Wednesday 27 July 2011

I don't think I can be a travel writer

Bill Bryson has this amazing ability to write a travel log. I dunno how he does it! Here I have an amazing story to tell and I can't find a decent enough way to start.

A lot went through my mind today, as I walked the 15 mins from Chandni Chowk metro station to Red Fort. Having being cooped up inside the house for five straight days, all alone, I had had enough. It was decided, Lal Qila it was.

I have always prided myself, for having lived around the country, having lived the life of so many places, of shared cultures and regional emotions. Having lived mostly in the metros offlate, I seem to have forgotten the real India.
Chandni Chowk that way was incredible. It reminded me of a city described by Dominique Lapierre in the city of joy. Yes, this is not Calcutta, but the hullaboo was all there. There was rhythm in the chaos. Stark poverty contrasted with the bustling commerce. There was a temple right next to the gurudwara, which was a stones throw from the mosque. The myriad attire ranged from the flaming orange of the yatra devotees to Linkin Park tee shirts, from skull capped heads in white to sequined pink saris, from the dirt on the clothes of the street beggar to the man with the sharp black tie. I dunno why, walking down this bustling crowd, through the dirt and the muck was exhilarating. There was nothing right about the place but neither was there anything wrong.

The energy was contagious, it stays with me right now too.

Take Care

P.S. Frankly, Red Fort was a let down. With all the security checks, and the fancy tickets all I can say is that the Archaeological Survey of India better buck up and get something done. For a national monument and a world heritage site, it feels like ruins are better maintained.
But, the thing about going to a national monument in India, is not all about seeing the place. Its like a trip around India. You usually end up hearing 70% of India's major languages, you get to hear at least 4-5 regional songs, get a look at the dress code in the country. Its like the annual day in school, Unity in Diversity. All that combined, you also get a sneak peak into world. ;)

Thursday 21 July 2011

The Sign

A friend of mine posted a picture of this 'EXIT' signpost she found.

As you can see, below the exit it says 'Live Beyond Yourself

I heard this speaker the other day, he said "Our generation cared only for ourselves and our self promotion, I think you generation seems to want to do a little more than that. " I dunno if its true or not. ( The 'angel' on my shoulder is convinced its true and
the 'devil'; well, is in this position : ROFL ) ( Personally, I think the devil and the angel are inter-changeable, I believe in relativity, no absolute good or bad )

Or is it like the skipping a generation issue? We had the grand nationalistic pride for like 25 years after independence (pre emergency sorta), we had the self serving middle class for the next 25 and we seem to be entering an era where people do seem to care about the country again (Again, Are we? ). Extrapolating, should I expect my kid to be self centred? This is assuming, I am nobel. ( I guess by this time the devil on the shoulder is banging his fist, clutching at his sides and begging me to stop )

Whatever it may be, the sign is powerful. It's not telling you exactly what to do. It allows you to interpret it anyway you want. You might just do that by say, posting a blog about it ( this was not the intention :P ) or making charity a habit or taking out time for your family or simply by not thinking about the 'Faayda' in every decision of your life.

The next exit takes you to 'Living Beyond Yourself'. The best thing about it, it will come time and again. So don't worry, you'll never miss the opportunity to take it.

Take Care

Thursday 7 July 2011

Mailing You

Hey,

I dunno why, I thought I should write you a mail. :)

This won't be long or even have anything to say in particular.
But the thing is I like getting personal mails especially when its to say hi or something insignificant.

Social media is killing inter personal relationships I tell you. When there is something interesting that happens to you, people just want to say it, out there.
I miss getting the mail. Chats give you instant replies, but its never like reading someone's thoughts in a flow.

I think this mail is stemming from the fact that I haven't blogged in a while. But then I don't have the time required to put in a post.
The other day in the metro I thought about writing a political/issue based blog. I seem to be reading so much and in such depth, I however am never supposed to give my opinion on the matter. But those blogs need time. So here I am blabbering. :)

We both seem entangled in this life that we brought upon ourselves. :P
It is my contention that we enjoy it too. So here's too what we seem to want to learn and seem to want to do.
Notice my "seems". Life is uncertain. Why set it in stone?

Anyway. Here's where I sign off.

Take Care You.