The new Study Group has begun! And it’s on a topic that appeals to the romantic, in each one of us- the Silk Route. There was an overwhelming response, and in the space of a mere couple of weeks we had 24 people who signed up to research on myriad aspects of the Silk Route. …
This week’s presentations were on five women. Three of whom I’d never heard of! Golda Meir, The Soong sisters Sirimao Bandaranaike It was fascinating to hear the story of Golda Meir a Ukrainian refugee whose family migrated to the US when she was a young girl. Who resisted her mother’s attempt to get her married …
Study Group Wednesday again! And this time two presentations on two amazing women. Two Persian women, separated by 350 years of history. One who stood by her man through intrigues and the dirty court politics of Mughal India; and the other, whose man stood by her, lending her his quiet strength and support through the …
Our presentation this week was on Edwina Mountbatten. Countess of Burma, Vicereine of India! Portrait by Philip de Laszlo. A did a fabulous job of presenting this very conflicted woman with deep insecurities, in a sympathetic light. An heiress with a privileged childhood, Edwina’s early life was one of hedonistic excesses. An early marriage to …
Study Group Wednesdays have started again! Our topic this time is Women. Women in a Man’s World. Women who have been players in the Political arenas of their countries or kingdoms. Women who have made a difference. Women who have swayed history! Our first meeting was at my place and the first presentation was on …
Malacca! ; Once the busiest entrepôt in Southeast Asia. A melting pot of cultures….Chinese, Indian, Arab, African, European- all jostling for trade and power. ; Godowns and bazaars, cheek by jowl with bordellos and opium dens. A babel of different tongues- Tamil, Arabic, Gujarati, Hokkien, Bengali, Teochew. Shrines to Mazu and the Guanyin, elaborately carved …
Study Groups are fun. They are a very interesting way of gathering knowledge and presenting it to a small group of like minded people. The keyword being “small”. In the process you learn, you research, you hone your skills at power point, but most importantly you learn to tell a story that enthralls your audience. …
We are a family that loves all things sweet. While others experiment with cuisines of other countries, I explore the desserts. I’m endlessly fascinated with the history of food. How ingredients travelled with conquering armies and sea-faring explorers. How sailors carried lemons to ward off scurvy and merchants brought with them nutmeg and mace and …