A weighty issue

Going through the recent holiday pictures for the nth
time, I came across one of myself standing on the bridge
on Ward's Lake in Shillong. There I look as pleased as
Punch on a bright and sunny day. But why do I have second
thoughts about posting it? You guessed right, it's the
Weight! In the past ten years I've gained some and shed
some but 'gained some' has remained steadier. The thought
about losing weight stays somewhere in the back of my
mind and the actual attempt at exercising is yet to take
off. Anyway, I thought my ailment must've got rid of a
kilo at least. Since my boys were home and glued to their
game as if their life depended on it, I asked their opinion.
Quipped the elder one, 'No appetite for just a few days isn't
going to make any difference. A month, yes, that'll bring some
change!'
Why did I have to ask?

More gushing power for the cascades, after the rain!

Pines and a desolate wind-swept landscape

Wildflowers

If all flowers wanted to be roses,
Nature would lose her springtime beauty,
And the fields would no longer be
Decked out with wild flowers.

                                                      --Saint Therese of Lisieux

Moss-covered stone on the way

Misty mountain high

Rain, rain

At night the rain came, and how! My  sleep-heavy brain told me
this was not the one we were accustomed to. By the sounds, I felt
every raindrop was way bigger than their cousins from the plains!
I suppose when you go to a place, which for years was known as
the rainiest place on the planet ( Mawsynram took over much
later), and if there's not a drop from the skies, that would be a
disappointment. It wasn't just rain. There were hailstones too!
From the noise I figured they were the size of cannon balls. Well,
maybe almost!
The next morning, the valley was bathed in mist. I could just
make out the outline of a tree shorn of leaves and a few more
trees near it. But within minutes the mist cleared a little and I
clicked the second picture. The skies still threatened to open up
any moment and when we hit the road after breakfast, it was
pelting with rain!

The village of Laitkynsew

Flowers blooming at the Resort

And now the photos!

Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort, Laitkynsew

We went to the Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort in the village
of Laitkynsew in Meghalaya. Thinking that it would be just
another resort near Cherrapunjee, we trundled along the
narrow road crossing spectacular landscapes. 18 kms
  beyond Cherrapunjee, we reached the Resort on top
of a hill. The setting was, to say the least, breath-taking!
On one side was the beautiful valley and on the other,
 the vast plains of Bangladesh.

Mr. Denis Reyan and his wife, Carmela, started this venture with the aim
of developing the area and to provide employment to people from the
village. All the employees are from nearby villages and for a nominal 
amount, musicians from the area come to play for the guests. We had 
a group playing for us and I must say their enthusiasm and sense of
rhythm and their smiles made our evening worthwhile.

The Resort also organises treks, canyoning and caving expeditions. Going
through the pictures in their several photo albums was a real treat. Domes-
tic as well as international tourists keep coming. The place is also mentioned
in Lonely Planet and Rough Guide. Another unique feature of the vicinity
is that the living root bridges of Meghalaya are found here. To learn more 
you can visit their website-www.cherrapunjee.com. 

Bobby Cash

Bobby Cash, the one and only Indian country music star, sang for us Guwahatians, at the Sankardev Kalakshetra, last evening. Dressed in his trademark cowboy gear and with just a guitar, he was amazing. Not only did he sing tracks from his albums, but he also belted out the popular numbers like Country Roads, Annie's Song, Rhinestone Cowboy and many more. He even obliged us with a request from a member of the audience by singing Angelo--the lyrics he wasn't very sure about. I must say he did it very well. I especially liked his rendition of the Kenny Rogers' hit
Coward of the County. Hats off to you Bobby, you said God has given you a gift which must be shared, may you keep sharing your wonderful voice/music with billions!

The Joy of Writing

Why does this written doe bound through these written woods?/
For a drink of water from a spring/whose surface will xerox her
soft muzzle?/Why does she lift her head:does she hear something?/
Perched on four slim legs borrowed from the truth/ she pricks up
her ears beneath my fingertips./ Silence-- this word also rustles
across the page/ and parts the boughs/ that have sprouted from
the word "woods".

By Wislawa Zymborska