sojourn in motherland
landing in chennai was one of the best airport experiences I've had this year, and I've been privileged to have a few. only amsterdam really tops it. the immigrations bureaucrat was actually kind to me, embarassed that the fingerprint scanner didn't work, apologizing more than once.
chennai roads were smooth and wide. it was hot (and humid!). a 9am jog had to be quickly aborted, although a lovely indie accompanying me for a bit made it totally worth it. a 0530 dawn stroll to the beach was much better and oh, the life that greets you! dawn chorus of birds dominated by corvidae (the crows in beachside indian cities are incredibly vocal and numerous). beach near pattinapakkam fish market was thronged with life stretching and waking up, cats dogs crows and rats all co-exisiting and jostling for fish scraps and human kindness. few men beginning their day with a squat overlooking gorgeous sunrise over bay of bengal. can't really blame them.
bustling bangalore. 70 rupee/1 dollar udupi breakfasts, 5 dollar third wave iced americanos. newborn niece! unparalleled food and cafes. innovation at every corner. entrepreneur hostels, open source autorickshaw hailing apps, sleek metros. chikoo milkshake, idli vada, masala dosa.
namma belagavi. moss laden walls banyan and peepal abound, greenwashed. home. silly waggy loving potato dogs. beautiful parents. stanning family. care=free=priceless. advice - eat well, take care of health, don't fry your brain.
all one needs.
friendship untarnished with time and distance. love remains burning in the hearth. roots only grow deeper if the soil is kept fertile and watered, as long as one attends. as long as one never stops trying. wings can co-exist with roots, anchors do not weigh unless they are cast away, home is where the dogs are (and the dogs are everywhere).
excited to come back and build.