Thursday, November 27, 2008

Flowers - Thinking Of Mumbai

When I posted about the Santa Monica Farmers' Market, Octavine requested I share pictures of the market's fresh cut flowers. So here are some beauties I spotted this past Wednesday.
These colorful, fragrant flowers seemed like a perfect prelude to Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle's fabulous new flick set in Mumbai, which I was about to go and see when I happened upon the market. When I came out of the theater, moved and thrilled by that high energy and almost gaudy movie, I turned on NPR and hear about the horrendous attacks in Mumbai. My heart sank.

Years ago, while traveling in Ladakh (Indian part of the Himalayas), I had sweet, spicy tea in the garden of the small hotel where I was staying. The tea was delicious, and the company was even better. I sat with the hotel's owner, a round-faced Buddhist who served only vegetarian fare in his lovely establishment, as well as Hasan, a Muslim visitor, and my travel party, one of which is a Catholic.
Our conversation spurred in me a deep respect for India. This is the largest democracy in the world, the hotel owner reminded us; Muslims, Hindus, people of all religions live and vote here in peace and freedom. Look, here we are, people of various confessions, enjoying a cup of tea together and chatting peacefully. Granted, there were occasional spurts of violence, but things were being worked out, in this very young democracy.
I was filled with admiration for this country of tolerance, even while I realized that vision was a bit idyllic. Then on Wednesday I was filled with despair. It wasn't just about the bloodiness of the attacks; it was also because it shattered my loving, hopeful belief in India.

27 comments:

Carletta said...

Really beautiful flowers - I especially like the second one.
Prayers for Mumbai.

Unknown said...

gorgeous pictures. thank you my dear!~ the flower booths are always my favorite.
and sending out prayers to mumbai...such an awful tragedy.

Laura in Paris said...

The quiet meeting of cultures and peoples you describe in your post is moving indeed, but seems today so so far away. And the pictures of flowers are deligtful.

Rebekah said...

Such beautiful photos! It is very sad to know what has happened there in Mumbai.

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Horrible things are happening in this world 24/7 365days a year...unfortunately the news are not being read/heard enough I think... Hope for peace & great leaders to lead the world to that...hope*
Just a contrast to the pictures you posted here...such beauty in nature.

Peace!

Solange said...

beautiful flowers. What colours!
yes, it's indeed sad what is happening in todays world, but also sad for our hopes and believes.

Solange

Unknown said...

There are things I can not understand I try but it makes no sense.

lune_blanc said...

This is beautifully written and moving. Sending prayers for Mumbai.

Thanks so much for stoppping by my blog and leaving a comment :)
Your place is beautiful, great photos.

I'll subscribe to your blog, I may not leave comment very often but I do read all the post :)

Anonymous said...

Yes it is quite shocking....and I am always sad when people decide to support hate.
nancy

Anonymous said...

Sad things in this world of ours. Thanks for the flower picture for some beauty.

mansuetude said...

Don't (i would say) allow your beliefs to shatter--all that good still waits to be picked up, lived. Keep your belief in the good even stronger; don't let the evil part break what is also true...

this doesn't mean it doesn't hurt to witneess violence...

peace your way.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Mary-Laure, the beautiful flowers are a lovely tribute to this tragedy. I fear, as long as the very urgent issues in the Middle East are not solved in a humanly manner these attacks will continue
and perhaps getting worse.

d. moll, l.ac. said...

So much trouble in the world; pretty flowers.

J Elaine said...

I have seen a picture of beautiful faces of Indian women from the Resident Welfare Association in New Delhi honoring the victims of the Mumbai attacks. They are holding candles and pieces of paper with the written message, 'HOW CAN WE MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES AGAIN AND AGAIN?'. Their expressions are filled with sorrow and compassion. It is a good message for the world over to ponder.

Esti said...

lo que me gusta de lo que escribes es que dejas que los sentimientos afloren a través de tus palabras y de tus experiencias. Gracias por compartir esto.

Rina said...

wow! thanks for this amazing colors and beautiful flowers, absolutely eye candy!

Gabbi said...

What a strange day dear Mary-Laure, it's all connected isn't it. The flowers, the film, the tragedy in Mumbai and even your own history.

I had a similar experience on Thanksgiving day, I was really involved with the holiday, cooking, spending time with family and enjoying myself, it wasn't till late that morning that I finally got to read the Times that I saw the horrible headline and the photo of the railway station...my prayers are very much with them also.

Alexandra Hedberg said...

yes, it is very sad. In the context it's like the flowers are for the graves.

Hila said...

I've been trying to follow the news anxiously these past of couple of days, it is a bit depressing.

Kira Aderne said...

wow, those flowers are heaven!

Fantastic images :)


a kiss girl!

l'air du temps said...

thanks for the beautiful flowers, hopefully a sweet reminder of the beauty of life in a time of sorrow...

l'air du temps said...

thanks for the beautiful flowers, a sweet reminder of the beauty of life in a time of sorrow...

Bonbon Oiseau said...

beautiful post dear...the tragedy that took place in Mumbai was overwhelmingly sad, stupid--I was also spent some time in Ladakh and remember feeling similarly as the landscape changed from Hindu to Buddhist to Muslim...In all the different parts of India where people of different religions lived side by side although there was palpable tension, I was always moved by the people who I met who didn't let religious differences rule their lives but was more disturbed when I saw those who did...

♥ Braja said...

Nice post...you might like to read the one I did on Mumbai...

http://lostandfoundinindia.blogspot.com/2008/11/truly-lost-in-india.html

limonana said...

this is a touching post...it was such a stressful time hearing the events play out...my brother knew two of the victims, & one of my best friends was headed to the Oberoi to eat dinner that same night of the events. but i truly believe that tragedies have a strange way of uniting people & making them stronger against such acts of ignorant hatred. praying for better days in India...

Anonymous said...

Genial Blog / Post !!!
A bientot !
Galeria59
www.lacoctelera.com/galeria59

heidi said...

some of the best flower pics I've seen.... seriously!