Ramsay Banna blog

Delhi isn’t subtle. It’s layered, loud, historic and constantly moving. But if you structure your time carefully, 24 hours is enough to feel the rhythm of the city — from third-wave coffee culture to Mughal palaces and evening walks along India Gate. This stopover guide keeps things efficient and metro-friendly. 🛬 Arrival: From Indira Gandhi International Airport to the City From Indira Gandhi…

Castaway Stock photos by Vecteezy When Bruce Tuckman introduced his model of group development back in 1965 — Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing — he probably didn’t imagine it would be echoed on a windswept Scottish island on the eve of the new millennium. I still remember watching the BBC reality series Castaway 2000. Thirty-six strangers were dropped on Taransay in the Outer Hebrides,…

Musings of ramsay banna on the loss of the Art of Eye Contact Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot about “the Gen Z stare.” You know the one — eyes expressionless, lips in neutral, face so unreadable it could win poker tournaments. Some say it’s cool, detached, unbothered. I say it’s the visual equivalent of a shrug wrapped in apathy. Hi. I am Ramsay Banna and these are my Thoughts on a Train. And…

I can think of a very long list of what doesn’t. Knees, hangovers, ability to tolerate small talk, trying to read the fine print, impulse shopping decisions. Patience for nonsense, neck skin, surprise mirror reflections. Haven’t scratched the surface on this one. Happy to report there are some things—unexpected, quietly brilliant things—that do get better with age. Not in order of…

I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with holidays, but one of my favourite memories is the time my family surprised me with a trip to Amsterdam. I only found out we were going when we parked the car at the airport. Fifteen minutes later, I was queuing to board the flight, completely caught off guard. That’s how I prefer it—because for me, the days before a holiday aren’t full of excitement…

Daily writing promptWhat quality do you value most in a friend?View all responses If there’s one quality I cherish above all in a friendship, it is the absence of a guilt trip. That rare ability of another human being to let time pass—absurd amounts of time, months even—without reading into it anything more sinister than the simple fact that life is simply a bit much. Life doesn’t so much…

Daily writing promptDo you remember life before the internet?View all responses There was a time when you could watch a film from beginning to end without pausing twelve times to check what other 20 movies the lead actor once appeared in, or whether the composer also did the soundtrack for Blade Runner. You just watched the thing. Back then, I didn’t feel this constant compulsion to stroke my…

My favourite holiday was a trip to Amsterdam which my family surprised me with. I had no idea about the plan until we parked the car in the car park next to the airport shuttle. Basically, I learned about the trip 15 minutes before I was queuing for the flight. I love and dread holidays in equal measure, and the days preceding them are not filled with growing excitement but with mounting…

My favourite holiday was a trip to Amsterdam which my family surprised me with. I had no idea about the plan until we parked the car in the car park next to the airport shuttle. Basically, I learned about the trip 15 minutes before I was queuing for the flight. I love and dread holidays in equal measure, and the days preceding them are not filled with growing excitement but with mounting…

If you’re seeking a destination that blends natural beauty with a calm, welcoming atmosphere, Byron Bay might just be the answer. Nestled on the northern coast of New South Wales, this seaside town is known for its spectacular beaches, lush hinterland, and a community spirit that makes visitors feel right at home. I recently spent a weekend exploring the area, and what struck me most—besides the…

I’ve never seen a one-night stopover as a waste of time. If anything, it’s a golden excuse to dive headfirst into a new place — no overthinking, no dawdling, just me, a backpack, and a plan to see and taste as much as I can. That’s exactly what I did in Chengdu, China. Pandas? Yes. Street food? Absolutely. Local parks and temples? Naturally. And along the way, I picked up a few lessons about how…

Tucked away in the lush green hills of Bulgaria lies a portal to the past—a place where the clock seems to tick backward, and life flows with the rhythm of a simpler, more authentic time. Welcome to the Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex, a living museum that celebrates the craftsmanship, traditions, and everyday joys of Bulgaria’s bygone eras. This isn’t just a historical site to admire…