Going, Going and Soon Gone...

It is the 31st December today, no less. And tomorrow will be not just another day but a new year itself. How on earth am I expected to take those renewal vows? Or should I at all go down that route? After all, all this is self-imposed. But let me dwell on yesterday. It was marked by a good visit to a friend who has finished his fourth chemotherapy and is doing well. He has just started walking in the Joggers' Park before the hordes arrive. To think of it, a while ago, this seemed improbable in that moment. I am glad the family has maintained strict rules of health and hygiene. Visitors with colds and infectious bugs are not allowed and the ritual of disinfecting your hands before coming in has just been dispensed with.
The fresh coconut water and almonds made for a healthy repast!
Then onto "Christmas lunch" although not so strictly speaking but I am happy to call it so because it is part of the holiday season festivity. The lunch went well, wonderfully relaxed -Christmas pudding along with some delicious coffee from a gourmet hamper made my day. I did 2 cups in one afternoon justifying that the new year will see me totally in control of my senses.Thus love is blind for a real good reason this season-forgive the pun, just had to do it, senselessly; back home through a horrible bottleneck and on to see "Sherlock Holmes" in the cinema theater. Stylish, bizarre and highly atmospheric. Today I go to see "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy". Le Carre's writing is impressive and I am excited about going to the movies once more. No caramelized popcorn, no samosa, no Costa Coffee for me there. Already taking hold of my senses-but only as I write. There is yoga this evening. Evening meal will be a bed of salad laid on crisp multi grain toast and vegetable-fruit juice. Not saying I will not end my meal with a glass of Bailey's as Amrita will phone from America, her time.
Incidentally, the hot pink bougainvillea is in bloom and as for the sparrows, my morning alarm, they have adjusted to the chill in the air by chirping half an hour later than their usual 7 am wake up call. I particularly relish the thought of not being woken up by digital sounds. They annoy me. But I am grateful to digital technology because I know I can't carry sparrows in my pocket when I travel. So, this is my news for today, before soon, it will be gone and tomorrow's news will take over and move us into another day, another year, 2012.

Happy Holiday Season

What a lovely Christmas lunch at PVs home in Chembur. The area has turned terribly upmarket with several spas and Costa Coffee-all down the road. A good coffee shop does it for me. PVs Irish friend and 3 Nigerian women, splendidly attired, all Trade Unionists from the town of Jos and the Vieira family made delightful company. The chicken was delicious and the Christmas pudding set aflame kept the blue flame going for a while-as you can see it had soaked the alcohol thoroughly. That is the spirit of Christmas.
When I returned home, I was shocked to hear that a church in Jos had been attacked by a group of Muslim fundamentalists. Till I met the Nigerian women, I had never heard of Jos, outside Abuja. But now it came alive as a place where people lived, earned their livelihood, went to church and participated in a productive , peaceful community life. And, suddenly that fabric was stripped by the attack on the church goers. One policeman lost his life on Christmas Day. I am so sorry for his family. I hope 2012 will be a year of peace. I hope it will be a year of reconciliation, reconciliation of differences for the sake of understanding the value that lies in holding diverse view points, then there really will be hope. And like the Christmas cake with its blue flame , I believe we can keep on hoping even for a little while or longer if you wish, that the year ahead will be more alive, vibrant and meaningfully different than the year gone by. So, here's to you and to me, a great 2012. And join me at Costa Coffee somewhere!