Durban, South Africa
Trail Break
I had been pining for an African trail to come my way, and so it came to pass that Tamohara dispelled the dream, and had in most practical terms, arranged for a drive by his dad, Thayalan, to take Kala, Jambavan and I to a gorgeous gorge at Krantz Kloof. We arrived there at the hour of dawn when trees drop dew and the aromas of plants perk the nostrils. The rubber tree was there to greet us, perfectly circular mushrooms of a rustic tone were also there. Fortunately, or unfortunately, no big game crossed our paths. In fact, the largest form of wildlife that we sighted came in the form of a microphone length (you can tell I’ve been on the stage lately) centipede of sorts. It was perfectly coiled as it clung on to the side of a tree. A creek appeared and disappeared, snaking its way to its own natural whim, and making its own descension to manifest as waterfalls.
Being in this green zone was a great break from the asphalt at the festival site. And, as always, when you trek the softened and uneven path under nature’s canopies, it is such a far cry from moving over the hardened, flat surfaces of city constructs. I felt certain leg muscles stretch – muscles that become lazy from plying over the terrain of manmade evenness.
‘Twas a treat.
Back to a baking sun at the old Durban Drive-In Theatre grounds, and this day, at the Bhakti Cloud tent, we danced out the eight stanza “Chaitanya’s Verses”. Verse three especially resonated with volunteers as I rapped out,
It is best to chant with humility
To be as humble as you can possibly be
It’s like a blade of grass you see
And be more tolerant than a tree…
From executing the dance I could appreciate the dynamics of flatness.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
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