Colombia: Travel, Time, and Tired Knees

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Cocora Valley — where the fog shows up and leaves whenever it feels like it. I remember our visit to New Zealand and Bora Bora 12 years ago. Our days were packed. We would get up at 6 in the morning and retreat at 8 in the evening. A good breakfast, something quick for lunch, and a proper dinner. Day after day, for two weeks. Lots of travel, hikes, and sightseeing — and somehow, we never felt tired. Today, our travel method has changed. We still pack our days, but at a much more relaxed pace. Ironically, we are far more tired. Age definitely catches up. In the middle of a tour, I now look for opportunities to sneak in a secret nap, or I scan the area for strategic locations where a lonely chair might be waiting just for me. I’ve also reached a point where, if given the option between extra excitement and standing around waiting, I’m strongly leaning toward the latter. Add kids to the mix, and the picture changes entirely. Over the last year and a half, we’ve vis...
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The Legacy Beneath the Leaves

My first ever publication — a small step, but a meaningful one.

Many of us carry a quiet wish to do something meaningful with our hobbies. If you love cricket, you dream of playing in a local league. If you’re passionate about music, you imagine performing for a small crowd. Some people even try their hand at stand-up comedy just to feel that spark on stage.

When any of these milestones happen, it feels like a dream — not because you’ve “made it big,” but because you’ve taken one real step toward something you love. And in my book, that’s a gigantic step.

This week, I finally took my own step: I published my first Kindle Single.

For years, I kept sitting on ideas. I kept waiting for the “perfect” novel, the magical debut that would fetch stunning accolades. Instead, nothing moved. It was a classic case of kicking the pot in the dreams — forever imagining, never doing.

But the publishing world has changed. Shorter works are welcome, self-publishing is accessible, and with tools like ChatGPT, the barriers feel smaller. I didn’t have to hunt for a developmental editor, line editor, copy editor, proofreader, or writing coach. AI let me focus on emotions, storytelling, and the heart of the narrative instead of getting lost in ultra-fine details.

So I decided to plunge headfirst into the publishing world.
First publication. First-time author.
There’s a nice ring to it.

My short story is titled The Legacy Beneath the Leaves.
If you get the chance to read it, I’d love to hear what you think.

Amazon Links:

US Edition & India Edition

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