Suvir

A home for retired priests, for plum bonsais, and a garden of peace

As we arrived at Kyu-chikurin-in (home for retired Buddhist priests) in Otsu in the hills, we were greeted by an amazing garden, gentle rain, and wonderful blossoms. The above photo is of plum blossoms being thrust down with raindrops, inducing me to cry inside, and drop my own tears. Tears that are dropped in awe of Japan. A country that ceases to never stop amazing us as we travel through it.

Mona Ahmed - A Classy Act, Sadly, Not Seen By Many

Mona Ahmed singing, Aao Kee Ham Tumko, Batayen Kyaa Cheez Mohabbat Hotee Hai (Come so I can tell you what love is really about) for Kaka (Sardar Mahijit Singh), Deborah (a friend visiting Delhi from Wales), Charlie and some other friends of ours. Mona Ahmed is considered one of the jewels of the Hijras of Delhi. A visit to her home is like a pilgrimage. This time around, it was late at night, after a meal in Old Delhi, and upon our arrival, we realized there was no light at her house. And that she and her gang of homeless, who she gives shelter to, were all asleep did nothing to alter our plans. Of course they woke up (such is Indian hospitality), and Mona sang a few songs for us and charmed all present.Welcome to India!

Welcoming the new year - With Hiroko Shimbo, Sally Longo, Buzz, Charlie and Memories Of Loved Ones

On the morning of January 1st, our table seemed festive and special. After a painful end to 2009, since my maternal grandfather left us for his heavenly abode on the 28th, Charlie and I canceled the party we had organized for the 31st, and felt like doing nothing. Hiroko Shimbo and her husband James "Buzz" Beitchman arrived on the 30th as planned, and with them brought some unexpected but solemn cheer.

Old Delhi - A city that never gets old

 

There is a certain electric energy about Old Delhi, that is hardly found anywhere else in the world. Perhaps Djemaa el Fna in Marrakesh comes close. Purani Dilli as it is better known, was the capital of Muslim India from the 17th through the 19th century.

Mums? These? Yes! And some other flowers too....

Visiting Delhi, and more particularly my ancestral home, Charlie finds a new love for the Chrysanthemum flowers he finds in my mothers garden, and also around some other homes, and gardens we visit or drive or walk by. This saddens him, for he is one who is not moved by mums back home in the US, and her, he can now like me wax poetic about their beauty.

Lantau Island, China: Spirituality, Fishing, and Lunching

We arrived in Hong Kong after flying to Tokyo from New York on a direct flight. That we had a three-hour layover in Tokyo before flying to Hong Kong, made us quite tired upon arrival, but time change and jetlag kept us on the edge, hungry to see and absorb, not really realizing how tired we were. 

The next morning, early morning, we had our tickets for an excursion to Lantau Lan (Cantonese for “broken head”). The shape of the mountain, the highest one on the island, has that look, if you are told to look for it. Otherwise, one would not easily make that association.

Hong Kong has a total of 36 peaks. Lantau is 934 meters above sea level, around 3000 plus feet. Lantau is the second highest peak in Hong Kong. It is a popular spot for hiking, paragliding and rock climbing. Lantau island is the equivalent of the Hamptons for the locals. It is the escape from the city people of HK crave. The island of Lantau is 144 square kilometers. Twice the size of Hong Kong. Why do I remember these statistics? Do not ask me…I hope to forget them soon. Lantau is twice the size of the main island. Of the 266 islands that make Hong Kong, Lantau is the largest.