An Unwitty Nitty Gritty Update

There has been so much going on, I’m not sure where to start. It feels like everyday I think “I have to write this down” , and everyday that I barely make it to the end of the day. Much less sit down at another computer.

My heart, too, has been a little sore – my city was hurt last week. There were three bombings across Delhi, two at movie theatres and one at a railway, injuring 54 people and killing 1. We’re just now feeling our shoulders relax, although I still see my mothers eyes flicker when she knows we’ll be out late or alone. The purported reason for the bombings were the films that were being played at the movie theatres. The Sikh community was outraged at the Sikh hero in the film being chased by scantily clad women, and the fact that the title of the film was a Sikh term only to be used in the most pious of situations. Instead of boycotting the film, picketing, going to the film industry’s governing body – what do they do? They set two bombs, causing what they think to be a retaliatory third to be set on a railway.

The worst part? Immediately after the bombings, on the news, a spokesman for the Sikh community comes on, stating that “There is no way that this was anyone from the Sikh community. Our Guru’s teach us not to kill. This was not a Sikh.”. I really hate to be a naysayer… But has anybody heard about Partition? Where Sikh’s killed, and were killed, in the 5 million person massacre? Or the fact that they pride themselves on being a warrior caste?

They don’t know, but are still “investigating” who could have committed the bombings. But it was strange. It’s different when it is some other city, some other place. But it was my city, my place. Even if perhaps it was in a part of the city that I didn’t know, a name I didn’t know. But it wasn’t. It was a place I do know, a name I do know. Is this what happens as you travel? The world gets smaller, the problems closer?

Because it is getting smaller. There was news yesterday of an attack on a bus in Mandi, where my friend and I travelled not that long ago. A woman was the target of an acid attack by a man, severely injuring her and the 20 people surrounding her. I’ve been to the bus station they were talking about. We’ve taken the bus, or at least the route, that she was taking. I’ve been having nightmares about it.

On a lighter note, I got to experience the unbearable lightness of being a hostess on Thursday. Bryan was hosting a little get together of friends, colleagues, interesting people. So I got to play hostess and helped with the menu (pure Italian, lots of pasta and lasagne and ceasar salad and bruschetta) and the wine drinking. The best hostess gift that I think I’ve ever seen? Homemade cantaloupe sorbet for us and doggie biscuits for the puppies. How great is that? It was a wonderful time – everyone ate lots, complimented my cheesecake, left on time.. What more could you ask for? They were even good looking guests.

I was supposed to go away this past weekend, but my increasingly hostile stomach has been holding me back. So instead I spent the weekend at the pool, cooking good food, laughing, reading, shopping. It was just what the doctor ordered. My stomach hasn’t received that memo yet, but I’m sure it will.

I’ve got a reception tonight, and Political and Economic Affairs (which is me) is going on a retreat (which conjures up way too many images of Catholic school for me) tomorrow to discuss the upcoming and past year. Then onwards and upwards from there! Saturday is the farewell party for everyone moving on to other Embassies, other countries, and hopefully includes a lot more lounging in the sun. Other than that, the remaining 36 hours of my week is free.

I hope everyone is well – missing you all, of course. Have I really been here five months? Do I really have just three left? Part of me can’t wait to come back to Canada.. another part is seriously considering building a mud hut here. *smile* Take care everyone, and will talk to you soon.