Trinidad
to Toronto
Moving Along
From the
land of sand flies to the land of ice pellets, I go. Yes, it's a "Trini thing," a term
used by Hamsa Rupa, one of the new initiates from yesterday. Bugs are rampant in Trinidad and other tropical
places. All places have their pluses and
minuses. We must note the pluses and
build from there.
Now it was
reported there was an ice storm in Toronto.
Good, in one way. No biting bugs
can survive in that.
One speed
bump I had to undergo at the airport was to go through customs for a special
inspection. I think it's been three
decades since that happened. Mind you, I
have nothing really to worry about. The
officer, a woman, who pulled me to the
side, appeared to have never met a walking monk, let alone a renunciate. I answered her questions.
"I'm
a monk who attends walking fests, like the ones I participated in, in Guyana
and Trinidad. I have pictures," I
said, as I showed her those from my phone.
"Yes, I always wear these clothes (robes) except in a snow storm—then
it's pants." She laughed. "I'm on a pension and get no
salary. I travel the world, sometimes on
foot: Canada, four times and the U.S. once."
This was
all new for her, hearing the sacred sound Krishna, so I saw it as an
opportunity. "I live in a
monastery/ashram with a dozen other monks.
We have a fantastic restaurant downtown.
Please come."
I will
miss the Caribbean vaishnavas. Among them is Pateet, short for Patita
Pavana, a former drummer who can make any funky sound with breath and hands.
Until next
year. Haribol!
May the
Source be with you!
4 km
No comments:
Post a Comment