CINCINNATI — THE SPORTS TOWN

Cincinnati downtown skyline. Photograph: Dr.Ravi Ramachandran

Jayashree

Name:  Jayashree

Where are you from?

I was born and brought up in Chennai, so Chennai is my hometown.

How long have you lived in Cincinnati?

I've lived in Cincinnati for more than 20 years now.

What do you do?

I am a Delivery Project Executive for a large multinational technology company.

What is Cincinnati famous for?

Cincinnati is a typical city in the mid-western part of the US. It was once famous for meat-packing, but has now re-invented itself as a family-friendly city with something to offer for anyone, whether it is  sports, arts, the outdoors or fine dining.   Cincinnati is a sports town, where you can find baseball, football, tennis, car racing, and almost any other sport. Cincinnati also has a large German population, so the annual Oktoberfest is a popular attraction. Cincinnati houses the Underground Railroad museum (www.freedomcenter.org/about-us) showcasing the city's part in the underground railroad that was used by slaves on the way to freedom, and in general, inspirational stories of freedom.

What are the 3 best kept secrets of Cincinnati, which only the locals are aware of?

•    Cincinnati is a big city with a small-town feel. Almost any sport or activity that you can find in a big city, you can find in Cincinnati. I have two children, and at various stages, we've enjoyed different activities. One thing that people are surprised to hear is that Cincinnati either has or is close to almost 60

3 THINGS AND MORE ABOUT BROOKLYN — NATIVE INSIGHT FROM NEW YORK

Cherry blossoms at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

Name:  Netra

Where are you from? I was born and brought up in a suburb of Boston. However, my parents are from Bangalore and I lived several years in Bangalore, so I feel like I should also call Bangalore home. 

How long have you lived in New York? 
We have lived in Brooklyn (NY) since early 2009.

What do you do?

I am the co-founder of a tech start-up out of NYC. 

Where can we see your work?

www.flipsicle.com

What is your Brooklyn famous for?
The neighborhood I live in is famous for its beautiful brownstone homes, tree-lined streets, and for its large park (Prospect Park), which many prefer to Central Park.

What are the 3 best kept secrets of Brooklyn, which only the locals are aware of? 

• The sense of community. It really feels like a small town. Every time you step out of the house, you inevitably run into at least one person you know and have a lovely conversation with them.
• The local cafes. There are so many small local cafes (almost one every block) that

3 THINGS AND MORE ABOUT BANGALORE FOOD CULTURE

Photo credit: Nila Tamaraa

Simi Mathew

Name: Simi Mathew 

Where are you from?
Though a Malayali by origin but was born and raised in Africa.

How long have you lived in Bangalore?
Since 2004

What do you do?
I am a full-time practicing Psychologist and I also run heritage and food tours in Bangalore. 

Where can we see your work?
www.facebook.com/theootawalks www.simimathew.com 

What kinds of food is Bangalore famous for?
Bangalore is home to two distinct and unique food cultures —  the non vegetarian dishes at Hindu Military Hotels and the tiffin items at Darshinis 

3 best kept food secrets in Bangalore, which only the locals are aware of?

• The Breakfast Biryani at SGS Military Hotel (435, 2nd Cross Rd, Sowrashtrapet, Chickpete)
• Jackfruit Kadubus at Sona Caterers (No. 97, 1st Temple Road, 8th Cross, Malleswaram)
• Night Street Food in Nagarthpete.

The best place(s) for typical Bangalore food 

• For Donne Biryani it has to be

3 THINGS & MORE YOU CAN DO IN MEXICO

Zócalo

Montserrat Arcos

Name: Montserrat Arcos, alias Montse or Mon.

Where are you from?

México City

How long have you lived in México City?

27 years

What do you do?

I’m a journalist and 'curvy' blogger

Where can we see your work?

Blog: curvasfelices.com

Tell us about Mexico and what it is famous for?

Oh my God, difficult question! Well, Mexico City is a big city that even the people living there could never fully see it. I mean it. For me, there is always something new to know, a lot of places to go to. Not only New York, Mexico is also a city that NEVER EVER sleeps, because, you know, we like 'fiesta' a lot! Haha! And it has so many contrasts: very rich people, very poor people, magic places, ugly places, very safe places, very dangerous places. Something curious is that when the famous painter, Salvador Dalí, came to Mexico City, he said “I'm never ever getting back to Mexico City, because I can’t stand that there is something more surreal than my paintings!” And yes, there are  traffic jams every day, all day.

3 best kept secrets of  Mexico city, which only the locals are aware of?

• Mmm where you can buy tacos — in your locality (yes, that knowledge is essential)
• The police are very corrupt, so you can solve almost everything with money (sad but true).
• Mexicans  are ALWAYS late. So, if you have been invited to a party at

3 THINGS & MORE YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MUNICH — NATIVE INSIGHT FROM GERMANY

Englisher Garten. Photo: Rachna Sharma Sirtaj

Rachna Sharma Sirtaj

Name:  Rachna Sharma Sirtaj

Where are you from, originally?
India. My grandparents originate from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. I was born in Madhya Pradesh, grew up in Andhra Pradesh and set up home in Karnataka before moving to Munich.

How long have you lived in Munich ?
8 years.

What do you do?
I am a counselor, past life regression therapist, clinical hypnotherapist and a trainer for personal, emotional and spiritual growth. I also write a blog on self – development. I also have Facebook pages where a person can find motivation, inspiration, share ideas and meet like-minded friends. 

Where can we see your work? 
My Blog: Motivatedsoul
My Facebook Page/s : Motivational Thoughts  Rachna Sirtaj Therapy

My website: Motivated Soul
 
What is Munich famous for?

• Munich is known for its proximity to the Alps and has an abundance of lakes in and around its vicinity. It has a serene and modern outlook without being flashy. It is an important historical city that is proud to have many old structures which still stand intact. The old city still exists between

WHAT TO SEE, EAT AND DO IN MAURITIUS

Yasin De Nmamode at Partout Et Ailleurs.

Name: Yasin De Nmamode

Where are you from?

Mauritius. A small island in the Indian Ocean with a population of 1.2 million; it's capital is Port Louis.

How long have you lived in Mauritius? 
I have lived here for 20 years in all.

Yasin De Nmamode

What do you do?
I am a designer. I have an outlet store in Port Louis. I design and sell half of my collections and import the other half from various parts of Asia, especially India, Malaysia and Thailand. I am also a journalist and blogger.

Where can we see your work?
Facebook : Boy Groove; My dormant blog which hopefully will be active again soon : Candy Lafolle ; Some of my work in newspapers... here 

What is Mauritius famous for — food/music/dance/architecture?

• If you ever visit Mauritius, you’ll discover that you can cover

NATIVE INSIGHT — DELHI

Lodhi (or Lodi) Gardens, a 90-acre park in Delhi featuring the 15th-century tomb of Mohammed Shah and other notable architectural works. (Photograph by ranopamas, Flickr

Deepti Singh Gupta may be a botanist by education and a teacher by trade, but she’s a traveler “in spirit and soul.” Though she hails from the suburbs of Delhi, Deepti seeks out the capital city’s throbbing heart every chance she gets to explore its ever-changing landscapes. Here are a few of Deepti’s favorite things about the place she calls home.

Follow Deepti’s adventures on Twitter @GlobalPitara and on her personal travel blog.

Delhi is My City

When someone comes to visit me, the first place I take them is Qutb Minar, a minaret counted among the world’s tallest monuments and surrounded by other ancient structures, including royal tombs and an iron pillar. This UNESCO World Heritage site has atmosphere, Old World charm, and plenty of history to keep visitors absorbed.

February is the best time to visit my city because the weather is balmy and the city is abuzz culturally speaking.

You can see my city best from top of the minarets ofJama Masjid in the walled city. Qutub Minar once provided the perfect bird’s eye view, but the monument has been  Read more...

NATIVE INSIGHT - PONDICHERRY

Pondicherry. Photo:pondicherrywiki

Name: Ramaa Shanker

Ramaa Shanker

Where do you live?

Pondicherry, South India.

How long have you lived in this place?

I have been in and out of Pondicherry for the last 23 years and I have been living here for the last nine years.

What do you do?

I am a food consultant and a writer. Currently, I am writing a book on temples.

Must-see places in Pondicherry?

• Ayyanar koil (temple) in Puthupet. In this temple and the surrounding village is practiced the native horse worship, a centuries old tradition. It is said that if you have a problem, you can write it on a piece of paper, circle the idol of the horse thrice and tie the paper around the idol along with a lime, and your problems get solved. This is something only the locals know about.
• Aurobindo paper factory on Gingee salai (road). It is an unusual paper factory where you can browse through beautiful stationery and creations of handmade paper. You can also get your visiting cards printed here. You will find the 91-year-old owner of the factory, Sri Anirudh sitting in a corner. A devotee and student of Mother and Sri Aurobindo, he has a huge hall filled with life-size

THE BEST KEPT SECRETS OF BANGALORE — A NATIVE'S INSIGHT

"Bangalore is quirky," says Aliyeh Rizvi who has lived in the city for more than three decades.

Aliyeh Rizvi

Name: Aliyeh Rizvi

Where are you from?

Bangalore.

How long have you lived in this place?

Over 30 years.

What do you do?

I run Native Place, which works to find alternative ways in which to connect/involve people with their local history and culture through experiences (walks and events) and documentation (travel, heritage, culture).

Where can we see your work?

www.aturquoisecloud.wordpress.com (website in progress).

What is Bangalore famous for — food/music/dance/achitecture?

• ·        Local food from local communities —Tamil, Andhra, Kerala, Marathi, Muslim, Cutchi  Memon, Iyengar — that reinforce its unique cosmopolitanism.
• ·        The original Kingfisher beer-rock pubs, not