Thoughts run through my mind at all times. Working in the office or at home, laughing with friends, walking the roads, even while making love, there are a million things that are going on in my head. We would be discussing the country's economy. You would probably think that I am fully concentrating on what you are saying, and I would probably be making all the right responses too, but I might, in all likelihood be thinking that the girl seated at the next table has great earrings.
That's what an average woman is like. For years I have been swearing on all things holy that I'm not your average girl. And yet, time and again, I prove myself wrong.
I started out by being the biggest bawling baby one ever had the [(mis)fortune?] to meet. Took me time to grow out of it, also out of the flashes of temper I would display at sudden moments. As days, months and then years flew past, I developed into something nobody could be sure of at any given moment. I would be cruising along perfectly on a path and then suddenly veer off on a tangent. And that goes for decisions regarding stuff ranging from the dinner main dish to the college I graduated from.
A friend of mine said something about me once and I quote " smart, individualistic, strong opinions - mildly opinionated, but not to a harmful degree yet - intelligent, absorbs, doesn't share, but comes across like she does, which makes her easier to get along with. Watchful has no problems giving 90% of herself to others, who may mistake it for 100%, but fiercely guards the other 10%, which really is her core. She has to trust you very deeply to let you in there and it's a rare person who gets in there; she won't help you by guiding you, you'll have to figure out by yourself...the fact that you did figure out is one of the most important criteria to reaching the core. Hurts easily, but has developed a strong wall and so it doesn't pain that much - that wall is the same thing that keeps people out of the core. In fact, the fact that she does that is the wall. "
And it is completely true…
Monday, September 3, 2007
Chariots of the Gods
I have been a ‘land-locked’ person for most of my life. My first visit to the beach was in the year 1993 when I went with my family to Puri, in Orissa, for my winter vacations.
Puri is a place that sees a constant inflow of tourists throughout the year, both for its beaches and for Jagannath Temple, one of the Char Dhams, but the crowd is especially large during festival times and vacations.
We had arrived two days before Christmas, in the evening, and without any prior bookings made.
End result – we had to hunt around for lodging for over 3 hours before we could finally get a place to stay. We were seeking rooms at one of our last few options when I got to see the sea for the very first time in my life.
I was awed by what I saw. The sea was almost inky black, and with the waves breaking on the shore and the sounds that are typical of the sea rushing in, it was a sight not forgotten easily, a magnificence that is hard to capture in words.
After a few fun filled days spent frolicking on the beach, we decided to push off to Konark, which is situated 35 km from Puri, and is home to the Sun Temple, also called the Black Pagoda.
We hired a car from Puri and drove along the Puri-Konark Marine Drive. I don’t recall much about the drive except that the beaches that lined the road were as good as any you would find in Mauritius, with white, unpolluted sands and a clear green sea. And not to forget are the absolutely lip smacking samosas and huge rasgullas we had at a tiny chai-paani stall on the way.
Konark Temple is a world apart altogether. An architectural grandeur, the temple is covered with marvelously designed sculptures in all sizes. Legend has it that the temple was constructed by Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, in honor of Sun God. Although I was too small at that time to appreciate it very much, I still remember being amazed at the size of the huge wheels all around it and the intricate carvings all over the temple.
We came back after a week, 5 shades darker, with luggage full of native Odissi handicrafts, loads of shopping, and beautiful memories of our time in the sun ‘n sand.
Puri is a place that sees a constant inflow of tourists throughout the year, both for its beaches and for Jagannath Temple, one of the Char Dhams, but the crowd is especially large during festival times and vacations.
We had arrived two days before Christmas, in the evening, and without any prior bookings made.
End result – we had to hunt around for lodging for over 3 hours before we could finally get a place to stay. We were seeking rooms at one of our last few options when I got to see the sea for the very first time in my life.
I was awed by what I saw. The sea was almost inky black, and with the waves breaking on the shore and the sounds that are typical of the sea rushing in, it was a sight not forgotten easily, a magnificence that is hard to capture in words.
After a few fun filled days spent frolicking on the beach, we decided to push off to Konark, which is situated 35 km from Puri, and is home to the Sun Temple, also called the Black Pagoda.
We hired a car from Puri and drove along the Puri-Konark Marine Drive. I don’t recall much about the drive except that the beaches that lined the road were as good as any you would find in Mauritius, with white, unpolluted sands and a clear green sea. And not to forget are the absolutely lip smacking samosas and huge rasgullas we had at a tiny chai-paani stall on the way.
Konark Temple is a world apart altogether. An architectural grandeur, the temple is covered with marvelously designed sculptures in all sizes. Legend has it that the temple was constructed by Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, in honor of Sun God. Although I was too small at that time to appreciate it very much, I still remember being amazed at the size of the huge wheels all around it and the intricate carvings all over the temple.
We came back after a week, 5 shades darker, with luggage full of native Odissi handicrafts, loads of shopping, and beautiful memories of our time in the sun ‘n sand.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)