One Last Glance December 30, 2008

In less than a day we would cross the threshold into 2009. Looking back, at least one last glance behind, I see things and events that have both been enriching and sobering: the transition from being a teacher to a student, the travels that bring old and new friends together, the sad demise of a young friend, the joy of bonding in a relationship and the most significant of all – discovering the deeper side of me.
 
In a recent conversation with a friend, we talked about life as we know it thus far. I said that I was disturbed about certain things that I know that I wished I hadn’t known. To put it in a gross simile it’s like seeing the guy you’re beginning to be interested in picking his snot passionately when he thought no one is looking. Eeeh! Why did I have to see that?

“It’s like losing one’s childhood innocence,” I said with a pout.

“Why should you be afraid of losing your childish innocence?” said this wise friend of mine. “At one point in life, we’ve got to learn to accept the breaking of the bubble that has been wrapping you and move on. It’s time to grow. Be the evolved person that you are meant to be. You can’t stay the way you are forever…”

Hmmm. That’s true but it takes time to accept its meaning in full and believing in it.

And so, like Mr. Bean and his unforgettable raised eyebrows, I too see myself now awaken by the reality of things, stepping into the New Year with a pair of glinting eyes :) I don’t know if I can promise anyone anything anymore. Heck, I can’t promise to be nicer or be the goody-goody two shoes that I’ve been known to be (ha!). What’s more important right now is treating myself kinder, protecting my heart from any toxic relationships, feeding my mind with as much positive values as I possibly can and not waste energy on trivial matters even if that means ignoring people who are keen on involving me into their personal agenda. Whatever that means :) And it’s not far from truth to say that I hope to learn to take things one day at a time this coming year.

So here’s to 2009! And may God be the ultimate Guide…

Christmas in the Bazaars December 25, 2008

I can’t remember what I did last Christmas but I would definitely remember Christmas this year as a memorable one. I woke up at about 8:30AM to the cold city of Delhi. It’s nearly 10 years since my last winter experience. Naturally I should remember how it felt like but heck I was going through some denial as to the idea of India being cold :) In other words, I came poorly prepared.

After letting the sun thaw the city for several hours, I ventured outdoors. A local friend brought me to Dili Haat and Crafts Bazaar.

It’s definitely a good place to soak in the various cultures in India. Plenty of crafts and handiworks that represent the various states of the country – even neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet.

I didn’t really plan to shop during this trip but I did buy a couple of stuff here – a pair of Punjabi slippers and a sling bag. Well, this is definitely a place to return to on my next trip to Delhi. After a late lunch, we went to Sarojini Nagar Bazaar. This is a well known market that is really the place to shop your heart out. Shoes, shawls, clothes, household, arts stuff, foods, etc. Things are so cheap and there are plenty of choices to pick from. Ladies, this is the place for us! Hehehe.

Sorry, my pictures do not really justify the “wonderfulness” of this place because I was too busy browsing the area :) I bought a shawl for Rs. 50 (RM3), a flaired Punjabi-style pants for Rs. 150 (RM12) and a bag for Rs. 200 (RM17). Next time, I think with a pocket money of RM200 it would be enough to make me grin like a fool. Again, definitely the place to return to – although on a note of caution, this was one of the sites of a series of bombings a couple of months ago. Judging from the crowd today, no one seems to give a damn. Yup, life goes on.

By 4:30PM I was exhausted from all the walking and the air was turning chilly. Headed back to my place of accommodation on a green rickshaw. Yeah, green! :)

Train Trip to New Delhi December 24, 2008

My 26-hour journey began at 4:15PM yesterday and currently our train is passing the state of Madhya Pradesh, literally means “middle land” which does spread across Central India. Well, I couldn’t really make out most of the landscape as it is still very dark. It’s barely 6AM and the chill is unbearable! My sleeveless sweat jacket with a T-shirt underneath and a pair of cotton quarter pants are laughable as protection from the cold. I’m pretty sure it’s ten-ish degrees Celsius. Luckily my two pasminas saved my frozen butt.

Now that the sun is awake, it illuminates what I see now as hills, then plains, and occasionally little villages. And they are all wrapped in cottony, white fog. As a native of the tropics, I rarely see fog especially in the flat lands. It’s a beautiful sight. So undisturbed and so oblivious to the loud passing train – consumed only by the freshness of dawn.

Towards afternoon we were almost nearing the border of Uttar Pradesh.

Afterwards, for several hours the landscape is either a field of green or yellow. The combination of green and blue in nature will forever be my favourite.

The other reason why travelling is appealing to me is the opportunity to meet people or fellow travellers. I was seated in the same berth with a family with children who were holidaying at home and also a young man who as on a job hunt in Delhi. The conversations exchanged can be quite interesting sometimes. By the way most of them mistaken me as a Northeast Indian. Hehe. The joy of having flattish features :P

The sun is almost setting and we’re 30 minutes away from Nizamuddin Train Station, Delhi. What’s there… What’s to expect… My heart is beating with excitement :)

Year-End Break December 22, 2008

We’ve just started our two-week break yesterday but I see boarders already exiting from the campus as early as Wednesday heading for home sweet home. Naturally, I wish to be home to right now. I miss Ma and Pa and our non-existing celebrations for both Christmas and New Year (haha!). We’d stay home, avoid the crowds, watch TV, sleep in early and get waken up by the fireworks in the middle of the night and then continue sleeping. Sigh.

My head is spinning with thoughts – a conglomeration of the present, past and future. Today I spent the whole day doing housework. Reminds me of how I would spend my time back home when I’m all alone in the house. It’s good to be on your own once a while. Gives you time to reflect what’s going on on your inside and see if your butt needs some belated kicking. The past couple of weeks have been pretty heavy – the daily choir practices, the travelling, the kaleidoscope of new faces and places, and not the least, a brush with a lesbian beau (haha!). Man, the trouble I get into myself into. There is never a dull moment…

Tomorrow afternoon I’ll be riding the train again. This time alone and heading to New Delhi, 1734 kilometres away. It’s pretty much a 24-hour journey and I’m looking forward to see life on the train and along the railways again. I should be back by Friday night and then we’ll see what tales I can share by then.

Just in case I don’t get to write anything anymore before Christmas, I’d like to wish anyone who happens to be reading this entry a meaningful and beautiful Christmas with your family and loved ones. Spend time with them while they are near. And don’t forget to breathe a prayer of gratitude to the Man Upstairs for keeping you safe thus far. Light a candle in your heart and get ready to shine for the coming year!

Ramoji Film City December 15, 2008

We’re back in Hyderabad! Since there was half a day to kill before our train leaves, we were treated to an excursion to Ramoji Film City, the largest film studio complex in the world. Yup, some of those Bollywood scenes could have taken here! The city is a blend of extraordinary gardens, authentic sets, shows, rides and thrills. It’s a terribly huge place and I was told that in order to cover every visit-able nooks and crooks of the area would take about three days.

Narsapur Town December 12, 2008

Right after the concert we rushed to the train station heading for Narsapur, a town to the east of Hyderabad towards the coastal area. It was a 12-hour journey and we arrived 9AM in the fog.

Pretty romantic, I think.

Narsapur train station (although spelt Narasapur here!)

I think the only times I see human-powered rickshaw were from pictures and old Malay movies. Seeing it for real is like seeing a Dodo bird coming back to life :)

The concert that evening.

Isn’t this such a picturesque church? So like from one of those I saw in a Children’s Bible Storybook of Western churches and such.

Now, these are pictures of the peaceful demonstration that we were asked to support in the evening organized by the host college where were staying. I think I’ll remember this experience for a long, long time. We musicians were plopped on a cart pulled by an embarrassingly loud tractor which trudged at a snail-speed. Hehehe. Our guitarist ran away when he say the tractor and left me, the bassist and the drummer boy to accompany “the show”.

A peaceful place with friendly people.

My last shot before I finished my battery :( Taken at Godavari River.

Hyderabad, Andra Pradesh December 11, 2008

We arrived at Hyderabad 30 minutes earlier than scheduled. Hyderabad, the capital of Andra Pradesh, is India’s fifth largest city. It reminded me a little of home as the morning prayer of the Muslim greeted us out from the train station.

The motorized rickshaw here has more yellow than those in Pune. Different states would have different colours I was told.

A police vehicle. I want one :)

Since this wasn’t exactly a touristy trip and there was only five hours away to the choir performance, we only managed to visit Salarjung Museum. Unfortunately (and as expected), no photography was allowed inside the building.

Indian Railways 101 December 10, 2008

Departure Time: 4:30PM
Destination:  Hyderabad
Arrival Time:  6:00AM (the next day)

Pune Train Station. The starting point for my first ride on an Indian train.

 

The view from my window seat. Be prepared for the sight and smell of what’s on the railway tracks.

The train is classified into several classes: First Class AC, Second Tier AC, Third Tier AC, Chair Car AC, Sleeper Class, and the Second Class. For this trip, we were booked on the Sleeper Class – a partition of nine berths with ceiling fans.

Once the train began to move, you can’t take your eyes off life outside the window.  Much to see, and much to savour.

In-between December 9, 2008

Busy:

1. Cracking head over assignments that come non-stop each week. (I’ve got one course to be weary about – Statistics. Failed math in high school and that I’m-a-failure-with-numbers mentality isn’t out of my head just yet.)

2. Sniffing and tasting the air of Indian winter. Pretty chilly early morning and late evening. Afternoons remind me of the sun in Borneo. Locals say I should prepare for January – the coldest month. Yeah, like triple underwears kah? Heeh. Let’s see.

3. Trip to Hyderabad Wednesday on a goodwill service (ha!) for the college choir. Can’t wait for the practices and “shows” to be over. Be back Tuesday next week. Actually am pretty excited. I’m finally travelling on an Indian train :)

4. Still have an aching heart every now and then. But I think I’m slightly better.

5. Need the company of crazy friends once in a while for the selfish animal in me.

6. Missing home. It’s December darn-it.

7. Reading “Who Will Cry When You Die?” by Robin Sharma. A gift I got for Christmas. Weird title, I thought and I don’t feel I need to know who will cry when I die.

8. “I love you till it hurts.”

OK. Back to lovely statistics.