Stories I’ve written
I was on one of my routine trips around Southern Asia and had arrived in Bombay, India late at night. The name has now changed to Mumbai. These were simpler times before airport security became an international concern and there was a much more relaxed atmosphere. Mumbai was one of those transit stops that last long enough to be thoroughly tiring, but not long enough … Continue reading Airport Evacuation
The above image copyright to http://media.photobucket.com/user/Kanji2000/media/Assignment%20Sketches/runaway.jpg.html?filters%5Bterm%5D=runaway girl&filters[primary]=images&filters[secondary]=videos&sort=1&o=0 Trudy was at that difficult age when it had become quite apparent parents were way out of touch with what was going on in the world. Trudy marvelled at their ignorance and was thankful she was part of the smart rising generation. It was not difficult to come to that conclusion she reasoned. Look at all the problems … Continue reading Trudy’s New Point of View
My first trip to Myanmar was a real eye popper. It was early 70’s and I’d been assigned responsibility for looking over project books to ensure money sent was flowing in the right direction. I’d the choice of taking the long slow train to Calcutta (as it was then called) and hop across the bay to Yangon on their national airways, or fly in on … Continue reading Family Stall
The above image belongs to http://www.cosplayisland.co.uk It was her first day at school in a brand new country. Mother had fussed over dressing Ilonka for this special occasion and she was dressed in the finest clothes they could provide from the country they’d been forced to flee. Traditional dress with all the embroidery and aprons that marked Ilonka as European stood out as she viewed … Continue reading ILonka.
“Take us to Chatuhshringi!” It was that time of the year again and both our girls were jumping up and down in pleading excitement. It had been a tradition since moving to Pune, India for us to attend the College Cultural Emphasis Day on October 1 as each of the cultures of India were displayed in float and dance. This was followed up by a … Continue reading Chatuhshringi
The above photo courtesy of Lend Lease Australia Matilda blinked at the emptiness of the house as the last boxes were taken out and loaded onto a moving van. Somehow the emptiness didn’t look right and she was immediately apprehensive! Had she made the right decision to get rid of it all? Her mind’s eye placed every one of those now boxed up items back … Continue reading New Life for Matilda.
The above image is copyrighted to wordfight.in Ashok gazed in wonder at the train as it clunked its way into the station. He’d heard reports of the rail gari in his village and seen it from time to time far up the mountain. Now and then ex-villagers would return to his isolated village Kawargaon, their native place. It was neatly tucked into the beginning slopes … Continue reading Ashok.
The above image belongs to itspak.wordpress.com Harry plucked the boiled eggs from a steaming kettle and placed them under the cold tap. “This helps separate the shell from the inside with ease,” he said with great authority as he removed the shell deftly and handed it over to place on what was meant to be my breakfast toast. I gazed at my breakfast despairingly and … Continue reading Deshi Harry
It was June 1 2006, we’d arrived in Portland, Oregon and whisked across the border to Vancouver, Washington where we were to attend an important birthday bash of one of our closest friends. I’ve been instructed not to mention the actual age of this close friend so we’ll leave it at that. As there was to be a day between our arrival and the grand … Continue reading Surviving Mt. St. Helens
The above image belongs to http://www.jokeroo.com/pictures/funny/angry-students-2.html It had been a terrible week for all of us. Our usually tranquil campus had become a seething mass of angry students who were either trying to force administration into liberalizing programs, or desperately trying to protect themselves from militants. The College President was under siege and calmly trying to ride out this storm, while faculty debated ways and … Continue reading An Act of Courage
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