The Voice Box

IT'S CARNIVAL TIME It is that time of the year to celebrate the Pre-Lenten festival. Whether you are in Rio, New Orleans, Venice or Trinidad and Tobago, The parties are in full swing. This is just the excuse for me to dig into my collections of photos, and bring back some practical memories of the action. This is still another day to go. You have plenty of time.

Museum of Modern Art in New York In midtown Manhattan At 11 West 53rd Street Between 5th and 6th Avenue MOMA - Just Another Visit Once a year when I am in New York, I visit the Museum of Modern Art. This last year was no different. The only thing that was very different, was the time of the year. This visit was planned for the middle of June in order to catch the sunny weather. Quite obviously, I had pictured sweltering temperatures, and I becoming overwhelmed by the obvious humidity. But that was the script I prepared , but in practice it was very different. Did I get the sunny weather? Of course not. It rained most of the time, and even for the locals, the weather was appallingly bad . Still, I enjoyed the visit, and did most of the things I planned to do. The following posts will illustrate my visit to MOMA, and show some of my favourites at the museum. You may say the Museum of Modern Art is one of many museums in New York city, and you are right. But it has always held an importan...

The Dead Pigeon Every now and then something happens, and leave you quite unsettled. And even after thinking, it takes a while before you can come to terms with the event. The story of the dead pigeon is one of these occasions. It was almost one o'clock in the morning when I arrived from a four week holiday in the Caribbean and Florida. I was very tired since I had started the journey almost thirty six hours before, including overnighting on a bench at Boston airport. The house seemed slightly messy and crowded, but then I had left in a hurry. And because it was winter, young tropical plants were, as usual, hibernating everywhere. I decided to go straight to bed after I had had a look around. On my way out, I noticed a large mound of gravel and sand at the bottom of the fireplace. This seemed unusual, almost as if the inner walls of the chimney had started to disintegrate. I gave it a little thought and then went to bed. The next morning after investigating, I was still puzzled, as...

GROWING PERESKIA The Original Cactus Needs Your Attention Pereskia are really not very well-known plants. Even among succulent lovers, they are certainly not highly prized. The fact they are a significant part of the Cataceae group still does not reward them special attention. Often, botanists will tell you, that they are usually found only in botanical gardens. Yet, they serve as a significant starting point for the debate about the origin of cacti. For some, these are the first cacti, before evolution and mutation took its course; the debate on the origin of succulents rages on daily. The real reason for their obscurity may have more to do with the fact they need a highly tropical climate to survive. Yes, they are interesting plants, and they are some of my favourite cacti. The fact that they are not really seen as true succulents, make them even much more substantial to me. Have a look at some plants in these photos, and decide what you think. Lots more are available on the interne...

DOWNTOWN PORT OF SPAIN A walk around the capital of Trinidad and Tobago.

THE SAGUARO CACTUS - CARNIGIEA GIGANTEA The Saguaro is the largest cactus in the United States, and reaches a height of mid-thirties to forty feet. Lucky ones more grow even taller, to a height of fifty feet. They are seen at their best in southern Arizona. Head for Phoenix and Tucson, and you would encounter many on your way. Or better still, visit the Saguaro National Park. When young they look some what different from the giant adults. They also need a degree of protection from animals and very extreme weather. When old enough, they produce white waxy flowers in early summer, followed by starling red fruits later. It takes the saguaro many years before they begin to branch. Most of the ones you come across will generally be of one stem, because their survival is never guaranteed.

More Troops for Afghanistan Wherever you go, you cannot escape the heated discussion about the war in Afghanistan. At the moment, the American President is under immense pressure to commit more American troops. And he, in turn, is pushing the Europeans to lend a helping hand. The problem is that most people do not believe that sending more troops will make any difference. Even in the US, public opinion is already questioning the undying support for the war. People are beginning to doubt that any victory is possible, and are getting exasperated by the continuing financial drain on the country. In many ways, the debate is beginning to sound like Iraq all over again. And sooner, not later, a decision will have to made that enough is enough, and that the time has come to end this aimless pursuit of war. Time to end the fighting. Time to start the withdrawal process, and let the Afghans sort out their future.

BARCELONA, SPAIN: Las Ramblas BARCELONA: Las Ramblas

EASYJET AIRLINES: One Bag Rule Last night I was on my way back from Barcelona on late flight to Stansted Airport. After an easy security check, I headed for the gate, in what I saw as uneventful journey back home. I usually up for the online check-in since these short breaks never involve a lot of luggage. I surrendered my boarding pass, and strolled towards the plane. I encountered another official who needed to see my passport. After checking my passport, he informed me that I was breaking Easyjet 'One bag rule'. I told him that I did not undersatand what he meant, because I had only one bag. He told me that I had two bags, as he pointed at the laptop around my neck. I commented that a laptop could never constitute a bag. He insisted that I had to get rid of one bag, and perhaps pay £22 to have it checked. Or that a simpler way, was to place all items in my other bag. I had to suffer the indignity of having to repack my travelling bag on the doorsteps of the plane, simply to ...

Nice: Southern France Last weekend I was in Nice for three days, and I was amazed about the impact that the new tram system has had. I also remember the two or three years of digging, disruption and difficulty which preceeded this change. But that is over now. Years ago, the Massena area would be overrun with traffic. Today, the downtown area seem almost empty and free. The tram system did not just drive the cars away, it also redirected the bus traffic, leaving the main streets unclogged and open to pedestrians. Late at night though, there is an unusual calm which is created mostly because the shops are all closed. And the night crowd rather selectively target their entertainment. Still, there is a nice feel about the city. And I would say, getting around is so much easier.