The return of the New Year bought me back a beautiful old memory....
As the first Indian, basically a non- Chinese, the decision to live in dorms was difficult for some, unbelievable for others. Specially, when you are a vegetarian, used to delicious home- made sumptuous cuisines, the thought of a dorm without a kitchen is unbelievable. But something inside said, I must try. For I really wanted to live the Oriental life the Oriental way immersed in an all Oriental experience. The thought seemed exotic. The experience was sweet.
Luggage loaded, completely exhausted the first thing I wanted to do was hit the bed undisturbed for a nightfull of peace. But the roller coaster had just begun. A call to the hostel to confirm the address was returned by an alien all-Chinese greeting. Not that I had not been warned, but when does a crazy adventurous heart listen to the intricacies of troubles that lie ahead! The gentle lady seated besides me had a sense of clairvoyance. More importantly she spoke English! She called up the hostel, took a taxi, guided him the route to take me to my destination. It was only the commencement of a beautiful relationship. A devout Buddhist fascinated by India, Lee & I discovered that we had a lot in common. What more she was an alumni from ECUPL, the same university where I was going to spend the rest of my Semester. But what was most touching was that for this simple two minute acquaintance this perfect stranger in the Land of Dragon spent one complete hour trying to help me out. I was touched. I was thrilled.
Tired, I opened my room to see the vast white spaces covered with cobwebs, dust. Oh my God! I have never cleaned a room. This is tough. Frowning, I started unfolding my luggage. There was a knock on the door. All my batchmates who lived locally & therefore, had arrived before had come to help me. Smilingly, they quickly cleaned my room, arranged the furniture and spent an evening out to help me do all the shopping. Moved by the warm gesture I was sure this will not be one time to China. I have to come back again. The terrains might be difficult. Infrastructure may call for investment. But people are warm, touching and beautiful not just from outside but more importantly from inside.
The first day was the start of uncountable wonderful gestures by the local Chinese, the fruit vendor who would always get me special fruits, the strangers who would willingly change routes to help me reach my destination, friends who would be forever helpful to make everyday life easy, the security guard who would open the classroom even on weekends to let me do my research, which eventually went on to be the best paper at an International contest.
Chinese New Year was a particularly emotional experience. All the students at the dorm had returned home to celebrate New Year with their families. There were just five of us in the entire dorm. On the eve of the New Year my friends took me to a wonderful place where a special evening was organized by the hostel authorities to give gifts and dinner to those who were enable to return home to celebrate. The traditional music, dance, food and not to forget the gifts was memorable. I returned home, I mean hostel for it was my home now for at least a year. My friend Lijja had sent a special invite to join her for the celebrations. With a nice silken scarf and a tumultuous three hour bus ride, I reached her place to find a wonderful family, warm friends waiting to celebrate the evening with me. Little kids trying to sit on my lap, a sweet mother trying to prepare vegetarian meal for me and the great Chinese family all trying to make me feel at home in their sweet little ways made feel nostalgic. It was like the great Diwali experience in India. Late in the night, Lijja insisted that they would drop me back to the dorm. Smilingly they drove some 200 kms on that special evening.
The warm human touch from strangers who shared nothing in common except for emotions taught me a new way of communication. The language of love. The warmth of goodness.
I came and I went. I lived for over six months in Shanghai. As I look back at that nice warm experience in cold Shanghai winters, just one thought accompanies. If I can go back and say to them, thanks for making my stay special.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
In Madrid
Madrid was relaxing.
12 hours of stranding at the Charleroi sapped off all the energy from me and gave me a big shoe bite. But the bodily hindrances proved no obstacle to the visual delights we were so eagerly looking forward to. It just made my presence a little delightful to curious onlookers, well dressed ladies, excited young ones and the gentlemen looking forward to well- dressed Latino ladies on the sunny streets of Madrid. The soft woolen sole less shoes was the only cover my shoe-bit ridden toe fingers would except. So wearing my attitude and cheerful smile, I confidently put on the visual delight!
And Ola! We started with the typical tourist attractions. Plaza Mayor was a good start. Colorful wigs in shiny blue, bright red, tangling pink, olive green were not just available for sale, but some daring patrons actually chose to wear them on the Christmas eve. The Christmas market at the Plaza was a nice walk. Confectioneries tasting like oranges, blackberry, pineapple, mangoes and blackcurrent took me back in space and time to the innocent childhood, when sweetmeats were enough to sweeten my innocent world with all the happiness. Spain without sea food! Without Paellea! Without Tapas! Ohlalala!! Would be saint like.... But the pleasure seekers would not appreciate that. So thought my significant other. And he rushed to seek stimulus for his drying taste buds. The sea food bazaar, next to Plaza Mayor is your place to be if you love sea food. Oysters, fishes, octopus, prawns, crabs, lobsters, topas made in a special Spanish style with Spanish Sangria( literally 'blood' in Spanish, named so because of its colour) adorned the numberless food counters at the bazar. The sea food connoisseurs thronging the place in droves leaving no breathing space, made one feel as if the food were available for free.
Leaving Spain without eating oranges, without bathing in the sun and above all without watching 'bailamos' flamenco would have been like living but not breathing. So we chose to breath! Lazing around on the sunny afternoon beneath the brilliantly shining sun at the three adjacent Gardens: Jardines Cabo Noval, Plaza de Orient & Jardines de Lepanto, we admired the magnificient Palacio Real, a grand majestic figure, reminiscent of rich Royal legacy of Spain, silhouetted against ciel blue skies surrounded by scenic natural beauty was definitely relaxing. Tour inside the palace was equally mesmerizing. The intricate Royal paintings, decorations, the scientifically advanced Pharmacy and the rich Royal armoury, left me thinking. And my simple mind thought is the Royal Title too much off a responsibility, too much of surreality on the frail shoulders of a simple human mind. Shrouded in the Royal aura definitely seemed glamorous, the Palace indeed was grand, large enough to spend a week to see all of it. But was it grand enough to define the boundaries of freedom of a human being. And it seemed too difficult to me to answer. So I tried to forget the question. And we moved to take the panoramic view of the natural landscape from the lobby. It was spectacular. It was platonic. And with the setting sun, we said, Buonanotte to our third day in Spain.
12 hours of stranding at the Charleroi sapped off all the energy from me and gave me a big shoe bite. But the bodily hindrances proved no obstacle to the visual delights we were so eagerly looking forward to. It just made my presence a little delightful to curious onlookers, well dressed ladies, excited young ones and the gentlemen looking forward to well- dressed Latino ladies on the sunny streets of Madrid. The soft woolen sole less shoes was the only cover my shoe-bit ridden toe fingers would except. So wearing my attitude and cheerful smile, I confidently put on the visual delight!
And Ola! We started with the typical tourist attractions. Plaza Mayor was a good start. Colorful wigs in shiny blue, bright red, tangling pink, olive green were not just available for sale, but some daring patrons actually chose to wear them on the Christmas eve. The Christmas market at the Plaza was a nice walk. Confectioneries tasting like oranges, blackberry, pineapple, mangoes and blackcurrent took me back in space and time to the innocent childhood, when sweetmeats were enough to sweeten my innocent world with all the happiness. Spain without sea food! Without Paellea! Without Tapas! Ohlalala!! Would be saint like.... But the pleasure seekers would not appreciate that. So thought my significant other. And he rushed to seek stimulus for his drying taste buds. The sea food bazaar, next to Plaza Mayor is your place to be if you love sea food. Oysters, fishes, octopus, prawns, crabs, lobsters, topas made in a special Spanish style with Spanish Sangria( literally 'blood' in Spanish, named so because of its colour) adorned the numberless food counters at the bazar. The sea food connoisseurs thronging the place in droves leaving no breathing space, made one feel as if the food were available for free.
Leaving Spain without eating oranges, without bathing in the sun and above all without watching 'bailamos' flamenco would have been like living but not breathing. So we chose to breath! Lazing around on the sunny afternoon beneath the brilliantly shining sun at the three adjacent Gardens: Jardines Cabo Noval, Plaza de Orient & Jardines de Lepanto, we admired the magnificient Palacio Real, a grand majestic figure, reminiscent of rich Royal legacy of Spain, silhouetted against ciel blue skies surrounded by scenic natural beauty was definitely relaxing. Tour inside the palace was equally mesmerizing. The intricate Royal paintings, decorations, the scientifically advanced Pharmacy and the rich Royal armoury, left me thinking. And my simple mind thought is the Royal Title too much off a responsibility, too much of surreality on the frail shoulders of a simple human mind. Shrouded in the Royal aura definitely seemed glamorous, the Palace indeed was grand, large enough to spend a week to see all of it. But was it grand enough to define the boundaries of freedom of a human being. And it seemed too difficult to me to answer. So I tried to forget the question. And we moved to take the panoramic view of the natural landscape from the lobby. It was spectacular. It was platonic. And with the setting sun, we said, Buonanotte to our third day in Spain.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
And we made it to Madrid!
.. And we made it to Madrid!
-7 degrees in the skies, +4 inches of ice on the ground, continuous snowing and a wind chill factor that made -7 feel like -12... Santa Claus for sure had a beautiful christmas present for us. The chilling winds reminded me of the cold 2010. The year I almost wished had never come in my life.
Will we, won't we make it? It had been snowing all night. Two lost souls with a forlorn look sletching heavy luggages through ankle high snow at 4 in morning was a good start to the big challenge that lay ahead. Economizing our budgets, we had planned a low cost carrier to Madrid. The economic saving proved to be a promising nightmare. The Charleroi airport reminded me of Old Delhi Railway Station. Delayed flights, cancelled trips, long queues, chaotically charged atmosphere at the airport was quite a roller coaster. Every five minute update on the screens, would bring a new ray of hope for some, a great disappointment for many. It was not just about financial stakes, it was about the long Christmas holidays that we had planned. All flights leaving before 9 had been cancelled due to the heavy snowfall the night before. We were saved by just a couple of minutes! So it seemed promising. However, due to bad weather conditions the plane had been diverted to Cologne. Delayed, stranded at the airport for over 4 hours already, but we still had a chance. The ray of hope made me visualize Santa in the misty snow. Santa please! Please! We must make it to Madrid. 9, 10, 11. Only one plane had been boarded since morning. But due to bad weather conditions, the passengers had to be disembarked. If we were to leave for Madrid, ours would be the first flight since morning to take off. Finally at 12, we boarded our flight. But for another two hours that we spent in the plane, waiting for air clearance to take off. At 2 we finally managed to fly. Using all possible and thinkable forms of transport.. First by feet, then by car, taxi, bus, train, plane and again by train! in twelve endless hours!!, we reached our destination. And we made it to Madrid!
-7 degrees in the skies, +4 inches of ice on the ground, continuous snowing and a wind chill factor that made -7 feel like -12... Santa Claus for sure had a beautiful christmas present for us. The chilling winds reminded me of the cold 2010. The year I almost wished had never come in my life.
Will we, won't we make it? It had been snowing all night. Two lost souls with a forlorn look sletching heavy luggages through ankle high snow at 4 in morning was a good start to the big challenge that lay ahead. Economizing our budgets, we had planned a low cost carrier to Madrid. The economic saving proved to be a promising nightmare. The Charleroi airport reminded me of Old Delhi Railway Station. Delayed flights, cancelled trips, long queues, chaotically charged atmosphere at the airport was quite a roller coaster. Every five minute update on the screens, would bring a new ray of hope for some, a great disappointment for many. It was not just about financial stakes, it was about the long Christmas holidays that we had planned. All flights leaving before 9 had been cancelled due to the heavy snowfall the night before. We were saved by just a couple of minutes! So it seemed promising. However, due to bad weather conditions the plane had been diverted to Cologne. Delayed, stranded at the airport for over 4 hours already, but we still had a chance. The ray of hope made me visualize Santa in the misty snow. Santa please! Please! We must make it to Madrid. 9, 10, 11. Only one plane had been boarded since morning. But due to bad weather conditions, the passengers had to be disembarked. If we were to leave for Madrid, ours would be the first flight since morning to take off. Finally at 12, we boarded our flight. But for another two hours that we spent in the plane, waiting for air clearance to take off. At 2 we finally managed to fly. Using all possible and thinkable forms of transport.. First by feet, then by car, taxi, bus, train, plane and again by train! in twelve endless hours!!, we reached our destination. And we made it to Madrid!
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