Cities of the World

What would I not give to be able to draw caricatures of my selection of top world cities at this moment! Probably even if I gave everything it would be worthless as I cannot sketch to save my life! So I guess I have to make do with words, which at least at times, do walk my talk.

Before my expressions start painting the picture, let me set the reference points. In my depictions a man represents money and power while a woman denotes grace, elegance and warmth. Did I hear sexist? Not at all! Just paying homage to the majority traits of the two genders.

Let’s start at the very beginning, the very place that the seed of this idea was sowed; London – my city of bridges. The very wonderful and charming city that embraced me eight years ago when I walked in a nobody is now old and widowed. The aristocratic lady has a very demanding family. Her aura, character and personality remain; however, the depth of the wallet is waning. How she forms her will is being fought over, and this old gentle creature now needs care. Boris Johnson is definitely not the right grandson for the part but for the moment there is no choice. Let us hope that her youth returns and she is vibrant once more.

It is with sympathy that the young man and woman (a married couple), i.e. New York, look at this old lady. Together they not only have what London lacks in power and wealth but also the youth lends energy. Yes they will need more grey hair to get the character and aura that London has; but well why fret about tomorrow when today can be cherished! However, personally, I think I prefer the grandmotherly touch across the Atlantic than the frenzied life of the couple.

On the other side of the world from New York yet another fascinating story is unfolding. That of a middle aged man with maybe a dark side to him. Popularly the world calls him Hong Kong. He is a descendant of the widowed aristocrat, can be smooth and suave; but craving the life of the married couple, he is always in a hurry and lives on the edge. Yes he is interesting and remarkable but do not be deceived, be on a guard as he may take you by surprise anytime!

Taking this living on the edge to another level is the brash young man called Bombay. He believes that he has the world hooked to his talent and would like to rule the globe. His impatience and newly acquired additional disposable income is making life unruly. Sanity to his life comes from the calmness of his mother, a cousin of the old widowed aristocrat. The maturity of the mother and her affection holds back the young lad from shattering in times of adversities, helps him pick up and move on. A mentor is hard to come his way so his only hope to becoming stable is developing patience and employing rationality in conduct on his own.

Rationality comes very naturally to Bombay’s neighbors – the nouveau riche young couple with a very proper set up; Singapore. What can one say about them? Everything in their house is functional. There are no breakdowns and no eventful moments. Life runs with a soft rhythm that does not change its pace. Frankly, after a while it feels too suffocating. Maybe they need to borrow some of the vicarious ways of Hong Kong and Bombay?

Talking of vicarious, there is no one else with a more sensational life than the young European romantic lady with a line of suitors on the shores of the Seine. Paris is breathtaking, charming and her cultured panache entices most hearts that set sight on her. She can win all five senses in all seasons and is truly a diva.

The only chic male in Europe, matching this diva’s personality, is the relatively young King of Bavaria -Munich. Sadly, he lacks her perennial vivaciousness and can be a little too sophisticated to keep her interested. That in part is because somewhere the memory of his departed beloved wife lingers on. But when he decides to pursue, he can beat the Pied Piper of Hamlin. Once you know him, you grow to love him. He is still the strong, stable and trusting man standing tall.

An odd combination of sorts of Paris and Munich is far down in the southern hemisphere where a distant cousin of Paris lives. She has beauty but not all the sophistication. This young lady’s good looks have overawed a million suitors but her mild aggression and attitude has simultaneously tamed their interest. Not that she needs to worry, because she has her own young native South African fiancé. He may not be the all powerful but he is as handsome as her and has a way of living his own life. Together they bring a unique splendor to the world and Cape Town is the perfect definition of a happy couple. The uniqueness of their relationship is difficult to replicate in this world; and I can safely say that it is for this reason that Cape Town is my favorite city.

There are many more cities to cover – Vienna, Delhi, DC etc. but the mere mention of my favorite has me mesmerized. The memories are too sweet to let go of and it seems like it is time to become nostalgic and reminisce my days in Cape Town. So I guess I will sign off here and maybe capture the other caricatures in another edition another time.

We Don't Need No Legislation

I was in London the last week and hence missed the hoopla in the country with Anna Hazare’s fast unto death. I was back in the country for a few hours on Saturday and all I could read and hear was how this one man had given the country some hope of seeing lower dishonesty. I was not convinced; not with Anna Hazare’s spirit but with the suggested course of action, the bill itself. Call me a skeptic, call me a cynic; I just do not believe that another law in this country will actually help reduce corruption. The only thing it will do is generate employment – first for those who help the committee research the draft and then for those who become a part of the Lokpal. In fact if the Lokpal is set up it will bejust another way of exploitation and influencing.

These thoughts were loitering in the corners of my brain cells on Saturday night as I queued outside the airport waiting to get in for my next international flight. Suddenly the lingering thoughts burst to the forefront. There were two youngsters praising Anna and cursing the politicians. It was not their chatter that got my sleepy thoughts to wake up and skip around. It was their actions. As they spoke of the rampant treachery in the nation, they were trying to jump the queue. I was amused with the hypocrisy. I encountered the duo yet again at the security check, scurrying around to see how they could move ahead of turn once more.

This attitude and insincerity is what makes me a believer that legislation will not be effective in reducing or ridding the country of corruption. The interest around Anna Hazare’s fast probably benefited the media the most and the telecom company as some attention has been diverted away, finally! The rest of us will talk of this for a while and then move on to being who we are – finding the quickest route possible to achieve our goals.

Aboard my flight I was fighting my time zone clash and decided to watch a movie. I stumbled across a Naomi Watts film, Fair Game. The film is based on the autobiography of an ex-CIA covert agent, Valerie Palmer, who at the time of the US attacking Iraq was almost about to prove that there were no WMD in Iraq. As the invasion started, her husband, an ex-ambassador to Niger started questioning the government’s motives. In order to divert attention away from the tough questions that were posed, the White House made the couple a pawn. Valerie’s cover was blown, her credibility and track record trashed and her husband was made to look like an anti-American. The world knows today that there were no WMD in Iraq but there is a lot of Oil. If the White House could stoop to abysmal levels only to safeguard the President’s ratings and cover up the lies; I am sure that less powerful people, hungrier for power could stoop to lower levels. With resources and might on their side, a legislation will only be a small hurdle. Yes, I was all along thinking of the Lokpal bill.

Corruption is prevalent world over. The difference in India is that we see it blatantly in our faces every single day. That does not mean that we condone it or do not work to rid society of this ill. However, legislation can never work in the absence of willingness. Valerie Palmer and her husband decided to take the challenge head on and speak the truth. They did not succumb to the might of the White House. Anna Hazare did not worry about himself or how would his actions be received by the government. He believed that it was his duty to bring attention to the rampant corruption in the country and the need to address it and so he fearlessly forged ahead with his mission. It is fortitude that got the system to pause and pay attention. It was his sincerity and courage that got the nation to support him, however, the spirit that he would probably like to see (in my view) is probably absent; my point in case being the duo at the airport.

Legislation can work when there is a need to enforce a right, for e.g. the right to vote or the right to religion. Legislation cannot replace ethics, moral conduct or righteousness. So there can be a legislation that provides citizens with the right to query processes and get information, however, then it is up to law and lawmakers to enforce justice. Giving powers to a centralized committee to enforce “justice” in case of corruption related issues only provides an opportunity for the influential to exert pressure on one body rather than fight their ills through the system. We need to acknowledge that in any form or shape, the center of power and influence will remain the same. To bring change we need to change that core. To strengthen and alter that foundation we as citizens need to speak fearlessly and acknowledge our duties. Our primary obligation and most powerful right is the right to vote. If we execute this duty sincerely and sensibly, in time we will be able to rid the system of the leeches it has come to harbor. Our right to free speech and expression is what we need to capitalize on and not rest till the guilty are brought to justice. Numerous examples exist where with the help of truth and media, the aggrieved have secured justice. Yes there is a cost attached to all this. The cost of giving up some of our own comforts, of acknowledging that the blame game needs to start with self and of respecting that the rights that are ours are equally those of the other billion citizens of the country.

It has become fashionable to blame the government for every difficulty that we face. It has equally become a fashion to heap praises on someone who speaks against the system (rightly or wrongly). Grumbling and washing our dirty linen in public has become second nature to us Indians. We need to stop that, pause, reflect and then take a steadier course where we are in not a hurry to reach our final destination. In pace will come sensibility and responsibility. In stride will come the innate ability to render obligations, shoulder responsibilities and apportion credits. It is our country and it is up to us to shape its future. We can either speed into chaos or walk into prosperity. The choice is ours. No legislation can give it or take it from us.

Should there really be a dispute on the Ayodhya Land?

Tomorrow is the big day. The verdict on who the disputed land in Ayodhya belong to will be given by the Allahabad High Court on 24th September 2010. Who can claim that it is their God who should be granted residence on that spot? Which set of believers will have the opportunity to pray on that holy spot? These are questions that are riling up Indians and creating anxiety amongst citizens. Corporates have issued travel warnings. Tension is in the air in cities that saw riots due to the Babri Masjijd issue almost 18 years ago. And I am wondering on the necessity of all of this.

I have been brought up to believe that there is one God. I mean seriously. Think about it. If a corporation cannot function with a co-head structure, if teams need only one leader to guide them towards efficient productive working style and if countries can only take one prime minister or president; is it possible that the world can run as smoothly as it is with more than one God directing the play on planet earth? Impossible that there are more than one God. At least my little brain believes and lives by this theory.

So taking my theory forward, if there is one God; does it really matter whether there is a Ram temple or a Babri Masjid that is constructed on that holy spot! No one is advocating the creation of a casino or a bar or anything that would be considered disrespectful to God. And there is no barring Muslims praying in temples or Hindus praying in a mosque. So I can pray to God at the holy spot irrespective of what place of worship it is.

Should it really matter in what shape is God represented there? Should it matter how the place of worship is addressed? I am a daughter to my parents, a sister to my siblings, a friend to my friends and a colleague to my co-workers. I live many relationships and carry out my duties and responsibilities according to each relationship. It does not change the essence of who I am. And I am but a mere mortal with many a flaw. So if I am recognized as my own person by people, despite the varied relations I share; why can we not accept God as one. He is at the end of the day the Supreme being. The one who is all compassionate and loving. Why do we need to fight over His identity! Do we have our own identities taken care of to fight over how He is represented!

Be it Hinduism or be it Islam or any other religion; love is supposed to be the biggest prayer that human beings can offer to God. Will we really be doing our duty and rendering fair prayers on a spot that is created after spilling blood and spreading hatred? In my view, it will defeat the very essence of God and religion. Why can we not channel our energies for better purposes remains a mystery to me. One that I try to slow unravel everyday; second by second and step after step. I am but a small speck in the world and a cog in the wheel. However, if I make any sense to even one of you, my humble request is that let the cogs work together to run the wheel rather than go in our own directions and tear it apart.

Are You Being Served or Is It Being Dished Out?

Ever since I have moved back to India, people (friends, colleagues – old and new, family etc.) have been asking me just one question; am I happy with my decision. My instantaneous reaction is – but of course! How can home coming not be a happy and satisfying event? But when the thought lingers on, I can feel my disappointment and sadness. Neither of these emotions is driven by a sense of loss of my life in London. Rather it is driven by the sheer increase of chaos, dishonesty and the prevalent lack of customer orientation in this economy that claims to be a services sector player. In an attempt to improve the short term earning, most individuals and professional setups fail to see the long term benefits of servicing clients and post sales services. This is a phenomenon that I have seen in daily life and these observations are the reason for my post.

Mumbai is the financial capital of the country and public transport its life line. Taxis are an important part of this public transport system. On my return from London, I was nostalgic and hence insisted on using the city’s very own traditional black and yellow cabs that can be hailed on the roads. I refrained from using radio taxis which have better vehicles, safer drivers and air conditioning. My attempt of contributing to the earnings of the hardworking black and yellow cab drivers soon started to become hesitant. The fares quoted were more often than not inflated, the drivers most often refused to go short distances and in fact at the domestic airport they ran a cartel in nexus with the cops there overcharging passengers by even 25% at times. On one occasion I decided to do the right thing by a law abiding citizen and filed a complaint at the airport police booth. That was probably one of the scariest times of my life. In a dark and dingy mobile van sat a cop sipping from a glass just close to midnight. As I entered, ushered by the marshal of the taxi rank, he kept his glass away and asked the marshal to leave. The door closed but the light never came on. I wondered if my decision had been prudent. Nonetheless I pretended to be fearless and filed my complaint. It was noted in a register, my signature duly taken. I was promised that this trip home the cabbie would dare not overcharge. Then suddenly the lights came on, I heaved a sigh of relief and walked out. The marshal escorted me to a taxi and told me that I would pay by the meter. I felt maybe I should have complained earlier and that there was fairness in the system. But I had thought too soon. On reaching home, the driver indeed quoted from the meter but asked for INR 350 for a journey that usually costs INR 230 or INR 280 even in the more expensive radio taxis. It dawned on me; the meter was rigged as were the marshal and the cop! Since then I have sworn off the traditional cabs at least from the airport. I am not the only one. The instances of people turning to radio taxis are increasing. The traditional taxi service of Mumbai, in a few years, is likely to fade in importance, impacting the earnings of all concerned.

Well the radio taxis that I mention are no better in their service. The green Meru cabs are the most populace, yet the most unreliable. Their drivers come late, the call center operators allot cabs for longer distances and many drivers give their numbers to clients not sticking to the call center deployed pick ups. Filing any number of complaints is of no use. With the advent of more radio taxi companies, Meru stands to lose clientele and hence not grow after a point. But is someone bothered? I am not convinced.
India prides itself on its world class telecom policy. And yet, the service provided by its telecom players is just one eighty degrees opposite. Vodafone, one of the largest players in the local market has inefficient customer service. To begin with, their call center staff is not full aware of the services that the provider offers and the charges of the same. If they do, the same is not communicated to customers. When customers are wrongly advised or overcharged, there is no redressing from the company at all. On the contrary, the pushy call center staff calls incessantly to sell unwanted services. Even if politely they are told that it is not a good time for you to talk, they do not take no for an answer. Worse, if you do not answer the call, they keep calling till someone picks up! Airtel, another large service provider is no better. Their call center staff asks you to go to the web site, decide which service you want and then call back later! Tata Indicom is only keen to collect payments, even on a service that is not activated! In the long run there will be more global players with larger pockets. If services do not improve, the local players will lose.

Local banks are already facing stiff competition from the foreign banks, who not only offer more personalized service but also more prompt and accurate information. Take HDFC bank for example. It took them four weeks to open a salary account which had been requested by a company that they deal with regularly. A credit card application, filed about three months ago, has still not resulted in a card being delivered. I am sure that new customer addition is not a priority for HDFC. Maybe they are too busy taking care of their existing customers! But hang on, I am told by existing customers that they are completely appalled by the lack of clarity and promptness in services of the bank. In a country of a billion people, are we really finding it so difficult to recruit and train appropriate staff!

Maybe it is a case of just not wanting to recruit more in an attempt to increase the bottom line. Jaslok hospital, a leading healthcare provider in Mumbai seems to follow this policy. The staff shortage is so acute that ward boys work round the clock for 36 – 54 hours at times. The nurses are so exhausted that they misplace patient files, forget to call doctor when required and then lose their cool with patients’ kin. Ward boys, matrons and nurses; they all express their exhaustion and frustration with the way the system is functioning. However, scared of losing their jobs they say nothing. Life goes on for them with those of the patients in danger!

The services mentioned here are those that impact daily life. I can illustrate examples of airlines, hotels, retail chains and even legal services where I have been stumped by the lack of basic understanding of customer servicing. But if I start it will probably not make the point I intend to but sound like a nitpicking grumbling session. Yes, the point I want to make – We are a capable enough country, equipped with enough intelligence and resources to have a long term vision. We need to inculcate customer satisfaction values in all our services, not just to have a pleasant society but also improve the longevity and profitability of businesses. The one key learning I bring back with me from the developed world is this and I do hope that at least I can deploy it in all my dealings with clients, fellow professionals and friends.

Mystery and History of Icelandic Volcanoes

The Icelandic volcanic activity has been in the news for a few days now. There had been some news too about ensuing disruptions in European air travel. However, the severity of the situation did not hit me until Saturday morning, when a friend messaged to say that due to the volcanic ash, his flight from Istanbul to Prague had been cancelled. He is now stranded in Istanbul for the next few days, living out of a suitcase that contains his belongings for what was to be a two day business trip.

I was puzzled. How could a volcanic eruption in Iceland wreak havoc in the Czech Republic? There was some impact on air traffic even in 2004 due to the eruption of Grimsvoetn, another Icelandic volcano. So what is it that makes Icelandic volcanoes so potent? I decided to follow the chronology of significant Icelandic volcanic eruptions to figure out the answer.

Iceland sits on top of the mid-Atlantic ridge, the separation between the North Atlantic and Eurasian tectonic plates, which runs from north to south of this island nation. Given its geographical positioning[1], Iceland is a hot bed of volcanoes with approximately 130 volcanic mountains occupying the 100,329km2 land area.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Icelandic volcanoes is the submarine volcanoes that continue to form new land masses even today. Beginning 6th November 1963, scientists started detecting weak tremors at Kirkjubaejarklaustur with a likely epicentre at the southern a submarine volcano, later named Surtsey. Around the 13th /14th November 1963, the sea temperature was noted to be warmer than usual by a marine research vessel while the population of Vik (80km from Surtsey) reported the smell of hydrogen-sulphide in the air. It was on 15th November 1963 that the eruption was first spotted by a trawler on the sea in the form of dark black smoke. There were active explosions for a week, which generated a strong stream of lava that spread in the ocean and formed a land mass which measured c. 1640 ft in length and 147 ft in height. The eruptions ended only in June 1967 and the island formation concluded with the final size of the new land mass being 2.7 km2. Even before the eruptions had subsided, the first forms of life[2] arrived on the island in 1965, in the form of moss and lichen. Then there were plants that followed, however it was not until 1975 that life on Surtsey grew, when insects were found on the island. Around 1985, seagulls began arriving on the island, carrying seeds and microorganisms and further contributing to the growth of life on Surtsey.

On 23rd January 1973 the long thought extinct Eldfell volcano, located to the south of the mainland, erupted without any warning. Close to the volcano (c. 300km away) lay the fishing town of Heimaey[3] with a population of c. 5300. The entire city was evacuated on the first night. To save the town, the volcano fighters devised a network of pipes that were laid over the lava flow and sprayed 400 litres of seawater per second. While the wooden supports for the pipes burnt and the aluminium structures melted, the cold sea water allowed the pipes themselves to survive. Almost two thirds of the town was saved as was the entrance to the harbour. This heroic exercise was the most extensive undertaken ever in a volcanic eruption and cost about USD 1.5million at that time. By the end of the eruption that lasted 5 months, the city of Heimaey had increased 20% in size and was the proud owner of a new and naturally fortified harbour.

The most active volcano of the nation, Grimsvoetn, is covered by a glacier. On 1st November 2004, after a series of intense earthquakes, Grimsvoetn erupted. This eruption was thought to be due to the draining of a glacial lake in the volcano’s caldera. The eruption column height varied from 8-9 km up to 13-14 km. In less than two days of the first eruption, the ash had reached Norway, Finland and Sweden. There was disruption to trans-Atlantic air traffic, with KLM-Air France (then KLM Royal Airlines) suffering the maximum.

Domestic air travel in Iceland also suffered. However, within a week the eruptions subsided and there was no further interference in the aviation industry.

Eyjafjallajokull erupted on 14th April 2010, causing havoc to the global aviation industry. The fact that Eyjafjallajokull and Grimsvoetn hampered air travel but neither Surtsey nor Eldfall did is because the former two are covered by glaciers. As the hot magma spews out of the earth’s crust, it is met with cold ice which pulverizes it into tiny fragments of rock. The high temperature of the magma also causes the ice to melt and form steam. The volcanic ash is then lifted into the sky by the vast plumes of steam that are formed by the melting ice. The first eruption of Eyjafjallajokull was on 21st March 2010. However, that was not from the part of the volcano under the crater and hence there was no volcanic ash that resulted. Since the time of the Vikings, it has been observed that Eyjafjallajokull eruptions are followed by eruptions from its twin angry sister, Katla. Volcanologists warn that the five times larger Katla could spew out much more volcanic ash and increase the existing chaos.

Finding the answer to the mystery has not resulted in laying the issue of the Icelandic volcanoes to rest. My intrigue for the country has only gown. So here are some interesting facts which I thought I would share –

The word “volcano” comes from the island of Vulcano in the Mediterranean Sea off Sicily. Vulcano ts the chimney of the forge of Vulcan — the blacksmith of the Roman gods. The hot lava fragments and dust erupting form Vulcano were believed to come from Vulcan’s forge as he beat thunderbolts for Jupiter, king of the gods, and weapons for Mars, the god of war

The volcanic rock pumice is the only rock that can float in water. It is usually grey and full of bubbly holes, that form when hot gases jet furiously out of the cooling rock

The latest eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano pales in comparison to eruption of Mount Skaptar in 1783, that devastated Iceland’s farming and fishing reserves, causing a famine that killed a fifth of the population

Volcanoes make sunsets more colorful. This phenomenon is because the ash particles in the atmosphere scatter the sun's rays

Nearly a third of the earth's lava output in the last 500 years has been generated in Iceland

83% of the world's sub glacial eruptions have occurred in Iceland

Volcanic ash is hard, does not dissolve in water, is extremely abrasive and mildly corrosive, and conducts electricity when wet

[1] The friction and shift between tectonic plates cause earthquakes and volcanoes. The movement of the plates towards each other pushes the liquid magma (molten rock) up and where there are cracks in the earth’s crust (called craters); this magma pours out on the surface in the form of hot liquid lava.
[2] http://uk.danfossuniverse.com/page2124.aspx
[3] Interesting account of eruption can be found on http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/heimaey/heimaey.pdf

The Frequented Roads...

I am not sure how or when it happens, but at some point in our lives we need to take one of the two roads; turn into the one being treaded by a small group of optimists or take the more crowded one, the one popular with the cynics. The paths run parallel for most part, converging at some points where once again we have the option of making a choice. However, it is not in our hands to change the course as and when we desire. It usually turns out that those who start as optimists, at some point or the other turn into cynics. Thus the road travelled less always keeps on the lookout for more travelers but it remains disappointed…

The road less travelled, at the beginning of the journey, lures the excited adventurer with its greenery and beauty. What the traveler does not realize is that just as the spring does not remain forever; neither does the beauty of the road less travelled. Soon autumn sets in and the bare trees surround the weary paths. This is not what the explorer signed on for. Feeling cheated, at the next fork, he takes on the other road.

With crowds along the road, it is understood and acknowledged that beauty will be rare. The previous experience conditions the mind to accept the fall weather and not to look forward to the spring. But then if suddenly, for a mere stretch for a hundred yards, there is a blossoming of flowers; the traveler’s memory goes back to the starting point of the road less travelled. At the next fork, does the traveler change his course? Depends on how adventurous the traveler is. But most us we get accustomed to the fractions of beauty on the barren path. Fearing that we would want more, we leave the thought of revisiting the road less traveled.

It is sad yet it is true – the easier path is always to be with the crowd. There is no certainty that the road less traveled will ever reveal its beautiful spring and summer gardens again. For all one knows, the autumn may be followed by a severe winter; one that chills the bones and forever erodes the memory and desire of spring. So while there may be hope left, it is best to curb expectations. It is best to follow the tried and tested path and stick to the path where you know what you will get. Then if you chance upon a miraculous garden at a fork, maybe you can go ahead and savor the beauty; but remember to return to the ways of the most. There is safety there…

Van Gogh - The Masterpiece

I could not lean away and so I leaned in. I could not give up and so I gave in. I could not stop believing and so I held on. These are the thoughts that crossed my mind as I walked through the Vincent van Gogh exhibition at the Royal Academy. The man had every adversity cross his path and yet he did not let go of his will to live, his faith in love and his belief in people. More than once, he loved with abandon. Every time he reached a dead end he carved a new path. At every opportunity he embraced the good in people and kept learning. He died at the young age of 37, having struggled with life and suffered to death. Yet his paintings are not melancholic. His choice of colours is vibrant. His work makes his words come alive - "For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream."

Why do adults stop believing in dreams? Why is it that we stop looking at the good and highlighting the greys of life? With increasing experience, cynicism and scepticism take precedence over embracing the hope of dreams bursting alive. Every step is taken with abundant caution and every possibility scrutinised to generate every probable negative outcome. The helpless possibility of fireworks lighting our lives is given minimal consideration, if any at all; and so that which could appear in the forefront just withers in the background. The colours recede and the greys abound.

But does it have to be so? Or in van Gogh's words - do we have to wait to the end to grow tired of cynicism and scepticism to be able to live musically! I don't believe so. Life is short. To enrich and beautify this incredible journey we need to believe in ourselves and take a leap of faith - try to embrace love, acknowledge the goodness of other people's hearts and trust that all good things in life are ours to take. All we need to do is to be open, sincere and accepting. If we interpret life with preconceived notions the colours in store will never tumble out, just like a rainbow will never be formed if the travelling light never bends while passing through the mist.

Van Gogh left a wealth of paintings to admire but his life was the masterpiece. It was an honest attempt spent in the quest of learning and love. Because he wanted to experience life he let life happen to him. He did not close himself to any experience or possibility and maintained, "In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing." And so will I, I will go on with my drawing. It can only get better.