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Reminder to Self: Do Not Take the Hyderabad to Chennai Bus Ever Again
“We’re going by bus,” Masood announced at the railway station in Hyderabad. We booked our train tickets twenty days ago and yet we were still on waiting list. Since flights are expensive, our only...
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Taking Off from Coimbatore Airport
We left our amazing tree house in Mudumalai and headed towards Coimbatore to catch our train back to Hyderabad. Our day started at five in the morning, when we showered, got ready for the wildlife...
View ArticleIn the Women's Section of the Mosque during Taraweeh Prayers …
… some come early so that they can reserve an entire row for their friends who are, most of the time, late for prayers. And they won’t let others occupy that space even though the Imam has started...
View ArticleEarthquakes and Floods
As I watched the news on television and silently prayed for the people in Japan (I have relatives living there and they are safe, alhumdulillah) my own encounters with calamities, albeit of a much...
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My First Hyderabadi Wedding
Bursts of vibrant colors everywhere, the sound of glass bangles clinking away, display of gold ornaments, a dash of family drama and gossips, overflow of sweets and desserts, fresh roses and...
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Ten Things About Umrah 2012
The decision to perform Umrah this year has been a spontaneous one. One morning Masood and I were on our way to the office when he casually asks, “Shall we go for Umrah?” I said yes, of course. Three...
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What this blogger is up to lately …
Being surrounded by lush green trees, beautiful people, and the excitement of being in a new place is what’s keeping me from blogging these days. Masood and I are in Boston for almost a month now, and...
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Boston’s Clouds, Changing Foliage, and Farmers’ Market
The clouds hang low in Boston; it is as if you can stretch out your arm and grab a handful of these fluffy, cotton-candy like mass of liquid droplets. Having lived in the U.A.E. for almost seven years...
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Smoked Salmon Farfalle in Honor of Peppersass
Peppersass, originally named Hero, was built in 1866. Peppersass was the first mountain climbing cog railway engine in the world. It was used to build the railway and later haul passengers for about...
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Railway to the Moon, Mount Washington
“Let him build a railroad to the moon!” a member of the New Hampshire Legislature suggested sarcastically, and everyone burst into hysterical laughter. The demonstration was about a wind-up model of...
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Unsuccessful Attempt at Crossing the UAE-Oman Border
Today was supposed to be our third visit to the neighboring country, Oman, but we were denied entrance. The picture above was taken shortly before we reached the UAE-Oman border. The weather is...
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Random Pictures from My New Home
“Thursday could be the coldest sunny day in the UAE this winter,” says The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology, “A strong current of Shamal is expected to hit the Arabian Gulf, making the sea...
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Umrah: (Part 4) – Masjid al-Nabawi
Sweat trickled as we walked hurriedly towards Masjid al Nabawi, or the Prophet’s Mosque, for the Jummah prayers. It was noon and the sun shone brightly upon the City of the Prophet, sallalahu ‘alaihi...
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Umrah: (Part 6) – Makkah al-Mukarrama
The people of Makkah were asleep when our bus entered its borders. I checked the time: 1 am. I thought, still drowsy from sleep, of having read a sign that said non-Muslims are forbidden to enter from...
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Umrah: (Part 7) – Masjid al Haram
“The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka: Full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings. In it are clear signs: the station of Ibrahim. Anyone who enters it shall...
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Looking at Old Trees From the Bathroom Window
When we used to visit our maternal grand father at his place, back when we were still in grade school, my sisters and I dreaded one thing: the bathroom. It wasn’t a normal bathroom because it was...
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On Our Way Home
Breathing in some fresh air. I absolutely loved the journey back to Hyderabad! During our stay in Mumbai, something unfortunate happened. It had been one of those moments in life when you feel...
View ArticleWill You Marry Me … Again?
Read the first part here. In an attempt to get back together after the divorce, he decided that halala or temporary marriage is the only solution. She was skeptical at first but – nobody knew why or...
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Reminder to Self: Do Not Take the Hyderabad to Chennai Bus Ever Again
“We’re going by bus,” Masood announced at the railway station in Hyderabad. We booked our train tickets twenty days ago and yet we were still on waiting list. Since flights are expensive, our only...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Taking Off from Coimbatore Airport
We left our amazing tree house in Mudumalai and headed towards Coimbatore to catch our train back to Hyderabad. Our day started at five in the morning, when we showered, got ready for the wildlife...
View Article
