 |
If you are reading this and have not signed up for your free subscription to the Poetical Journal, please click here.
|
|
In this issue
enjoy pictures
taken in India
|
Driving the cities of
India is no cup of tea |
|
|
|
|
Poetical Journal © by Bob Casey
|
|
Mission: To provide poetical and
...............................thoughtful comments on life
VOLUME VII – ISSUE 3: Sunday, April 27, 2008 – Issue #80
Welcome to the India Issue
CONTENT
- Welcome & Online Version
- Opening Comments from Bob: India and Beyond
- Two Lighthearted Poems: Krishna, the Driver and India
- My Latest Book – An Oasis in a Cluttered World is now available.
- Vignette: The Indian Experience
- Guest Vignette: Hawaii Reminiscences
- Suggestions
- Quotable Quotes
- A Bit of Humor
- Contest coming soon!
- Pay It Forward Update
- Welcome to New Premium Members
- PJ Forum
- Reminder: If you are filtering...
- PJ Demographics – All 50 states and 69 countries
- PJ Online
- PJ Policies
- Subscription information
|
|
|
Welcome
I am pleased to have you as a reader. If you enjoy the PJ, please encourage others to subscribe. If your country is not listed in the demographic section at the end, please let me know so I can update the list. Thanks much!
The next issue will come out on Sunday, May 25, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
Opening Comments from Bob - India and Beyond
As announced in the last issue, I had a business trip to India in early April, my first visit to the subcontinent. I spent six full days there. Before departing, I found that everyone had advice for me from "don't drink the water" to "look right and not left." Much of this advice came from individuals who had never visited there. They were simply repeating what they had heard. Luckily, many of the preconceptions were wrong while others were right on. Crossing a street or road in India can be a harrowing experience – definitely look right and left. Yes, don't drink the water unless you have acclimated to it over the years. However, no matter what you hear, as an American, I was not prepared for what I was to experience. The vignette below speaks to that topic.
I continue to encourage you to upgrade to premium membership. I make no profit from it, and you are helping others. To upgrade is very easy. For U.S. and Canadian subscribers, in 2008 make a special $20 donation to a charity of choice, or you may volunteer two or more hours toward a charitable effort. Notify me of the fact, and you will reach premium membership. Easy enough! Ideally, your donation will be a new one, not one you were going to give anyway. If you so choose, as some subscribers have, you can donate in the name of Poetical Journeys. (The address is at the bottom of this newsletter.) That is cool because it lets charities know of our PJ efforts. For non U.S. and Canadian subscribers, please go to the link just below. (My goal is not to place a financial hardship on anyone who wants to be a premium subscriber, hence the volunteer service option.)
To learn more about premium membership and what it entails, click here.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
|
|
|
Two Poems this Issue
|
|
Krishna, the Driver
Dressed in immaculate white, lean, and calm –
fearless –
Krishna maneuvers into impossible spaces
separated by centimeters from neighboring mirrors,
all while describing his homeland.
A devout Hindu, proud of his family –
ever courteous –
meter by meter, kilometer by kilometer,
he snakes his way through the traffic.
Seeing our white faces,
he smiles, “No worry, I will get you back.”
And he did.
Comments: A personal opinion, no sane American would ever try to drive in an Indian city without months of living there and understanding the nuances that make it flow. One of the joys of this trip was being introduced to our driver Krishna. He helped provide us with a sense of the country along with safely transporting us, no matter the hour, to our destinations. If you are going to India and are not part of an organized tour, definitely hire a driver to transport you about. The money will be well-spent. (If interested in hiring Krishna, go to the recommendation section below.)
India
People, wherever one looks.
Colorful saris and salwars adorn the women,
Flashing their bright colors as they stroll by.
An occasional younger woman
Wearing jeans saunters pass,
Hinting of changes to come.
Rooted in ancient customs and traditions
Class governs lives.
One’s work or lack thereof creates
Its own behavioral rules.
Marriages are for uniting families
And arranged, often well in advance.
Prosperity and poverty are unfriendly neighbors
Competing for the piece of the pie.
Agrarian and cosmopolitan intermingle
And rub against each other.
The goats, cows, and oxen freely stroll
Among the honking Mercedes and motorized rickshaws.
Incessant noise, contrast, and density, mere words
Until one walks the streets of India.
Ornate shrines and processions
Give glory to the thousands of gods.
The people struggle and strive
Seeing education as one road to Nirvana.
Within the eyes of the educated young,
Burns the desire to leave their marks
Upon this ancient land and upon the world.
Comments: While I am no prophet, I will predict that Indians will continue to grasp a larger and larger portion of the world economic pie. Zeal and drive to succeed dominate the educated lives. Despite the poverty one sees, one must also understand that within the last twenty years living conditions have greatly improved for the general population. How well India struggles with two pivotal issues, population growth and services for all the masses, will determine the future directions for this country.
|
|
|
| Our driver extraordinaire, Krishna, and cohort Ray |
|
|
A Hindu procession moves down the street
- cars simply go around |
|
|
| Motorized rickshaws waiting |
|
|
Two saried women engrossed in conversation
(note the tarp home behind them) |
|
|
| Surviving via manual labor |
|
|
|
|
|
My Newest Book, An Oasis in a Cluttered World, is HERE!
An Oasis in a Cluttered World is now available. If you enjoy the Poetical Journal and this web site, you will enjoy this book. It includes vignettes, poems, recommendations, and guest submissions. (If you order through my web site, you will save a bit, and if you so wish, I will sign the copy.) For more information, go to
A few copies of Wisdom from the Journey are still available.
Copies of my first book, The Wanderer: A Poetical Journey, may also be ordered.
|
|
|
Vignette: The Indian Experience
How does one describe this ancient land? Like myriads of others, I have seen pictures and films and read and heard stories of this subcontinent. But, none truly describe the Indian persona. You have to experience it. My business trip took me to Bangalore, a city of 5+ million people and India’s IT (Information Technology) Center. While there, I had time to explore the surrounding areas including Mysore and Bannerghatta National Park.
From the moment of stepping off the plane into the heat, mosquitoes, and mass of people, you are instantly aware that your concept of the world is about drastically to change. As you move into the city, the ancientness of the culture blended with the modern IT services, assaults the mental synapses. Cars and more cars, buses, motorized rickshaws, scooters, motorcycles, and bikes weave in and out, on occasion around a meandering cow, creating nonexistent lanes and spaces – all somehow missing collisions and death by inches. I often literally had the option to “reach out and touch someone.” To this Western eye, I cannot see how what appears as an impossible traffic pattern works. The constant honking signals drivers that someone is ready to pass, swerve, or simply “watch out.” The sound of horns will be part of my dream time for a while. While I have traveled in other parts of Asia, for me, the Indian commuters' daily dance with motorized death is unique.
Everywhere you look, there are people. India will soon surpass China as the most populous country in the world despite the fact that its landmass is over two-thirds less. Over a billion people are trying to survive on a finite amount of land. This fact places tremendous stress on an already overwhelmed infrastructure. Poverty and wealth coexist side-by-side with modern IT facilities, hovels, ancient temples, street vendors, and holy men seated along the side of the road. The Indian story is too complicated and complex to address in a short vignette. But at least, I hope my short commentaries and observations have tweaked your interest in this amazing, vibrant country.
Guest Vignette: Hawaiian Reminiscences
Sue from Ohio wrote the following forum response regarding my last issue on Hawaii. She has just become a new subscriber. I thought you might enjoy reading of her island life memories.
I am a friend and coworker of Dean ___________. He and I were working together at ______________ one day recently, and he introduced me to your website. It is AWESOME! And timely, for me, anyway. I am flying to Hawaii in June and taking a cruise around the islands. I used to live there 30 years ago so I found your comments interesting. I, too, like Honolulu. The Government building, the statue of the King, Waikiki Beach, and Ala Moana Mall were all amazing. We lived in Waipahu very close to sugar cane fields. My children were surprised to see that the farmers fed their cattle sugar cane. It made their beef sweet!!! One of our all-time favorite places was, and is, Matsumoto's (Ed. The snow cone place mentioned in my suggestion section). It was an indelible trip into the past, a visit to old Hawaii where aunties sat on porches and fanned themselves with palm leaves while children ran around chasing nene geese. Living there was a relaxing period in our lives. No TV show was ever run on time. The weatherman really didn't have a job to speak of, and the only anticipation was the surf report! One year while we were there, the weather became extremely cold, down to 65 degrees. At that time, it was the coldest day on record, I believe. People were shocked and wished they had winter coats! What a fun time! I'm eager to go back. Your list of places to visit has made me wish we were leaving today. We will definitely add some places to our schedule. . . Thank you for the delightful memories and for the great newsletter.
_______________
If you have a guest vignette you would like to submit, please do so. Not only will I enjoy reading it, but if agreeable with you and space permitting, printing it in a future issue. The vignette should be written in paragraph form and relate a personal story or event. Equally important, it should fit the overall tenor of this newsletter. Ideally, it should not exceed twenty lines. Please send to bob@poeticaljourneys.com.
|
|
|
| Recommendations
India: This country is so vast and diverse and my stay so brief; thus, I can only provide limited suggestions. Since most of my time was spent in Bangalore, that will be the focus of this section.
|
|
Driver Needed: Unless you are familiar with driving Indian traffic, at least initially, you will need a driver. I recommend without hesitation, Krishna of Chalapathy Car Rental Services at No.1, 9th Cross, 11th Main Rd., Vasanthnagar, Bangalore - 560052 or call 91-80-41131063 to have him to pick you up at the airport.
Shopping: I am confident in recommending two establishments. I was treated well in each and received quality merchandise at reasonable rates. Be warned, when you go into any store, expect to be waited upon. For most Americans, this will seem strange. Also, be ready to haggle some, though in some stores that does not work. If you are looking for handmade, hand knitted, natural Kashmir woolen carpets, Habitat at "Layla"125, Infantry Rd. in Bangalore is your place. Tel: 91-80-22867148 Expect to pay a bit for these works of art. Mr. Javid Mugloo will provide you with excellent, knowledgeable service. The store also has superb jewelry and art floors.
The second store for famous Mysore silk scarves and clothes is Mysore Resham Emporium - Kaveri Emporium at #64/1, K.H. Road (Double Road), Opposite B.M.T.C Bus Stand in Banagalore - 560027. Tel: 91-80-41248999. Ask for Mr. Ramesh to serve you.
Dining: Vegetarians, you have found your Nirvana. Since most Hindus are vegetarian, there are enumerable restaurants from which to select. Most restaurants will list on the outside if they also serve non-veg meals. The ones I am suggesting serve both. Again, a warning – if you are not acclimated to India, choose your eating places wisely. Drink bottled water, wine, or beer. Both Kingfisher and Cobra are excellent local beers. The establishments I am recommending should not cause you any gastric problems and are frequented by locals as well as visitors. Each offers five-star service with food in the 8+ to 10 rating. Be willing to experiment. Realize that spices, curries, and herbs are integral to Indian dishes. Thus, if you do not want your food 'hot spicy' be sure to say something.
Tandoor Restaurant (Cuisine - Indian, Punjabi, Mughlai, Tandoori) located at the Jewels India Hotels Pvt. Ltd., No.28, M.G. Road, Bangalore - 560 001. Tel: +(91) (80) 25584620. Ask for Mr. Srinivas to be your steward.
A second option is Bombay Post (Cuisine reflects the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Mumbai a.k.a. Bombay) located at 1, Carlton Towers, Carlton Towers, Bangalore, Karnataka - 560017. Tel: +91-80-41113939. Request Mr. Nagendra to be your steward. Both establishments will NOT disappoint you. (Incidentally, T.G.I. Fridays is located just around the corner. Yes, American franchises are found everywhere.)
For Sunday Brunch, the best I have ever experienced, go to the Zen, a pan-Asian restaurant at the Leela Palace Kempinski Hotel in Bangalore. A walk around the grounds of this five-star hotel is an added dessert.
|
 |
|
Krishna, driver extraordinaire, with Ray
|
 |
Mr. Javid Mugloo at Habitat and handwoven
Kashmir rugs |
 |
Mr. Ramesh with Ray at Mysore Resham Emporium
in Bangalore |
|
|
|
Mr. Srinivas - the Tandoor Restaurant &
Mr. Nagendra at the Bombay Post Restaurant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tipu Sultan's summer palace, Daria Daulat (near Mysore)
|
|
|
|
Picture taken at Bannerghatta National Park
|
|
"Please do not get caught in that place where you think you know." – Zen saying
"Truth is one; sages call it by different names." – The Vedas
"The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers." – Erich Fromm (1900 – 1980) internationally renowned social psychologist, psychoanalyst, and philosopher
"It isn't until you come to a spiritual understanding of who you are — not necessarily a religious feeling, but deep down, the spirit within — that you can begin to take control." – Oprah Winfrey
". . .the world started without men, and without men it will finish." – A line from the Italian film La Tigre e la neve (The Tiger and the Snow)
A Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul.
Each evening bird lover Tom stood in his backyard, hooting like an owl. One happy night (for Tom), an owl called back to him. For a year, Tom and his feathered friend hooted back and forth. He even kept a log of the "conversation."
Just when Tom thought he was on the verge of a breakthrough in interspecies communication, his wife had a chat with her next door neighbor.
"My husband spends his nights calling out to owls," she said.
"That's odd," the neighbor replied. "My husband does too."
Then it dawned on them.
(Again, special thanks to Tom and the Alcove Restaurant Loyalty Program in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.)
Contest Coming Soon!
By clicking on this link you can see our top winners from the last contest, #21. Anyone who has won a poet print in the past and would like to be pictured on the Grand Winners Page, please send via email a jpg of you holding the print.
As of April 25, 2008, the following has been pledged:
- Total Monetary: $2,247
- Total Volunteer Hours: 793 hours
- Number of Premium Subscribers: 26
To learn more about premium membership and what it entails, click here.
Welcome to New Premium Members
This month Ivan from Bexley, Sharon from Texas-Mexico, and Haven from Marion joined our list. To see others who joined earlier, click on the link above.
I regret that I cannot publish all of the comments. However, I personally responded to each one. Below are samplings of comments received this month. If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please email them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com.
"Greetings mon ami, a favour please? Next time you're planning a trip to Hawaii can I come as excess baggage? I get green with envy every time I see the photos. . .Excellent 79th." – Jerry from Victoria, Australia (Ed.: Much obliged! Jerry also shared a joke with me related to his comments - a good laugh.)
---------------------------------------
"Truly you've outdone yourself! ____ got her poem in the mail and was overjoyed! She described how it arrived and was matted and framed...and signed by you with a special note. Thank you SO much for sharing your poetry with others! I'm so glad that she was so happy with her wedding gift. . .” – Christie from the Bay (Ed.: Christie, I am so pleased that the recipient enjoyed the poet print. Christie purchased two framed copies of the poem What is love? – one as a gift and one for herself. Readers, such prints make wonderful, unique wedding gifts.)
---------------------------------------
"This issue is great - pictures of the surf and the beaches are wonderful! Vignette about your mother-in-law was wonderful; she must have been quite a lady! I haven't commented for a while, involved in all sorts of things, but just want you to know that I don't miss an issue! And this one is one of your best - looking forward to April issue.” – Bobbie from Texas (Ed.: Good to hear from you again. Yes, Mabel was quite a woman.)
---------------------------------------
"Enjoyed Mabel's Prescription for Life. Life IS what you make it. I will try even harder to call everyone Friend that I meet along the way. We need to spread kindness wherever we go! Thanks for your Journal." – Bev (Ed.: Thank you for your comments on Mabel's poem. I have relayed them to her daughters.)
---------------------------------------
"I am so thrilled with the stuff that you send out. I hope your journey to India will be great. Love the article on your trip to HAWAII AND AREA. Thank you for keeping me in your email list; happy belated Easter Greeting . . ." – Vi from Alberta (Ed.: Great to hear from you. Greetings also to you!)
---------------------------------------
". . .I did read your books and enjoyed them and the feel you have for people around the world. I have an idea that your latest Poetical Journal was filtered out of my E-Mail as I did not receive it. I do have it though as I went to the web site. . .Have a good trip to India."– Betty (Ed.: I am pleased you enjoyed the books. Delivery can be a problem unless you have white-listed the following in your preferences: bob@poeticaljourneys.com. I am glad you were able to go to the web version.)
---------------------------------------
"Finally got on the computer today to read the PJ. I was quite taken with the ocean pictures! The first one is beautiful with the branches framing the view of the beach and the ocean. A very calming effect. Yea, you could look at that forever! Then I scrolled down to the next one and there's the other side! Beautiful in it's own way....but far from calm! I found myself going back and forth studying the contrast. You should frame them side-by-side and title it 'Life'. . .have a safe trip to and from India. I'm sure you'll find your visit interesting, and we'll be anxious to hear all about it."– G.L. from Cincy (Ed. Glad you enjoyed those scenes – though, probably not as much as I did taking them. Seriously, I may take your suggestion and put the two into a single frame and use your title.)
---------------------------------------
"Thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd chapter on Hawaii - the photography is just great! . . .My condolences, as well, on the loss of your mother-in-law, Mabel Mertz. I liked her optimistic perspective on life and its rewards. One other comment - Since you wrote a poem on women of middle age, shall we suppose your next one will be on men and their aging physical issues, as well...:-) . . . " – Sharon from Mexico-Texas (Ed.: Thank you, Sharon. No, no plans for a specific male poem at this time...:-) However, in the November issue I poked some fun at my aging process in the poem, The Dog Star. Sharon has also been added to the premium status membership list.)
IF YOU ARE FILTERING
Like you, I receive many unwanted e-mails. However, sometimes some e-mails I want to receive are filtered for a variety of reasons. May I suggest that you place the following in your address book or approved senders list: poetjournal@poeticaljourneys.com This process will increase the odds of you receiving your issue.
Reader Demographics
Geographically, subscribers reside in all U.S. states. Subscribers also live in Albania, Argentina, Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, & Western Australia), Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, & Quebec), Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, England, Estonia, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad - W.I., Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, and Zimbabwe.
If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know.
PJ Online
To read or copy back issues of the PJ, go to http://www.poeticaljourneys.com and click on the Poetical Journal icon in the left frame.
The next issue will be out Sunday, May 25, 2008. It will be Part 2 of the India Issues
Until next time - joy and peace,
Bob
PJ Policies
Guest Poetry: Often readers send me a poem stating they would like it included in the PJ. Many of the poems are well written. Although I enjoy reading them, at this time I do not include guest poetry as part of this newsletter. Instead, I suggest that they submit them for inclusion in the Guest Poet section of my web site. A number have chosen to do so. However, time limitations and quality govern the number that will be accepted. I currently am not accepting poetry from minors.
-----------------------------
Guest Vignettes: On occasion, I publish guest vignettes submitted by one of my readers. If a guest vignette is submitted and selected, the author understands that there is no remuneration provided; the vignette will be included in the e-mailed and web site versions; and will remain posted until I choose to remove it from the site. In all cases, the guest vignette remains the property of the guest author who has given permission for its usage as described in sentences one and two.
-----------------------------
Privacy: I take it very seriously. Your name will never be sold to a third party nor will we disclose at any time your subscription information.
----------------------------
Unsolicited Mailing: The PJ is never sent unless requested. If you believe you received the PJ unsolicited, please notify me. I will unsubscribe you.
------------------------------
Reproduction and Forwarding: While the material is copyrighted, you have permission to forward all or part of this newsletter. You may also quote from it. Out of common courtesy (We will forget all the legal jargon and requirements.), I would appreciate at least a mention or a footnote. -- Much appreciated!
------------------------------
Recommendations: All recommendations are personal ones offered for your information. I receive no remuneration of any kind from the sources or individuals being recommended – other than when I recommend purchasing my books. Actually, many are never aware of their listing. One may ask, "Why do you provide recommendations for specific establishments or locations, especially since many of your readers are worldwide and may never be able to use the information?" The key word is "may." When I travel, I plan much of the itinerary myself. This planning includes reading and listening to recommendations from professional and personal sources. My wish is that any suggestions provided will assist some readers as they make their plans. (Incidentally, I have already received feedback that readers use them.)
Subscription: To unsubscribe click on your individualized unsubscribe e-mail at the end of this newsletter. (Not appropriate for this web page.) Or send a BLANK e-mail (Be sure not to write anything in the subject or body) to
leave-poetjournal@pro.netatlantic.com
If you are not already a subscriber, to subscribe go to
http://www.poeticaljourneys.com/subscription.htm.
Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Fredericktown, OH 43019
bob@poeticaljourneys.com
http://www.poeticaljourneys.com
|
|
|
|
If you are reading this and have not signed up for your free subscription
to the Poetical Journal, please click here. |
|
|
 |
| Click on the icon if you entered this site from another and wish to go to my homepage. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
