Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015

Wednesday, July 22^nd, 2015

Winnipeg, Manitoba

What a Venue!

There are 3,600 pipes to the glorious pipe organ set against the viewing wall of the Westminster United Church in Winnipeg.  The city’s orchestra plays here in the worship area of this fine acoustic wonder.  Dan, the maintenance man, said of the organ that $250,000 was recently and decently sunk into its refurbishing.  Dan is indeed proud of the space.  He should be.  The building is a beaut, with all the pews still intact as well as stained glass depictions for windows.  A heavenly high ceiling contributes to the ambiance. 

And get this, this is the venue where we performed.  Hallelujah!  Hare Krishna!  Thanks to Vrinda Devi for arranging this place. 

The show went on - bharat natyam dance, a skit called ‘Under the Influence’, a drama ‘Krishna Is’, and a kirtan of ecstasy.  Thumbs up to Radha Vinod and Krishna Nanda of the UK for an excellent MC'ing job.  All went smooth.  And the true sign of success lay in the response. Yes, the audience got up to dance to the kirtan. 

I felt I had touched several worlds today.  When our buses pulled up to the YMCA for our morning showers, I perched on a park bench for a conference call regarding our mission in Cuba.  I felt I was in Havana.  I did meagre distance walking in Winnipeg today but I was definitely there in its streets.  The kirtan took me to another world.  I was not in this world.  I may be able to vouch for others who may have felt the same way.

Let’s say we received some ruchi, some taste of the spiritual world.

Oh yes, back in the boys’ bus again.  After the show and after munching on samosas, we came back to the crammed quarters of a muggy bus.  It’s a relief when our conveyance becomes mobile.  It allows air to circulate inside while the windows are open.  And that’s the way the world is, you hop from inconvenience to convenience and back again.  There’s nothing you can do about it so you have to live with it and you might as well love it. 

 

May the Source be with you!

2 km