Blogs

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life? Do you know what the strongest flower in the world is? The strongest flower is not the one with thorns. Nor is it the most poisonous. In truth, the strongest flower is the one that can be eaten safely. Ironically, the smallest flower, no bigger than a pinky nail, is the strongest flower in the world. Do you know why? It’s because it’s the only flower that can bloom in the Arctic. Saxifraga oppositifolia. This flower, eaten by the Inuit when they are starving, has a sweet taste. It’s purple, tiny, and grows between the cracks in ice or the […]

I was headed to Skurbuchan Gompa. The rickety bus left the town of Leh and drove along the Leh-Srinagar Highway. At a junction, the highway crossed a bridge leading to Lamayuru, while continuing along the Indus River led to Dar-Hanu. Our bus didn’t cross the bridge; it headed towards Skurbuchan Gompa on the way to Dah-Hanu. The road descended slowly, with the Indus River to the left. Every green patch along the narrow land by the river was a village. This area, from Domkhar to Skurbuchan, Achinathang, Sanjak, Dah-Hanu, and Garkun, would be covered in apricot trees bearing juicy, orange fruit in a month and a half. The air would […]

Are there animals, other than humans, that possess self-awareness? Essentially, every creature we encounter on our journey through life possesses a form of self-awareness. Animals make conscious and rational decisions, experience emotions and sensations, and sometimes even exhibit a sense of humor. Allow me to begin with a few stories, and conclude with references to scientific studies and recent findings. I was born in 1963 and received a flawed education in primary school, middle school, high school, and university in Poland. The teachings may have evolved since then. Let me share my experience. The Story Around 2008, after many years, I grew increasingly irritated by the noisy magpies near my […]

When you set out on a long hike, where and how do you sleep? About 30% of New Zealand’s South Island is government-managed land, enveloped in national parks and various reserves. A network of tracks crisscrosses the island, and there are approximately 650 huts scattered throughout. These huts were initially built to provide accommodation for government-employed deer hunters tasked with reducing the population of deer that were ravaging the forest undergrowth. In the early 1970s, helicopter hunting proved to be more efficient, and these huts are now used by recreational hunters and mere hikers, known in New Zealand as trampers. Over time, many new huts have been constructed, and old […]

Life of the Indigenous People at Lake Titicaca Today On the Sacred Lake Life at Lake Titicaca According to the indigenous people of the Andes, this is where the world was born, where the first Incas appeared. What is life like today at Lake Titicaca? In the ancient past, all was darkness. There was no sun, no stars, no moon. Then, the creator god Apukuna Tiksi Wiraqutra, known in Quechua as “the man who came from the sea foam,” or simply Viracocha, emerged from Lake Titicaca, and the miracle of creation began. Giants roamed the earth in the darkness. Viracocha said, “The world will become beautiful.” The giants lived peacefully, […]

Can one truly understand the laws of the universe? 🍀 A man, severely injured in an accident, was brought to the hospital in critical condition. The doctor, who was also the owner of the hospital, began to treat him immediately in the ICU. After a grueling 2-3 hour surgery, the doctor emerged and instructed his staff, “Ensure this man experiences no discomfort here. And do not charge him a single penny for his treatment or medication.” The patient stayed in the hospital for about 15-20 days. When he had recovered and was ready to be discharged, the doctor reviewed his final diagnosis. A bill of approximately 550,000 rupees was prepared […]

What is the most important aspect that people tend to overlook when reading a book? Reading must strike a balance with thinking. The progression of time brings about many changes. Once, people delighted in paintings on canvas; now, many revel in the world of photography. Once, people exchanged information through books and writings, but now other media serve this purpose too: television, podcasts, and even audiobooks. Once, people relied on their brains for thinking, but in the near future, they might heavily depend on computers with artificial intelligence. So, is reading still an effective medium for broadening one’s perspective? Perhaps it depends on the type of information needed. Sometimes, discussions […]

Visiting Leh-Ladakh, you ask? Leh is the joint capital of Ladakh, the new Union Territory of India. It’s a terrestrial paradise, impossible to capture its magical essence in mere photographs. Recently, I had the chance to visit Ladakh, and the memories are vivid. Embarking on an 8-day road trip with childhood friends, let me share our itinerary. It may not suit everyone, but here it goes. Participants: 5 Vehicle: Mahindra XUV Driving: Self-driven RT-PCR Test: Done Permits for Nubra, Pangong: Obtained Day 1: We departed from my hometown, Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), around 8 p.m. after work and booked accommodation in Siss, Lahaul district (about 150 km from Mandi). We reached […]

Where might one find the most breathtakingly small town in the world? Small, picturesque villages that can only be reached by car, boat, trail, or ferry offer greater rewards for the discerning adventurer. On the world map, these beautiful villages and cities, if they are even marked, are recorded in the tiniest of letters. Despite their astonishing beauty, they remain content in their smallness, and it is this very quality that deserves a toast. They keep no secrets, but their remoteness often restrains their size, making them somewhat difficult to reach. Nonetheless, these towns are well worth the visit. Koh Phi Phi, Thailand **Population: 2,500** Koh Phi Phi is no […]

The Stork in Lithuanian Myth and Memory The Reverent Bird Discovering the Stork I first encountered the stork in Lithuania from the back of a bicycle. It was in the midst of summer, in July, while cycling through the meadows northwest of Vilnius. We were on our way to Kernavė for the Midsummer Festival, where we would light bonfires, sing songs, eat sausages, and float candles on the river. The day was hot and the sun was intense, and wildlife was abundant. We saw several cats, a solitary crane, and even a fox. We navigated dirt and sand paths, sticking to the forest as much as possible. Occasionally, overwhelmed by […]