India & me

OK ….so I’m a bit of an Indophile …sometimes you just can’t help the ‘crushes’ you have can you? ….I KNOW there is devastating poverty,HUGE divisions between rich and poor,  entrenched social stigma’s and ALL kinds of issues and problems in this country. However, there is something about the ‘soul’ of the place and its people …….or there was the last time I visited:)

Now I have ‘lost’ loads of stuff over the years ……BUT last year Sam picked a book up and a photo dropped out ….and he said ‘Who’s this?’

Well amongst the old faded photo’s below ( there were a few more in the back of the book) is the one he was talking about:D:D:D   Yep ….this was my first trip to India ….West Bengal to be exact ….although had a trip up to Darjeeling and the Hymalayan foothills also whilst there….suffice to say ….despite the countries problems ( every country has them) …..I fell in love with the place 🙂

And NO it wasn’t some kind of ‘spiritual journey’ type visit …it was with my dear friend who was originally from Kolkata ( and at that time Kokata was not really on the tourist map) ……and as I am writing this now I am laughing as memories are coming back …..for a start it was Monsoon season ….perhaps not the BEST time to go …..and all in all it was HILARIOUS ….myself and Maus had a really special friendship …..one of those friendships where we told each other EXACTLY how it is:D:D:D

I understand India has developed a LOT since I last visited …..and of COURSE I understand that ….modern technology and infrastructure …better healthcare and some kind of safety net for the poor ….but I REALLY hope they don’t throw the baby out with the bath water in terms of the rich cultural heritage based on yogic principles ….get it it right …and this country could be the one that shows the rest of us a different way of doing things ….turn things around in a collaborative way:)

I understand from Indian bloggers that it doesn’t look like this could happen at present …young people are buying into the western model WHOLESALE ….BUT ….I’m ever hopeful….in the West …all things ‘Yoga’ is VERY trendy with young people ….that in itself is funny isn’t it?     Maybe there’s a kind of yin/yan thing going on and it will all balance out in the end:)

ANYWAY ….enjoy the rather faded and rainy looking mish mash of photo’s below …and see if you can spot ‘Wally’:D:D:D

I could actually do a whole blog series on ‘India & Me’ if I got my act together …..a bit like the ‘My family & other animals’ that’s in the back of my head:D:D:D

Maybe one day:)