Travelogue.
Date : Tuesday,December 23rd, 2008.
Location : Gowthami Ghat, Rajamundry.
A silent river, solitude and stillness that could lull you to a state of contentment, satisfaction and peace. I was on a boat, wondering if life could be as easy as the tranquility on the boatman's face, as the peacefulness in the river, as the silent night which delivered a million expressions, as easy as watching the sun rise each morning and the moon take over every evening. Living from hand to mouth, having no expectations, no surprises, just a life that is meant to be satisfied with the smile on the other person's face. Only if life was that way.
He took us around for a ride on his boat, like they say,
"Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream!"
And I had a dreamless sleep that night.
Date : Wednesday, December 24Th, 2008.
Location : Kuppam, Friend's house.
I felt like the guest of a royal family, was pulled back to reality. Politics, people, hierarchy and their way of life. An entangled maze where problems are unavoidable and smooth sailing never seems a possibility. Was just an observer from a distance, just watching. Sometimes family!
Date : Thursday, December 25Th, 2008.
Location : Majestic Railway Station, Bangalore City.
A cuppa coffee, sitting all alone on a bench on the platform I was watching the world move, people rush, life go on. Observing people in different situations, some I've already been through, some wondering what I'd have done if I was in there. Wished the world would still move on for me if I was just sitting like that forever, gazing at life and learning. I wish for too much.
Btw been an addict of coffee ever since!
I saw people from various walks of life, from different parts of the world, each with a distinct face, colour, features and a culture that identifies them. I wanted to be with people of my kind just for a second!
I saw monks, Tibetans. Reminded me of the book My family and other Saints. I wanted to embark on a spiritual journey too, to far off lands, to find peace, to find solace, to rest my restless soul in those maroon robes :P
I felt happy just watching, diversity makes me happy!
Date : Friday, December 26Th, 2008.
Location : Institute of Co-operative Management, Madurai(outskirts)
Green patches, vegetation, coconut trees, birds, animals, little huts, meals on banana leaves and a banana after every meal :P For sometime I was considering farming as a profession, in fact with all the reading I was doing on co-operatives, wanted to get involved in that sector too.
Date : Sunday, December 28Th, 2008.
Location : Madurai Meenakshi Temple, Madurai.
The Goddess, her shrine , her kingdom. People flocking to worship and seek her blessings, an epic temple that boasts of a huge pond with a golden lotus to ornate the nucleus. The smell of flowers, incense and the presence of kumkum and prasad. Felt at peace, I didn't have to talk, I didn't have to explain, it seemed like temples and their residents can understand whats going through us, what we want, and that we will be rewarded if we are worthy of it.
Visited another magnificent Vishnu temple, the early morning chants, the brightly lit lamps, freshly decorated idols of Gods and Goddesses, glittering jewels(temple jewelry is one of the exquisite pieces of art!) that ornate them put me in a trance. I could live in temples.
Constant perseverance.
Date : Tuesday, December 30Th, 2008.
Location : Tirupathi Railway Station.
Homeward journey, wasn't looking forward to getting back to my disgusted self and unorganized life. Life seemed nice the way it was. To the end, maybe I was slightly content - a consolation prize, blessings of the Goddess, a lotta travelling, quite a few places and people I got to observe, a book read, a break, a holiday and an end to another year. Looks like we all ask for a little too much :)
P.S. Happy New Year!
Location : Gowthami Ghat, Rajamundry.
A silent river, solitude and stillness that could lull you to a state of contentment, satisfaction and peace. I was on a boat, wondering if life could be as easy as the tranquility on the boatman's face, as the peacefulness in the river, as the silent night which delivered a million expressions, as easy as watching the sun rise each morning and the moon take over every evening. Living from hand to mouth, having no expectations, no surprises, just a life that is meant to be satisfied with the smile on the other person's face. Only if life was that way.
He took us around for a ride on his boat, like they say,
"Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream,
Merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream!"
And I had a dreamless sleep that night.
Date : Wednesday, December 24Th, 2008.
Location : Kuppam, Friend's house.
I felt like the guest of a royal family, was pulled back to reality. Politics, people, hierarchy and their way of life. An entangled maze where problems are unavoidable and smooth sailing never seems a possibility. Was just an observer from a distance, just watching. Sometimes family!
Date : Thursday, December 25Th, 2008.
Location : Majestic Railway Station, Bangalore City.
A cuppa coffee, sitting all alone on a bench on the platform I was watching the world move, people rush, life go on. Observing people in different situations, some I've already been through, some wondering what I'd have done if I was in there. Wished the world would still move on for me if I was just sitting like that forever, gazing at life and learning. I wish for too much.
Btw been an addict of coffee ever since!
I saw people from various walks of life, from different parts of the world, each with a distinct face, colour, features and a culture that identifies them. I wanted to be with people of my kind just for a second!
I saw monks, Tibetans. Reminded me of the book My family and other Saints. I wanted to embark on a spiritual journey too, to far off lands, to find peace, to find solace, to rest my restless soul in those maroon robes :P
I felt happy just watching, diversity makes me happy!
Date : Friday, December 26Th, 2008.
Location : Institute of Co-operative Management, Madurai(outskirts)
Green patches, vegetation, coconut trees, birds, animals, little huts, meals on banana leaves and a banana after every meal :P For sometime I was considering farming as a profession, in fact with all the reading I was doing on co-operatives, wanted to get involved in that sector too.
Date : Sunday, December 28Th, 2008.
Location : Madurai Meenakshi Temple, Madurai.
The Goddess, her shrine , her kingdom. People flocking to worship and seek her blessings, an epic temple that boasts of a huge pond with a golden lotus to ornate the nucleus. The smell of flowers, incense and the presence of kumkum and prasad. Felt at peace, I didn't have to talk, I didn't have to explain, it seemed like temples and their residents can understand whats going through us, what we want, and that we will be rewarded if we are worthy of it.
Visited another magnificent Vishnu temple, the early morning chants, the brightly lit lamps, freshly decorated idols of Gods and Goddesses, glittering jewels(temple jewelry is one of the exquisite pieces of art!) that ornate them put me in a trance. I could live in temples.
Constant perseverance.
Date : Tuesday, December 30Th, 2008.
Location : Tirupathi Railway Station.
Homeward journey, wasn't looking forward to getting back to my disgusted self and unorganized life. Life seemed nice the way it was. To the end, maybe I was slightly content - a consolation prize, blessings of the Goddess, a lotta travelling, quite a few places and people I got to observe, a book read, a break, a holiday and an end to another year. Looks like we all ask for a little too much :)
P.S. Happy New Year!
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