hey! In my regular bid to procrastinate... I've changed up the site a little and keep checkin' the BOTTOM of the pile as I've been adding pictures from different locations (as requested by some of ya who might be headin' to Southern Italy etc!) :)
Cheers!
p.s. leave me a comment if this format actually works! (another way for u to also procrastinate!) :)
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Saturday, April 23, 2005
late night thoughts....
So, its 1:15am... just three and a half hours shy of my third full day in Canada... and my head is still spinning! My room is what happens if I were to stuff all my worldly possessions and paperwork into an active volcano that would blow up and randomly disperse all my things in the confines of a room!
I'm writing what I'm about to write more to clear my head and also to keep myself from repeating myself to wellwisher who asks how I'm doing and how my trip was. Repeating something (even to those close to me) seems to devalue its importance to me... and thats not something I want happening.
So... to answer the question... "How was my trip to India?" I'd have to say that it was an emotional rollercoaster that has tugged on every string and has left me battered yet somehow stronger.
My cousin's wedding was awesome... for those of you who haven't experienced an Indian Punjabi wedding in India, I recommend seeing "Monsoon Wedding". It wasn't quite the same but a lot of dancing, drinking and eating nonetheless. It was great to catch up with my family, including folks from Australia, England, Iran and the US. I put on quite a few pounds... ahh... glorious butter chicken and daal makhani!
My time with my grandma in Dehra-Dun was also excellent and also involved more eating and philosophical chats under the lazy afternoon Doon sun. The reality of the limitations and decline of this human body were strongly seen, felt and acknowledged, and after a brief "poor me" episode... I've realized that I'm the lucky one to have seen and shared this time and experience with someone so close to me. Once again, I've RE-learnt to enjoy life.
Visiting one of our WorldVision sponsored kids in North Delhi was another great highlight. Smelling, feeling and walking near the visible monstrosity of the Delhi garbage dump which was filled with men, women and children digging for scrap metal and plastic to sell... with some even living in houses (if u can call them that) with rats, garbage bags and styrofoam for walls IN the dump definitely made me appreciate the opportunities I've been given in life. On an important note... Having seen and questioned the validity and use of money of this program, I HIGHLY recommend supporting atleast this particular project of WorldVision ... and NO, they do NOT actively or passively recruit for any church of any denomination... I'll try and post something a lil' more substantial later).Once again, I RE-learnt the importance of gratitude and sharing.
Javed's untimely death is something I'm still dealing with. I know that I don't miss HIM. Let me explain,I miss the image of Javed that I have.The massive man whose deep booming voice made many quiver but only till they realised that he was as threatening as a large teddy bear with a heart of gold. Definitely cliche but thats the image I have.His image is what he meant to me.Missing him is a very egotistical thing as I (and many I know) am the one who is in loss.Missing him forces me to re-learn the necessity to live life to the max.
My grandma's (again in Dehra-Dun) cataract surgery was a success but yet it has made me re-learn the importance of not taking anything for granted (especially when most of my limbs etc are fully functional... still not sure about that ball that lies precariously above my neck!).
My plane journey home was another major lesson.A few hours into the 15 hour flight, there was a PA call for a doctor or nurse. Coincidentally, I happened to be in the galley that separates first class from sardines-in-a-can class.A woman about my age came through the first class curtains and into the galley with her head in her hands and was obviously crying hysterically.Shocked... I backed into sardine-class as I heard a number of people, over the loud engine noise, who were obviously dealing with a critical situation on the other side of the first class curtain. There was a very obvious tense feeling in the air... and all I could do was offer a prayer for what was later confirmed (when I met the doc at the luggage carousel as a departed soul. I can't even imagine sitting next to my deceased parent for 10+ hours.Once again, I RE-learnt the fragility of life.
The biggest thing I've RE-learnt is that my ego and myself need to work on putting into practice everything I've learnt... forgotten... re-learnt and fight the human habit to continue this vicious cycle. And even for this cycle, I'm grateful. :)
Buenos Noches all! I won't apologize for rambling... u coulda stopped reading after the first paragraph! ;)
Love, Laugh... and Live!
I'm writing what I'm about to write more to clear my head and also to keep myself from repeating myself to wellwisher who asks how I'm doing and how my trip was. Repeating something (even to those close to me) seems to devalue its importance to me... and thats not something I want happening.
So... to answer the question... "How was my trip to India?" I'd have to say that it was an emotional rollercoaster that has tugged on every string and has left me battered yet somehow stronger.
My cousin's wedding was awesome... for those of you who haven't experienced an Indian Punjabi wedding in India, I recommend seeing "Monsoon Wedding". It wasn't quite the same but a lot of dancing, drinking and eating nonetheless. It was great to catch up with my family, including folks from Australia, England, Iran and the US. I put on quite a few pounds... ahh... glorious butter chicken and daal makhani!
My time with my grandma in Dehra-Dun was also excellent and also involved more eating and philosophical chats under the lazy afternoon Doon sun. The reality of the limitations and decline of this human body were strongly seen, felt and acknowledged, and after a brief "poor me" episode... I've realized that I'm the lucky one to have seen and shared this time and experience with someone so close to me. Once again, I've RE-learnt to enjoy life.
Visiting one of our WorldVision sponsored kids in North Delhi was another great highlight. Smelling, feeling and walking near the visible monstrosity of the Delhi garbage dump which was filled with men, women and children digging for scrap metal and plastic to sell... with some even living in houses (if u can call them that) with rats, garbage bags and styrofoam for walls IN the dump definitely made me appreciate the opportunities I've been given in life. On an important note... Having seen and questioned the validity and use of money of this program, I HIGHLY recommend supporting atleast this particular project of WorldVision ... and NO, they do NOT actively or passively recruit for any church of any denomination... I'll try and post something a lil' more substantial later).Once again, I RE-learnt the importance of gratitude and sharing.
Javed's untimely death is something I'm still dealing with. I know that I don't miss HIM. Let me explain,I miss the image of Javed that I have.The massive man whose deep booming voice made many quiver but only till they realised that he was as threatening as a large teddy bear with a heart of gold. Definitely cliche but thats the image I have.His image is what he meant to me.Missing him is a very egotistical thing as I (and many I know) am the one who is in loss.Missing him forces me to re-learn the necessity to live life to the max.
My grandma's (again in Dehra-Dun) cataract surgery was a success but yet it has made me re-learn the importance of not taking anything for granted (especially when most of my limbs etc are fully functional... still not sure about that ball that lies precariously above my neck!).
My plane journey home was another major lesson.A few hours into the 15 hour flight, there was a PA call for a doctor or nurse. Coincidentally, I happened to be in the galley that separates first class from sardines-in-a-can class.A woman about my age came through the first class curtains and into the galley with her head in her hands and was obviously crying hysterically.Shocked... I backed into sardine-class as I heard a number of people, over the loud engine noise, who were obviously dealing with a critical situation on the other side of the first class curtain. There was a very obvious tense feeling in the air... and all I could do was offer a prayer for what was later confirmed (when I met the doc at the luggage carousel as a departed soul. I can't even imagine sitting next to my deceased parent for 10+ hours.Once again, I RE-learnt the fragility of life.
The biggest thing I've RE-learnt is that my ego and myself need to work on putting into practice everything I've learnt... forgotten... re-learnt and fight the human habit to continue this vicious cycle. And even for this cycle, I'm grateful. :)
Buenos Noches all! I won't apologize for rambling... u coulda stopped reading after the first paragraph! ;)
Love, Laugh... and Live!
Thursday, April 21, 2005
home... 'n a breath of fresh air
well, I'm back... but don't get too excited... I'm not sure how much better I'll get at emailing. I'm going to keep this blog going for now. Its kinda theraputic as well I think. :)
Friday, April 15, 2005
Loss of a dear friend
I haven't been writing much because I lost a relative... no... I lost a dear friend who happened to be a relative, very unexpectedly. At this time, I'm at a loss of words as I'm fucked up in my own head right now. Javed... I miss you, bro.
Monday, April 11, 2005
a lil' smokey!
So coupla nights ago... after a grand time at my cousin's to-be-in-laws party, we got back home to find the house smelling of smoke! Quite strange and my cuz, A. & myself went to go investigate (in our mildly inebriated state). We reached the conclusion that the smoke was actually coming from the basement but our theory was quickly crushed as it is quite normal to burn garbage in the alley behind the house (an interesting fact if you think about the BILLIONS of people in this country... where does their garbage go... besides the few dumps that many poor people live on). So, back to the story... all us tired folk decided to hit the sack and just turn on the fans and air conditioning extra high.
Next thing u know... my uncle is waking us up to go to the balcony as the entire flat is full of smoke! LUCKILY, my grandfather, the early riser that he is, woke up to find the house TOTALLY filled with smoke. So he quickly calls the fire brigade and the police. The advantage of living in a well-off South Delhi location is that these guys come quickly! About 15 of them show up and first stand around trying to discuss what to do. One thing to note is that the ONLY difference between the cops and firemen are the gum boots (rain boots) the firemen are wearing! THere is NO fire-retardant clothing... cotton shirt pant combo is the order of the day.
So.. now finally ONE fireman decides to break down the basement door (which, by the way, is an illegal clothing boutique in a residencial-only zone). After he breaks down the door and affirms our earlier drunken suspicions, ALL the cops and fireman gather around the door to see what HE is doing! Not that anyone helps him... but rather they all grab their hankerchiefs and protect their mouth from the smoke. Long story short... an iron had been left on some clothing and it started to smoulder but no fire but a very dangerous amount of smoke had been released. We were extremely lucky... and all thanks to my grandfather!
The owners came by in their P.J.'s... paid off the cops so that their illegal boutique could resume its activity (it should be due to open next spring, maybe) and life went on. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the same firefighter put on the ancient oxygen tank to actually go find the source but it took two or three of them to figure out how to use it... and then one of the masks straps broke... so... now our lone brave firefighter is holding an old metallic flash light in one hand and the back of his oxygen mask with the other... I guess he must KNOW how to use gum boots to turn of an iron! :)
Tonight is the wedding reception... and then hopefully I'm off to visit my grandmother again in Dehra-Dun.
Ciao!
Hey... someone write me at jup@canada.com so that I know that SOMEONE is reading this! :)
Next thing u know... my uncle is waking us up to go to the balcony as the entire flat is full of smoke! LUCKILY, my grandfather, the early riser that he is, woke up to find the house TOTALLY filled with smoke. So he quickly calls the fire brigade and the police. The advantage of living in a well-off South Delhi location is that these guys come quickly! About 15 of them show up and first stand around trying to discuss what to do. One thing to note is that the ONLY difference between the cops and firemen are the gum boots (rain boots) the firemen are wearing! THere is NO fire-retardant clothing... cotton shirt pant combo is the order of the day.
So.. now finally ONE fireman decides to break down the basement door (which, by the way, is an illegal clothing boutique in a residencial-only zone). After he breaks down the door and affirms our earlier drunken suspicions, ALL the cops and fireman gather around the door to see what HE is doing! Not that anyone helps him... but rather they all grab their hankerchiefs and protect their mouth from the smoke. Long story short... an iron had been left on some clothing and it started to smoulder but no fire but a very dangerous amount of smoke had been released. We were extremely lucky... and all thanks to my grandfather!
The owners came by in their P.J.'s... paid off the cops so that their illegal boutique could resume its activity (it should be due to open next spring, maybe) and life went on. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the same firefighter put on the ancient oxygen tank to actually go find the source but it took two or three of them to figure out how to use it... and then one of the masks straps broke... so... now our lone brave firefighter is holding an old metallic flash light in one hand and the back of his oxygen mask with the other... I guess he must KNOW how to use gum boots to turn of an iron! :)
Tonight is the wedding reception... and then hopefully I'm off to visit my grandmother again in Dehra-Dun.
Ciao!
Hey... someone write me at jup@canada.com so that I know that SOMEONE is reading this! :)
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
food for thought...
So, here I am... a day short of a month later... and atleast 10-12 pounds heavier (about 4-5 kilos for the rest of ya'll)... and having spent time in Dehra-Dun , Delhi and an afternoon in a "relocation area" for an old Delhi slum. The temperature has risen considerably since I first arrived here. You can feel the afternoon heat as it envelopes you in waves of hot air. And the serious air conditioning that happens in most medium to high-end restaraunts, hotels and shops just increase the dramatic exit from these exclusive places to the rest of India. The discrepancy of the rich and poor is felt just outside these hotels and places.
At this point, I'm not even sure where to start about everything that this trip has taught me. But as usual, my damn time is up here... but I'll leave with what I've felt are the three most important lessons picked up so far... gratefulness, perspective of life (as in, is our "model" of life necessarily the best one to show to others... more on that later, I hope) and compassion.
ciao!
At this point, I'm not even sure where to start about everything that this trip has taught me. But as usual, my damn time is up here... but I'll leave with what I've felt are the three most important lessons picked up so far... gratefulness, perspective of life (as in, is our "model" of life necessarily the best one to show to others... more on that later, I hope) and compassion.
ciao!
Saturday, April 02, 2005
HOLI AFTER: so... this is my beautiful neice again and a coalminer... a.k.a. ME with mostly "pakka" colours that I'm STILL removing. Incase you haven't clicked on the HOLI link further down... its the festival of colours that is celebrated all over India! It's a time to let loose and can get really wild! As you can see... my friends did not spare me! And I'm glad I could get all this colour and an egg smashed on my head too! Note the pristine coloured kurta-pyjama!
Copyright GurdialMakhanSinghMalai
so.... this MIGHT look like an ordinary bicycle rickshaw.... BUT let me tell YOU!!! Firstly, the Puppy-OM-6 DELUXE model has CD's for your listening pleasure (not) AND they double as reflectors for the evenings.Now u know what to do with your scratched CD's! :) AND if you look carefully, under the left CD are the letters CNG. NORMALLY, these letters are found on buses and autorickshaws that run on Compressed Natural Gas. I think the operator of this bicycle rickshaw is on a special diet! :P
Copyright GurdialMakhanSinghMalai
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