Holland Dairies - part 3 : Louis

Louis passed away just 2 weeks before his 54th birthday. He was one of the friends I made since I started living here, far from my friends and family. And though it was just the first meeting we sat in his garden, chatting for hours loosing the track of time and realised that it was late and almost 12'O clock at night only when we felt really cold. He was a free siul and a avid traveller. Every inch of his living room reflected his personality and the souvenirs placed all over proudly telling us the story of his travels. The book case filled with travel books and the small musical instruments kept on the rack above the piano

Holland Diaries- Part 2: Perceptions about Kolkata

I am very amazed by the instant reactions of people when I say I come from Kolkata. Kolkata has a global recognition which I never thought it had before I came here for the first time in 2011.

Grannie and most people here pronounce it as “kol-cuu-tta” which sounds very funny, to me atleast.

“Oh yes! Kol-cuu-tta! Lots of poor people!”

“Grannie, do you know Kolkata? Wow!”

“Yes I do my dear, Sister Teressa? She gave food to the poor”

 

Next is Louis, a man of about 50 and an avid traveller. He has been to India twice for holiday and has visited Ladakh, Rajasthan and Mumbai.

“Oh yes Kaul-ka-ttaa, a very old and big city isn’t it? Very crowded?”

“Yes it is, very crowded indeed when compared to Arnhem”

“I read a book called The city of Joy, are there still people living in Slums? The book mentioned about the honking of the public transport of the howrah bridge and had some beautiful descriptions but the author was moved by seeing the poverty around”

Now, I am really set back by this perception of my city of joy to the outside world. I think for a moment. Slums? Very poor people? Yes there are some slums near Sealdah, but not so significant that it could be used to describe the city.

“Well, I have been living in the city for the last 6years, but I don't think there are significant number of people who live in slums. And, I think as it is the largest city in the eastern part of the country, it has a constant inflow of migrants from Bihar and other neighbouring states in search for job, and sometimes they don't have a place to live yet.”

“Yes true, but for us especially, when we see, the poor people lying in the streets, our heart goes out”

I stumble for an answer. Why the hell did the author name the book as city of joy if he had only to write and exaggerate about the poor people. C’mon, I haven’t heard of anyone die of poverty in Kolkata.

 

On one Saturday while walking into the town with Helga, I happened to meet a group of her friends in a cafe. One of the women looked strange. She wore a orange cotton loose fitted kurta an orange skirt. Her grey hair parted in the middle and supposedly a thin braid till the waist. The moment they heard I was from Kolkata, the strange woman’s eyes gleamed. She said she was in Kolkata twice, her last visit being 14 years ago. She is a practicing Hindu and she had a Guru somewhere near Lake Gardens in Kolkata.

“ohh nice! Which places did u visit in Kolkata?”

“Very less, most of my stay I was either meditating or working for the NGO. Are there still so poor people in Kaul-cu-ttaa?”

I try my level best to defend my city of joy. And all through the Dutch conversations over the coffee I sit back and ponder over my thoughts. What caused these perceptions? Pffff…

 

Marco, a colleague, a man in his early thirties and he and his wife is expecting his first child in a couple of months.

“Oh Kol-katta..wow! a very big and old city.. As big as Holland I think?”

“Umm.. I think half of Holland?”

“Amazing, how many people live there?”

“Ohh.. I never thought of the count before but let me check……hmmm… interesting..wikipedia says 14 million!”

“wow!! Amazing!”

A positive reaction at last made me happy.

 

The next one is from Harold, my next door neighbor. May be late twenties, lives with his wife, has a very cute baby and a not so cute cat.

“Which place in India are you from?”

“errr..umm.. Kolkata?”

“oh yes! A big city! I had been to India in 2008 and travelled all through New Delhi, Varanasi, Shimla. But my friend said that there were some riots in Kolkata due to a woman who wrote some book.”

 

I have tried my level best to change the perception of the people I meet about Kolkata by my view of the rich culture, the history, the architecture and the people.

Surely Kolkata will receive a lot of guests in the coming years and it Kolkata will surely will not be called a big crowded city with poor people by them at least.

 

 

 

Holland Diaries- Part 1: Weather

You know you are in Holland when you hear people talking about the weather all the time. At first it may sound weird, and people may seem to be obsessed with weather checking the hourly forecast in the mobile apps every single day. But my perception changed right after the day when I started for work on a day which looked sunny, without an umbrella and was drenched while returning back. And on a cloudy day when you think it is really cold (according to Indians) and put on your warm clothes, you may sweat while walking on your way to work.

Weather literally changes every hour. I love my seat at work where I can look through large open windows from my seat. And the view is never the same. Just today at the clouded sky at 9AM turned into a sunny morning by 10 and had heavy showers by 12 and by 12:30 it’s sunny again! If it were not for the droplets of rain the glass window panels, you cannot tell it had rained 30minutes back by looking at the sparse clouds in the blue sky.

The reason is the geographical location of Holland. It’s near to the sea and the Arctic Circle with no Mountains barring the wind. The wind is real fast.

The clouds change patterns almost in the blink of the eye. They say that the Dutch skies have inspired a lot of painters in the past. The view of the summer sky is similar to the Autumn sky in Kolkata, with bright white clouds and clouds in different shades of grey in beautiful patterns making lovely contrast with the blue background. The only difference being that here in Holland, it changes a way too fast. And if you are in a lovely countryside, the lush green fields, make the frame really picturesque.

It took me almost a month to get to the habit of checking the hourly forecast of the weather each morning before starting for work or going out on weekends making a note of the velocity of wind each day. And as Grannie says, “never go out without your umbrella.”

The proverb : The Morning shows the Day is never true in Holland.

 

The Stupid Box...err...Screen....!!

Recently my father had watched a show in the Discovery Channel which showed how in Korea (north or south I do not remember) kids especially teens, addicted to mobile phones and the video games are becoming mentally ill. A guy in his twenties died after playing non-stop video game for about 50 hours.

And they too have a Rehab center where the parents send their kids to help them return to normal life.

Now, does that ring a bell on your head? No? Yes, it didn’t mine either while I sat in the couch checking my Facebook updates on my phone beside him watching the show. But the same was not the case with him. After that day he has been intimidating any kid/teenager, usually my nephews and cousins by offering them some piece of advice or the other on the disadvantages of the mobile addiction. Previously I used to get away easily on the long hours on my laptop as my parents thought I was  working from home but not now. My father checks on me every 30 mins asking me to rest my eyes. And the arguments like “I am reading the news headlines on the mobile” doesn’t work anymore.

“You know in Korea….”, he would start while I had to cut him short by saying “Yes yes Dad, I watched it too but I am no kid anymore.”

Just like my parents kept an eye on me to check me from watching too much of TV, I think it’s  high time now to put a check on the excessive television and the content  they are watching. I think it would also be a good Idea to show a senior citizen disclaimer before some shows.

Few weeks ago  all of us were going out on a dinner and we were late. We were in a hurry and my father was locking the front door when he saw that the main door of the neighbor was half open and also the elevator collapsible gate was not closed properly. He stood there staring at the half open door and putting on his deducing hat while I kept reminding him the time. We had a new family moved into a vacant flat a day before and we had not had our introduction yet.

“Don’t you watch Crime Patrol”, he hissed, “they tell us to be alert at the end of each show!”. 

“Daddy, they must have just forgot to close the door!”,I sounded Irritated.

“Hushh..” And he started peeking into their flat!

My mother had unlocked our door by now and is searching something from the Diary kept beside the telephone. I was literally embarrassed and watch the whole thing jaws dropped.

My father knocks on the neighbors door and the Son of the family (who may b in his early twenties) comes out after taking longer time than usual wiping the beads of water droplets in from his face in a hand towel. I could sense his confusion looking into may fathers panicked expression by then.

“Ummm… Errrr.. I … Actually I saw your door half open.. And you know its better to be alert…and also we have not had our introduction So..”, my father is surely searching for words. My boy smiled re-assuringly and told that everything was OK and agreed that it had been careless of him as he returned from his class in a hurry. I was very embarrassed and rolled my eyes on my father and went inside our flat to see what my mother was up to.

"What are you doing Mom?”

“I had noted down the number and m not getting it now.”

“Whose number?”

“The Crime Patrol people…it was...”

“What!! ”

Just then my father entered after having our formal introduction with our neighbors and said “Its all fine….the kid…. He left the door open in a hurry…. Nice boy…”

“Shall we go now.. we are already late..”, I interrupted.

All through the dinner the topic of discussion was the crimes happening all around even in places we think that are very safe while I ate my food silently.

P.S.: I love them anyway.... :) :)

Rains and Me

She became very arrogant and demanding all of a sudden. I almost felt the hard gust of wind with water and dust slap me hard in my face asking me to stay indoors. But then I am not the obedient child of hers anymore.

 I jumped in to the cab shocking the driver. “Cholun Dada”, read lets go, I told him only to realize that nothing was visible from the driver’s seat except the often lightnings in the sky hazed by the storm and heavy rains. The street lights gone out and the traffic moved very very slow. Lucky me not to be at Bantala right now, I thought.

The cab driver regained himself from the shock, thinking as if he couldn't believe me daring to come out of the office building in such weather. “madam, berolen kano ekhon?”, read why did u come out now.

The storm resided 30 minutes later and we started moving. People have come out of the Shed now and are waiting impatiently for the public transport to be home as early as possible. Most of them drenched, with tensed expression in their faces.

The thundering continued with mild shower. It was a very usual rainy evening, the darkness and the rains didn’t seem to sadden me anymore. I enjoyed it. We are becoming friends now , aren't we?

A week by Myself..

The husky voice of Adele fills the room, "never mind I'll find someone like you". I pause and look around. The sky looks lovely with clouds creating beautiful patterns reflecting the light of  the sun setting in the  west. A gentle gust of wind enters in. The apartment is not in its perfect shape since past few days as my mom and dad are out in the southern part of the country handing over the sole responsibility of  Flat #5B, Block B to me. And I have left no stones unturned personalizing it. The line of empty water bottle on the dresser, the used cups of coffee on the table.. The glasses, books, pillows, laptop, tangled cables of adapters, the empty packet of munchies all in perfect harmony on my bed. I ignore the disturbing vision of the pile of clothes on the chair , as if frowning at me, asking to be picked up.

 I get up to light the incense sticks. My mother has been reminding me everyday during her calls not to forget watering the Tulsi plant and light the incense sticks at the dawn and dusk(if I am at home). Well dawn for me has been postponed to around 11:30AM in the morning. Recently she had frowned at me seeing a bunch of coriander plants growing  from her priced Tulsi pot! Yes, I was curious to know whether the coriander seeds we get from the market do actually turn up into a herb.

But I was able to convince her with  "It must be the birds, maa!!", and she had replied "Oh, don't pluck them off then, it must be a sign". She often tells this dialogue, and as a child I used to believe it , wondering what these signs ever meant.

The incense sticks fills the rooms with its soothing scent which reminded me of her even more. I think whenever I will start a family of my own, wherever it may be,  I shall always light incense sticks to remind me of my roots.

 I look across the window and see a man, dressed in white, wearing a white skull cap entering the cemetry. He kneels down beside a grave. Somehow I am able to feel his pain of missing a loved one.

I call up my parents and end up answering my father whether I lock the doors properly and my daily diet to my mother, thanking almighty that I have my loved ones a phone call away atleast  and that they will be back in a few days.

The man is slowly walking away now, head bent.

Her City of Joy

It would be a busy day..hufff.. thought Naina. She checked the time restlessly, cursing the traffic and administration, shooing away the occasional knocks in the cab window by the traffic vendors and beggars.  She much reach office in time. Protests in the streets during office hours have worsened the condition. She is feeling uncomfortable in the Michelin jacket that she bought recently, fanning herself occasionally. She had obviously overestimated the winter in the city before buying it. She hastily reaches out to the calendar in her phone to check the schedules for the day. Suddenly something caught her attention and gave her a chill.

It was the date.  It has been four years now. She remembers how she used to plan for months ahead of this day then. The cake, the flowers, the food, the venue, the gifts, the guests.. all were done secretly and executed perfectly. She liked to see the astonished smile on his face which made her feel so very proud of herself.

She remembered the times when she dated him. The hopping around the city bunking college, tea from the road side tea shops, the auto rides, the travelling in tram to un-decided destinations. She liked the freedom and the adventure by simple bunking classes .  She was introduced to the city holding his hands. The Victorian book stores, coffee houses, the places of historical significance, Esplanade, Gariahat, Eden gardens, the metro , Nandan.. the crowded central and north Kolkata, the taxis, the “aste ladies”..the typical bengali accent, the adreesing strangers as "Dada and Didi"s. She used to be so anxious seeing the unknown faces around at first, the crowd she was not used to seeing. Being born and brought up in a small town, where everyone knew each other, she took almost a year to become acquainted with the city and to fall in love with it later.

The traffic has started moving. She looked around. The same streets where she used to walk holding his hands seemed unfamiliar now with the newly constructed flyovers all over, multi-storeys and shopping malls popping up here and there. She has grown up so much as a person since then along with the city. She is no longer her timid, innocent self. There was something in the city which made her stay back. It has a soul of its own. Always happy, always moving, always friendly. She felt warm walking in the same streets alone. She never ever felt the city was mocking at her. The unfamiliar faces around didn’t seem so unfamiliar now.

The city puzzled her as a newcomer but later it aroused a feeling of nostalgia while she was away. May be that is why it was once named “The City of Joy”, the city which she proudly call hers home now.

 

demoralized, dejected, depressed

Note: The below few lines would be very depressing, and full on nonsense rants. If you are here to read something nice, humorous and happy, please move on to my other posts. I had to write it.

Felling totally demoralized, dejected, depressed today after long. All the things that I have planned for myself have gone wrong. Yes, I admit there were surprises too,  I definitely cherish them, but what about all the things that I wanted? No I am not cribbing or being too demanding from life, but at least 1 out of 10 could come true? Is it too much of a wish?

Life had never been as uncertain as now…6 years back..or even 3 years back. I am feeling as if I am wandering aimlessly in a dark room trying to find  the door. The door of my salvation. I am missing the guiding light, the mentor. No I do not believe in God anymore. I have lost the faith in Religion. What is it? A couple of rituals to fool people? Who is God? I believed in the Gods that my parents followed, my religion by birth, imitated my mother in all the rituals then finally realized that everything that is happening around me is just mere co-incidence that is destined by fate.

Whenever I close my eyes, trying to find peace, I see complete darkness. I often see a dream, that I am walking through a cemetery full of white tombs and wake up in the middle of the night.

Is it the absence of love that has caused it? I guess not. I am pretty much sure of it. I don’t miss my lost love. I think I want a mentor, not a lover. A guiding light, not a romantic illusion.

Yes I am waiting, but the uncertainty is making me restless and at times I feel lost.

Suddenly life seems too long to live.. 

I Wish...

·         The dove doesn’t fly away from my window…every morning when I part my curtains..

·         I could choose my dreams every night while going to sleep..

·         Smileys could talk…

·         Ears had shutters just like eyes..

·         Me and mom had the consent while choosing anything.. I just don’t seem to inherit any of her genes..

·         All my favorite foods were less in calories..

·         My gym instructor would let me choose the exercises..

·         People stop asking me when I am getting married.. :P

·         Getting married meant more of being with your soul mate 24X7 than just a mere social status..

·         I had met Paulo Coelho in his 40s..

·         I find someone with similar imperfection, fantasies and madness.. ;)

·         At least some of my wishes would come true someday..

 

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

I have had a self realization lately.

Finding a life partner from one of those matrimonial sites is so similar to buying clothes and shoes online. You can instantly fall in love with the latest animal print top displayed in the first page (who says love can’t be at the first sight), sincerely wish that you could at least try it out…see the top displayed from all the different angles available (for days sometimes ) ..zoom it at times to check out the details…imagine yourself wearing the same top…..check out if its available of your size….log off…dream that you are wearing it…come back the next day to see if your size is still in stock…zoom again…and after this procedure is repeated for days…and you have finally decided to buy it..you find it out of stock!!  

Oh poor you!! Atleast you can add it to your wishlist. The matrimonial sites donot have a “add to your wishlist” option though. I wonder what would it be like. :D :D

And sometimes you really don’t find anything worth a second look you kind of pity the stocks that are available..

But then at last if you are lucky and you are pretty confident that you made the right choice....and proceed to  pay.. before clicking the “pay” button you usually take a deep breath because you are not sure of what will arrive at your doorstep in spite of the hours or days spend in admiring the thing.

Atleast  they have the 30days money back warranty.. :P :P

I have never got bored looking for clothes and shoes online…. But after spending about a year now looking for …err…ahem…men……yawwwnnnn!!