the ART of reBIRTH

T he initial euphoria of home-coming has waned off after barely 2 weeks back on home soil... CNY is really a unique period to be back home; the streets are empty, the feast is never ending; after a year in India, Singapore seems sparsely populated and there's so much affluence; how i wish i could bring the kids over. A year is simply too short to change someone's life...

T he boys came over yesterday and gave me a heartwarming farewell; a musical box and a card more befitting for Dads. I'm leaving Bengaluru with a heavy heart as the infectious boys kept asking me when will I be back. All things come to an end; who knows I might be back before they get married. A year in this bustling city already; just did a quick Wiki and found out that it has already became india's 3rd largest city after Mumbai and New Delhi. It's certainly confusing for the children to be growing in this soon to be mega-city. I can only pray that they find solace in simpier things in life; at the end of the day, it's such things that anyone will find happiness in.

T he locals just celebrated last weekend with consecutive evenings of fireworks, crackers and sounds of explosions that was sounded more like scenes in war torn countries; at the end of 2.5 hours of almost continuous din, i had a slight headache. The changing of the season saw the spike in flu and various ailments in school; i could have remembered that i felt feverish some of the cold mornings when temperatures started to dip below 20C. Incidentally during this period, i discovered it's pretty nice to wake up at 4.30am and soak in the pre-dawn morning air.

I guess when you call your country's formation as 'Independence Day', one extra year is addded to it as i tot looking into the historic date of 15Aug1947; this would be india's 66th year in existance....and it's not surprising in these 2 disgruntled relatives, Pakistan's national day was just 1 day before india's! Not a coincidence i think as these cousins constantly even compare how high their border guards lift their legs daily during the ceremonies which has become symbolic of their sibling rivalry since birth. And certainly not surprising the week leading to the celebations, there were some flare ups at the LOC (line of control). I'm celebrating my 6th month here myself alone in my cave this weekend; would probably drop by the Tibetan centre tomorrow to celebrate Ullambana day for all the wondering spirits around this month....

T he Summer have passed and as it creates havoc elsewhere in India; Bengaluru is largely untouched with it's mild change of season nice cool weather and occassional light to heavy showers; a much welcome sight as the price of some vegetables have doubled in prices since my arrival here almost 5 months ago. It was another eventful sunday 2 days ago as i cycled with an almost flat rear tyre around the neighbourhood exploring where the children live and probably spent their sundays. On my way back passing by bethany grounds, i heard the familiar shout " Joe Annah!" Half a dozen of the boys from the high school secion were warming up for their sunday practice rounds. I parked the bicycle and took some photos of them before having my 2nd breakfast at "The hole in the Wall" Cafe. (I had my first and all time favourite sunday breakie of Iddy Sambal at the quaint little corner eatery just at the end of the narrow lane that leads to the Koramangala School.)

I Hobson's Choice T his is unbelievable! I've survived the 3rd month and broken all records; 15 years ago, i spent 3 mths in Osterreich and was terribly homesick; kyunghee, wan tan noodles and the fear of not getting any meaningful employment in Europe. The EU just started the single currency but employment prospects is bleak. A  year earlier, i was in India, trottling through Calcutta, Darjeeling, Kamlimpong, Gangtok, Patna, Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Lucknow, Agra, Delhi, Pushka, Guhawati, Shillong. Tomolo, Elaine from SIF will be arriving. This is the first time since i set foot in Bangalore that I've broken the 5th precept.  What a dAy!

T he routine life of school and the cave is beginning to become a little depressing at times; robbing me of cycling, swimming and nature has taken it's toll on my physical and mental well-being. The kids still continue to give me sustenance to continue my work here; though i am very doubtful how much i can do; in the land of harsh realities, overpopulation and a culture where everyone has to fight to be heard. I can only meditate daily and share my merits to all the suffering beings.