Bridge the World

Long long time ago, I can still remember, music used to make me smile. It still does. So do many other things, such as the phone call that I just finished. Or people with their behaviour and quirks, or animals or the weather or things.

Long long time ago, I also posted something on this blog about my life in India. Since then, much water has gone down the Ganges and I have been busy as well. Always been, always will be I guess. And far too often not really specific things, such as writing mails to friends, meeting people, working of course and some other things. So let's look a little at these other things:

Last time, I told you about my bike "Dhanno, which I had just acquired. By now I have been touring around on it for quite a bit and become used to it. Yes, it does not always the way it should, like an old horse is supposed to. Some things had to be fixed and a service is still missing. But it brought me well to Shimla and back on Indian roads. Yes, the driving here sometimes is crazy and uphill is far more fun than downhill, where busses and trucks drive dangerously for the incautious.

On this trip to Shimla quite some things went wrong, starting from not being allowed to access a point of great view over Chandigarh (military area and camera do not go well together). Then, almost not eating one full day and then arriving late trying to find a hotel in a cold mountain station without passport. Finally food was given to a hungry belly, which did not make it happy but instead resulted in Dehli Belly in Shimla. Three weeks late, but finally the overdose of spices and the exhausting days demanded their toll - for two weeks controlled but sudden rushes to the rest room were a daily reality. Most fun the image of driving back for a few hours in such a state without trouser back-up. The way back, however, went fine thanks to some medication. Only Dhanno got a flat rear tyre but that as well luckily outside a tyre workshop.

Then, quite some time before Christmas went into looking for an appartement, which I finally moved into a few days back. Furniture is partially provided, but certain things are still missing. Still, good to feel home. I share with a Czech couple, which is nice so I have a bit of life at home ase well. Friday will be the house warming party. I have a nice sounds system, now I just need to find a drum to start learning and then as well start courses in Hindi and Punjabi. The place is really nice - like a dream come true with a nice open kitchen, joined to a living room, balcony, two bath rooms and two and a half bedrooms, perfect for guests staying. Spent quite some money on utensils but luckily friends helped me out with lending certain things.

THen, maybe the biggest thing that happened since last posting is that I got engaged with that girl introduced by Navjot's parents. Haha, no. Instead I travelled with friends to Delhi and from there to Jaipur to a 10 day Vipassana course, a meditation retreat lasting from just after Christmas into 2009. Ten days of silence and meditation did good. I shall write more about this in a separate posting on my private blog, as certain things made me think. In general, certain issues bubbled up, that were dug underneath a lot of disctraction and only a few days of lack of stimulus could free up. A great experience and something I shall repeat in this or other ways.

Also, in Delhi, I managed to see a bit more of "real India". CHD is famous for being rather clean and non-chaotic and looking at Delhi and Jaipur I can only agree. I cannot say that i liked Delhi as everything just seemed too big - I liked the Metro however. But Jaipur, the Pink City, was amazing. Great character and spirit in that town with nice old buildings, hustle and bustle on the streets and friendly people. The fact that camels pull carts in the streets might also have had a bit of an impact. But actually, the experience made me think if it is the "middle eastern influence" clearly visible everywhere, that charmed me. One day I shall find out, maybe not a summer day tho, as those are supposed to be really really really warm.

Coming back I also made the experience of an Indian Second Class Sleeper train. In general it was no problem as I had nice travel companions that provided with a good time even if they hardly spoke any English and I spoke even far less Hindi. Still, warme and nice people. The biggest problem was however the train, which seems to have its hull more to prevent people to fall off (or cling on on the outside?) than to keep the wind out. Sitting in this chilly wind channel was a test wether I had learned to observe experiences within myself objectively and understanding their changing nature - the Vipassana Method. Finally and much later I then arrived in Ambala, where I had to switch to a bus.

One very valuable gadget on that trip was my new mobile phone, the Sony Ericsson T700, which features access to Google Maps via triangulation. The most important moment was on the train, where at night no stations are announced and due to delay it is almost impossible to recognise which station is the current one. Also, it features a radio and a simple camera, which makes snapshots on the street far easier. Very happy with this.

Ok, enough storytelling, let's look a little at some observations:

• Indian Stretchable Time (IST) is commonly known, just the same way it sometimes just is amazing how things get postponed again and a again due to bad planning of things required to get a job done.


• "An ATM with legs" is how many people see white in poorer countries. A very good perspective a man shared with me on the street. I have to keep this in mind as a good metaphor.


• Curiosity is nonetheless a very common thing. many looks here and there, some people are even brave enough to attempt to talk and already soon it will be all smiles. Also, "get the white guy dancing" seems to be a hobby of Punjabis.


• Related to the conversation problems a good solution for when you do not understand the other say "Thank You". This is the local strategy. Personally I prefer to say "Hmmmmm..." as it fits any situation.

Yes, there are many more but I shall get some sleep before tomorrow. Good night. Finder's keepers for all typos and other mistakes.

For more tidbits, look at my Jaiku stream. This post also appears on my private blog.