Diwali

I don't have much to say, except that I can't get much sleep these days. These Indians are just crazy! I gotta give it to them though, they sure know how to celebrate. In the West we celebrate religious holidays by fasting, praying, giving gifts, and singing songs we don't understand. Now here in India its a totally different story. Right now is Diwali, which is the Hindu festival of lights, and for the past 3 days it's been non stop fireworks and firecrackers going off everywhere. So much noise. Everyone is dressed colorful and seems very happy. I saw a rickshaw today that was decorated with colorful flowers and designs. According to Wikipedia it's not only Hindus that celebrate Diwali but Sikhs and Jains. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali

I need a nap.

beauty

Traveling around India for the past couple months has really opened my eyes to such vast beauty and richness. India is not rich by material standards...but what she lacks in capital she makes up in sheer beauty.I have seen oceans, rivers, lakes, bouncing green hills, and steep cliffs. I have seen the most beautiful sunsets and tasted the sweetest teas. Above is the Pondicherry sunset and below are the tea fields of Munnar.

I have heard the most intricate music and touched the most savage of animals. Well an elephant isn't too savage but they wouldn't let me touch the tigers.

In Munnar we stayed at a guest house overlooking jagged mountains and a deep valley.

In the fog, I found the Tao.

The steep cliffs of Varkala were a sight to see. With the beautiful beach just below, they are a constant reminder that you're not in the Bahamas. Though the touristy atmosphere sometimes made it feel that way, but of course as soon as you sit down for a delicious meal and realize it only costs five Dollars then you're right back in India.

Down in Kerala, there was more than just natural beauty. the culture is extremely interesting. their whole cuisine is different than the rest of India. We went to a traditional Keralan dance and, well, that was something. To the rapid beat of Indian music these intricately dressed actors would perform with facial expressions and various mudras, or hand signals. the meaning of which escaped me. But it was an interesting show, and the music was fabulous.

We took a house boat tour down the back waters of Kerala. Surrounded by water, palm trees, and the sound of crickets gave me time to contemplate existence. Rarely have I had that opportunity in Bangalore, the city of dogs barking and motorbikes honking. I slept outside under the stars. Peaceful dreams.

We stopped. I sat under a tree and meditated. Watching the rice farmer pick rice, I found some sort of peace within. My fellow travelers went exploring and ended up in a TV commercial.

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." Sir John Lubbock

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence..."
Mother Teresa

I am in India

yes, I am in India. it was quite a journey. I am about a month into the trip and feel like I am finally settling in.


expectations? none really. though initially I came here based on my interests in reading Vedanta Hindu philosophy, but that was months ago. Now it's more of a 'let's get out of my American bubble and see how the rest of the world lives'. So that's what i'm doing. and yes there have been some shocking moments. little children begging, mothers holding babies asking for food, it's a usual daily occurrence and initially it was shocking but now I'm used to it. which makes me question whether I'm succumbing to what most people do, just pretend they don't exist. at first I didn't want to. I felt guilty and knowing that these people are human I can't just ignore them, but one has to. that's India.


Bangalore is a busy place. I didn't get culture shock, but I did get city shock. Living in suburban Jersey one gets used to, and quite attached to, the quiet solitude that tree lined streets offer. Waking up to honking cars is quite different than waking up to chirping birds. There are many many people here, and much to do if you like shopping, which I don't. There is so much useless crap here and the vendors will make sure to tell you countless times what a good price they sell it for. But what's good is that there are places to relax like lounges and hookah bars and they offer a nice atmosphere away from the busy streets.

There is much beauty to be found. In the biggest places..

...and the smallest

Much adventure awaits

and I'm ready

the first step

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” -Lao tse

“There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth...not going all the way, and not starting.” Buddha

“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” T.S. Eliot


I made this blog to write down words, ideas, conjectures, anything. just a stream of consciousness as I slowly question and devour the very essence of who I think I am. this is my madness abode.