I was on my way to meet a friend in Patan – a city south from Kathmandu. Today is a big Hindu festival Diwali – the festival of lights. So there was a big party at Patan Square.
When I went to jump on a microbus, I found none at the usual bus stop. Also walking towards the big intersection, there were no public buses passing by. It might have been too late – because of the petrol crises, they stop early or just because of the festival.
Walking back towards home, I thought there has to be a story somewhere waiting for me, but I couldn’t see any. So I decided to sit down on the side of the street on a pile of broken bricks, next to shop full of whole raw dead chickens – all on their backs, feet straight up. Sitting there and observing the action around, felt like being in the eye of a storm, where everything is calm and safe. When I started drawing, the action moved towards me. I am always fascinated how curious people in Asia or South America are. These are just the areas I have noticed it the most, that if either children or grown-ups see something unusual or fun, they stop their daily routine and just jump right in.
There was at least a group of 20 people around me, on top of the brick pile, all looking the drawing. Sometimes I would like to step out of my body to see it and the situation its in from a distance.
Instead I saw this (on the drawing). There were a lot of pigeons flying and I also saw a sign from soon setting Sun – the eagle. Now it is dark and all city is full of candles and blinking lights. Ooo…the scenery feels like being at Burning Man. Or next year in the desert I may feel vice versa…
During writing I was asked into joining a family puja (prayers) for appreciating Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Enough from computer, back to real life!