Author: Mandar
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I’ve Been Thinking… Yes, again 🤣
Yesterday, I pulled a little April Fool’s joke – if you read my last post, you probably thought I was throwing in the towel. But here’s the truth: writing for Hyphenated Homestead has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done lately. And instead of slowing down, I’m challenging myself to show up even…
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I’ve Been Thinking… The Hard Truth 😌
For one year (and 3 months to be precise), I’ve poured my heart and soul into this blog. Countless hours of writing, editing, researching, and sharing. And for what?
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10 Parts. Countless Memories. A Journey to Remember.
They say, “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” This trip back to India after 11 years was exactly that—a homecoming, a rediscovery, a deep dive into the places, people, and moments that shaped me.
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Hyphenated Homecoming: Part 10
The author reflects on returning to India after 25 years, finding a vibrant, confident new generation. Their niece epitomizes this change, balancing ambition and family with ease. Visiting friends who thrive after moving back highlights the evolving perceptions of success in India. Overall, the journey encapsulates a hopeful future and enduring connections.
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Hyphenated Homecoming: Part 9
I knew closing a dormant account at one of the nationalized Indian Bank wouldn’t be easy, but I was determined to get it done during my stay in India. What unfolded upon my visit to the branch was nothing short of astonishing!
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Hyphenated Homecoming: Part 8
If there is one thing that sets India apart from the rest of the world, it is its people—their warmth, their unwavering hospitality, and their innate ability to go above and beyond for those they care about. During my visit, I had the privilege of experiencing this firsthand through two incredible families: the Mithbhakare (Adoni)…
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Hyphenated Homecoming: Part 7
Some people enter your life and leave an imprint so deep that no passage of time can fade it. For me, one of those people has been my cousin, Viju Dada. But calling him just a cousin would be an understatement—he has been a mentor, a cheerleader, a problem solver, and at times, even a…
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Hyphenated Homecoming: Part 6
Growing up, one thing was always clear—my brother Mahesh (I still call him Dada) and I were cut from very different cloths. If he was the bookworm, I was the one running around with mom, inside the house, finding other ways to entertain myself. While he devoured books as if they were meals, I was…
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Hyphenated Homecoming: Part 5
This time during my visit, I had the opportunity to witness something truly remarkable—my sister-in-law Kishori Pathak’s dedication to running अब -Normal Home, a rehabilitation and development center for special children in Pune. Established in 2013, it promotes an inclusive approach, organizing annual workshops to empower children. The recent event centered on sports, enhancing confidence…
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Hyphenated Homecoming: Part 4
The first bite of home-cooked food after years away is more than just a meal—it’s a homecoming in itself. After the overnight adventure from Mumbai to Pune, the first order of business wasn’t sleep. It wasn’t unpacking. It wasn’t even stepping out to explore the city. It was food.
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Hyphenated Homecoming: Part 3
Mumbai never sleeps, they say. But at 3:15 AM, it sure feels like it does. As our Uber driver, SarjeRao, smoothly pulled out of the airport, I finally let myself relax. The worst was over, right? No more navigating chaotic underground parking, no more sweaty treks with baggage—just a straight ride to Pune. Simple. Easy.…
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Hyphenated Homecoming: Part 2
Airports are the grand lobbies of a country—the first impression, the handshake, the welcome mat rolled out for travelers. And for years, Mumbai’s airport had been… well, let’s just say it did its job, but it never quite sparked pride. Every time I flew back, I would sigh at the dullness, the chaotic baggage claim,…
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Hyphenated Homecoming: Part 1
Eleven years. That’s how long it had been since I last set foot in India. It’s a long gap, I know, but life happens. Work, routines, and the comforting predictability of everyday existence kept stretching the years longer than I intended.
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Hyphenated Homecoming: A Journey Back After 11 Years – Buckle Up for the Ride
I had grand plans. Write everything, edit like a pro, and drop the entire series at once—kind of like Netflix does, so my dear readers could binge-read the whole thing. Yeah… that didn’t happen. Turns out, writing about an 11-year overdue trip back home is just as overwhelming as taking the actual trip. So instead…
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One Year of Hyphenated Homestead: The Blog that Didn’t Quit
Exactly one year (and one day) ago, on December 23, 2023, I did something miraculous. No, I didn’t discover the meaning of life or finally master the perfectly round chapati; still working on that btw. 😁 I started a blog—Hyphenated Homestead—and here’s the real kicker: I stuck with it. Yes, this blog’s first birthday is…
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