Monday, 8 September 2008

Saturday, September 6th, 2008

Sat. Sept. 06/08 - Kill, Ireland

At 4:30 am I set foot with three worthy pilgrims - worthy because we started out at this early moment and like real troopers stepped with me every inch of the way. John Francis Leader, his fiance, Vraja Lila (both local), and Igor from Belarus and I took to the streets of Dublin from the City Centre and left south bound. We were met by Friday night strugglers who were delighted to see us and in particular the sober.

Dublin is at the heart of the Celtic Tiger. Ireland as a whole has been booming, in a certain way for the last twenty years and its Capital City, Dublin teams with youthful energy and these days attract tourists in greater numbers than Rome.

John, Vraja and I in particular talked for hours about local Celtic culture, about druids(wondering spritualists) and the way it was before Christianity infiltrated. These are startling resemblances to the culture of ancient India.

After leaving the city we reached the suburbs and then finally the countryside. Of the three contrasting regions it was unanimous when I asked as to everyone's favourite area. It's the place where we interacted with sheep and horses and even a whole community of dogs. Igor said that he felt light after the day's trek and that thoughts were clear. He felt free.

Well, Igor, imagine doing this every day. Imagine the whole world taking to pilgrimage from time to time. It would make a different world.

42 km

Sunday, 7 September 2008

Friday, September 5th, 2008

Friday, September 5 /08 - Dublin, Ireland

Route 108 is a plesant trail early in the morning but it turned into a monster by rush hour. There is no shoulder but frequent puddles on the pavement's edge. The traffic is thick but tolerant. Europeans are much more used to working in tight spots. No one honked a horn out of agitation. Rain came like hell.

I suggested to my support monks that we move their home (van) to a parallel road to be safe. So we transfered to Route 132. Rain and wind was now horrendous as we commenced walking near Dublin Airport. A major mistake occured. The camper van which I took shelter of for a break was parked facing north. I exited the van and headed in that direction thinking it south (there is no Sun to tell directions) But I was specific about Premarnava staying close by, that I would be struggling just to hold my umbrella and dodge traffic and puddles and to park at every round about or juncture in order that there was no confusion direction wise. Well this mistake in the wrong direction put me in a storm for five hours with no means of comunication. It was a desolate area. Whithout more details I had to console myself by recalling that Krishna, when young, got caught in a storm with a shcool mate of his, Sudhama, they were stuck, lost all night in a forest until found the next morning .

Eventually I made my own way to downtown Govindas Vegetarian Reastaraunt and to meeting the missing monks. Unfortunately I missed my media that there was little interest in Dublin over the pilgrimage story, unlike the smaller places.

The storm persisted for hours today but I belive I came out stronger and will be less intimidated by rain after my Irish stretch is over. When Irish eyes are smiling...

40 km.

Thursday, September 4th, 2008

Thursday.September 4/08 - Ireland

GARDA means police in Irish. A Garda car pulled over with two officers in it. They expressed concern all over their faces. "Who is this weirdo?" might best describe their look. Their actual questions" What are you doing?" Where are you going?" "Where do you stay at night? "When all their questions were answered regarding the cross country walk they beamed and nodded in approval and went about their way.

Signage in Ireland is interesting. It's in Irish first then English. One sign said something like "So you like littering the landscape? FINE!"

I had left the beautiful Mourne mountain region behind me now and the Northern Irlandis at least one day behind me as well. I recall having seen a Capucchin monk of the Franciscan order. While wolking on a major street in Dundalk and elderly monk in his dark brown hooded robe came out the shop in front of me, walked some paces ahead and turn a corner quickly to enter another edifice.

In Drougheda I felt dizzy spells more than once and had to stop and sit. I attribute the uneasiness to the cearbon monoxid or fumes from the cars funnnelled into the narrow downtown street. Once I reached the countryside it was over. A phatographer, Paul, came to take shots for the local paper, The Independant. Ananta and Premarnava,the two monks with me (Tim bused it back to Dublin) went to the magnificent cathedral. They were intrigued by the preserved head of Saint Oliver Plunket who was martyed in 1609 during religious conflict.

On the serene road Rout 108 I met a walker way out in the middle of nowhere. Austin is a young traveller, a walker, who trekked across Europe, a distance of over 2000km. He has been on other ventures as well. When I asked him where the village Naul was he gave the perfect walker answer "An hour and forty-five minutes up the road". It was great having met another walking freak.

The weather was good and scenery spectacular! Rolling hills/mountains in behind. Ocean in the distance. The day led into night when hosts Mathura and Katyayani arranged a gathering of Krishna devotees who came to chant with us . Also thanks to Raghupati and Nalini for getting groceries for us monks.

Today I saw images of vines taking down fences and in other places vegetation bringing a slow decay to a stone wall. " Maya", temptation can also suddenly creep up and gradually bring us down to our knees.

A final perk about today's walk earlier on was meeting a Torontonian in his friend's front lawn. He know exactly where I live. Small world.

40 KM

Thursday, 4 September 2008

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

Wed. Sept. 03.09.08 - Ireland

By the end of a day’s walk the body is both strong and weak; the mind relatively peaceful and appetite normal. There is a tendency at least for myself to eat more when I am indoors. There seems to be nutrients in the outside air that allows you to sustain for a long period.

Speaking of eating, I had succeeded in turning on my traveling companion monks to what I call Canwalk wraps. Tortillas with cream cheese, herbs and fresh veggies are the ingredients.

The routine walk was pleasantly broken with intermittent catnaps and interviews. Two papers from Newry and one from Dundalk sent reps for questions. One fellow Chris was so intrigued which was demonstrated by his queries. Those moments are always stimulating when a keen interest is shown.

The public had been responsive, motorists and pedestrians. The weather was nasty. Strong winds, rain, little sun.

And here is something you may have heard or read before. It’s so appropriate.

The Irish Blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind always be at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Author Unknown

40Km

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008

Tues Sept 2/08 - Ireland

Sheep dot the landscape as do cattle against the green. From the town of Moira Tim and I braved the secondary road. There is little space to walk. Pavement to accommodate two lanes leaves no shoulder. There is a narrow strip of elevated grass and then an eternal hedge. Fortunately much of the hedge is comprised of blackberries, now in season. Those little berries kept me physically fueled throughout the day after Tim left for duties and while I was left armed with an umbrella. The towns of Banbridge and Rathfriland were on today's route culminating with the city of Newry where we were hosted by Rajesh and Sonia Dudeja.

There was plenty of interaction with people, but like Canada the obsession for cars is great. There are few people visible outside. Stingy nettle and thorn branches brush the bare ankles. It is almost unavoidable. The ordeal of walking can be painful at times as you take whatever comes of its own accord. Such is the life of a wandering mendicant.

A photographer from Banbridge came out to greet me and a lively interview was conducted at the studio of 101.4FM IUR radio in Newry.

Our travelling crew discussed the principle of "anger" as a trait in all of us that seems to fall from the sky, as it is put in the ancient text Srimad Bhagavatam. Anger is checked by wisdom and reason. When anger rules it checks wisdom and reason.

47 km

Monday, September 1st, 2008

Mon Sept 1 / 08

It seems to be unavoidable but every walking marathon which I've started is met by rain. Perhaps it's because I begin at a coastal city. Belfast is no exception, and, besides it is in Ireland. My personal consolation to the dark sky, blue and grey, is that here is the colour of God.

Along with the official start at the City Hall were reporters from the Irish News and the Daily Mail. They were determined to capture the bottoms of my feet for the photography. Before any real media came out enthusiasts in cars honked their happy horns.


My support team for the two week stretch is composed of two very sweet monks. Ananta Nitai from the UK and Premarnava from Belfast. Truly I could not have better company as they walk with me or watch out for me from their mini-caravan. Also accompanying us for three days is Tim McEvitt from Dublin assisting in promotion. He is also sweet. With Ananta we walked the streets in the area of former political uprising in the seventies and eighties. We passed by a memorial for the ten IRA members who died on hunger strike. Bobby Sands was a notable figure at the time of Protestant / Catholic conflict. In some respects those men left a strong gesture of inspiration by their determination. In Belfast's suburb, Dunmurry, a smart looking older home is now a converted temple where I spoke about the wonders of walking for upliftment.

Ananta amazed me when on several occasions he entered a shop, said we were travelling monks, and received donations for our needs on this two-week mission of walking from Belfast in Northern Ireland to Cork in the Republic of Ireland.

37 km

Sunday, August 31st, 2008

Sun. Aug. 31/ 08 - Dublin, Ireland

At approximately 5am I was in the middle of my morning reflective walk near the seaside on Fairview when a small white sports car pulled over. Two young fellows emerged from their machine and were curious. "You're Buddhist?" asked one of them.
"No, Hare Krishna!"
"Oh yeah, I've got a book 'Prayers by ..."
I finished what he couldn't "Queen Kunti"
"Yeah!"
We really talked it up for a while covering topics of anarchy, evolution, civilian life versus monastic life, and Christianity. The two guys were highly critical of Catholicism and the Christian churches in general, but I cautioned them gently, "You will find merit in any community and that if we draw from what each group has been able to achieve that is beneficial then we can also learn." I was informed that the divorce rate is lower in Ireland than in many other countries in the world. If so, it must have to do with the Church's emphasis on family, which is not bad. Basically I was trying to discourage cynicism, which is generally not advantageous for human evolution. I offered the two guys my take on evolution. I believe that we are all apes and haven't evolved to the human level so there is no proof to Darwinism. As we were caught in a laugh a fox crossed the road near our location of conversation and we all took it as a good sign.

The daytime with sunshine, finally, welcomed another Chariot Festival near St. Stephen's Green Park, just as the same event was held the day before in Belfast, which I also attended. They were good.

13km

Friday, August 29th, 2008

Fri. Aug. 29/08 - Dublin, Ireland

It was rather late at night after a lengthy dress rehearsal held above Govinda's Vegetarian Restaurant on Abbey Street when a companion, also a monk named Ananta, and I were walking on North Strand when a full beer bottle was hurled at us, it managed to land on a soft surface near our feet. A drunk woman slurred out some incomprehensible words but we appreciated her generosity. I admit I was a bit jolted by the surprise and I wanted to let the woman standing four lanes across that I wasn't really interested in her beverage, being a monk. We decided it was best not to communicate with her. People misunderstand the likes and dislikes of a monk.

Earlier in the day I had been walking in the downtown looking for the Govindas location when at a junction on O'Connell Street I asked an elderly gentleman for directions. I was in my usual robed attire and the man, friendly enough, replied, "You go further on straight ahead. The shopping is good. You'll find Mark & Spencers up ahead, good cafes and pubs galore." I let it be and didn't want to disrespect the man by saying "Those are not my kind of places". I hope someday people will catch a glimpse into a monk's lifestyle. We shall be patient.

11km

Wednesday, August 27th, 2008

Wed. Aug. 27/08 - Cork, Ireland

Today marked the start of a new personal frontier - Ireland. I had dreamed to visit the Emerald Isle for a long time so when student monk, Haridas, who had spent some time here previously, suggested I try walking the country it seemed enticing. After trekking Canada three times Ireland would seem simple enough.

The flight with stop-over at Amsterdam seemed like an all-nighter. I reached Cork Airport in Ireland close to noon and was greeted by Irish Krishna leader, Praghosa. I know him well from visits in India where we chum together for AGM meetings and dramas. Our three hour drive to Dublin was interrupted by a serious bike race coming through the town of Waterford. Praghosa and I decided to walk and loosen our limbs while north Ireland monk Premarnava waited in our pick-up vehicle until the traffic jam was over.

A trucker rolled down his window and shouted out, "Do you monks listen to jokes at all?". "Sure," we responded.
"What do they do with the bikes when the Tour de France is over?"
"I don't know"
With a big chuckle the trucker replied, "Re-cycle them!!"
Ans so I was met with the first taste of Irish joy. I consider it a great blessing to travel the world and to do the Irish leg of a world walk which officially starts Mon Sept 1st

3kms

Wednesday, 3 September 2008

Monday, August 25th, 2008

Mon Aug 25th 2008 - Toronto. Ontario

The following is a written offering which I had composed and had the honour to read out to express my gratitude to our guru, Srila Prabhupada on his birth anniversary called Vyasa Puja.

The flower child's protest -
Out with the establishment!
Out with the church!
On with a mission - a search!

How radical we were,
And you before us,
So daring and bold
To hit New York's cold.


The time was just right -
Ears were open,
Minds mature,
Innocent hearts moving for the peace.

The park was the place -
People beat drums,
Bell-bottoms were swaying
While you were there praying.

The chant was so novel.
How eager we were, yet
Commitments were fragile.
A few stayed the while.

Our nature was such
That these were flames within -
A finer desire,
A fire that goes high, higher.

You convinced us then
To shed our burden.
To follow some code
And reject the overlord.

Some of us changed while
The world's burning persists
Like a powerful horse
Modes are in a great force.

Are we upholding
Those great expectations
You had for us all
In preventing others from further fall?



Have we abandoned courage
For comfort and ease?
And put compassion to the side
While taking an easy side?

We are all gauged
Our success is measured
By how much we have tossed
Illusion 'til she's lost.

Please, your Divine Grace,
Hold this lost child in place.
Mold me as you will.
Where vacant, please fill!

Sunday, August 24th, 2008


Sun Aug 24th 2008 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada

As usual the birth of Krishna is celebrated by many people. It's safe to say 1 billion people on our humble planet observe some kind of honour for this day. Some of us fast for the entire day. The monks of orthodoxy do. The abstinence of food goes until 12.00 midnight when at that stroke Krishna it is said to was born.

Last year I had honoured the event by walking a major trail on Prince Edward Island seemingly alone but for the occasional cyclist or walker. Today it was a shared experience with an intensely human-body heated, free air pressured body packed temple. It is a day when a limited capacity building appears to be transcendental to fire codes. All day long people arrive for darshan, a viewing of the deity of Krishna with the happy congestion happening from 6pm onwards.

I was given the honour to speak about the day's significance with our guru's book 'Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead' set before me. I read some short excerpt from Prabhupada's words, commented on this, and then proceeded to read the preface by George Harrison signed on the 31/3/70 ending with his remarks "All you need is love (Krishna)". George had written beautifully about this most remarkable book.

The program ran smoothly, and play performance as well. At midnight doors opened to beaming deities in flower apparel. Chanting and drumming was intense and the overall cheerfulness of the evening was what people come for in the mood of service. By 2am I decided to walk leaving the building, as faithful sweepers and moppers put their finishing touches to their service. Those unsung heroes surely are being recognised by Lord Krishna Himself.

7km

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008

Sat Aug 23rd 2008 - Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

By the lunar calendar many pundits have calculated the birth of Krishna to fall on this day. A small group of Krishna devotees, including myself, were invited to attend a chariot festival for Balaji, a Vishnu form of the deity. With a South Indian approach to worship, the priests at this large Ganesh temple are accustomed to executing many rituals before the chariot moves, by people power, in a circumambulation around the building. We were asked to lead the chanting while booming drums resounded and two horned nagesvarams penetrated with their sounds. It felt like being in an ancient world with women in orthodox saris and men bare-chested with unstitched cloth wrapped around in a lunghi fashion from waist down.

Most of my time today was spent less in procession and less on my feet, but more on the director's chair. I was just putting the finishing touches to a script "The Eight Boy" a new and artistic rendering of the advent of Krishna. Rehearsals have been few. Volunteer actors, mostly youths trying a crack at acting, found it hard to squeeze in time for the rehearsals. They did their best to formulate with me new scenes. I worked with a bunch of young boys to move to a recorded Krishna rap song "When your world is going crazy!."

The practice was all in preparation for tomorrow's festival of Janmastami held at the Avenue Road Krishna Temple. Rehearsals went until 1.30am which is standard for a new production.

5km