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My Kind Of Place

Exciting extremes

I like two different types of places — one, a 365-day throbbing city like New York and the other, the total solitude and chillness of the mountains, with water flowing down the slope. There's a dichotomy in me. Both vibrancy and silence get me going.

The call of the heart

I go to NYC whenever I can. As for the mountains, it's not too often that I get an opportunity to visit. Last week, I took off to Sikkim for two days because the mountains beckoned me.

Full of life

NYC has a buzz that is incomparable. There's so much energy around that it rubs off on you. On the contrary, the stillness of the mountains is intellectually stimulating. It helps you keep your calm in a hate and violence filled world.

Time to unwind

For me relaxation is about good cheese and wine and being in the company of someone I can laugh with. Good cultural shows, movies, music and books are value additions. But no matter how beautiful a place is, if it is not clean, it puts me off completely. The Nathula Pass, at 14,000 feet, is littered with empty tobacco sachets and snack packets. Ugh!

Working holidays

I usually take a busman's holiday, taking off for just a day or two when I am working in some interesting place. I enjoy knowing places and people, especially in Latin America, Africa and the East.

THE DANCER SPOKE TO CHITRA SWAMINATHAN

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