Author: Manoj

A Summer to Remember: My Parents’ UK Visit

A Summer to Remember: My Parents’ UK Visit

Experience, Travel

There is something incredibly special about showing your parents the life you’ve built abroad. On April 25, 2024, my wife and I welcomed my parents to our home in Camberley for a two-month adventure. From local walks to coastal road trips, here is a look back at their time with us in the UK.

Settling in Camberley

After they arrived and settled in, we started by exploring our local area. Just a couple of days later, on April 27, we hit Camberley High Street to soak in the atmosphere. We capped off the walk with a lunch at Wagamama, enjoying some warm bowls and good conversation.

We kept things local that first week. On April 28, we visited Camberley Park to see the statue of Colonel John Pennycuick. Given his historical engineering connections to irrigation projects in Tamil Nadu, standing next to his bust was a meaningful moment for us. We also made sure to enjoy some good food close to home, including a dinner at Tandoori Treats on April 30.

Historic Getaways: Bath and Bristol

By early May, we were ready to venture further afield. The weekend of May 4-5 was dedicated to the beautiful, honey-colored architecture of Bath. We spent time exploring the city, taking in the sweeping views of the cityscape under a bright blue sky. Relaxing on the green lawns of the Royal Crescent was a highlight, soaking up the sun and the history. Of course, no trip to Bath is complete without visiting the Roman Baths, where we marveled at the ancient Great Bath with its distinctive green water. We even took a moment to sit by the water’s edge, surrounded by the stunning Roman columns.

After a day of exploring, we enjoyed a lively dinner together, with a table full of delicious dishes to share. We followed that up immediately with a trip to Bristol on May 6, giving them a taste of the diverse city vibes in the South West.

London Calling

You can’t have a UK visit without hitting the capital. We split London into two exciting weekends.

  • May 11-12: We did the classic tourist trail. We took a stroll near the London Eye, capturing photos with the iconic wheel towering in the background on a sunny day. We also rubbed shoulders with “royalty” at Madame Tussauds, posing alongside the wax figures of King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales in a grand red-and-gold setting.
  • May 19: We returned for a different perspective, visiting the Sea Life Aquarium and taking a ride on the IFS Cloud Cable Car for aerial views over the Thames.

Castles, Coasts, and Countryside

The middle of May was packed with day trips. On May 18, we visited Windsor, home to the iconic castle. A few days later, on May 20, we enjoyed a meal at The Four Horseshoes, enjoying the traditional pub atmosphere.

As the weather warmed up, we headed to the coast. We spent May 26 in Brighton, enjoying the seaside energy. Later, in early June, we made a quick trip to Bracknell before embarking on our biggest adventure of the trip: a five-day getaway to the Isle of Wight from June 8 to June 12. It was the perfect time to relax and explore the island’s unique landscapes.

The Final Farewell

As their trip wound down, we spent a lovely day in Guildford on June 22, soaking in the cobbled high street and local history one last time.

On June 25, 2024, they boarded their flight back to India. It was a whirlwind two months packed with 2,000 years of history, plenty of walking, and great food. It was a joy to host them, and we’re left with photos and memories that we’ll cherish forever.

Flying a Piper PA28 for my 33rd B’Day

Flying a Piper PA28 for my 33rd B’Day

Events, Experience

A day after my birthday, on the 6th of October 2023, Hema told me that I was getting a surprise gift for my birthday. I was wondering what it was, given that she just bought me a DJI Mini 4 Pro drone a week before. She then went on and said that I was going to fly an airplane the next day. I thought she was kidding. It turned out that she was not. A month prior to my birthday, she had booked a flying experience at an airport 15minutes from our flat at Camberley. I was so excited and thrilled about it. Enjoy the video below.

Top 10 things to do to get started in the UK

Top 10 things to do to get started in the UK

Events, Experience

After 8 years in Italy, I relocated to the UK along with my wife on the 3rd of April, 2023. I can tell you that there are many things that you must do as soon as you move to the UK. In this post I will share a comprehensive guide from personal experience. I will outline each task 1-by-1, to help you navigate the process of settling in the UK.

I am going to go through these items in the order of importance.

1. Collect your BRP

Everything starts with your BRP also known as Biometric residence permit. It is given to you if apply to stay in the UK for more than 6 months and it can be used to confirm you identity and your right to use public services or benefits. You need to collect it, usually at a post office of your choosing. It should be collected within 10 days of your arrival. We arrived on the 3rd of April and the very next day we collected our BRP’s at Guildford before moving to Camberley.

https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/getting-your-brp-if-you-applied-from-outside-the-uk

2. Inform & Setup Council Tax

The next thing to do is to inform your council of your move-in to the new address. This is also typically done within the first 10 working days of your move. Sometime your housing or real-estate agent would have informed the council of your move immediately after signing your contract. But it is your responsibility to call them up and inform them of your arrival. They will register and inform you instructions of how you should start paying your council tax. You can choose to pay the entire years council tax or opt to pay them in installments every month by direct debits from your bank account or through their online portal. The amount of tax you will be paying depends on many factors like you council tax band for your apartment and your council itself.

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands

3. Inform British Gas & setup account

The next thing to do is to inform your utility provider about your move-in. Again, they may also be informed beforehand by your housing agency, but it is important that you inform them personally and set up an account with them to start paying for utilities. Our apartment was registered with British Gas previously, so we registered with them. Once registered you are free to switch to other providers. This switch is typically free. Please make sure to read your terms and conditions before switching to your provider.

4. Inform South East Water

The next time in this list is to inform your water company or provider. Also, the water company may have been given heads-up about your move, it is your responsibility to set up an account and payments methods to start paying for your usage.

💡 Typically, the charges of your utilities are fixed monthly payments based on your average usage. Initially it could be high or low depending on how the usage was in the months or years prior to your moving. But this could change based on your current usage pattern. Don't be alarmed when you see that you have to pay for example 50 GBP within the first 10 days of your move. This will be used as a credit and will be deducted based on your usage.
💡 Another point it that you will have to setup direct debits for these payments, however you don't have a bank account yet. This is not a problem; you pay using a credit or debit card and set up a direct debit later once you have a bank account.

5. Bank Account

So the next logical thing to do is open a bank account. You have plenty of options like Barclays, LLoyds, HSBC, NatWest, Santander. The process of opening a bank account is pretty much the same for every bank. All you need it to choose a bank of your choice and then download their app. You can simply follow the instructions to prove your identity and provide address proof to initiate an application. You would typically be asked for your passport, BRP and one of the bills from your utility provider. Thankfully for me, one of our utilities company immediately generated our first bill and we used that to provide proof of our address. In 5 -10 working days your account will be opened and a week or so later you will receive your debit card PIN and followed by your debit card.

6. Register with GP – NHS

Now let’s focus on health. Most western countries provide health care for free, of course from the taxes you pay. This requires you to register with a doctor or a local hospital. Here in the UK, this is your GP or General Practitioner. This GP is like your family doctor and is the main point of contact for your healthcare.

Find out your nearest GP using https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp this link. Call them up and let them know that you would like to register with them or find their website and simply follow the instructions on how to join the practice. They usually have 3 parts to this registration.

  1. Patient Details
  2. Health questionnaire
  3. online access.

Once you complete this successfully, you should receive within 5-10 working days your NHS number by post. Keep this safely for you reference. There is also a handy NHS app to find information regarding healthcare and to book your appointments. Since it is post-COVID, the NHS service will recommend you to get vaccinated. In case, you are already vaccinated, which I was, you can inform NHS of this and they will update their vaccination records. It is simply sending your vaccination records and identity proofs to an email. you can find more information in this link

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-19-services/covid-19-vaccination-services/tell-the-nhs-about-covid-19-vaccinations-outside-england/

7. National Insurance (NI)

National Insurance is like social security, and you need this to qualify for certain benefits and state pension. You can find information about this at https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance. This is something your employer will also ask you so that they can link their pensions to your records. You find information on how to apply here https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number. You will see that one of the requirements for applying NI is right-to-work. And if you entered the UK using a skilled worker visa or any other type of work visa, you can find proof of right to work from here https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work.

8. Sign up HMRC

Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs is the UK’s tax, payments, and customs authority. They collect the money that pays for the UK’s public services and help families and individuals with targeted financial support. In order to manage your taxes and avail tax benefits, if you are eligible, you need to sign up for an account with the HMRC. I don’t know if it is mandatory, but I was suggested that I do sign up for an account with them, so I did.

9. Electoral Registration

I am not going to lecture on the importance of the right to vote, but it is important that you enroll yourself to vote in the local electoral register. You can find information about it here https://www.gov.uk/electoral-register. One other benefit that I found of being registered is the positive impact on your credit score. Although I have not noticed this yet, the banks themselves recommend that you enroll in the electoral register.

10. Provisional Driving License

If you are from a country that has an exchange agreement with the UK for converting to British driving license, well and good. You can convert to a British driver’s license. You can find information about it here https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence. If you are like me, then you have to pass the driving test and get a British driving license. The first step is to apply for a provisional driving license. You need this to take driving lessons and also for registering for the theory and practical exam for the license. You can apply your provisional driving license from here https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence

After you apply for it, you will receive a letter in some days with a prefilled application and asking you to provide a proof of identity, specifically, you may have to submit your biometric residence permit. Send it along with the application to the address mentioned in that letter. They will return back your BRP and then followed by your professional driving license after a couple of days later. Now you can start taking driving lessons or drive with an approved driving instructor.

The first day of the rest of my life

The first day of the rest of my life

Events, Experience, Travel

A New Chapter

Adieu

First things first, a goodbye to the people, food, and country which has been with me for a little over 8 years. From September 2014 to April 2023, Italy has shaped me a lot. Too much has been said in my previous posts already here Plot Twist of 2023 – Manoj Manivannan and here Should I quit my job ? – Manoj Manivannan . The time has come to say bye to everyone. It was a hard moment that I knew would come eventually. The hardest part was saying goodbye to my mentor/manager Mr. Stefano Torri. I would continue to work with him albeit remotely, the thought that I would not be able to meet my colleagues at Modena made me shed a few tears. A goodbye to my kind neighbour Mirko Pesce whose help made my life in Modena little easier.

He was not only my neighbour, but also my only friend, occasional chauffeur and my translator for most occasions. @Mirko we never got a chance for that dinner. One day I hope we meet again for it.

A goodbye to my dear friends Entela (Thanks for the lunch and that easter egg chocolate), Marco and Eleonora (Thanks for hosting us for dinner and the tasty lasagne). You are welcome to our apartment when you visit the UK again. Looking forward for it.

March 16 to April 4: That was how long I took off from work to prepare ourselves mentally, physically and in so many others way for our journey. Although it was only a 2 and half hour journey, we had to pack our all our stuff and throw away those that we couldn’t fit in our allowed baggage. 4 large 32kg bags, 1 cabin bag and 2 backpacks. With that, we were all set to travel and begin the new chapter of our life.

We were headed to this 2-bedroom apartment in a calm town called Camberley which is 1 hour from Waterloo, London. Thanks to the business class tickets, we had the comfort of travelling hassle free, thanks to the relaxing lounge, and the priority access through security.

Although our flight started a late, the captain made up in speed to reach London Heathrow on time. It was our luggage that took a long time. After waiting for almost 30 minutes, we were welcomed by Hema’s maternal Uncle Prakash and my friend Ayyappan. A friendly slight and a warm welcome in a foreign land.

A smooth transition

Upon arrival we headed straight to Holiday Inn, Slough to drop off our luggage (just the 32kg ones) before going to Prakash’s home to have a tasty south Indian food. Radish and lentil stew and beet root gravy with rice and a side of potato only made the arrival experience even more pleasant. We spent the night at Holiday Inn and the next day headed to some supermarkets after having an assorted English breakfast. We bought some basic groceries like rice, wheat flour, onions, bread, eggs, milk, and few others which I am unable to recollect as I write this. Then we collected our apartment keys at the Waterford’s agency and went straight to our apartment. This 2-bedroom apartment had a large living room and an open kitchen which we really loved. The master bedroom came with these tall sliding door which opened into a large balcony facing east overlooking the London Road.

Plot Twist of 2023

Plot Twist of 2023

Experience, Thoughts

After the post of September 2022 (Why should I quit my job ?), early November came a pleasant news that bought a huge relief.

It was the approval to the request to transfer me internally to the UK office at Guildford. A request that I made in September 2022. There was a chain of approval from my immediate manager Mr. Stefano T, the HR directory Mrs. Laura M and finally the VP of Service Assurance Mr. Gerard C. I am so grateful for their decision to approve my request. Immediately I was put in touch with the HR of the UK office Ms. Zainab S. I was informed that the process would be to terminate my employment here at Italy and recruit me as a new employee at the UK office by creating a new opening. The UK office had to apply for sponsorship license and offer me a certificate of sponsorship as well. I was also put in touch with an immigration Lawyer, Ms. Stacey L from Wright Hassall. Ms Stacey requested a long list of documents from my side which included the passport, marriage certificate, my degree certificate, my marksheet, proof of English language and few others. As soon as I furnished these documents, she quickly drafted the visa application form for my review. After reviewing the documents, she put the application on hold till January 2023. The reason was that my intended transfer and joining in the UK office would be 1st of April 2023. Since applications were supposed to be submitted 3 months prior to intended date of entry to the UK, the process was paused during the month of December.

The new year came, and the application process was resumed, and application submitted. As we are currently waiting for the appointment for biometrics (aka Visa Interview), Hema and I are undertaking the most difficult task during a relocation. The hunt for an affordable flat in the vicinity of the UK branch at Guildford. At the time of writing this post, we are going through this daunting task that too remotely. With the help of Prakash, who is the maternal uncle of Hema, we are consider options in Camberley. Today, he made some time for us to go view a flat in Camberley. A spacious, 2-bedroom flat at £1300 per month. This is a flat we really liked. Not sure how this will go. Also, my colleague who lives in Bracknell currently has offered me to help out in our hunt.

If all goes well, Hema and I will be starting a new chapter in our lives. I believe UK is going to the country where we will be spending the rest of our life. I knew a change was due as soon as Hema and I got married. And it is finally happening and we got the ball rolling now. Let’s see how our life turns.

Cheers!

Should I quit my job ?

Should I quit my job ?

Experience, Thoughts
Story of an Indian in Italy

Its September 2022, with 5 years of work experience, here I am thinking if I should quit my job. How did I get here?

I have been in Italy since September 2014 and its exactly 8 years now. 3 years as a student in Piacenza and 5 years as an employee in telco-based software company in Modena. It’s been quite a journey. This last 8 years in Italy has contributed as much, if not more, as the previous 24 years of my life in Italy in shaping the kind of man I am now. From a believer to agnostic to an atheist. Interest in politics, programming, and few others. From short-tempered to not-so-short-tempered 😛.

The first year in Italy, was spent acclimating to the new place, Italian culture, food, people, system and the general way of life. My first attempt at learning the language was a huge disaster. It was in Piacenza when I was a student. The lessons were free, but the teacher did not know “Hello” in English. I thought this was not working. So, I quit. The second and third year, I met more fellow Indians, and started meeting more and more new people from around the world (who could speak English of course). Making more attempts at socializing knowing that I would eventually fail at it. Tried potlucks, pubs, clubs, and still nothing was happening. What was I even expecting to happen? Maybe new friends!? I first thought it was just because I was an introvert that everyone around me would rather socialize with someone else than me.  But when I’m out my circle or in public, I still felt difficulty socializing. Or was it passive racism. Maybe a little bit in the pubs and clubs. But I can understand that. But given a situation I still have trouble telling which one is it.

Alas I graduate at the end of 3rd year of my 2-year program. And in 3 months I land a job at Empirix Italy SRL. A US headquartered, telco-based software company in Modena. So, I relocated to Modena. I missed no one since I had no friends. I embarked on a journey all by myself. Why? When I was in Piacenza, there was Sriram and when I was in India I lived with my parents. I was really excited and terrified. I am proud that I was brave enough to find out what was going to happen next in my life.

Anyway, in the year 2014, soon after moving to Modena, I did make one Italian friend. But it was only my neighbor who lived next door and we happened to meet climbing stairs. If it was the case that we were on different floors, I still would be here without even a single friend. Such is the culture here at least in apartments. You never know who lives next door.

I was hungry to learn data analytics, coding and more. I started going out, mostly alone, but language was always a barrier. I was way behind my peers/batch in communicating. The second attempt at language was in Modena, sponsored by the company, but it was not mandatory that I finish the course. The company was just kind enough to take it upon themself and finance me through it. The lessons were taught by this old gentleman who loved to talk more philosophy with me than teach Italian. And I was not the best student either. Lessons 2 days a week and still I would not complete the practice questions. Procrastinating it for some reason. Eventually, after couple of months, I did quit. But it did help me to an extent that I could now manage basic conversations. I know just enough to get in and out of trouble 😀. Maybe I should have spent more time and put in more efforts to learning the language. I don’t know what I was thinking or what plans I had about my future back then. I think I was living in the moment too much and had the least amount of responsibility ever in my life. It was a peaceful and serene phase of my life, no doubt. I swear things would have been even different for me now had I learnt the language properly, at least on the social front.

Things started going haywire when 2020 came. The dawn of the COVID. Tourist visa that Hema got soon after our marriage was a colossal waste. I got stuck in India for almost 6 months. Then end of 2020 then the 1st wave settled down I moved back to Italy to initiate the process for Family Reunion visa for Hema. And just went I thought things couldn’t get any harder, I hurt my elbow hard. Seeing that it going to take more than I anticipated, I again traveled to India in 2021 to make sure to bring Hema with me. But the corona virus had other plans. 2nd wave hit us so hard. Hema and I lost several family members. Things didn’t stop there for me. My stay permit was about to expire. I took my chances and booked a charted flight amidst of the global lockdown. Chennai to Amritsar to Milan. One of the craziest and stressful journeys ever in my life. That’s a whole other story maybe for another post.

Finished the final documentation required for Hema and travel to India again on 19 January 2022, hoping there wouldn’t be another COVID wave and even if there was one, I traveled back to Italy with Hema. Now it’s been almost 5 months that Hema and I and living by ourselves. I’m enjoying every moment with here. The occasional travel, never ending conversations, stupid jokes, silly fights, and the list goes on.

Lately I’ve been thinking about the promise I made Hema in 2019, that I would always try and do my best to support her in every possible way. It’s been a couple of months since she finished her professional course (CIMA). I am so proud of her and so happy. I know she has her own dreams and wishes about building a strong career. I am worried what will be next for her.  I want to make sure she gets the best possible opportunities. This means that where we are right now in life is not maximizing the opportunities for her. And given the fact that I (and now also Hema) have no active social life or any friends and unable to support her career, feel that I need to relocate.

This is a huge endeavor. Either my company agrees and helps me to transfer within the company or its disagrees and I find myself another job in a country where we can both flourish. Right now, it seems UK and Ireland are the best options.

It’s hard to think life is not a race. But here I am, trying to push faster to settle down in a more comfortable living standard where we can both prosper. Why am I wanting to risk quitting this job in order to relocate? Is it the lack of social life and friends or my duty to support my wife? or maybe both.

Only time will tell how our life turns.

A Belgian Affair: Waffles, Wonder, and Witty Wanders

A Belgian Affair: Waffles, Wonder, and Witty Wanders

Experience, Travel

After two long years of daydreaming and dodging travel restrictions, Hema and I finally made our long-awaited summer pilgrimage to Belgium. Curiosity is our second language—and Brussels was about to become our new dictionary. Armed with maps, a borderline obsessive itinerary, and an insatiable appetite for fries, we embarked on a 5-day, 4-night adventure that left few stones—and even fewer museums—unturned. From the dazzling Grand Place to the futuristic Atomium, we crisscrossed Brussels with the enthusiasm of two over-caffeinated archaeologists.

Takeoff, Touchdown & Tasty Waffles

Our trip began on August 22, 2020, with us sprinting out of our apartment in Modena like contestants on The Amazing Race. We were heading for a 15:50 flight from Bologna Guglielmo Marconi International Airport. I, being a card-carrying member of the “what if we miss the flight” club, dragged Hema to the airport with ample time to spare.

Naturally, our flight was delayed by 40 minutes. But we made the most of the wait—chatting, laughing, and perfecting the art of airport people-watching. After a short 90-minute hop, we landed at Brussels Charleroi International Airport and hopped on a shuttle to the city center.

A brisk 15-minute walk later, we arrived at our Airbnb: a charming attic room featuring a snug bed, a study desk, and a swivel window offering views of suburban Brussels. No time was wasted. We freshened up and made a pilgrimage to the Grand Place. Our reward? Heavenly Belgian waffles and perfectly golden fries, devoured under the glow of ornate buildings glinting with gold. The calorie count? Let’s not talk about that.

The first thing we try was the famous Belgian waffles and along with fries, enjoying a beautiful view from the center of Grote Markt (Grand Place). The historic buildings with their golden highlights and bright focus lights were a delight to watch while we munch away our waffles and fries.

Day 2: Spheres, Miniature Cities, and a Giant Wheel

Equipped with an 8-euro day pass that unlocked the city’s entire public transit, we boarded the metro and rode 20 minutes out to Heysel Park. There it was—the Atomium. Imagine a science nerd’s fantasy turned into 102 meters of shimmering aluminum and steel. Originally built for the 1958 World Expo, this giant iron crystal replica (yes, it’s modeled after a ferrite molecule!) became a permanent icon because, honestly, how do you tear down something that cool?

We zoomed to the top sphere for panoramic views of Brussels and snagged a drink at the small café tucked up there. Then, like electrons on a tour, we jumped from sphere to sphere—each containing exhibits, except one psychedelic light show that left us a bit speechless and slightly dizzy (in a good way).

Refueled with yet more fries at the base of the Atomium, we strolled over to Mini-Europe, a theme park that might just be the greatest cheat code for lazy travelers. Roughly 350 famous European monuments, each painstakingly built at 1:25 scale, were laid out across manicured lawns. From the leaning tower of Pisa to the Eiffel Tower to the Acropolis of Athens, it was a whirlwind Eurotrip without needing another metro ticket.

Back in the city, we sought out Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Belgium’s oldest shopping mall. Maps led us astray and when it declared “You’ve arrived,” we found ourselves staring at a very non-mall-looking structure. Turns out, the place is so classy and quiet, it doesn’t even feel like a mall. Inside were chocolatiers, boutique stores, and all the opulence one might miss while hunting for a nameboard.

We wrapped up the day with a visit to Place Poelaert, where we rode ‘The View’ — a giant Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the glittering Brussels skyline. As the sun dipped, we headed home via a city still buzzing with nightlife.

After spending some time around the wheel, it headed towards our airbnb room. It was too late and only couple of buses left for the day, and yet while returning through the city center we could feel the city alive and people still enjoying the night life.

Day 3: Parliament, Poke Bowls & Beer Heaven

Time to engage the brain cells. Our morning was booked at the Parlamentarium, the visitors’ center of the European Parliament. It’s free, but you do need a reservation. Thankfully, a kind German visitor helped us through the sign-up process after we cluelessly strolled in. (Danke, mystery man.)

Armed with audio guides and disposable earphones, we explored the EU’s legislative HQ. The main chamber—known as the Hemicycle—is arranged not by country, but by political leanings, a visual reminder that Europe loves a bit of ideological nuance. Interactive exhibits on the EU’s formation, the world wars, and democracy building made us feel smarter by the minute.

Post-politics, we found solace in food. A short walk brought us to Hawaiian Poke Bowl, where Hema assembled a veggie tofu creation and I devoured a chicken bowl topped with nachos and onions. She wasn’t a fan (the seaweed was a chewy villain in her story), but I was in food heaven.

Next stop: the comic art museum—well, that was the plan. Instead, we ended up at the Marc Sleen Museum, dedicated to a Belgian cartoonist we’d never heard of. The art was quirky, and the museum quaint, but we didn’t linger. A quick visit to Notre Dame du Sablon followed—a Gothic cathedral that, while beautiful, didn’t quite dazzle me after experiencing Milan’s Duomo.

We ended the day at the legendary Delirium Café, proud holder of a Guinness World Record for offering 2004 types of beer. I tried the Bar-Meter: a flight of 10 beers served on a wooden plank fit for a Viking. Hema passed on the alcohol, but we had one of our signature deep-dives into random topics while I got mildly tipsy. Classic evening.

Day 4: Dinosaurs, Evolution & Dosa

Originally, Day 4 was earmarked for Antwerp and a trip to the zoo. But three days of nonstop adventuring had caught up to us. So we pivoted and opted for something closer: the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. Expectations were low—the exterior was anything but inspiring—but the inside? Absolute mind-blower.

This wasn’t just a museum; it was a journey. Ten permanent galleries took us through human evolution, biodiversity, the rise of mammals, and a mesmerizing dinosaur exhibit. We got hands-on with fossils, roamed through immersive media experiences, and admired over 850 animal specimens from aphids to giraffes. The “Gallery of Evolution” in particular was stunning—a time machine in exhibit form. We spent five full hours and still left wanting more.

After all that intellectual calorie burn, we sought comfort food. Enter Ganesh Restaurant, a South Indian eatery run by a Tamil proprietor (whom we didn’t meet, sadly). The dosa was crispy perfection, the chutneys hit all the right notes, and the chicken tikka? Chef’s kiss. Sated and sleepy, we packed up for our final morning and crashed hard.

Day 5: Farewell Fries & Rainy Goodbyes

Our flight wasn’t until the afternoon, but Airbnb rules meant we had to check out by 10 AM. So, with our bags in tow and clouds above, we made our way to the airport. One last serving of Belgian fries (from a bustling cart) felt like the right goodbye.

At the terminal, we sat and chatted about everything and nothing, reliving our favorite moments. By 7:30 PM, we were back in Bologna, and an hour later, finally home in Modena. We limped back to our apartment, collapsed into bed, and smiled.

Five days. One city. A thousand memories. Brussels, you were worth the wait.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Barre your soul

Barre your soul

Skills, ukulele

A little tricky when compared to strumming or single string picking, the double picking does sound beautiful though. Listen to this track recorded during one of my practice sessions. Funny thing was that I kept missing a note here and there because I suddenly became conscious of the camera.

‘Barre your soul’ on Ukulele: Credits to Yousician for the background metronome and notes

Billy Boy

Billy Boy

Skills, ukulele

After around 2 months of Ukulele practice this is where I am. Wish I could sing along the song as I play. Although I got this ukulele two year ago, I never got to practice on a regular basis. So here goes nothing.

Billy Boy on Ukulele: Credits to Yousician for the background metronome and notes

The Blank Canvas (week 6-7)

The Blank Canvas (week 6-7)

Experience, Meditations

It’s been a couple of days since I completed my introductory course on guided meditations. To be honest, it has not been completely ‘life changing’, but definitely paradigm shifting. After the recent experience that lead to the understanding of the self and the consequential illusion that it generates to convince us (again, who?!) of it’s existence, here I am catching a glimpse of the meaning of consciousness.

The dictionary typically defines it as the quality of awareness (perceptive) and responsive of one’s surroundings. This definition is definitely not helping. The author of the sessions says that consciousness is the prior condition of everything: feelings, emotions, thoughts, vision, sounds, pressure, temperature and so on. In other words, it is the canvas on which everything else appears. Even the self, which is only but another thought, appears on this canvas. The fact that we are noticing a thought, or a feeling is like it is at the center of the canvas/consciousness. Like an object in your visual field. This canvas is so fluid that things appear, disappear, and re-appear with no control whatsoever.

If time is a consequence of this fluid canvas, shuffling and juggling around objects appearing on it, then it should be possible to lose track of time and be stuck in some sort of limbo. Unless the passage the time is an appearance in consciousness itself, in which case, there cannot be a state of limbo where you lose track of time.