August Affections: Monthly Missives from The Dream Pedlar
It's hard to believe it's still summer in these parts because it's been raining like monsoon and has become cool as autumn this week. It's 5 A.M. and 11 degree Celsius on a day in mid-August in Burlington, Ontario, as I write this.
We've only just returned from being away in the UK and India, a journey that entailed eight flights and visits to four cities in a span of five weeks.
I'm yet to process the trip; even though I was acutely present for every moment of it, soaking up and savouring all the sights and sounds, all the love and all the food, it feels like a grand dream that has somehow slipped away.
And now, sitting at my desk in my office room in this all-too-familiar house in Burlington, I'm left wondering if this trip really happened or if it was all simply one long hallucination.
I had thought that going back to India after 11 years would be somewhat of a culture shock for me. On the contrary, coming back to the suburbs of Ontario has jarred my being in unexpected ways.
It's not even been five days, and the sudden lack of community and organic connection make me want to hightail it back home.
Unable to do that, I've been spending time on reddit asking questions like "Why is it so hard to find connection in the western world?"
I found a lovely answer that resonated with me and I share an excerpt of that below:
Socializing in the West has also been synonymous with "performing" as well - we feel like we need to be entertaining or worth the fun in order to socialize.
Socializing is an EVENT. It's not just a part of life. Every time we socialize, we need to have "news" to share, otherwise....why bother?
We have to have interesting conversations in order to be bothered to be around people. We have forgotten that most of life is mundane and we don't want to share that mundane part of us all the time.
~ From a comment on a Reddit thread by username vanBeethovenLudwig
I had completely forgotten about how easy and natural it was to reach out to and connect with people in India, and how contrived it has always felt here. I definitely miss my family and friends back home, and that longing will haunt me for a long time.
But instead of letting this missive turn into a grieving of sorts, I'll share with you images of some unexpected finds from that beautiful country.
The first thing I noticed was how beautiful the airports are. So tastefully decorated to showcase local culture and craftsmanship.
These stone sculptures are breathtaking works of art.
Temples, one found in almost every street corner down south, are abodes of calmness and serenity.
Our Gods love colour and are wildly imaginative!
Architectural aesthetics can be found in the zoo as well. The shark-shaped structure houses an aquarium.
Even the neighbourhood Pizza Hut has a flair for pleasing interior decor.
India still loves Michael Jackson! He takes centerstage at the entrance to a cinema hall in a mall.
Oh, the tales my brother used to spin to me about MJ back when I was a trusting child! Perhaps I should share those in next month's missive!
Colourful bangles of all shapes and sizes at a shop window to lure customers in.
And lastly, the quintessential beach. My mom and D having a ball in the waters of the Bay of Bengal!
Tales for Dreamers
transience, and you
This is a poem I wrote many years ago. I had an unexpectedly complicated pregnancy with D, so my parents came to stay with us in Australia to help out. They left when D was around 3 months old.
By then, they had spent a good six months with us, and when they left it was as though someone had drilled a giant hole in my heart and left it endlessly bleeding. That's when I wrote these lines.
And even though this time I'm the one who left, the feelings of grief and longing remain the same.
Books You May Love
I've read nothing in these past several weeks. I didn't need to escape into a fictional world; real life itself has been vastly entertaining and enjoyable. Why would I disappear into the pages of a book when I had so many near and dear ones to share stories and have heartfelt conversations with?
I did go to the local library almost as soon as we returned and got myself a bunch of books, but I seem to have no inclination to read them.
But one book I'm looking forward to is The Hallmarked Man, the 8th book in the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling). Too bad its release date remains unknown!
So, what have you been reading this summer? Do you have any recommendations that will pull me out of my stupor of homesickness?
Time to bid adieu, dear Dreamer!
But, before I forget, I must mention that my title, The Land of No Reflection, is part of an indie book sale this weekend and can be found for 99c across all retailers.
Take a look at the Narratess Indie Sale! It's an annual event that takes place in August. This year, it's running only for the August 24—26 weekend. Which means tomorrow's the last day! There are more than 370 books to peruse, many for free, many highly discounted. Go, take a look!
Hopefully by this time next month, the routine of school and work and life would prevail over the feelings of homesickness and nostalgia and restore some semblance of sanity in my life.
In the meantime, write to me about your summer. How have these past couple of months been? I hope there's been plenty of sunshine and laughter and joy in your lives.
Looking ahead to what the next month brings!
~ Anitha