On the hot, dusty but fertile plains of the south Deccan Plateau in India a son was born to an orthodox Hindu family. They called him Madhu, and proceeded to shower on the young child the love and devotion Hindus give in abundance to their children. They were double blessed as this was a boy! Village life was very pleasant, though people with a western … Continue reading MADHU’S CHOICE
In 1995 after completing ten happy years contract in Singapore we were on our way to the next assignment, a university appointment in the Philippines. I was delighted with the appointment as the new campus had been developed during my time as the Singapore based administrator sourcing funds for the project, and I’d additional good fortune to be on the search … Continue reading Only a Fool
Jean stood by the window peeping from the side of the curtains. “She’s actually doing it! Should we run out and stop her?” Her husband Tom opened a corner of the curtains on the other side of the window and looked out over the front driveway. His little four years old was struggling down the driveway with her doll suitcase. He looked at Jean. “What … Continue reading Running Away
The sign introduced the quaint little building of at least 1930’s vintage as the “Green Hotel” I’d booked into. I painfully unwound my legs after what seemed like hours of straddling luggage on the floor of an overfull Matador van. It had served as a village to village bus service. I was at my destination in the state of Bihar India for the evening … Continue reading The Green Hotel
“This is our premier Junior College!” I remarked to my travelling companion. As my expatriate companion moved to open the door of our car, school officials came running to shake his hand and place a customary circle of flowers around his neck; the token of respect and affection in that part of the world. Hundreds had gathered at the entrance of the college to watch … Continue reading IMPORTANT VISITOR
Introduction Today I’m giving a chance to my brother Barry to get even with me for all those irritations directed toward him in my growing up years. It will give me pause to consider the past as I make my resolutions for 2014. Here are some extracts from a speech delivered by my Brother to an assembly of dignitaries, friends, workmates, etc at the time … Continue reading Growing Up
In case you hadn’t caught up with it, it’s the Christmas and New Year season. Frequently we’re bombarded with TV advertisements suggesting we’ll get the bargain of our lives if we shop at a mall or factory outlet or even the internet. In case TV ads don’t get you, enterprising morning joggers supplement their income by depositing junk mail on behalf of advertisers in letter … Continue reading Bargain Hunting
“Dad, take us to Motocross!” I looked at the girls in surprise. Why would early teen girls be interested in going to Motocross? The local English language newspaper was thrust into my hands and small fingers tapped the appropriate column in a desperate manoeuvre to get my attention. It was obvious this had been talked over by … Continue reading Motocross
We were on our way to a convention in DallasTexas in 1980, and could scarcely believe we’d arrived in the USA at last. Our employers had spent a great deal to purchase tickets, and there was a large element of personal investment involved in our being on this trip. We now had to live and travel in this vast country for several weeks, and the … Continue reading Junk Mail
We’d just moved into our first home in Pune, India and were happy to be assigned a place outside the fenced estate with a little space to develop grounds and garden of our own. We’d only ourselves and a gigantic temporary bungalow with no furniture to contend with. Our shipment from Australia arrived several days later, but our tranquil lifestyle … Continue reading Hired Help
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