9 August 2020

Motorbike ride to Ellijay

It was a roundtrip of 125 miles thru backroads and rural roads in North Georgia with John Moore. It was a rather hot day but Ellijay was in its charming best. I highly recommend Emily’s Bar and Restaurant. Great food (and great presentation – something you won’t expect in small towns) and a lot of space to sit outside in covered areas.

John, of course, was as funny as ever. But the best part was our discussions around cultures in America, Europe, India and Kenya. (His wife is from Kenya and he has a great understanding of a lot of the ethos and ethics there – that most tourists won’t get). One very interesting turn of discussion was the role of economic progression in the decline of certain kind of cultural behaviors – e.g. respect for the elders (or even elderly parents).

John is a great guy to hang around with. Riding bikes to do the hanging around is an even better icing on the cake!!

4 August 2020

Pleasant surprise in the running trail

I was just beginning my run this morning when I ran into two friends that I rarely – if ever – see in the trail – Payel Routh and Arunima Saha and their daughters! Apparently they do this very regularly. However, they start at a very early hour – 6am. Which is why I never get to see them.

Good to see more and more of my Bengali friends coming out to run/walk regularly. You probably saw the big Chalupa group picture the other day. But Payel and Arunima has done what few Chalupa runners do (any??) – do it at 6am!!!

That is some dedication!