Wanderer’s Writings #2

Hey, everyone! This is the next Wanderer’s Writings post, a continuation of yesterday’s Travel diary of Turkey.

We left of around when we reached Goreme open air museum. Well, this isn’t just any museum, it’s a museum which is made almost entirely of the rock caves! It’s really exciting, once you get there. There are beautiful churches made of rock and the whole sight is really enjoyable. It’s one of the main highlights in Goreme.

Now, in Cappadocia, the main highlight is the rock caves. They are pretty much everywhere. But each one’s shape, size and beauty is so unique, you can never get enough of them! So, next, we visited the beautiful village of Cavusin

In Turkey, the people have a symbol, a sort of sign to ward away evil spirits.

It is sort of like a superstition, but you can’t leave turkey and not get an ‘Evil Eye’ pendant. The gift shops are racked with this symbol in every possible way, from wall hangings, to pendant charms and bracelets to paintings!

evil eye tree
They hang it on trees too!

Meals in Turkey were not a problem, for vegetarians too. That afternoon, we stopped at a cozy cafe called ‘The House of Memories.’ We ate some traditional Turkish food, as we, as a family, love trying out new cuisines. The Turkish food consists of many edibles, but one of my absolute favourites, was Corba, a delicious variety of soup, made by the Turkish. Another famous things to do in Turkey, is to taste Ice – cream from the street side vendors.

It doesn’t matter if you miss out a few other things, but you have to taste Turkish ice – cream, not from a posh shop, but a street side vendor will do! Not only the fact that the tricks that they do before handing over the ice – cream are incredible, the Ice – cream has a significant taste and texture which isn’t that easy to forget. It’s just delicious!

Well, that evening, by the time we to the hotel, it was pretty late. So, we just decided to sit out by the cave’s opening with a mug of hot chocolate and a book. Such a simple pleasure, but it was very enjoyable in Turkey’s damp weather.

So, that’s it for this blog post, but do stay tuned for tomorrow’s post : ‘Wanderer’s Writings #3.’ Here’s a clue – It’s going to be about the most exciting part of our Cappadocia trip, riding in Balloons

Until then,

Midnight

Wanderer’s Writings #1

Hey everyone! As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was going to blog about a trip I’d been on. So, I got my drafts together, and here we are! I’m going to blog about my trip to a beautiful country, Turkey.

Turkey is probably one of the lesser visited nations in the world, but it is simply beautiful. From its hot water springs to the fairy chimneys everything stands out, like a splash of ink on a white sheet. We landed in the beautiful city of Istanbul, which we were to explore later in our 2-week trip. Our next stop, on a connecting flight was the city of Cappadocia, famous for its ‘fairy chimneys’ and ‘cave cities.’ These are naturally occurring land forms made of rock, that have obtained a beautiful shape, and were used in the olden days, to hide from invaders.

The most popular way to stay, if you were a tourist, was in a Rock cave hotel. You’d bunk in caves with beds and all the other necessary furniture, and you’d live among other caves too! Inside the caves, it was really cold, because of the stone, so a bowl of hot noodles was always welcome.

Another famous activity in Cappadocia, is riding hot air ballons high above these fairy chimneys. Early in the morning, my mother called us outside to watch the sunrise. We’d just got there, when suddenly one of the hot air balloons sailed high over our head! It was beautiful to watch, but we had other plans for the day. We didn’t usually travel with a guide and other families if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. So, that day, after a regular continental breakfast, we set off on a 11km walk around the beautiful city of Cappadocia.

First, we stopped at pigeon valley. Pigeon valley, as you can guess, was full of pigeons! The hundreds of pigeons in the valley flew around and landed at the same time, in a flock. It was one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. We then went to a place called Rock Castle, a larger version of a fairy chimney, as in very large! It was pretty cold inside the caves, but outside, the view from the top was amazing.

The next stop on our trip, was Goreme open air museum. It was, if I do say so myself, the best part of our walk! Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post – Wanderer’s Writing #2!

Until then,

Midnight.

Announcing my next series!

Hey everyone! Today, I was flipping through some old photo albums when I decided, that it would be a wonderful idea to blog about something I really enjoy, Travelling! So, when I travel somewhere, I write down everything that happened there in my journal. I decided to edit that content, and post it here, over the next couple of weeks! .

I’m going to blog about my visit to Turkey, last summer, so do stay tuned for my new series – ‘Wanderer’s writings.’

Until then,

Midnight

Tips for online schooling

Hey everyone! Here is my new post, with 3 fresh tips for online schooling

1. Organizing –

This tip holds good for regular schooling as well but is very important when you’re online. When you’re working online, you tend to get a little distracted. So, to keep your lessons at the tip of your fingers, I find it really helpful to install a platform like One Note. It really helps, as you can type out your notes when your teacher gives mini – lectures, or to draft out your essays before filling them in. The best part about it, is that you can organize your subjects into sections, and your notes too!

Also, it is important to take your classes in a clean, quiet atmosphere where you aren’t disturbed by anybody. Place yourself where the internet connection is good, use headphones, if you are in a shared space, and get all your materials set up prior to your session

2. Staying Focused

Some people might find it really hard to satay focused. To resist the temptation of switching to social media,here are a few things that you can do

  • Turn off your app notifications or keep your cellphone away from you.
  • Participate in the class.
  • Log out of your social media, during the day.
  • Think twice every time you’re about to get distracted

3. Take breaks between sessions

Sometimes, if you’re finding it hard to concentrate, it is very onmprtant to take a ‘braon break.’ Here are a few things you can do.

  • Wash your face
  • Close your eyes for 30 seconds
  • Do this breathing excercise
  • Do a bit of stretching
  • Sip some tea or coffee
  • Stretch out your hands. This will also prevent injury from typing or using the mouse
  • Take a walk (If you have a long enough break)

Well, that’s it for this post! Stay tuned for more posts!

Until then,

Midnight

Lock-down Diaries – My Reflection.

Hey everyone! This the last Lock-down diaries post, and it’s going to be a reflection of the entire lock-down! Right now, we’re about to go into complete lock-down, for 10 days from July 14, as the Coronavirus is spreading faster than ever, here.

I feel that this virus has introduced so many different ways of enjoying yourselves, at home with family. Sometimes, a few of my friends would meet up and go on a little biking expedition. It makes me understand that when the things we take for granted are taken away from us, only then we realize its importance.

For example, the process of schooling. Prior to this virus, students would go to school, and not think twice about it. Sometimes, they’d even wish that school wasn’t there, with all the complex exams and busy schedules. But now, children can’t meet their friends and they don’t have that connection between teachers (not internet connection, they have that!)

Moreover, this virus can be looked upon in two ways, as I’ve mentioned in my previous posts, a blessing or a curse. You can sit and mope about it at home, or you can look at it as an opportunity, to hone your skills or maybe even pick up a new hobby. Maybe in the mornings you can go for walks, alone and enjoy the serene atmosphere or you may enjoy sketching objects you see around you.

Whatever it is that you enjoy, there isn’t a better time to nurture that talent, than now. Of course, if you have online classes you’ll have something to work towards, but if you don’t, then there are many other ways to learn. You can learn to sew clothes or play the piano too!

That’s it for this blog, but do stay tuned for more!!!

Until then,

Maya

Lock-down Diaries : Special Edition!

Hey everyone! Today’s post is a book review of J.K Rowling’s new book, The Ickabog.

About the book –

I, like millions of people in the world, am a big potter-head! If you are too then you’ll know about J.K Rowling’s new book, called The Ickabog. It is not a spin off of Harry Potter, but it is a wonderful story about love, hatred, greed, truth and lies. It was published online from 26th May to July 10 2020. If you haven’t read it already I highly recommend it. It is a lovely bed time story to read aloud before going to bed, or as a family.

The competition –

So, J.K Rowling has also put up a wonderful illustration competition currently open to many major countries. This competition is being held from her site and if you are in thee designated country, and you are from the age of 7-12, you can enter for free, with a chance of being featured in her book! If you don’t fall under that age category you can always post it on Twitter, with the Hashtag #TheIckabog! You can see some of the wonderful illustrations here. She will comment on it too! At least, she did for mine!

My Twitter – @Rainbows_com

The review –

This story is set in the beautiful country of Cornucopia, a land which lives up to its name. It is ruled by King Fred, with the help of his two evil friends, Lord Spittleworth and Lord Flapoon. In the capital city, lives our two heroes, Bert Beamish and Daisy Dovetail. They are two children, who grow up along with the story.

Cornucopia has beautiful cities with goodies, from pastries and meats, to delicious wine and cheeses, but at the far north of the country lies the Marshlands, home to thin and mean people, scraggly sheep and the misty marsh where the Ickabog lies. The Ickabog is a monster, that parents used to intimidate children when they wouldn’t behave. “Good night, sleep tight and don’t let the Ickabog bite,” they’d say.

One day, Daisy’s mother, who was already ill, was overworked by the king, resulting in her death. Daisy was horrified and made a snide remark about the King who was deeply hurt.

He made up his mind to prove her wrong and decided to help a Marshlander, who had come to the King for help. He said that his dog disappeared close to the Ickabog’s lair and wanted it to be killed. The king agreed and set of on journey north, to the Marsh. At the Marsh, the king saw the real Ickabog! All those years, people thought it was fake, but now, there was an eye-witness, the King himself. The Lords aim to shoot the Ickabog, but hit the Major Beamish instead! To cover up this tragic incident, they weave up a string of terrible lies, which at the end, result in both tragedy and a beautiful discovery.

Personally, I loved this story. It really puts things in perspective, when each chapter describes something happening in a different place. You should really read this book as a family, because it sounds lovely when read aloud.

Lastly, I’d give this book a 4.8 out of 5 star rating. Though it doesn’t have Harry Potter’s magic, it has a brilliant world of its own.

On that note, I’d like to end this quick post!! Stay tuned for more 🙂

Until then,

Maya

Lock-down Diaries – An Adventure

Hi Everyone! Today, I wanted to write about my biking trip with my sister. As it is during the lock- down, we couldn’t go very far, but we managed to get a glimpse of life in the Lock-down.

We left home at around 4 pm and the sun was hovering far from the ground. In one direction, it blinded you and in the other, it just gave you warmth. The beauty of nature when no one is around is beyond human imagination. It just gets me thinking, nature without humans would always be this beautiful.

Also, during the lock-down, us humans have been honing our cooking skills, working on our hobbies and keeping active online, but there is something else that shines, something we all need, something whose beauty often goes unnoticed, something we call Nature.

Nature, the one things humans require to live is the thing we destroy, to this date! It is ironic, in a bad way, of course, but true. With these drifting thoughts clouding up my mind, my stomach began growling!

We decided to take a break by a cluster of tall oaks and enjoyed a late tea, of buttered toast and biscuits. The sun began sinking into the ground as the horizon turned a beautiful shade of crimson.

Biking back home, with mosquitoes following us, I realised how lucky I was to be able to witness this. There were people in the world at that very moment in hospital beds suffering from a deadly disease. May we all stay healthy, happy and remain forever grateful for who we are.

As our shadows grew longer, we saw a lovely butterfly, with blue wings flutter past us. It described our little adventure perfectly, we took rest, but never forgot to fly again!

And there it lay…

Well, that is it for this post, I do hope you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for my next post – ‘Lock-down Diaries – My Reflection’

Until then,

Maya

Lock-down Diaries : When the Pandemic began

Hey Guys!

Today I thought I’d begin by sharing what it was like when then the pandemic hit Bangalore, in March 2020. We begin our story on 3rd March 2020.

What happened

Our exams were approaching and we could already feel the pressure. In India, we have summer break in April and May. Prior to that we have yearly exams, where we are tested on everything that we’ve learnt that year. Then, came the news of the pandemic.

It begun with rumours, of sorts. All around school the children were discussing amongst themselves –

‘Did you know, the deadly Corona virus has reached Bangalore?’

‘Yes, I heard there are already 5 cases near school! It could be really dangerous.’

We believed almost everything we heard back then. Then, the government took control. India has a very dense population, and if things got out of hand, it would be nearly impossible to control the increase of cases in India.

First, all the elementary schools were shut down. My nine year old sister’s classes and exams were cancelled and she had three months of summer vacation ahead of her, but here’s the catch. What does she do with all that time?

We couldn’t travel out of the country like we used to. We’d planned to travel to Italy but, by then Italy had a lot of cases! We couldn’t even go anywhere within India because the cases were entering India from foreign passengers and travellers. So, we couldn’t board planes.

Meanwhile, back in middle school, there was just a week for the exams. Our school had told us not to wear masks, but to bring hand sanitiser to school. My friends didn’t sit in large groups at break time but preferred to sit in twos and threes, on their parents instructions and backed away every time someone sneezed.

Then, came the day of the exams. Students were stressed and also scared as the cases in Bangalore seemed to be increasing, slowly but steadily. We had our Geometry exam the first day. That evening, there was a lot of discussion as to whether our school was still on. Fake news was circulating in the Whatsapp groups and we didn’t know what to believe.

The next day a lot of children didn’t turn up for our Physics exam, out of fear. On our way home, I didn’t sit close to my friends on the school bus. I didn’t go down to play with them in the evening either.

That evening, on the news, it said the government had passed an order banning middle school classes. But we hadn’t received any news from school. I was pretty on edge and couldn’t study for my Biology exam the next day.

I went to bed making up my mind that I’d be up early the next day to study.

The next morning, my mother woke me up at 8 am and I was really scared! My bus would have already left and my exam would start in 15 minutes! I asked my mother why she’d forgotten to wake me up and she told me that when she woke up, there was an email from school.

It was sent at 11 pm at night and mentioned that my school and exams were cancelled leaving my summer wide open!

My feelings

I was in two minds about this sudden change.

I was really happy to see the exams cancelled but I knew there’d be a price to pay. As my parents had taught me when I was younger, ‘Nothing is ever free.’

Slowly as the days passed and I realised what the cost was. During my previous vacations, my friends and I met every evening at 5.30 in the park and played until in was dinner time. Now, we stayed home regardless of the time.

This made me think – there are two ways to look at this pandemic, it could be an opportunity or a curse.

What I’ve learnt

At first, the situation may seem bleak, the future may be unclear but that isn’t the way to look at it. Focus on what you can do and just get better at it! If you get good enough, pick that unique thing and start a YouTube channel or an Instagram page.

If you’ve wanted to do something but never found the time then, look ahead of you. You’ve got all the time you’ve ever wanted! Sometimes what we wish might just come true, leaving us all befuddled.

With that note, I shall end this post. Stay tuned in for the next chapter : ‘Life in the eyes of a twelve year old : During the Pandemic’

Until then,

Maya

A long journey begins with a first step…

Hello Everyone! My name is Maya, aka Midnight. I love drawing, travelling, reading and writing. A while ago I discovered blogging.

I found out what it was as I saw mother writing what seemed like a long story and posting it on her phone. She told me she was blogging and I loved the idea. So, I decided to do it and was really excited about starting a blog. Today, I sat down and researched, researched and researched about how to do it, and finally, I managed to set up a website.

Now, I have developed a newfound interest for blogging and I am going to continue it during this lock-down. I’ll be posting my Travel Diaries, my artwork, short stories I’ve written, and loads more creative stuff! I can’t wait to start.

If you want to start a blog, then I highly recommend it. It’s a great way to note down your feelings and also display your talents or interests. You’ll really love the whole process! I hope to see you in my next posts.

Until then,

Maya

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