Look into the mirror
and ask
what do you miss when you see
the face
the eyes
is it the ray of hope
or the shine of sunlight?
Silence does not answer
but gives thoughts a new meaning
the music of silence
does not bring happiness
but turns into a song of agony
The heart feels
the mind does not comprehend
it seeks a place
where it can rest
when it can permeate
peace and calm
and leave the mesh of folly...
Monday, 26 April 2010
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Go Goa!
After a lot of hitches and misses, I finally landed there in September last year. Of course, I was in a trance that my dream had finally come true...yippee! But what was more interesting was that in a weird way (thanks to my imagination), Goa seemed to me "somewhere I belong"...I guess the lazy bum inside me was at its best on that day;) . Moving on, we had quite an exhaustive itinerary in front of us, beaches to explore, pubs to go to, cruise and shopping! Life's tough ya, when you gotto manage so many things, all of which, are equally important!
The beaches of Goa and the delicacies served in the shacks make the most amazing combination! So much, that on one of the drunk nights we spent in the beach, I made a firm decision that I will start a restaurant business in Goa and spend my entire retired life there...any takers? any fundraisers?And ya, I'm not drunk now!!!
One of my most cherished memories of Goa was the day we spent in North Goa...driving down to the place, having the most interesting conversations, experiencing the solemn churches and the sound of the Church bells, and to top it all the storm and the rain on our way back...
Goa is miles away from Bangalore but years ahead of Bangalore and most places in India. The spirit of the place lies in its relaxed life, warmth people have, and the music around. There is so much joy around as if the whole place is in a party mood. It's like the place silently says to you that there's so much more there is to life than problems at work, at home, in relationships...the list goes on...
When I left from Goa, I made a secret relationship with the place and the music I felt and heard there...looking forward to my next visit!
My Oz experience so far...
Australia has been quite an experience so far. Work brought me to this country but the learning here has been far more than just at work. To be honest, I came here with some fear in my mind...thanks to Indian media which loves glorifying anything and everything in the name of bestselling "breaking news". Indian junta can't help falling for it, can we? My first few days were spent touring from home to work and back. Come first weekend, and I mustered enough guts to go out, thinking, after all its gonna be with colleagues....That was to the Great Ocean Road. What a trip! This made me "settle down" in a way. After all there were so many people around me who are no different than me! From the next week, I decided to eliminate the fear inside me and explore...a new place, new people, new culture...
Melbourne, where I am staying, is cosmopolitan in all senses. In the train I take to work daily, I see people from all countries and cultures, primarily South-east Asian. You would find very few people from Australia in the suburban crowd. Though the number significantly increases as you near the main city. This is something a person from Bangalore can relate to mainly because Bangalore, too, is very cosmopolitan and is not dominated by any one culture.
So what does culture consist of? People? Food? Events? Lifestyle? So far, my interaction with all these aspects of Melbourne has been fairly pleasant. To start with, the people are very polite, I can hear a "hey, how u goin?" every time I smile at someone. Dunno why, but there's something great about smiling at another person! (It's like no fuss,we're all in d same shit, so smile while you're in it!) People are sports freaks, be it the weekend footie (aka soccer) games or F1, sports means a lot of passion...donning your team's (exuberantly priced) merchandise, following all matches in the Etihad stadium and spreading the hysteria around!
On weekends, the city is in colours of the world and its party time!! Beauty and style at its best is out for you and you can't help falling for it! (Imagine how much I fell for it, that I was totally broke with all the shopping I did).
City of restaurants is another name of Melbourne. Name the cuisine and you find a host of restaurants that serve! I had the pleasure of a sumptuous Italian meal on one of the string of restaurants at the Lygon street.
Travel, books and music seems to be other elements of Melbourne's culture. People love tuning out completely during long weekends (made longer by additional leaves). There are lots of places around that are perfect for time out away from city life. Reading is also quite a pursuit...I don't only mean reading bestsellers but classics! Yes, I have seen so many people reading books that are masterpieces of English Literature. And ya, how can I forget my biggest passion...music! After the US, I think Apple ipods has the next biggest market in Australia. Can I ever see someone who's not listening to music in the train, at work, anywhere at all? What's more, I am a part of this crowd too:)
Knowing Melbourne has been quite an enriching experience so far...all my inhibitions have slowly faded away and for good...
Melbourne, where I am staying, is cosmopolitan in all senses. In the train I take to work daily, I see people from all countries and cultures, primarily South-east Asian. You would find very few people from Australia in the suburban crowd. Though the number significantly increases as you near the main city. This is something a person from Bangalore can relate to mainly because Bangalore, too, is very cosmopolitan and is not dominated by any one culture.
So what does culture consist of? People? Food? Events? Lifestyle? So far, my interaction with all these aspects of Melbourne has been fairly pleasant. To start with, the people are very polite, I can hear a "hey, how u goin?" every time I smile at someone. Dunno why, but there's something great about smiling at another person! (It's like no fuss,we're all in d same shit, so smile while you're in it!) People are sports freaks, be it the weekend footie (aka soccer) games or F1, sports means a lot of passion...donning your team's (exuberantly priced) merchandise, following all matches in the Etihad stadium and spreading the hysteria around!
On weekends, the city is in colours of the world and its party time!! Beauty and style at its best is out for you and you can't help falling for it! (Imagine how much I fell for it, that I was totally broke with all the shopping I did).
City of restaurants is another name of Melbourne. Name the cuisine and you find a host of restaurants that serve! I had the pleasure of a sumptuous Italian meal on one of the string of restaurants at the Lygon street.
Travel, books and music seems to be other elements of Melbourne's culture. People love tuning out completely during long weekends (made longer by additional leaves). There are lots of places around that are perfect for time out away from city life. Reading is also quite a pursuit...I don't only mean reading bestsellers but classics! Yes, I have seen so many people reading books that are masterpieces of English Literature. And ya, how can I forget my biggest passion...music! After the US, I think Apple ipods has the next biggest market in Australia. Can I ever see someone who's not listening to music in the train, at work, anywhere at all? What's more, I am a part of this crowd too:)
Knowing Melbourne has been quite an enriching experience so far...all my inhibitions have slowly faded away and for good...
Welcome Change!
As an individual, the only thing that you have is thoughts and these thoughts need expression. Well, maybe not for all but for me yes! Life does not exist without expressions, of love, anger, togetherness...anything at all! The life we live becomes dynamic because of these expressions. You express love towards someone, you get into a relationship...you express companionship, you become friends...express anger and lo you have foes ready! Some people say that emotions should be understood not expressed but i outright disagree...unless you do not express, no relation virtually exists!
The reason I'm pondering on this thought today and "expressing" it is because I feel that this is the reason for all the changes I have experienced so far. No matter how honest and committed you are to any relationship that comes your way, any expression of negativity disintegrates everything.
Earlier I had utmost disbelief in the phrase "Change is the only constant" but time has taught me my lessons. I have realised that I am a slave to the changes that swirl in my life and make it an ever-growing mystery. With these change relationships, beliefs, faith and the individual!
There was a time when I felt that whatever be the reason, one must never change. One must become static amidst the surrounding forces pushing, bending and swaying,...but then i came to understand that one day these forces will erode away the static individual and only decay will be left behind - of ruined beliefs and wasted time.
So, welcome change! I usher you in my life and make a fresh start with you:). Guess, its not so late after all!!!
The reason I'm pondering on this thought today and "expressing" it is because I feel that this is the reason for all the changes I have experienced so far. No matter how honest and committed you are to any relationship that comes your way, any expression of negativity disintegrates everything.
Earlier I had utmost disbelief in the phrase "Change is the only constant" but time has taught me my lessons. I have realised that I am a slave to the changes that swirl in my life and make it an ever-growing mystery. With these change relationships, beliefs, faith and the individual!
There was a time when I felt that whatever be the reason, one must never change. One must become static amidst the surrounding forces pushing, bending and swaying,...but then i came to understand that one day these forces will erode away the static individual and only decay will be left behind - of ruined beliefs and wasted time.
So, welcome change! I usher you in my life and make a fresh start with you:). Guess, its not so late after all!!!
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