In Search of a Home

Welcome!! Swagat, Dumela, Valkommen, Jee Aayan Noo, Tashreef, Bula, Swasdee, Bienvenido, Tashi Delek. Thanks for joining me......


Saturday, May 14, 2016

Malmö

Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. I had to be Lund 2.5 weeks ago, and took the train to Malmö which is only 30 minutes away from Lund. I did not venture far from the train station due to time and cold. It was a cold rainy day....but when I saw this old church, I had to walk in. 










Oh yeah, at at a restaurant called Satori. Other than just loving the name, I wanted to try something 'asian'.  This salad was delicious






I also found some friends on the ground.  No, I was not trying to show that restaurant was not well kept or nice, because it was.....but for me, it was a sing of something else.  Up here, we do not see these little buggers.  I saw them in millions in Fiji. So just seeing this made me feel that Malmö must be warmer than our little town!!













I love these videos, from the train station.  It shows this running video, that opens up this space, makes the train station looks bigger than it is.  Allows us to dream in an industrial area, and gives a feeling of movement even when we are still. 








And always nice to see people hug each other!!

My Secret

Secure with love and deep affection and security that I have gotten from those closest to me, I fly through the skies, even during turbulent times, even when the wind is against me.  Picture Taken in Puerto Rico.



I also have two loving sisters.  We are a close family.  Like any close family we fight, we argue, but we are always there for each other.  My sisters, over the last few years have become even dearer than they were before.  Presently we live on three different continents.  Often times I have miscalculated times and called the wrong sister thinking she is 6 hrs behind me....but in fact she is 4 hours ahead of Swedish time....’  And my parents are just like any other parents, loving, caring, annoying, demanding, thoughtful and prone to misunderstandings.  I would be nothing without them.  

I also have many in my extended family, although I see no difference with my immediate family. I have Uncles and Aunts and Uncles and Aunts ---Mothers Brothers (Maama) and Mothers Sisters (Maasi) and of course from my fathers' side who will have different names, but I am not that close to them.  Then, my cousins have children, most of who I know now, even though many of them were born after I left home. Some of them I have close friend like, even soulmate like relationship.  We send each other silly and loving messages, political and spiritual messages and share our stories with each other.  I would be nothing without them.  

Simple, that security, that knowledge that I have a large well knit family --especially my Mom's side. I counted once. I have over 35 cousins (combined) from both sides.  We do not need guests for weddings and celebrations (a big supporter of a big family). Yet, at our weddings and celebrations we can have over 800 people, which to me is an indication of how many contacts we have made, how many people have been a part of our lives, and participated in our journey on the planet.

Simple, that is my secret, Secure with love and deep affection and security that I have gotten from those closest to me, I fly through the skies, even during turbulent times, even when the wind is against me.  I would be nothing without these important people in my life.  

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining!




My most important memory of him is that of him walking up to me when I was painting....and saying, ‘’Here, put a white light over those clouds’

‘What?*

‘Silver lining’ he said, smiled his usual smile that we know him by, and walked away.  












'Every cloud has a silver lining' he said.

'But you ruined it, I wanted the picture to be dark,' I complained and upheld a greeting card,  'See like this card.' 

'But why would you?' He giggled and then repeated, 'If you look, every cloud has a silver lining'.  He smiled, 'If you look' and got back to his work. 

All the clouds that I have painted since then have had a silver lining.

I am talking about Daddy!!

Saturday, May 7, 2016

By the By: Some Old Stuff

Just some old pics from 2012: Drakensberg South Africa 








What I love about travelling is that it opens up a space not just outside but within you. Just look at these pictures and look at the long, barren roads. No traffic. Imagine the silence you absorb from that. And imagine how it feels to be a spec in this vastness, something we forget in the business of life, when we see too much around....that we see cannot see too far. 


Often one can see a man or a woman walking on these roads.  while it is possible that a friend dropped them midway it is also true that people are used to walking far.  


I remember how in Botswana, my mostswana friends used to say, 'You know we laugh at white people, what is this 'walk' they talk about.  We walk for a purpose.  Not just 'walk'.  It is always towards something!!'


All the ideas of development and advancement apart, walking is a form of meditation. 




Here we are back in town or close to...and the silence inside of us starts to break up.......

Sunday, May 1, 2016

A Smile in the Sky

A Smile in the Sky
Was at a cafe with a friend, when I saw this. I took a picture of it, as a reminder of the gift from up above.

Ah you say, but it is upside down? an indication of a frown?
I beg to differ

In understanding--It is we who are limited.  Not like us does the sky pose--For the sky is limitless and 
no one knows where is its nose!!