Ah yes and you can get momos in Bray too. However the Nono is the King of Spiti Valley, in Himachal Pradesh in India. He is a friend of mine. I've written about him a bit.
That's a funny coincidence: yesterday I was writing and was rifling through my mind for the word I wanted, and it was 'Quixotic' in relation to a certain Irish way of being.
Moving and compelling story with a stunning selection of photos. Also, you manage to make the praying to Goddesses and Gods make sense in the context of Benares and India. I have only been to India in transit through Mumbai, which for its chaos reminded me of you talking about the lack of rational ground, In my 4 hours there, I could sense the topsy turvy nature of it. The airport was packed with passengers who had come off half a dozen planes and Indian military security were submitted everyone to lengthy baggage checks and frisking. Other passengers were commenting to us from the end of the long queue that they would not be able to get through in time. I should have had bags of time (excuse the pun) but, instead, I was told that the engines were running on my plane to London, and it was about to take off. I was berated by other staff to go more quickly when I had a big suitcase and hand luggage. Frazzled and sweating like a pig, I made it on to the plane. Going back to your story and the regrets you were feeling about your first love and the turmoil of subsequent relationships reminded me of my first love who I had convinced myself as I was too young too marry - I was 20 and she was 26. I couldn't get on track after I broke it off. Anyway, about 6 years she contacted me out of the blue on Facebook and told me about all the memories my photos evoked of our time together. She was a brilliant photographer when we were together and printed off her own black and white photos. It turns out she never married and had children. I had 2 children and have married 3 three times. Anyway, India had become the the love of her life, and, as we caught up through emails she would send me colour photos of her travels with her annotations, which entranced me. Money is too tight to mention for me at the moment, but I admire your writing ability and style. My prose style is often clunky and doesn't convey what I want to evoke effectively. I would be interested in some writing coaching later if it was available (I think I caught sight of you offering that on your site). Apologies for the post, which is long one given I'm new to your Substack. Also, sorry if it comes across as oversharing it could be due to being ADHD. In any case, look forward to reading more of your work.
Thank you and it's fine to leave a long comment as it was a very long blog and probably too long I realise now. It's an extract from a book I wrote that I might try to get out there this year. Yes the Gods and Goddesses in Benares do feel very immediately there. I know what those airports are like too, especially with military stuff going on. Ah yes, first love. In fact I no longer regret that. But the dream was very strong after the early morning Ganga boat journey with the Thai monks. India is my soul's home but because I have to be here now I try to accept it. I had years of raging at Irish weather. Haha what's the point. Yes I do offer writing workshops and the odd time writing coaching but I'm not into editing nor ghost writing whole books however I have a friend who has ghost written best sellers. Best Wishes Siofra
Thank you for your reply. It was a slightly longer blog, but the length and detail made it more satisfying than the shorter ones I read. I don't think I can totally lose regret, although logically it's linked to 'what ifs' which we can't know the outcome of and I think Nietzsche got it right with his amor fate idea as we don't know that the alternative would have been better. Also, I think we are affected by the western culture of romance, which is not practical. In the extract you mentioned how grandparents and astrologists in India and formerly in Ireland would get to work on the unmarried 20 something daughter, which highlighted a very different approach. I came across this Joni Mitchell quote: 'the fact that this culture sets up an addiction to romance based on insecurity — the uncertainty of whether or not you’re truly united with the object of your obsession is the rush people get hooked on." She said that she had got caught up in this culture of romantic addiction, and, now, she is over it, she is more accepting of monogamy. I am based in the Philippines and miss the wind, rain, cold and four seasons. I do enjoy sun and warmth, but not tropical heat and sun all year round. It's always greener, though! The writing workshops and coaching is all I am interest in. I am not financially ambitious about writing as it's just a pastime, but I do want to improve for my own satisfaction and for my readers.
Well yes It is very true, it all started in Poitiers in 1170s, this romantic love thing. It is high stakes high risk. I have to say when I lived in India, I never ever missed the weather here. I love straight sunshine. I used to run away from the Monsoon in India, up into the hills over the clouds. I have this writing course coming up if you are interested. https://siofraodonovan.com/workshop/the-heros-journey-2/ There is a blog about it here too.
Hi Siofra. Jon's observation notwithstanding, I think it's great to feel alive in that way you can with a high stakes high risk love thing and it gives an enrichening memory. I grew up in East Anglia in England, which has a reasonable share of sunshine and is pretty dry. If I had grown up in Ireland or West of Scotland as my dad did I would love straight sunshine too. My dad was always complaining about colds and draughts like a lot of people from that part of the world ( A Glaswegian friend of mine does just the same. She is based in Thailand.) My dad's happiest years were his 13 years spent in Tanzania, Thank you for the link. The course does look interesting and offer the sort of things I'd like to work on, but I won't be able to consider it until my chemo treatment has finished.
Rich and fearless that's our Siofra Priestess of Eriu. What a wonderful life. Thanks for the Sharing. 🥰
Thanks Joy 🙏🌺ive survived .
Love your stories, thanks you, keep sharing ❤
Ta you ❤️✨🙏
Lovely post and enjoyable read, thank you.
Quixotic, a new word that resonates for me lol.
Love also the photo of the Sadhu with the mobile and the reefer ! and your photos of course.
Happy Momo & No No ~ Blessing & onwards x
Hello do you know the Nono? And do you eat Momo? Thank you for the nice comment.
Yes -eaten Momo in Cavan and No No is ref to referendum vote .... don't remember meeting Nono.
Ah yes and you can get momos in Bray too. However the Nono is the King of Spiti Valley, in Himachal Pradesh in India. He is a friend of mine. I've written about him a bit.
I should have remembered - Pema and the Yak...! and talking 2U.
Oh Youve read that- And when did I meet you and what is your name, please? i"m confused. Did you eat Momo in Jampa Ling?
Yes - Momo in JL
I sent you my name on Linked in message a week or so ago.
That's a funny coincidence: yesterday I was writing and was rifling through my mind for the word I wanted, and it was 'Quixotic' in relation to a certain Irish way of being.
Moving and compelling story with a stunning selection of photos. Also, you manage to make the praying to Goddesses and Gods make sense in the context of Benares and India. I have only been to India in transit through Mumbai, which for its chaos reminded me of you talking about the lack of rational ground, In my 4 hours there, I could sense the topsy turvy nature of it. The airport was packed with passengers who had come off half a dozen planes and Indian military security were submitted everyone to lengthy baggage checks and frisking. Other passengers were commenting to us from the end of the long queue that they would not be able to get through in time. I should have had bags of time (excuse the pun) but, instead, I was told that the engines were running on my plane to London, and it was about to take off. I was berated by other staff to go more quickly when I had a big suitcase and hand luggage. Frazzled and sweating like a pig, I made it on to the plane. Going back to your story and the regrets you were feeling about your first love and the turmoil of subsequent relationships reminded me of my first love who I had convinced myself as I was too young too marry - I was 20 and she was 26. I couldn't get on track after I broke it off. Anyway, about 6 years she contacted me out of the blue on Facebook and told me about all the memories my photos evoked of our time together. She was a brilliant photographer when we were together and printed off her own black and white photos. It turns out she never married and had children. I had 2 children and have married 3 three times. Anyway, India had become the the love of her life, and, as we caught up through emails she would send me colour photos of her travels with her annotations, which entranced me. Money is too tight to mention for me at the moment, but I admire your writing ability and style. My prose style is often clunky and doesn't convey what I want to evoke effectively. I would be interested in some writing coaching later if it was available (I think I caught sight of you offering that on your site). Apologies for the post, which is long one given I'm new to your Substack. Also, sorry if it comes across as oversharing it could be due to being ADHD. In any case, look forward to reading more of your work.
Thank you and it's fine to leave a long comment as it was a very long blog and probably too long I realise now. It's an extract from a book I wrote that I might try to get out there this year. Yes the Gods and Goddesses in Benares do feel very immediately there. I know what those airports are like too, especially with military stuff going on. Ah yes, first love. In fact I no longer regret that. But the dream was very strong after the early morning Ganga boat journey with the Thai monks. India is my soul's home but because I have to be here now I try to accept it. I had years of raging at Irish weather. Haha what's the point. Yes I do offer writing workshops and the odd time writing coaching but I'm not into editing nor ghost writing whole books however I have a friend who has ghost written best sellers. Best Wishes Siofra
Thank you for your reply. It was a slightly longer blog, but the length and detail made it more satisfying than the shorter ones I read. I don't think I can totally lose regret, although logically it's linked to 'what ifs' which we can't know the outcome of and I think Nietzsche got it right with his amor fate idea as we don't know that the alternative would have been better. Also, I think we are affected by the western culture of romance, which is not practical. In the extract you mentioned how grandparents and astrologists in India and formerly in Ireland would get to work on the unmarried 20 something daughter, which highlighted a very different approach. I came across this Joni Mitchell quote: 'the fact that this culture sets up an addiction to romance based on insecurity — the uncertainty of whether or not you’re truly united with the object of your obsession is the rush people get hooked on." She said that she had got caught up in this culture of romantic addiction, and, now, she is over it, she is more accepting of monogamy. I am based in the Philippines and miss the wind, rain, cold and four seasons. I do enjoy sun and warmth, but not tropical heat and sun all year round. It's always greener, though! The writing workshops and coaching is all I am interest in. I am not financially ambitious about writing as it's just a pastime, but I do want to improve for my own satisfaction and for my readers.
Well yes It is very true, it all started in Poitiers in 1170s, this romantic love thing. It is high stakes high risk. I have to say when I lived in India, I never ever missed the weather here. I love straight sunshine. I used to run away from the Monsoon in India, up into the hills over the clouds. I have this writing course coming up if you are interested. https://siofraodonovan.com/workshop/the-heros-journey-2/ There is a blog about it here too.
Hi Siofra. Jon's observation notwithstanding, I think it's great to feel alive in that way you can with a high stakes high risk love thing and it gives an enrichening memory. I grew up in East Anglia in England, which has a reasonable share of sunshine and is pretty dry. If I had grown up in Ireland or West of Scotland as my dad did I would love straight sunshine too. My dad was always complaining about colds and draughts like a lot of people from that part of the world ( A Glaswegian friend of mine does just the same. She is based in Thailand.) My dad's happiest years were his 13 years spent in Tanzania, Thank you for the link. The course does look interesting and offer the sort of things I'd like to work on, but I won't be able to consider it until my chemo treatment has finished.