not all who wander are lost

not all who wander are lost

Friday, March 17, 2006

stop and smell the jasmine

today was a grey day.
hot heavy humid air, no breeze.
i walked home for lunch, 20 minutes.
my hair in a braid to the back but the whispy strands around my face and neck clung wet as did my clothes. took the main road, crammed with tuk-tuks, old minivans, colorful chromey buses billowing black fumes making face level clouds going straight in through my nose.
i passed the giant snow white buddha with heavy lids and a smile. he looks pure and high and happy. in front of him the offerings of the morning, flower blossoms in small bowls, now wilted and stuck like old lettuce. a mangey dog scratching himself, an elegant sari-clad woman passing by...
i came to the street with the hindu-temple and mosque. lots of men going for friday prayer. on the corner is a shop with hanging strings of garland made of fresh flower blossoms. normally i walk quickly past but wish secretly to stop and stare invisibly for a time, to take it all in. today i stopped at the flower blossoms. i put my nose up to the hanging garlands and enjoyed an in-breath not of traffic but of jasmine blossoms. how much for one string? i asked the man. 15 rupees madame. (that's 15 cents...) yes, i take one string please. he cut me a string, dipped it in water and placed the wad of heaven in a small plastic bag. 15 cents....i walked home, smiling. for the delicious scent, for my growing courage to stop and smell the jasmine in this crowded and sometimes intimidating place.

No comments: