March 20, 2024
India continues to remind me to Be present, Be aware of my surroundings and stay grounded. A constant state of awareness is a must.
There are open holes into the great unknown, everywhere, steamy piles of ox, cow, dog poo, etc, adorning the streets, countless broken, uneven sidewalks. My recent favourite, random wires sticking straight out of the ground.
A great plethora of options for unfortunate misadventures!
Being somewhat accident prone this land of contrast and extremes has kept me on my toes.
Yet tonight, I falter, and India, the great teacher strikes again!
It had been a fabulous day, visits with friends, great walks, a delicious meal….all was perfect. I was on my way back to my room. It was dusk, the glorious sun setting.
I am USUALLY so careful. Constantly on the lookout for what’s on the ground in front of me.
A couple lessons from my early days in India taught me well and are forever etched in my memory. Little reminders of what COULD happen when you are all blissed out and not in the present moment.
My first visit to India, I was leaving the ashram, crossing a busy road, dodging the honking rickshaws and motorbikes to safety. A new skill I was aquiring. Suddenly, I was keenly aware of a very warm squishing sensation between my toes. A big scoop of steaming Ox Poo was filling up my flip flops! Extremely grossed out! Yet, at the same time amusing the many onlookers!
Another unforgettable experience. I was at a recording studio in Bangalore. The toilet was on the rooftop, interesting place for it. I headed up, opened the door, never expecting a sloping floor. Proceeded to slip and slide into the squat toilet, my foot heading down the drain. Oh God NO!!!
A variety of adventures to be had here. I have had my share!
Back to tonight, I am on the last stretch of road, an uneven dirt path. I am greeted by the neighbours Rottweiler, not your usual Indian street dog. He’s wagging his tail, good sign. The night before he had been barking at me. I didn’t want a repeat performance. I’m distracted. He’s a bit scarey in the dark. Kinda big, I’m not. I decide to start a conversation with him, chatting him up “Good dog, you’re a good dog” in my friendly dog speak. All is well, he’s still wagging as we are gazing at each other, chatting. I continue to walk (not the best idea). In a flash, my foot hooks into a piece of wire sticking out of the ground. I face plant. Actually, knees and hand plant. I scare the dog, he starts to bark and bark, relentlessly. I’m a bit rattled, hoping he calms down and realizes I am not the enemy. “Remember me, I’m the one who gave you snacks the other night buddy”
He backs off. I get up and brush myself off. Pick up the rolling fruit…and my laptop! No worries, basically unharmed just a wee scrape on the knee, and a bit of a bruised ego.
Grateful I landed on the dirt, missing the chunks of cement and rocks scattered about.
Good reminder to always stay present 😳