I use these time honoured Muslim and Christian greetings by way of introduction to today's blog to reflect the two experiences I had this morning, one after the other, while walking in Subash Park at the end of Hospital Road.
I've been remiss in the last couple of days getting to the blog, being in the midst of a veritable hive of activity as we got haircuts, portrait photos (this is the new photo here - Raju was heard to exclaim "Now, you look like a Dean!"), visited the printer and developed new letterhead and business card designs, based on the new logo, and continued to wrtie copious and lengthy emails to manage across the 16 time zones that I currently have to accommodate in my different activities. Rather than dwell on the last couple of days, though, I want to share this morning's discussions, where my two new acquaintances and I waxed philosophical.
The first half of my walk around the park was punctuated by meeting up with a group of "older gentlemen" who were very much in the "enthusiastic greeter" group that I described the other day. After shaking of hands and "welcomes" and "mornings" and "where are you froms", I set off in company of one of the group who was keen to share his views and seek mine on a range of issues. Having established that I am in the "deaning" business and he in the optometry business (along with businesses in building maintenance and, locally, a series of land holdings), my companion asked about family, whence I explained that Kerry, Fi and Luke are staying in Sydney for the time being. He then detailed the wife and family he has in Dubai (where he has the one of the optometry outlets) and the "Kerala wife" he has here in Kochi. When he identified himself as Muslim, I proffered "salaam aleikum", to which he returned "aleikum salaam"
He went on to extoll the virtues of having a good woman with whom one can share the joys and the sorrows ("swing your arms, sir; it will get the heart pumping and the blood flowing better"), instead of womanising and whoring (he stopped before he mentioned the demon drink, whew!). He then asked what I thought of Kerala and I was more than happy to tell him how wonderfully warm and welcoming have been all the folk I have met here in "God's own country". My response was quickly followed by an inquiry as to how I find the infrastructure and, at my hesitation, he interposed, "It's poor, isn't it". "That's because there is so much corruption" he added. Without commenting directly, I said, "Well, it's certainly variable" (which, indeed, it is; parenthetically (which is a great word to be able to use in parentheses), Jayaraj later told me on our auto ride to the office, rather dismissively, that the holes in the middle of Hospital Road outside the mighty Imperial Restaurant were first dug about 12 months ago - even he sounded a little frustrated at the length of time it is taking to do whatever work it is that they are doing).
My companion continued to extol the virtues of the walk round the park and the good health that we are blessed with and we have a duty to maintain (including getting rid of the fat; said meaningfully as he looked down at my midsection, which I duly patted to signify I understood his reference). I noted the recent end of Ramzan and he replied with a detailed description of the daily refraining from food and water, together with the strong sense of oneness with the poor that the feelings of hunger and thirst bring about. And so it was time for us to part company as headed off for his breakfast and the office, while I proceeded on my next circuit.
At this point I began walking alongside another cheery greeter who, it turned out, has been living in Kochi for the last four years after retiring as protestant minister (due to a heart condition and bypass operation). "And which organisation are you with brother?" "I'm a Catholic sir, and you?" "Oh, I'm a Protestant" "Well in that case", (says I, much to David White's vehement disagreement I'm sure), "we're both Christians - we share the same God and the same Jesus". "Indeed, we are brother. With our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters, we are all children of the book. We just disagree on a few parts. Really, it makes administrative sense", he continued, "there are too many people for just one organisation".
"And what brings you to Kochi?" "I am Dean of the Kochi International Business School, in Pullepady Cross Road. We're just constructing the School now and we'll take our first group of students in September 2008". We talked about God's plan for each of us, the purpose for which we are on the planet, and how our respective lives had brought us to this point where we were sharing the walk together. My friend certainly gave me pause to reflect on how I could see my life experiences unfolding in way that I am indeed in the right place for now. I had mentioned to him that I had sat in enough leather armchairs around the world talking with friends and colleagues about what should happen in places like China and India, and now it is time for me to respond to Gandhiji's challenge to be the change I wish to see in the world. I am better placed now to do so, as a result of all the past experiences, bad as well as good, trom which I have learned.
Again we parted company, with best wishes and promises to see each other on our succeeding walks around the park.
Today's philosophy lesson ended when I reached the Imperial and, with a big smile to Prajid, said "Good morning. Parcel. Dosa masala, please".
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