By ATIBA ROUGIER, 8/05/2015. I watched Hero, again, and loved every minute of it…hence the title of today’s post.
I visited the mosque today intimidating…different language, different culture, and different religion. What is one to do but to sit in awe at mankind and the varied spaces we co-habit? On the way out, I bought some essential oils, and I am in love! You know that I am a sucker for anything that smells like it came from the Far East—sandalwood, patchouli, musk the list goes on!(https://www.google.co.in/search?q=taj-ul-masajid&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=971&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI4a3Q_MiRxwIV0gSOCh22FgLo#imgrc=_).
The visit to the mosque has me thinking: not religion but irrational and dogmatic interpretations of religion is dangerous—not religion proper. Human beings are the reason for wars and destruction, not religion. It is the misinterpretation of spiritual texts and the bias readings for one’s own gain that is problematic, not the text themselves—it is the same thing as “guns do not kill people, people kill people.” I am thinking through this, so I am thinking as I write…if you have thoughts on this, holler at me via e-mail.
Zam Zam was one of my favourite watering holes in San Francisco and took a few friends there when they visited for cocktails. Here, it is a mom-n-pops/fast food-esque place where you get food. I went there but I was too early and the place was closed, they were prepping. I want to go back but I am not sure if it’ll actualize…trying to stay meat free, keep with my newly acquired Hindu/Indian veggie diet.
Speaking of Vanessa Williams’s Colour of the Wind, it is the first time in my life that I have gone for almost three weeks without seeing another of my kind. In these parts, everyone is either Muslim or Indian (and a handful of workers from Nepal). I have seen five Caucasians, total, three of whom I know). One sometimes forget the beauty of living in a place like NYC where cultures collide and create new spaces of entertainment and life. The monotony here (in Bhopal) is quite noticeable.
The staff meeting today was entertaining – pen/paper is still the mode of note taking here and I love it! I am old school like that. Men all seat on one side and the women on the other, not sure if it is by choice or just the way things operate, I didn’t ask. There was a big feast that followed for lunch, pure joy! I am learning so much and getting a hang of things and getting to know everyone and it’s now time to depart, typical. Sad face.