All The World's A Stage

How very true. The times of introduction are here and now. You know, we also need to make standard disclaimers too… Shakespeare gave the best disclaimer line to the world with his “All The World's A Stage”. I take his support. Most of us whether we believe it or not are part of type casts. A type cast is a term often used in Literature and Performing Arts. Type casting in acting is where an actor is strongly identified with a specific character, role, or trait. In our life too people enter and exit. They have their purpose and we have our purpose in their lives. When we look back to these interactions we do realize we all are part of a pattern … a mold … a type cast. Therefore, as we go through this journey in Dormitry@50 , we too find certain traits , situations and incidents very close to our day to day life. Sure and natural – as I said part of type cast. Therefore, it is foregone conclusion if there is no resemblance to characters in these series to any persons living or dead, or to any situations and circumstances that were depicted here have not happened is a statement of a Miracle! Having said that, characters and situations are purely coincidental. Circumstances of situations between a daughter in law and mother in law, between mother and her children, wife and husband relationship as with the rest of the family in  typical South Indian setting are depictions of reality.

Now that being out of the way …

A soft delicate husky voice floats towards me … “Mrs. Sholini …”... I am still grappling with how may name is pronounced; with a tilt and my “a” is almost an “o”! It takes a moment to realize my colleague is addressing me… Salma is very bubbly young women as she guides me through the administration building to a supermarket for a quick purchase. The sun is merciless in the months of August. Today he is beaming down all his heat on us as we quickly walk … There is a strong and a very hot breeze coming from Corniche bringing with it the tangy smell of sea. We quickly go through the aisles of bakala (the groceries store) me picking a Zatar croissant.   As my friend Salma introduces me to various products from the aisles. As we make our payment we realize it the sala time and rush out back to be in our cool air-conditioned office spaces. Phew! That is a blessing back in cool confinements of office space.

There is a curiosity when someone joins the team so I am most surrounded by my colleagues welcoming me and enquiring about my country and work experiences. You meet so many people from different sections it’s a wonder we remember anyone’s name! It’s very welcoming and rests all apprehensions. This is just my day one and the only person I know and identify is Salma. I am currently in transit accommodation that means I need to hold on shopping and I have all meals in the staff canteen. The place is a wide big open hall with tables distributed artistically. I was really looking forward to it as I get to meet many of my colleagues.  I am in the middle of mini world … so much to learn and so very exciting. It’s not like you are on a holiday but living and breathing with them. It is a wonderful feeling to be welcomed with such warmth and openness.  

“Mrs. Shalini, you must try this pumpkin gravy mix”, Shah guides me to this new dish. Our canteen manager takes special care of my vegan requirements.  “You must have this fish fry…” before I could respond he places it in my plate!

“ Mr. Shah Sorry I ……”

“I know … its fish not non veg” – I look at him taken back and explain to him that back home fish is non vegetarian! He’s as surprised as me … by the time we carefully transfer it into his plate we are in the midst of discussing world cuisine.

Thus my day to food, accommodation and a window to my new life has opened.

I take a walk on my terrace hypnotic sounds of the sea accompanied by a very pleasant sea breeze relaxes me as I reflects on the day. As I look at the moon send a message to my kids to go to balcony and we share the view with time difference and thousands of miles apart. It gives me a satisfaction of being connected to kids. I have not yet fully comprehended how my life had turned around until the next morning. But at this moment I am still in awe of the place, people and intimidated by technology that is being used at workplace. Laters for that. Right now, it’s me, the sweet sound of sea, the tangy breeze and the moon which is a bridge of two worlds.