Early morning walk to Occum Pond, Hanover

About time I visited Occum Pond before I left Hanover – not that I’m going far away. 

Bryce and Zion National Parks

Graduation Trip - 28th May–3rd June 2016

Bryce Canyon is known for sandstone formations due to frost weathering and stream erosion of sedimentary rocks called hoodoos. The rim at Bryce varies from 8000 to 9000 ft. There are many spectacular hiking trails all across the park. Most hikes start with a steep descent and end with uphill climb.

Zion Canyon is the prominent part of Zion National park which is 15 miles long and upto half a mile deep cut through the sandstone by Virgin river over millions of years. Zion canyon is a paradise for hikers and was certainly my favorite place during the trip. The main hiking trail is along the virgin river called the Narrows. It involves wading upstream for long stretches and hiking along the river for rest and it can easily take a day to complete the hike.

Virgin River

The gang soaking up on Bryce Canyon view!

Yellowstone National Park

Graduation Trip - 28th May–3rd June 2016

Yellowstone National Park is stretched across a 3500 square miles of active volcanic hot spot. It features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs, mudspots and geysers.

Hot Springs at Yellowstone – Most common hydrothermal feature at Yellowstone. Water become superheated at depth and open plumbing system allows water to rise back to the surface. The bright colors found in hydrothermal basins are due to thermophiles – microorganisms that thrive in hot temperatures. Yellowstone’s hot water systems often show distinct gradations of living, vibrant colors where temperature limit of one group of microbes is reached, only to be replaced by a different set  of thermophiles.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mudpots are fomed when surface water collects in a shallow impermeable depression that has no direct connection to an underground water flow. Thermal water beneath the depression causes steam to rise through the ground, heating the collected surface water. Hydrogen Sulphide gas is usually present. Some organisms use H2S for energy and help convert the gas into sulphuric acid which breaks the rock into clay. This results in a gooey mix through which gases gurgle and bubble.

Hot spring                                                                  Mudpot

 

Old Faithful Geyser erupts more frequently than other geysers. Its average interval between eruptions is about 91 minutes and eruption lasts between 10 to 5 minutes, expelling 8400 gallons of boiling water and reaching a height of 184 ft. Its one of the most spectacular and majestic sights in Yellowstone.

Holt’s Ledge and Giles Mountain

 

    

Quechee Gorge, VT

A week in Istanbul

On a rainy day near Hage Sophia                                 Milion - A mile-marker monument erected in Constantinople

Hage Sophia                                                               Blue Mosque

Sharma and Hardy at Topkaki Palace                             Dolmabahche Palace, Istanbul

Of lost laptops and change-makers

Armenia and Impact Hub Yerevan

I recently visited Yerevan, the lively capital of Armenia, for a consulting project to create a social innovation space and incubator (http://yerevan.impacthub.net/). During one week that I spent in the country, I  conversed with some of the most inspirational and positive people I’ve ever met. But the trip may not have been have the fun if not for the team – one American, one Brazilian, two Indians, one Chinese and two Armenians.

L to R Picture 1:Sara Jaan, Hardy, Steph, Rafael, Sharma, Ani Jaan and Amar

Yerevan day 1

My trip started with small panic at the Moscow Airport when Sharma realized that he has forgotten his laptop at the New York airport. Amidst frantic calling to New York airport to locate the laptop someone shouted “And where is Hardy ? ” All hands typing feverishly on keyboards froze. Did we loose one person at New York airport as well?

But soon we realized that Hardy was standing a long distance ahead of us in the passport control line. Phew! And shortly afterward Sharma located his laptop with the lost and found division at New York airport. And then the joke started , five people started from New York Airport…
Above – Tuck Team broke into a jig after dinner – day 1 at Yerevan. Performers – Sara Jaan, Hardy, Sharma and Amar.

Coffee is ubiquitous in Yerevan and tech startup culture is catching up. There are numerous modern cafes lined across streets and these places are usually full during weekdays. During one of our scheduled meetings we met Irina, who started Green Bean coffee chain, a green initiative that uses only recyclable materials and does not allows smoking inside the café – a new phenomena in Yerevan. The coffee chain is now planning to expand into international markets with initial focus on attracting diaspora Armenian community and market itself as an ethnic Armenian brand globally. The chat was specially intriguing for me because I love coffee and I too want to start a coffee chain in India.  Inspiration + Idea !

We also met with some startups and were amazed at the ideas/ projects these startups were working on. WiCastr has developed a device that creates localized wifi zones without internet connectivity. It will allow selective digital content to be sent to all the connected devices. If successful, this will remove the need for data service providers as network effect of many such devices will create the effect of a globalized wifi.

Armenian genocide weighs heavily on Armenian psyche.  After numerous conversations with locals and internationals, I realized that locals have carried this baggage for long and only recently have started to shake it off. Today, there is a palpable sense of urgency to bring Armenia on world map and to rebrand Armenia as an intellectual horsepower.  Recently, a new initiative 100Lives (https://100lives.com/en/intro) was launched  to mark the centenary year of Armenian genocide. The project will grant $1 Million annually to put themselves at risk to enable others to survive and thrive.

Overall, i had an amazing experience meeting new people and learning about the culture of a new country. Future will decide if Armenia has Shukachika (no market) or Shukaka (yes market). Of all the memories created during the trip, I will remember most fondly the warmth of the people we met, the determination of these people to bring a positive change in the society and the amazing food scene in Yerevan.

Garni Temple, Armenia                                                                  Sharma and Hardy Bromancing.

In Hindi it is said that a story that cannot be completed should be left at a beautiful turn. Yerevan, you will be missed.

Tuck–Dartmouth, Initial Impressions and Fall Colors

 

Building Air Castles

 

There is a joy in chasing horizons,

And burning hands with fire that frightens,

But what of the chase, if not for freedom,

Of seeing something that no-one can fathom?

Of splashing colours on canvas unbridled,

Of seeking answers to unheard riddles,

And what of the ideas, if not chastised,

Of chasing that which is truly prized?