as commute takes away another 45 minutes,
    and for those 45 minutes,
    I stare past these buildings,
    These high rises,
    a place…

    A place,
    a place without,
    the constant need to be available,
    available round the clock,
    at the disposal of the bosses,
    at a single phone call,
    but,
    a few moments away,
    Away from all this…

    “MONOTONOUS CHAOS”
  • Crafting the Perfect Chocolate Bar: A Caffeine Dream

    Crafting the Perfect Chocolate Bar: A Caffeine Dream

    Daily writing prompt
    Describe your dream chocolate bar.
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    A genuine question,
    what’s up with today’s prompt,
    dream chocolate bar…?

    I was wondering if today’s prompt would be something that would push me in a direction to think that isn’t conventional,
    and would enlighten me or this little mind of mine,
    but no,
    Waakiye
    What’s your dream chocolate….?

    But,
    this comes as a breather of sorts,
    because,
    dreaming of food and coming up with creations different than what goes on,
    regularly is a challenge of sort too,
    because there are so many ways to create a dish,
    so being creative becomes something of a mandate,
    where your survival isn’t possible without something that is visually appealing,
    along with the taste,
    how it hits the palate…

    Now comes the dream bar,
    I am a coffee addict,
    So,
    if coffee or in a broader term caffeine was a part of a chocolate it’d be the best,
    but plain coffee in chocolate wouldn’t suffice,
    we’d have to cut the acidity too wouldn’t we..?

    So,
    to balance that we can add milk chocolate cookie crumble
    to give a sort of texture,
    we also would have to consider the filling that would be a part of it,
    we can use coffee cream in the form of a mousse or something like a coffee liqueur base,
    which would give the much-needed kick,
    and surrounded by it would be a mix of dark and milk chocolate,
    (Upping the content of dark chocolate to give support and stability needed to support the weight of the contents inside…)

    With that I’ve become a master (Of sorts) in this craft,
    One chocolate bar at a time…

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    That’s how I think it feels,
    all alone in a room,
    filled with light that has an origin,
    thinner than a split,
    though which we can barely get a glimpse…

    As the light travels,
    and hits what seems to be like a plate,
    and a half visible body of a person trapped within the seams,
    looking at the source of light,
    not being able to see,
    the actual origin…

    As he stares at the food,
    A bun,
    and a couple of donuts holes,
    It seems,
    he’s tired,
    greatly tired of eating them as he avoids looking at them,
    questioning its origin;
    as he continues to stare at the source of light,
    without even a single clue,
    he stares into nothingness,
    yet again…

    “A sufferer’s plight”

  • A Memorable Night with ROBROO Theater Group

    A Memorable Night with ROBROO Theater Group

    Daily writing prompt
    What was the last live performance you saw?
    View all responses

    Hey…

    I hope all of you are doing well…

    Having a keen interest in writing and with that,
    It becomes a necessity to have a broad horizon,
    &
    that only happens when you go out,
    explore things,
    watch live shows,
    Theatrical performances,
    Or even when you meet new people and hear their side of the world…

    There’s a beautiful group that does plays in Delhi,
    they go by the name,
    “ROBROO THEATRE GROUP”,
    though heavily underrated but their performances have been out of the world,
    i was blessed enough to witness,
    their enactment of a folk tale in our history,
    “HEER RANJHA”…

    I became their fan from that day onward,
    I met the person in-charged,
    Kajal Suri Ji…
    The person who is a literal magician when it comes to acting herself,
    and portraying a picture so clear and vivid that even after half a year I still remember it all with great detail…

    It was such a beautiful performance,
    heer ranjha folk goes on from such a long time in our culture that there are many songs made on it,
    and even references in some of these new songs that come out today;

    The folk says the story is set in what is now Panjab,
    and it revolves around a beautiful girl named heer,
    and a handsome boy named ranjha,
    who fell in love,
    but,
    Due to family’s opposition they were separated;

    heer now being forced to marry someone else,
    ranjha becomes a wanderer and roams places to places,
    until the day they unite,
    But heer’s uncle opposes this and poisons her food on the wedding day,
    which leads to her death,
    and on seeing that the person he cherished the most is no more,
    Ranjha consumes the poised food too,
    leading to their tragic and untimely death,
    as their bodies are laid to burial together…

    The story revolves around tragic nature and facing a caste-based opposition,
    At the end which results in both of them being deceased in the process,
    but the tale lives on reminding us all of the atrocities that were there and lovers still have to face…

    I saw the performance in late ’24,
    But i remember it like yesterday,
    the last and the best performance that i saw till this date…

    (they have an upcoming performance on 11th of May 2025,
    Called SAMANTAK TEERTH IN DELHI)
    if you are in town do check them out,
    bookings are open right now…

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    The beautiful medley,
    A pattern that’s appealing to these eyes,
    colors pink and white,
    A photo that depicts,
    the love that we feel,
    but,
    when they’re in our hands away from each other,
    they tend to spoil and rot;

    A beautiful medley,
    That’s appealing to these eyes,
    why don’t we see their beauty when they exist,
    the way they were meant to be…?

  • Best Hidden Gems for Delicious Food in Delhi…

    What is your favorite restaurant?

    Hey,
    i hope you all are doing good;

    Um,
    my favorite restaurant?
    I’m not that expensive or bent over for a fact that i have an expensive restaurant on my list but,
    trying and finding those who make good food at a rate that is not dirt cheap that you have to question their ways…

    One of the okay-Ish one is this place where they make affordable Asian food,
    (specifically Chinese)
    and their rolls are worth dying for,
    they have been in business for more than 20 years and they still serve customers till date…

    (Do you think its a good place if their food runs out faster than they can fill it back up again…?)

    One of the middle quality ones is located in a posh locality,
    literally on Lodhi road…
    (i guess you got the clue)
    Their essence is hidden by a big building and tall structures so most of the people don’t even know that this place exists…

    They serve a variety of cuisine from Chinese to south Indian
    (Also everything in the middle..)
    They have a vast variety of breads cakes pastries and
    their coffee>>> worth dying for with their New York cheesecake…
    (UFF i have my mouth watering this early…)

    Have yet to find a good high end one that lives upto their name,
    the go to ones are
    Kwality in cp for their iconic dishes and their ambiance;
    for coffee you’ll find me at devan’s (lodhi colony🤍);
    louis for their burger…(Its a cloud kitchen so i prefer delivery of it over anything)

    And to many more that I’m forgetting;

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye 🤍

    Had a really Good evening yesterday, The chai that broke all the tiredness that I had last evening after leaving work after a tedious 12+ hour shift; just this one(or two cups) that gave me a new will to live…

  • How I Conquered My Nerves at a Theatrical Play

    What makes you nervous?

    Even though I’m quite a reserved person,
    there are some things that give birth to nervousness within me….

    Being the person that I am,
    I’m not that open to new experiences and if I want to experience new ones,
    it feels like my mind already has planned all of the outcomes even before I am to undergo the “Said” experience…

    For example;

    I once went to a theatrical play and I was running late,
    I had a fixed seat which I booked a few weeks in advance.

    On reaching there a little late,
    the host had already opened with the introductions.

    …….

    As I entered and looked for my seat and saw someone else sitting in mine,
    on telling them this was my seat,

    He told me he had a seat in the middle somewhere which he booked outside the hall,
    can I take that one..?

    On telling him that I couldn’t
    because I booked this seat weeks prior and I will sit here;

    Nervousness creeped in
    as he didn’t get up even after asking politely,
    and after that in a stern voice,
    after a few moments the staff came in as he stated to raise his voice against me.

    Knowing this was a public place,
    and they reserved the right for our admission,
    as I showed them the ticket and he was politely told to go to his seat,
    which he refused.

    On pausing the play for a moment all the lights were lit,
    and the said person was told to move to his seat or to be escorted out of the venue by security.

    The smug look on his face now wiped clean as he murmured something in his mouth and squeezed himself to his seat in the middle..

    That thing made me quite nervous.

    But thankfully I booked in advance and the staff were really helpful…!

    Overall,
    A good day that was.

    Apart from me losing my sh|t there.

    Cheers 🥂

    Love Waakiye

    The first pic I took as I reached the destination after transversing through roads that were small and had a great abyss on the other side; the hazy memories of those times stay just like these pictures in my mind!!!

  • HIS WORLD THROUGH HER LIPS…

    Even if there’s no one,
    you’ll always have yourself,
    There’s always someone who will look at you and admire you,
    the type of person you are,
    the choices you make,
    even if they feel they are not beneficial at present,
    they shall be in the near future,
    I know that,
    but,
    the world needs to know that too…

    I know you walk alone on paths,
    because you still remember,
    how hard it was to bring yourself up,
    when nothing was going right,
    when you lost the entire world,
    that Wednesday,
    early morning,
    when the entire world was dead asleep,
    you know you lost yourself,
    you lost something that mattered to you,
    and was there someone who had your back,
    was there someone who patted your back,
    was there someone who took you in their embrace…?

    That’s why…

    There isn’t going to be anyone,
    and therefore, there shall be a place for no-one…

    (That’s really cruel to anyone who tries to come near you with the right intentions…)

    But,
    who will…?

    Who will indeed..!

  • A pair to remember

    Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

    This was the mid 18,

    I started work at my own family business and I started to earn(little money..)..

    Because I started as a helper at my own premises and I did want to go through the entire ladder of management from the worker to the actual owner of the place…

    One day, me and a few of my friends made a plan to travel to a hill station, and we planned to buy stuff for the trip as the day came…

    It was two days before our departure, and I planned to buy some shoes to cruise through the rocky terrain on foot, and not able to find any that would work for me..

    After a lot of worries I finally entered the woodland outlet, and found a whole medley of shoes that were an exact match of my description of course there was a markup of the brand…

    There I saw steel toed boots that were absolutely amazing, compared to the rugged ones that I wore at work which were made by a local company,

    On examining that I felt a vast difference between the ones that I had and those I saw,

    The catch

    those were upwards of 5k and buying that would mean I wouldn’t have enough money for the other one…

    So I put them down and started to look for something that would fulfill my current needs,

    As I saw the pair of blue shoes that matched what I had in mind and wanted to buy, on asking they had it in my size…

    That day was the first time I spent a good 3-4 k on a shoe that still stays with me on good and bad days..

    And it was a beautiful trip and I caught some beautiful pics too…

    They took me where each and every shoe does to my destination and back home safely and in good health…

    Thanks for tuning in, I’ll share some pics of the trip here..

    Cheers 🥂

    Top of the mountain peak
    The night we arrived.
    The morning view.