Tour de Force

Overheard in a cafe -

Few people who appeared to be friends meeting after decades exchanging notes about where they are at this point in their lives. Some talked about kids and families, others about their latest adventure at whatever jobs they were holding. My ears picked up a thread - "I keep going to New York twice every year", he said. "Oh, you must be doing so well for yourself!"

At this point I tuned off and began drifting to the idea of success and its relative perception for people. I am always amused when making a couple of international trips per year is associated with the premise that you must have arrived in life!

Here's my personal barometer for my own success as an individual -

On a Road Less Travelled

When little kids like me enough to wave and blow kisses from their tiny schoolbus window..

When I have more than one girlfriend vying for who drops by with comfort food as I lay in bed thinking I am going to die of common viral fever...

When a long lost friend reconnects with a warmth that is associated with the closest of buddies...

When neighborhood urchins uncharacteristically offer me a solitary Jasmine flower...

When colleagues at work know exactly when I am in need of that cup of coffee ...

But mostly when I get up every morning, with a smile on my face, with a passion in my heart and a song on my lips!

Leaping Back

Its true.

Humans survive. Life goes on. Positivity beats human frailty hands down. Breathe in..breathe out. The mind walks the talk of the devil. And yet, the spirit beats all odds.

What begins as a few body cells fighting for supremacy becomes a battle for survival. The mind revolts and wants to surrender. The body, frail yet fighting still. The spirit rises from the ashes and comes forth to hold the fort and calls out.

Friends, family, strangers...all rally for that one step a day. How strange that when it all appear to be floundering in despair that life suddenly takes on a purpose?! The will to see another day, the call to return to one's faith, the need to smell the roses one more time....ah to be alive!

This one is for my friend L, who is fighting the deadly C - a tribute to your positivity and your strength my friend! I am already making the plans for that trip to Brazil and Mexico with you - you better be ready! Love, Light and Laughter to you. Hugs and oh so many more hugs!

Get well!

..looking through life...

The Quest

Stumbling my way through an insipid existence I always felt the need for a Manual to life. Where all others seem to be doing it effortlessly, even pretending to enjoy the experience, for me living appeared to be a chore that simply had to be done. 

Looking back...that was a million years ago..I am thankful for those moments of constant questioning and the occasional languid season of reckless living. For those were my moments of being born...the soul signaling the I for all that was to come and learn.

"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." — Rumi

Rapture!

What some see as my adventurous life, is a quest for finding the answers that began many moons ago in another lifetime. I am happy that the trail has led me to new discoveries both within and without. The quest continues....

Soria Moria by Theodor Kittelsen (a painting depicting a famous Norwegian folklore)

My perception of the self keeps changing with my most recent experiences but as of today, I most identify the self with this character out of the Norwegian folklore!

Dieu Merci

The drops come..one at a time at first..silken..shy...breezy. Then all of a sudden the sky breaks out and it began pouring! The rain gods were dancing - a full on hip hop! 

My Frangipani plant

I gingerly step out on my now rain washed terrace to soak my soul in the magic of the Delhi monsoon. The rain waltz on around me and I am removed so far away from any where. A transcendent moment...life stops or moves too fast. I have always enjoyed my humble abode but today, at this moment, it feels like I am home.

 And this is how you find me.

A colourful Odyssey

Your Royal Ride 

"Khamma Ghani Sa" is Namaste with much added respect in Rajasthani. This simple phrase said with the head bowed low down to the waist and folded hands exemplifies the culture and tradition of the vibrant piece of earth called Rajasthan.

As rich and colourful as its history is Jaipur may appear somewhat faded with neglect if your vantage point is only that of a tourist looking for camel rides, snake charmers and pristine locales.

An equally footloose and fancy free friend is my travel companion on this trip. We decided to explore the city as it opens itself to us - with no planned agenda or itinerary.

The pool at The Trident

Jaipur draws you towards it and makes you wonder if you ever went deep within yourself!  Its forts, palaces, bazaars and people all conspire to create an ache for one's roots.

The beautiful palaces, now mostly converted into boutique hotels are awe inspiring. We are unanimous in our vote for the Ram Bagh Palace as the most beautiful and luxurious. We were recommended a visit to Steam - the bogie restaurant at this hotel for an evening meal - since we were not working an agenda we ended up sampling the Polo Bar instead! Both highly recommended by yours truly - a self confessed foodie ;)

Actually glutton would be a better word given the amount of food I consumed on this trip - a visit to the famous LMB restaurant at M.I Road had us gorging on Dal Baati and Gatte ka Sabji..the old and ever famous Niros running since 1949 won us with coffee served in sterling silver tea pots...

...by the end of this Royal treatment I certainly had an ego the size of a bullock cart.

Looking at the world through the view finder has changed my definition of viewing points. 

Johri Bazaar 

From where I stood, the city and its people may still very well be living in 1225 A.D.

The Jai Garh fort had our heart wrung out due to the apathy of the Jaipur Darbar and the Rajasthan Government - the disrepair and neglect is so visible as we compare the vastly majestic stature in shambles with the more celebrated yet a lot less princely counterparts elsewhere in the world.

The Jai Garh Fort

We are told that both the Jai Garh and City Palace are managed by the 'Darbar Sa" - the royal family of Jaipur under a Trust. Obviously their efforts leave much to be desired!

My friend is determined and optimistic that with the right noises we can make them sit up and notice..being the cynic that I have grown up to be I am not so hopeful. I sure would like to believe that this rich heritage is kept preserved for our future generations though...they will surely need wings to fly but will also thank us for these roots to stay grounded.