Banyan talking

2005-05-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

Neighborhood in Powai

first day in India, 03-03-2005

2005-05-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

Poway, Mumbai

Powai, Mumbai

The first thing , that I saw, while landing in Mumbai, was a gentleman outside, who, at 5 in the morning, wore nothing else, but a tshirt, and pants.
When you leave your own country in a warm wintercoat, that sight was extreemly nice to the tired eye.
After waking up from a quick power-nap , Mani took me outside, to "sniff the air"of India.
We did not go far, just strolled around a bit, and what stuck me then and there was the bright light and the warm sunshine..
Mumbai was to me a enormous barrel of confusion. Everybody, on two and four legs and on wings, seems very purposefull going around their business. What that business is, will most probably always stay a mystery to me.
I gave up asking for names of trees and plants, everything is just to much to take in, for this first day in India; it has to wait a little.
Anna , Mani's sister had a very nice Chicken birjani ready when we came back, just as I like it.
After that, Langenberg (yours trully) was ready for a more Mumbai.
Yes, the traffic!, It was a genuine suicide attempt,. Not only is everybody driving on the wrong side of the road, but all and everybody is driving, like the road is theirs, and theirs alone. The best way to take part in this all, is to let someone guide you. A white face alone, will be completely lost.
And good guides I had in Mumbai.
When Anna and Mani went into a supermarket for some groceries, I staid outside, to watch the world go by.
I am very envious of the elegance of Indian ladies. How on earth does one wear a saree, so gracefully?
At the entrance of every shop, that thinks highly about themselves, you will find: 2 guards, just there to open the door for you, and a gentleman who will pick up your car to be parked somewhere. Nearby are the straydogs, sleeping in the shade, or tending their own business.
On our way back to the appartment where Anna and her familly are living we met Terzeen, a friend. And now, a bit of relaxation is in order again, till tomorrow.

Mumbai, 04-02-2005

2005-05-23T06:20:00.000-07:00

transportaion , inventive ways

Tjaa... when we went shopping today, Mani crossed the street, just autmotically thinking , that I would follow him. Oh boy! Was he wrong! I just stood there, paralized. The problem was: people and vehicles everywhere. How to cross a road like that, eh?
Goold old Mani walked quietly back to me, regardless of all the idiots, trying to kill him, took my hand, and dragged me across the street.
In the afternoon, a cab took us to Bandra, another part of Mumbai, where yet another familly-member lives. Best thing to do was, just stop being terrified, and let the sights, smells and what not become part of you.
On the way back, the cab took a roundway to show me the beach, the Arabian Sea!!! and Broadwalk.
Meanwhile it had become dark: klabang, one moment it is sunny, half a hour later it is dark... and so the way back, had its own thrilling atmosphere.
Mumbai, had been tranformed into one enormous BBQ. At least, it looked and smelled that way. Everywhere around, I saw open fires, with people, dogs, cats and crows watching food being prepared.
And I have discovered a order in all this seemingly chaos. Everybody goes somewhere to do somewhat, the trouble for a newbie in India, like me, is there are so many things to do..

first journey to India, introduction

2005-05-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

coconut-tree
While I am looking for information about my next journey to India, I find, that a lot of the weblogs from westerners are very negetaive. I do not understand this at all. India has welcomed me with open arms, and I am looking forward very much in going back next year.
I miss everything here, in rainy, flat Netherlands: nature, culture,the brightness, the smells and the inhabitants of India (both humans and animals).
In a way, it is understandable, that many westerners feel not very positive of India. Most will look around only from the western point of view.
It is like a big river, that devides the two, and not many dare to swim over to the other side. Only then can you as a white face, start to respect and love India, in my humble opinion. So, stop comparing, and simply enjoy all that Mother India has in store for the weary traveller.
Warning: all you can read in advance about India is, in a way, useless. Sure, history and dates, these are always interesting. Yet, all stories and all books, wont prepare you for the feeling of India. This already starts when you land in Mumbai..... but that is another story and with that , starts my first journey in India, the experience of a lifetime !

meaning of the Banyantree

2005-04-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

The title of this Blog is not choosen for mere fun.
It has a deep meaning , in Hindi mythology. Whenever you see a banyantree, it represents the universe, or the world.
Combined with a mango tree, the banyan represents the Soul.
You can say, that here, the old adagio: microcosmos is the same as macrocosmos is shown in the banyan tree

The banyan of course also exhales oxygen for the benefit of humanity.
So, all in all, the Banyan has a deep meaning to me.
I saw some very beautyfull specimen, when I travelled in India, during February.


Banyan

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See also this Weblog:
http://brain-washing-machine.blogspot.com/