Enjoyed this, Ila. I am mulling over a trip to Bir and this piece did such a great job of lining up why I should visit, haha. Love the pictures too, as always!
Loved reading about your travels in Bir -- the slow travel relaxing and cozy vibes really come through. I, too, am a fan of Mary Oliver’s poems and it is always nice to encounter a poem I have not read yet
I went to Bir a few months back. I am planning to go back again this summer and a stay at the Deer Park Institute is at the top of my list. I'd be working remotely the whole time; does it have WiFi?
I guess it does - definitely in shared spaces, not sure about the rooms. I stayed there many years ago when I wasn't on working so this wasn't essential for me. This time, I visited in my free time when I didn't need wifi so I'm not sure about the current status. There are tonnes of cafes around though where you can work from - though some of these don't have their own wifi either but mobile hotspot works everywhere.
I came here to drop a snide-ye remark about no new post. I saw a new post. I went back to my inbox to find that substack posts from my favorite people went to spam. I suspect a lot of people are behind it but I don’t have proof yet.
Anyway, I thought you meant BLR and it was a short-form for Bangalore. I didn’t know about Bir before I started reading this post. So there. I think any place that gives us sukoon or thehraav is home anyway. Pritam spoke about this too and even though you didn’t dip your toe on this too deep, I just took that away from it. Also, about the food, I am now seeing a systematic pattern in your posts where you seem to be avoiding even a passing mention of fries. As long as I have internet connection, I will not let you get away with this Anti Aloo Agenda (AAA).
Ila I think too much is made about ‘how I wish I would travel like ila’. I don’t think everyone can travel like you do, even if they are workations. I really wish you don’t stop writing. I really wish you would stop your AAA also.
What a delightful first paragraph. A commune of people who are writing and reading together. A commune of people who just wish you well and want you to succeed. I wonder if such thing exists these days. Oh wait! I know the answer. Hope all is well there.
Before you ask, the farthest I have gone for work is the kitchen because internet is nice there.
Hello Daddu! It's always a pleasure to hear from you :) I think if you can find sukoon and thehraav wherever you are, including the long journey to the kitchen, you don't really need to go anywhere (unless you want to!). I assure you I don't ascribe to AAA - still committed to fries and all things aloo. And you embody the kind of commune you mention :)
All this I am afraid is just talk. The Pro Aloo lobby is preparing a lawsuit against you but the lawyers are refusing to be paid in aloo currency. We will get you unless there is a post incoming.
We were in Bir for less than 5 hours, a halt in our itinerary for paragliding. Your post has left me wishing I spent more time there. Love the pictures!
lovely!
Thank you!
Enjoyed this, Ila. I am mulling over a trip to Bir and this piece did such a great job of lining up why I should visit, haha. Love the pictures too, as always!
Thank you :) Go go go!
A beautiful piece. I am in much need of a slow travel workation now. You have painted a beautiful life there. Hope to visit someday!!
Thank you! Glad to hear 😊
Loved reading about your travels in Bir -- the slow travel relaxing and cozy vibes really come through. I, too, am a fan of Mary Oliver’s poems and it is always nice to encounter a poem I have not read yet
Thank you Lydia! Mary Oliver's poems never cease to amaze - the first time, the second time, every time!
Lovely article! I love Bangalore and lived there for little over a decade. Beautiful pictures too.
Thank you! 🙏🏼
This piece is a hug in a blanket! Thank you for gifting this to us in Delhi's summers!
Aw, thank you! 🌻
I went to Bir a few months back. I am planning to go back again this summer and a stay at the Deer Park Institute is at the top of my list. I'd be working remotely the whole time; does it have WiFi?
I guess it does - definitely in shared spaces, not sure about the rooms. I stayed there many years ago when I wasn't on working so this wasn't essential for me. This time, I visited in my free time when I didn't need wifi so I'm not sure about the current status. There are tonnes of cafes around though where you can work from - though some of these don't have their own wifi either but mobile hotspot works everywhere.
I came here to drop a snide-ye remark about no new post. I saw a new post. I went back to my inbox to find that substack posts from my favorite people went to spam. I suspect a lot of people are behind it but I don’t have proof yet.
Anyway, I thought you meant BLR and it was a short-form for Bangalore. I didn’t know about Bir before I started reading this post. So there. I think any place that gives us sukoon or thehraav is home anyway. Pritam spoke about this too and even though you didn’t dip your toe on this too deep, I just took that away from it. Also, about the food, I am now seeing a systematic pattern in your posts where you seem to be avoiding even a passing mention of fries. As long as I have internet connection, I will not let you get away with this Anti Aloo Agenda (AAA).
Ila I think too much is made about ‘how I wish I would travel like ila’. I don’t think everyone can travel like you do, even if they are workations. I really wish you don’t stop writing. I really wish you would stop your AAA also.
What a delightful first paragraph. A commune of people who are writing and reading together. A commune of people who just wish you well and want you to succeed. I wonder if such thing exists these days. Oh wait! I know the answer. Hope all is well there.
Before you ask, the farthest I have gone for work is the kitchen because internet is nice there.
Hello Daddu! It's always a pleasure to hear from you :) I think if you can find sukoon and thehraav wherever you are, including the long journey to the kitchen, you don't really need to go anywhere (unless you want to!). I assure you I don't ascribe to AAA - still committed to fries and all things aloo. And you embody the kind of commune you mention :)
All this I am afraid is just talk. The Pro Aloo lobby is preparing a lawsuit against you but the lawyers are refusing to be paid in aloo currency. We will get you unless there is a post incoming.
We were in Bir for less than 5 hours, a halt in our itinerary for paragliding. Your post has left me wishing I spent more time there. Love the pictures!