Sunday, July 13th, 2008

Sun, July 13/08 - Montreal, Canada

I have never seen a summer so wet. Today the rains poured down like the monsoons of India, atleast at times. While under the main tent of the Festival of India at Jeanne Mance Park I passed by a man of national celebrity status.

Just as 2 years ago Leonard Cohen, world-renowned poet and musician, chanced upon us (and made a repeat visit on day 2), so on this day I stopped as I walked by and turned around to say, “Oh I know you!” I thrust out my hand for a handshake. “Justin Trudeau,” he identified himself. Justin is the charismatic son of the late Perre Trudeau, Canada’s most popular Prime Minister and is himself entering into the political arena of service. He was most gracious and also happy to receive a copy of the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. He sat down to watch an audio-visual presentation of the soul’s transmigration and browsed around to see our exhibits even though rain descended on all. I wished him well in his career. It has been naturally predicted that he would be a future Prime Minister. Let’s see how karma swings.

3 km.

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

Sat, July 12/08 - Montreal, Canada

The procession for Ratha Yatra culminating at Jeanne Mance Park was quite successful. The sun shone and so did chanters. What really shone for me today was sitting on the grass with godbrother, Gaura. He is a unique person and has been taking to the gypsy ways in so-far as traveling about. What impresses me about him is his firm commitment to meet people and deliver them some words of wisdom and perhaps demonstrate his fine cooking techniques, etc. Recently he has been spending time at native reserves. Currently he is residing in Oka where Mohawks of the region occupied and ceased traffic at the major bridge two decades ago. Social/legal issues were at stake as often they are to do with land treaties, land developers and corporations. Last year Caledonia was the hotbed of dispute in Canada over similar issues.

Gaura had connected with the indigenous people there. In my marathon walks I have had the good fortune to mingle somewhat with the native peoples and it has always been a good learning experience.
So Gaura, keep up the good work!

5 km