Call of the Real - India

What is Art? It is the response of man's creative soul to the call of the Real - Rabindranath Tagore

Bangalore -- there are no planned suburbs, no assurance of set schedules to be met due to traffic or festival street closures or sacred gods in the middle of the road. Intuitive chaos best describes rush hour. The food was superb with spices and flavors and aromas bursting into fireworks in one's palate.

I am fascinated by the people and the street scenes. A child on his way to school who gamingly posed for a photograph while I am perched on top of a ledge observing the Monday traffic. I wonder how far he has to walk in the hot humid day. The flower shop set-up on the streets to trade a few coins in exchange for a bouquet to give a loved one. The street vendor outside the temple selling various knicknacks including a plastic tiara which he was wearing. The man chopping the fresh coconut to refresh the tired and weary worker.

There was no grand catharsis or epiphany in this trip, only a reminder of authenticity of the world and of myself. I am thankful for this reminder to be authentic.
















                  

Sweet Singapore Rendezvous

I've been to Singapore a handful of times but I have never enjoyed it as much as I did during a 6 hour layover trip in my 33 hour adventure flight across the Pacific. I don't know if it's a few years that passed since I last dropped by or because I was in a company of a very good friend or if it's the first time I'm seeing the city colors behind a lens.

I strolled by the Arab streets despite the heat and humidity of the noon sun. Light lunch at a Turkish restaurant with various Hookah pipes on display. I can imagine the streets pulsating with energy at night while the yuppies (is this still a valid term?) take a drag of hookah while dining alfrescoe. After some time, I had to take comfort in the airconditioned Orchard road malls. Took the Subway and it is packed for a Sunday afternoon. The best part about the trip? Walking by Clark Quay and all the different places and talking to the locals -- a vibrant bride and groom, the artshop owner whose woman paper model sticking across the wall piqued my curiousity and  parents watching over their kids run across a fountain spray. These kids are just laughing, squealing and begging mom and dad to stay a bit longer than planned. Oh what joy is it to be young and have no cares in the world.

And yes, in Clark Quay there is a bar called Clinic, and the seats are wheelchairs.

Dog Days of New York Summer

I heart New York in summer. 100 degree Farenheit weather plus humidity. WTC view from the room. Walking. Tourists gawking and sweltering in the heat. Frozen hot chocolate. Sushi. Smurftini. At 4am, maniacally running across the Brooklyn Bridge to catch the sunrise. Same sun but not quite the same view as the golden hue blankets Manhattan. Subway back. Hotdogs for breakfast. More walking. Worn out shoes. I will see you again.

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