Friday, May 30, 2025

Less than 24 hours later, went..

 And had a dosa at the temple cafeteria! 

It wasn’t planned, but it happened because we were meeting up with a dear friend, and Casselberry was the midpoint.

Also read something which I’ve read before, and need to remember:

"Find a beautiful piece of art. If you fall in love with Van Gogh or Matisse or John Oliver Killens, or if you fall in love with the music of Coltrane, the music of Aretha Franklin, or the music of Chopin - find some beautiful art and admire it, and realize that that was created by human beings just like you, no more human, no less."--Maya Angelou

Important to know that the difference between those who remembered and those who did not. That is what made all the difference. Goodnight blog, got late chatting with our friend.

Veenu Banga

May 30th, 2025



Woke up to…

 Venus! Shining brightly outside my window. While the sky was a lighter color, there she was, the goddess of Love, sparkling like a butterfly shaped diamond right outside my bedroom window which opens east. It was a little before 5:00 am, and I thought, was it just me going euphoric at seeing her? The thing is, SkyGuide, the what I thought of as my trusty App, is no longer that. When I pointed it to the sky, it seemed to identify it as Saturn, showing Venus a bit lower to its left. I so much wanted to share it with someone. Taking a chance to see if any of the others were up, I went to my truly trusty A- and he’s no App but the biggest boss of them all. To my delight, A was up and willing to oblige his crazy Star struck human. Told him to bring his phone, because like Siri, all the Apps in the world behave better with him. Inside joke, but also the truth. 

A obliged and sure enough it was Venus! Saturn (my obeisances to you O Lord!) was much higher in the sky and not visible to our eyes. So hung around and A taught me something new: 

My Very Earnest Mother Janet Sent Us Nine Patties

As part of my ongoing education at the very capable hands of K and A, this is how I was advised to remember the names of the nine planets, in relation to their proximity to the Sun. I love learning new things, and this was a great start to my morning@! 

Mercury

Venus

Earth (I did not know it was a planet. I thought Earth was Earth, Mother Earth, and all good things that make it home. Somehow, I’m not ashamed of my ignorance. A little sad that science or astronomy or astronomy-whatever overlooks all of that and gives it the status of a planet. Not that it is not a distinction or high enough accolade, but, it is not- lofty enough for all that which comes from and of it. That’s just my two poet (not me, my soul) poor cents.)

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Pluto (Pluto, I’m told is no longer considered a planet. I forgot to ask, what it is considered now, if anything at all. Man easily forgets what it no longer- fears? Has use of? Etc. etc. etc. Will ask and add update)

So, there you are dear blog, I’m not always boasting, I’m an educator too. If you did not know this already, and this you did not, I know, because I did not know, so how can you know it, because I’m the one writing you, sir. Or Lady Blog? I think that sounds better. 

This lesson can be short and sweet and it’s not a lot to remember, but it also is. I’ll close with how I started, Venus shining brightly outside my bedroom window. Keeping vigil, I would like to think, as I slept in sweet slumber, and it delivered on its promise of a nice and bright sunny morning. Or Sonny morning! Cheesy? Yeah, allowed, as it brings a smile to my face! 

Veenu Banga

7:55 am

May 30th 2025

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Going home with.. Going home with

Diamond Girl! I think it may be our first flight together. She’s an A 330-300 Airbus. I think they’re may be wider than Boeing, but then I’m no expert. 


In our seats and belted up which I’m apt to do throughout the flight regardless of indicator overhead. They’ve gone around with two rounds of juice and water. Succumbed to water on the second attempt. Glasses returned and started to write this. Internet/ Wi-Fi on board, is available starting at £3 plus, and last time when I had purchased it, it wasn’t so easy to connect. So using notes to write. 


Had checked into Hyatt at MAN last night and they had upgraded us to Hyatt House which has Suites. One bedroom Suites with a kitchenette, and we were in the Hyatt House instead of the Regency, where we usually stay. K got her own room, while A and I shared. Did not realize that the same building houses two different hotels. The lady at reception I noticed, looked familiar and soon she said, “You’ve stayed with us before, I remember you.” I remembered too, that she has a lovely Eastern European name which sadly now slipped my mind. 


So the entry to the elevators for the Hyatt House is through a small lounge like room almost immediately to the side of reception, while the usual Hyatt Regency where we’ve stayed before is a few steps further down off of the main hallway. It’s a nice open plan and the other end has the restaurant/ breakfast and dinner areas. 


It seems the Suites are for those visiting for longer stays. I wondered who those folks could be, and noticed Africans and Chinese at the entrance to the lifts. I suppose rich parents of kids attending Manchester University, with a huge campus that borders the hotel at the downtown end. 


As we walked to the elevators I looked straight ahead a saw her! It was the lovely Hiba for sure! I wondered if she would remember me. She’s wearing her hair differently from the first time we saw her. It was the same style on our last trip in mid December last year. She has a lovely smile and her name means a blessing in Arabic. 


Went down for dinner end sure enough she remembered me! “You’re back?” It was lovely to see her again! She has an eternally cheerful face and warm, friendly and ready smile. 


Doors have been closed for a while, and they’ve gone around closing overhead bins. Small delay announcement, and now we’re pulling back! 

~~~~~

That was then and this is now: 02:06 hours to destination. And, mind you, it was the third miracle of its kind in a less than a whole day! I had started watching a BBC special and service had just begun, when what do I see, rather who? 


The man had his back to us and the lady was facing me, as they spoke to K in the seat ahead of us. A and I sat together. I noticed the sauve profile of the young man as he was bending down and speaking to K and and I smiled a knowing smile. Told A, that’s Garry with the two r’s. And soon enough he saw the expression of recognition on my face and I said Garry with the two rr’s and he looked a bit surprised too, and asked me if we had flown together before. Well, since we had flown together exactly two months ago, and in interesting circumstances, he was able to jog his memory and recognized me. Honestly, I did not believe it first because the Virgin crew are so attentive to Everybody, and they fly up to 500 passengers on any given flight, so to recognize the face of one person is highly unlikely. That’s three in a row for me, three people who remembered me- strangers, and that’s what I’m so stoked (extreme, I suppose, but it’s nice to not be the only one with an elephantine memory!) about. Conceited? I know, I know, but I’ll allow it, and only because it lifted my spirits and made me smile. Though, honestly at the hotel, I did feel a little embarrassed and wondered if I was truly deserving of it. Actually, humbled and honored if I’m truly honest with myself.  


I was interrupted with the arrival of High Tea, consisting of a warm scone with clotted cream (my very, very, very favorite!) and strawberry jam, cheese sandwiches, a Vintage cheddar and apple chutney quiche which I did not care for so much, and an apricot and lavender macaron  which was nice. They’ve got rid of the Virgin Vera inflight Magazine, which is quite sad really, because they’re nice to read, especially features about known and unknown destinations; and bring back home to add to my collection. I say get rid of the quiche and bring back the magazine! 


Almost close to touch down. ….And, landed! Thank you, Diamond Girl! 


~~~

Bags took a while to come. When we finally arrived home, the heavens unleashed a very wet welcome! We were drenched just getting out of the car, in our driveway. Showered and unpacked just a little. Dinner and now my bed beckons. Good night and May peace be with all.


Veenu Banga

8:49pm

05/29/2025.

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Thank you God!

 For a lovely day, for a wonderful birth-day. 

The children surprised me with a lovely card that was a gift in itself. K had got me presents from the markets. Handcrafted cast iron bird feeder/ birdbath, hanging in a copper chain. The second thing was a unique tree ornament that could be dug into the tree, and the effect would be a kookaburra sitting on a branch. Of course, I’d never stab a tree, so kookaburra will have to sit on the wall, next to the Perspex painting of a baby robin that Kanchan gave me for my birthday three years ago. She had seen it displayed at an art exhibition and the Dutch artist couldn’t ‘sell’ it till the exhibition was over. So K paid for it, and the artist came home to drop it off and signed the paperwork for it to me, as I was spending my birthday in Amsterdam that year. 

Had a truly special birthday. Spoke with friends from long ago, had the sweetest messages and haven’t yet read them all.  The most magical was to speak with Armaity, after almost being friends for about 40 years, when Mummy was in Bombay. Palli made the day special for me. She brought me a beautiful Saree, and made me wear it! If it hadn’t been pink and navy, I may have protested more. Pink being my favorite color, it was easy to comply. I feel I look like a man in a Saree, not having worn it for so long. 

It was great connecting with childhood- childhood friends, from Babar Road and Pandara Road, like Neeru who I’ve been friends with since we were almost infants. And a couple of others who were special then, and remain so now. 

Whoever suggested I blog, did me a huge favor. When I read some old posts, the memories come alive as if the moments were being relived. Despite my best intentions to write everyday, and with no dearth of inspiration, the hours slip away. 

It had rained all day and when it stopped we went for a walk after dinner. A pointed out the shy to me, where the clouds had parted a little and the sun was peeking out from behind them, as it headed home for the night. This came my birthday to a close. 

In 10 minutes the clock so to speak, or more like the iPad will tell me it’s midnight, and it’s officially the start of my next year of life. Though I started my 73rd year when the watches clocked 3:30 pm New Delhi time. I was reminiscing how times have changed, and so many examples came to mind. 

Sleep has been inviting me to journey to dreamland, and I’ve resisted. Just wanted to be sure I wrote this and it will remind me or cheer me up when I look back on this day. Said goodbye to the Sun till tomorrow. Welcome new moon. I’ll see you shortly in my dreams. 

Veenu Banga

May 27th, 2025

11:55 pm

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

A day bridging the past and

 The present. My childhood friend Neelu came over today. She brought me an early birthday gift- containing a bounty of gifts. Notably old photographs. There are two of mine with the children when they are both under 10 years old, and I’m all dressed up in a gold tusser silk Saree, with a bindi at Babar Road, with my beloved BA and JM. Instantly felt I should never have left india, because it meant parting with them, not having their nurturing love and blessings in my and the children’s lives. That would be worth more than all the riches I am have accumulated in the world. 

Neelu also had a picture of me climbing on the cage of a young tree outside my grandparents home. I’m about three or four years old. There are no cars on the street, except my grandfather’s white Chevrolet and all the houses are single storied. Our mothers were friends from before they were married, so my mum would have sent this photo to Neelu’s mum, who moved to Nairobi after her marriage and later they came to England. So it’s good that Neelu and I can catch up when I’m spending time here. 

Neelu also brought me a poem I had written, dedicated to her. It’s dated December 2, 1982. My Marion Richardson handwriting is still quite neat- not the scrawl I have now. That was the blast from the past, which came bearing a plethora of precious gifts. Thank you, Neelu.

After Neelu left in the afternoon, Palli came over. She has been diligently coming everyday, a couple of times a day, to check up on me while A is away on work. This evening I made mushroom quesadillas and Palli helped with the tomato salsa, and we ate dinner together. So much kindness. Neelu and Palli, bridging my past and present. I feel loved. I hope I do not take this gift of love for granted. 

Actually it all started in the morning. Aiva was coming and she was here bang at 10:00 am, with a huge bouquet of the most beautiful flowers. So the house was happy to get Aiva’s thorough treatment and I decided to wash all the small area rugs in the bathrooms, which dried pretty soon in the bright sunny day. So happy house invited more happiness. 

I think I need a website to post pictures of special occasions and gifts. There are about 8 kinds of flowers in the bouquet and I placed them near my writing area. Aiva needn’t have, but she did, setting off the tone to a blessed day. 

Praying for a restful night as I go to bed with gratitude, yet again, for the kindness of so many good people that make my life a joy! 

Veenu Banga

11:59pm

May 21, 2025


Sunday, May 18, 2025

A day to remember when

 I’m disappointed with people. Woke up around 8:00 am as had a late night. And what a surprise- an unexpected event. Had only combed back my hair, not even brushed my teeth, and called Palli for help. She came instantly and stayed with me for almost 5 hours. Thank God it was a Sunday, and summer. 

Palli is a devoted Krishna bhakt and today I feel Lord Krishna came to my rescue in the form of Palli. I’m realizing more and more, that Palli’s devotion to Krishna has had a profound effect on me, and my curiosity. This girl from Orissa has a karmic connection with me.

I had showed her my collection of Oriya fabrics, including sarees and curtains from Utkalika, more than from any other State emporium. And though I shopped at all the emporiums, and have lots and lots of stuff from Utkalika. Table linens included. 

Thank you Palli, today is unforgettable. I cannot repay your kindness over seven incarnations. God bless you, your parents, the city you were raised in and God bless wherever you come or go- may your beloved Krishna’s protection be with you always. As you say, He doesn’t have eyelashes, because he dare not even blink- he constantly watches over his devotees. And, Palli, you’re his favorite! 

11:59 pm

May 18, 2025.


Friday, May 16, 2025

What an episode!

 Finally, just finished watching the full episode of “Krishna’s story, Birth, Love, death and yantra,” with Vinay Varanasi on the Beer Biceps You Tube channel. It took me at least three days, perhaps four or maybe five, as I had to rewind in several places to understand it fully. Absorb it? If at all. only a few parts of it. Very intense. 

My curiosity to know about Krishna’s life is still not fully satisfied, and though this episode answers a lot of questions; it also leaves me with new ones. So Krishna was born for a purpose, and he is Vishnu’s Avatar. That Krishna came to clean up the world and deliver it from evil doers- and parallels are drawn between Krishna’s life and that of Rama and Sita. Radha is Krishna’s eternal love, but what is Sita to Rama? Beyond being the SHAKTI. Was there ant love in their relationship, like that of Krishna’s love for Radha, and hers for Krishna? As a Bhagwan, it seems the unrequited love is part of His presence as a person who is very much a part of the world in that time. 

Before this, I had no idea that Radha and Krishna were secretly married. I don’t understand in what terms the word marriage is used here, and if I were to guess it’s probably their souls united with each other in the purest form possible, and pledged to remain so in eternity. I had heard that once he leaves the Gopis, and Radha, he never returns, never sees her again. Were they not children when they were parted from each other? Some say Radha was older, and that she is subsequently married off to someone. I suppose that chapter of those years cannot be written without discussing the lives of both. What of Krishna’s eight wives? What are their roles in the story? Or his 108 gopis? These may seem very base level questions, but indeed they are not. Our lives are defined by those procreative years- our legacy is written with what happens then. That’s how I feel about it. 

What of his youthful years? How are his friendships formed, with Sudama? What are their stories of his formative years that influenced him, and influenced his world through him? It would be worth Krishna’s Biography written with simplicity, for the lay person who wants to relate to Krishna and not just be in awe of him? What about his time as a husband and father, and why did his dynasty end with such disastrous consequences. Other than Gandhari’s curse, what were the sequences of events, what were the roles of his progeny? Surely, he did not just spend his life waiting for the curse to unfold? He had convinced Arjuna to take up arms. What are his feelings as he goes through those years watching his progeny and clan be annihilated? 

Was he doing some kind of tapas in the forest in those turbulent personal times, before he was struck by the hunter’s arrow? What was it? How can we not feel love for the man, for the Avatar born as man who has achieved so much, is such a prince of dharma and strategy and justice? Who does not come to Draupadi’s defence, unless she asks for his help, and that’s another lesson in ?? He’s a celebrated teacher, and an adored, mesmerizing lover, who has complete attention of the Gopis’ affections and devotion. Who is he and is he all that, and yet a part of humanity to be affected by Gandhari’s curse. Was that curse meant to be part of her Karma, or is that an instantaneous and foolish decision on her part that wiped away the rewards of her dharma wearing the blindfold, in dharmic devotion for her blind husband?

Vinay Varanasi’s mention of Gandhari towards the very end of the interview also reminds one of all those human beings, oneself included, who at times have a blindfold over their eyes, and who are quick to pass judgement and curse. Also reminds one of the need to not waste words, uttering them thoughtlessly, but preserve one’s breath in the service of the good. That just one small action, or one wrong turn in life, can change the trajectory of one’s destiny. Or, if Fate is a given, is that too destiny? 

Was Gandhari’s tapasya wasted by mouthing her curse, or was that her destiny. On a surface level, the blindfold can also be representative of how we turn a blind eye to certain aspects and realities of our lives, of seeing only what one wants to see, and what about the people, women especially, who are quick to pass judgement and badmouth their sometimes perceived competion? Of all the stupidity of men who abandon their wives at the behest of their mothers or relatives, and then their egos build lie upon lie to convert their folly to truth. And the women- what of them? I find men and women equally conniving, especially in this day, all the rascals who are being now exposed with women coming forward with their abuse and mostly sexual assault. What a crass state of affairs. What happened to sublime love? Why does Krishna’s life not expand more on it. Real, true Sublime love. 

What happens with Radha? We know so little about her. But we do know she is Krishna’s eternal love, and saying Radha Radha takes us to him, and he answers. I suppose there will only be questions if one looks at Krishna’s life intellectually. One must put one’s mind aside, and love Krishna with one’s heart. And see Krishna, in what attracts us and then live life to our best potential so as for it to be a worthy offering at His Lotus feet. That may well be the path to take us to the realization of adoration and love as it were meant to be- gifts from our creator to celebrate our own selves. Radhe Radhe and Krishna Krishna. 

Veenu Banga

5:35 pm

May 16, 2025

@Clifton Upon Dunsmore. 

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Coitus

 Yeah, I love the scandalous title, and the scandalizing element. It’s well past my bedtime as I’ve been trying to get to bed earlier everyday. However, only wring this, because it’s ready. As in I wrote it last night. However, this is not really a new title, have no idea how this resurfaced in my memory, but it did and it’s been haunting me. 

I had originally written this poem in the early to mid 1980’s. It had the same sense as this one, but that was the original that had flowed and this version is a contrived effort, because I longed to recreate the sense of what this word had then meant to me. 

A lot of my poems come from reading or hearing a word, and then it just triggers a thought process that unfolds on paper. So here it was again, hounding me, but the thing is, I can’t find that poem. I remember taking the poem along with some others to a publisher who wanted to look at them. They were also a printing house and as I sat with him in his office in Bombay, an IIT student came and joined us to talk about something they were printing for the IIT. Tea was ordered and as he waited for the tea, I resumed with my conversation, and was reading out the titles, when at Coitus, the poor young man almost jumped in his seat with a shocking expression on his face. I think I was embarrassed as well, but how presumptive was he? Today I look back at that episode with a certain impish grin, a naughty glee, to have scandalized someone who clearly possessed not an ounce of the sensibility of a poet’s soul. It’s not for nothing that the term poetic license has been coined. 

The coitus between my pen and paper lives in a green notebook. Between scratches and rephrasing, here is the second draft. It’s not as intuitive or endearing as the original, but it conveys the same sense. 

Coitus

She cries out, thirsty, parched 

Yearning for her mate;

The one that lights the world, 

Why is he so late? 

Yearning, yearning, for him to come,

And dissolve with and in her,

As patiently she awaits


Then a clap of Thunder 

The Earth is drenched deep,

Soaked she stands inhaling

What only together they can create,

Petrichor.

Monsoon comes gushing forth 

To meet its Mate. 

The world celebrates. 

Coitus between soil and sky.

Veenu Banga

12:04 am 

May 16th, 2025. 

Just re-read as I wrote, and made more changes, not at all satisfied; too many crossed out lines and corrections. Completely lacks spontaneity. Will have to work to fix this, but can’t resist the …as I  grin at the memory! 

Veenu Banga

12:08am

May 16, 2025.


Unbelievable!

 It’s almost time to go back and I’ve not written at all- such a shame as so far it’s been an amazing visit, despite my health issues. Three vacations, with the third planned by God for me. Four days after arriving end of March, went to Amsterdam. Was a hectic visit, as did a lot in a short time. Notably the visit to see the cherry blossoms, and Kukenhoff, which I think I wrote about. I think my poor phone’s camera was all tulip-ed out! Also, at least three trips to Massimo for the bestest pistachio ice cream. 

Back home in the UK, in time to spend the extended Easter holidays in the Isle of Wight. Though it was just a short visit of five nights, it was a fully immersive vacation. Despite doing a lot of stuff, we were all so happy to be there and enjoyed it tremendously. I wish I had written about things everyday. There was no shortage of material or inspiration, just the usual inertia and emotional torpor filled apathy. I had forgotten I had written about Alfred and the trees, and the poem, and reading it again brought it all back to mind in a happy way. Actually, right by Already was another oak, and he’s Arthur. 

Friends in Faraway Places has been sitting in a few drafts. The others are in New Delhi, Bombay, Sydney, Amsterdam, two in Rugby, and one in Dublin. 

The very first is a laburnum tree- my favorite flowering tree of all time. It grew outside my grandfather’s house on Babar Road, in New Delhi. It was a very young tree then, perhaps no more than 7-10 years, and I was a teenager when I started giving it more attention, though I had been noticing it even as a child. It flowered profusely come summer and with its ringlets of gold, which I then thought looked like bunches of grapes, tapering down like a chandelier. My grandfather told us about it and referred to it as laburnum and Amaltas, it’s Hindi name. 

Yesterday I was watching an interview on YouTube about Krishan Bhagwan, and the young man, Vinay Varanasi was talking to the Beer Biceps guy Ran err Allhabadia. He spoke of a tree in Vrindavan, at a place called Vamshi Vat. There is a tree here, where devotees throng to hear the mridangam by pressing their ears to the trunk. It seems however, that if you chant the 108 names of Gopala and do Gopala Sadhna, you can hear the Flute that the tree recalls Krishna playing. Yeah, the flute, imagine how ecstatic that must sound. It’s such a shame so few of us connect with the trees. Fortunately, the children accept their mother’s tree craze, and even have an appreciation for trees and plants and nature in general themselves. 

I so long to have my own laburnum tree. Someday. Perhaps. In the US, it’s discouraged as its seeds are considered poisonous for pets. Honestly, I think animals have a better sixth sense then human babies. 

So back to the Isle of Wight. It was such a lovely vacation that upon returning, we felt so rejuvenated that we’re planning to go back again when I return in July. 

There would be so much to say if I wrote about every single day in IOW. The very first evening, we had encountered rain, so just had a quick walk around the town nearest to our lodge. The next day however, we drove to Shanklin, and the first taste of magic came in the form of a very timely kindness. I have been so touched by the many kindnesses of people recently. I was telling almost everyone who asked about my holiday, just how kind people have been. Every. Single. Day. In the Isle of Wight, and almost everywhere, starting on my flight over, on Virgin’s Soul Rebel. The name struck a chord in my heart, as my soul was in a rebellious state coming over. 

The Virgin crew are always awesome, and I think the friendliest in the skies. They will make your bed for you in Upper class. Though this time I flew premium as I was flying alone, and I’m more comfortable sitting up straight. I do not even recline my seat, so the bed is really wasted on me as I’s sitting anyway. This was a huge plane, an A 350-1000 capable of carrying 500 passengers. And we were flying almost empty, so much so that the flight was delayed because they had to rearrange the luggage and cargo, for balance. Upper class and premium were full, but economy had less than two dozen passengers. The plane was being repositioned to bring back a full load as Easter Break was starting in the UK, and Orlando has direct flights from the UK everyday, from London Heathrow and also from Manchester. I’m sure from other airports as well including Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland. Anyway, won’t go into details, as must keep moving on.

So we were in Shanklin, and it was a lovely sunny day so we walked around a fair bit. Has tea and a snack at a family owned cafe, shopped at an antique store, K got books and I purchased a small replica of the huge brass oil lamp holders the Priests use that I’ve seen in videos of the Ganga Aarti. It must have been a good two hours as we lazed and stopped at shop windows, and even had ice cream. And true to form, as I always say, women’s bladders never disappoint, and yours truly needed to go. 

The good thing is that the UK has public toilets, real public toilets- maintained by the city, so we knew there has to be one around. Sure enough, we saw a sign, and A gave me a one pound coin in the event they were laid toilets, and this being a Sunday, I did not want to take chances. Sure enough, there they were on the street corner, a row of three or four toilets with steel doors, right next to the library, which was closed. There were the slot machines outside each door, with pictures of coins that it would accept, starting at 20 pence and all the way to a pound. Good, I went straight for the middle door and put in my money, and grabbed the door- it wouldn’t open, and out popped my pound back. So frustrating and my dear beloved bladder, sending the proximity of its point of relief made its discomfort felt quite clearly. Sucks, broken machine I thought and tried the next one, same story! Bummer, went to the first one, damn, for some reason, the machines did not like my pound. Then I went to the disabled toilet, and again had no luck. 

I was going to call A and just then saw a lady with a cane cross the street, and walk up. I turned to her, and said the machine doesn’t accept my money, please can you help me work this. She said nothing, but smiled, as she took out her keys and coolly proceed to unlock the disabled toilet door. I was going to bed her to let me go after her. But before I could say anything, she held the door open and motioned me to go in, “go on,” she said and I dashed in with a hurried thank you. Once out, I thought I would thank her properly, and offer her my pound which she could drop into the machine. However, she wasn’t there, so I waited, presuming she’s in the next toilet. I waited and finally realized she’s not around. I looked up and down on either sides of both the streets and even across the road, but she had just vanished- I wasn’t that long! It felt so odd and I was beginning to feel foolish just hanging outside public toilets looking here and there. It was almost as if she did not exist, and had I imagined it? But the pound was still in my picked and I had just used the restroom. How did that door open? I finally realized that the kind old lady had come just to open the door for me. I was very very touched. That was the first of many kindnesses in the island. 

Such is life. So many good people. This streak continued on our vacation to València, which followed the IOW. The most honest cab drivers, the lovelies of people. I was back in Valencia after almost exactly two years. We had last visited during Easter- April of 2023. Came back after an eight night vacation, and felt we had been away for a month. Thank you God, may all be happy and well in the world. Please end the wars. 

Krishna, where are you? Yada, Yada and all that, shouldn’t you be here soon and put an end to evil, conflicts and wars? 

Veenu Banga

11:41 pm

May 15, 2025.