Monday 26 March 2012

Another Monday with all its morning blues, official engagements, short evening nap and some face booking went by.  Monday morning has always been not so welcome right from school days, and things have not changed even now. It is that time of the week when every minute of that extra sleep means a lot to you. Outside, the Mother nature too is slowly coming out of its dull brown winter blanket.  Flowers have started blossoming and Spring is on its way.  Very colorful sight indeed.
Winter has not left its cold grip completely.  It's been cold wind blowing throughout the day and for a moment it felt like it is going to snow again.  The sight of people jogging was beginning to turn a common one, but today they were found with all winter clothes on.  Nature is unpredictable.

Behind the wheel

It was nice to be holding the steering wheel again after a gap of some 6 to 7 months.  I was a little apprehensive about driving on these roads initially, the main reason being the wheel positioned to the left side of the vehicle.  But it turned out to be a not so difficult exercise.  I could manage it, and could do it pretty well. 
The rules are there mainly for helping people.  Ironically, it was these rules that posed a certain degree of difficulty today.  Mostly because I was born, brought up and had my first driving lessons in a land where people never care about rules and laws.  I believe anybody from my background would find it a bit uneasy to be forced by rules to stop at just a stop sign, since back in their homeland, they don't stop even in the presence of traffic police if they have a chance.  Evading law has become our principle.  We feel it a shame to abide by the laws and regulations of our own country, but in a foreign land, we are left with no choice.  The rules are strict here.
There was one similarty though.  It was the attitude and temper of the instructor.... ha ha... These guys want their students to be Mr Perfect right from the take one.  The moment you sit behind the wheel, you are expected to be an expert and drive with perfection.  I have had enough of this irritating experience during my initial driving classes back in India, because of which I did not have to go through the same ordeal again this time.
Today I had a chance to come across an article titled 'Cruel Punctuality' posted by the popular traveller Mr Santhosh George Kulangara in his website..  He was throwing some light on the punctuality of westerners and how it turns out to be 'cruel' in our views.  It made me think how long still we have to keep waiting to acquire these basic qualities that make up our lives organized and disciplined. How far are we Indians behind the west in almost every single quality that goes into nation building.  May be a few hundred years seemed an obvious answer.

It is almost 12 AM.  Tomorrow is another day and another hectic schedule begins.  Have to take some rest now. Time to collapse on the bed.

Festival time

The festivities of the day came to a grand closure a couple of hours ago.  I am now back at home after a tiring yet jubilant day at the temple. The famous 'Kalpathy Ratholsavam' (meaning 'The chariot festival of Kalpathy') beckons enthusiasts from even across the seas.  I have been going through it and have experienced the aura surrounding this festival for the past several years, yet every year I find myself recharged by the very ambience created by it.  Never have I witnessed a festival of such a magnitude so well organized, where ordinary people who might never have met before in their life come together on the streets and devote their mind and body for a divine cause.
It is harvest time for the roadside makeshift shopkeepers too. There is virtually no limit to the kind of items you can lay your hand on.  Today however, the rain played spoiler towards the end of the day which sent many of them packing.

It is getting late now.  Before signing off, attaching a few snaps from the festival that I took today.
Good bye for now.

Kalpathy getting ready for the festival.

A decorated chariot getting ready to roll

People flood the streets on festival day

It's been a week...

The week gone by was too hectic that it feels only a couple of days have passed. It was exactly one week ago that I wrote my previous post.  It's past 12 midnight now. My eyes are feeling heavy already.  But still wanted to login and check how everyone is doing.  Nice to see a few photos from old pals.  Felt even nicer to put my comments on them.  Just waiting to see how they would react now... :-)


Will write some time later.  On to the bed now.

Good night all..

On this day of Deepavali...

Getting up at 3 in the morning was unthinkable a few years ago, but today it was unavoidable, since I was about to start for home. I was thrilled by the thought of driving up till home at that odd hour of the day.  Getting ready quickly, I set out and made myself comfortable behind the wheels.... and God! what a ride it was speeding through the deserted road on such a cold dark morning.
The rain that had been pouring down incessantly throughout the night had virtually flooded the roads.  Driving on them seemed to be such a strange experience, especially since it was the first of its kind and I was not yet so much used to taking a car onto the road.  I am still mastering the art of driving.  But still, it was a good ride. I enjoyed it!
The day passed by quickly.  Not surprising though. How else do you expect a Deepavali to be?  The day had its importance, not only that it was Deepavali, but some other reason as well. Will detail on that on another occasion.  Family members - many of them - visited my house today and we all had a nice time together.  What better occasion than a Deepavali to have the family to come together.
I could hear some occasional bursts of crackers from the streets.  Celebrations on the streets have not yet subsided.
Let the light prevail for ever. Happy Deepavali...!!!