Sunday, 5 February 2012

Bye Bye Miss American Pie

Nearly 5 months since I arrived to the Home for the Aged and already have to pack! I feel I’ve been in Coonoor all my life and I can hardly imagine another type of life. Although l’ll probably enjoy my un-convent liberation faster than what I feel (by the way: does the word “conventional” have something to do with a “convent”??!)

If look back at these past months, it’s not always been easy. The hardest part was to hold on day after day, to carry on looking after the elderly in a lovingly way, to have faith and trust in God even in front of physical and mental pain. Wake up at 5 am, go and make the beds/help the granpapas get dressed, and maintain the smile on.

Now I see I’ve accumulated an immense treasure! When an autistic gives you a smile, when Parkinson steps aside for a while, when a poor gives you a sweet: its inestimable wealth!! And I got so rich I want to share it with all and sundry!!

The concluding word of my Indian life is: BLESSING! 




Banana Republic

Mr. President



Lights on

DIY flash: bedside lamp fixed to a tape camera, plug hanging like a ribbon, amazing!!     



Blue gold

Running/clean water is still not available to all!  









Mess around

Muddle jumble tangle… and somehow it works! I love how everything is mismatched but some highest instinctive law holds everything together. No order, no straight lines, nothing systematic!! 









Hindi brownies!!!

They came to visit the old people and receive blessings for their exams. I love them!!!!

One of them cried at the sight of some of the residents. The others girls came running to hug her “don’t cry in front of them, please!!!” So sweet Ma!

“No need to cry! This is a nice place to spend the last years in: nice friends, regular doctor, spiritual facilities, comfy bed, good food…  When we are young we enjoy our strong health, so we can help others. Then little-little we grow elder and the others help us. When we die, we pray for the ones who have helped us, and wait for them!”

Simple, clear, and so kind!!!










Saturday, 4 February 2012

La cucaracha! La cucaracha! Ya no puede caminar

They are all over the place!!

Dislike. Intensely.

I know I shouldn’t execute defenseless little beings... Whatever. I close my eyes and imagine I’m on KILL BILL!!!