Thursday, January 28, 2010

Sinhala

My travel books arrived! Preparing for the trip.

Quick snapshot in Sinhala*:
  1. eka
  2. deka
  3. thuna
  4. hathara
  5. paha
  6. haya
  7. hatha
  8. atta
  9. navaya
  10. dahaya
(Now picture me walking around the house: "eka, deka, thuna,..." engaging my whole family. "Now everyone: eka, deka, thuna,...")

yes - owu
no - naha
toilets - vasikili
men - purusha
women - isthree
How much is it? - ehekka keeyada
Go away! - methanin yanna!

* From experience I probably won't get to use any. Most conversations are in English. But it's always nice to pull out some local language...even just to earn some smiles.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Creating Wings

Finally, the Unreasonable Marketplace is now open!

Imagine you could make a lasting impact in the world with just
10 USD
(equivalent to 7 EUR or 6 GBP).

Now here's how you can make a difference:

Over 30 people with some of the most unreasonable ideas to address some of the world's most urgent needs are now presenting their projects in an online marketplace. The project leads have 50 days to raise 6,500 USD. This will enable them to receive training, mentorship, network and capital to give their ideas wings. Donations during week one may only be upto 10 USD per sponsor.

Choose your favorite project based on the most pressing need, the most innovative concept, or the most convincing team. And give 10 USD today to help create wings. I have already chosen my favorite. Which one is yours?

http://www.unreasonablefinalists.org



Sunday, January 24, 2010

Indik-Perle

Mit einem Gläschen Tokaji (noch aus meinen Budapester Zeiten) wurde zu Hause angestossen - es ist vollbracht: der Flug ist gebucht und das nötige Equipment* auf dem Weg. Anfang Februar geht es völlig ungeplant, aber wild entschlossen nach Sri Lanka. Die Insel am Fusse Indiens hat es mir nach ein paar Mausklicks sofort angetan. Aus einem verrückten Gedanken wird nun spannende Wahrheit. Zunächst für 3 Wochen, bis ich wieder in Indien einreisen darf, aber wer weiss...vielleicht hält mich die Insel in ihrem Bann. Freiheit -wie wunderbar!

Übrigens, Sri Lanka bedeutet frei übersetzt 'leuchtend schönes Land und steht für lange, weiße Sandstrände, tropisch blühendes Dschungelgrün, Teeplantagen und eine Vielfalt an exotischen Früchten.' Wer bekäme da keine Lust mitzureisen?

Im Freudestaumel hätte ich es fast vergessen: wenn jemand tatsächlich Lust, Zeit und das nötige Kleingeld hat - noch bin ich allein unterwegs... Bis auf den Flug und die erste Übernachtung ist nichts geplant. Das Visum bekommt man bei der Einreise. Beste Voraussetzungen für ein Abenteuer!

Auf in ein leuchtend schönes Land!

*Da die Rückkehr nach Indien fest geplant war (aber zu meinem Glück der Flug noch nicht gebucht war), steht mein Rucksack samt Tropen-Ausstattung nun auf 8° 26′ 44″ N, 76° 59′ 33″ E. Ein paar Sachen brauche ich, um meine Komfortzone neu zu bestimmen. Und natürlich darf die passende Literatur nicht fehlen. Ein Notebook zur Berichterstattung und zur Projektbearbeitung (dazu später mehr) passt auch noch in den Ersatz-Rucksack.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

No Coconuts

"You cannot enter the country before February 22nd."
"What?? But I have a valid multiple entry visa! You see?"
"As per visa restrictions, you will not be allowed to pass immigrations. You will need to leave."
"But where to? I just travelled 7,000 miles. I am meant to be here. My friend is waiting for me outside. And my luggage is already here. I left everything behind because I just wanted to make a surprise visit home. Visit my family for the holidays. Had I known this, I would have spend my Christmas here. You see?"
"As per government instructions, there should be a two month gap between two visits."
"But, I was never meaning to leave. It was spontaneous, unplanned, one of my wild ideas. You see?"
"Madam, please step aside. Other passengers are waiting."
"But, Sir, I just want to travel in your country. I brought chocolates as presents and a hammock to hang between two coconut trees. All for recreation purposes. You see?"

When I got off the phone with the embassy, I was laughing. I am not allowed to re-enter the country before end of Feb. A new regulation imposed by the government of India requires me to stay outside the country for at least two months. I was laughing because I did not expect that my surprise visit to Germany would cause that much surprise. And I was laughing because I imagined myself at the airport in Trivandrum keen to enter India (with no luggage, as my backpack is still waiting there!) and the immigrant officer denying me entry. Gladly, the above is just a fruit of my imagination. But only my last-minute attitude and a just-in-time message from my globetrotter friend saved me from wasting 600 Euro on an air ticket and ending up in a messy situation like that. What would I have done?

For a moment, I was upset and thought maybe I should not go back at all. So many other places to visit in the world... I thought about what to do instead, and called a friend in India. A whole other month to spend in Germany's freezing cold - no way! I need tropical heat, humidity, sun. A hammock between two coconut trees. Maybe I should catch a plane to Sri Lanka and explore, patiently awaiting the day of my potential return to Kerala.

Any better ideas?

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Vielfalt / Diversity

Wow - Besucher aus aller Welt:
Madagaskar, Neuseeland, USA, Indien, Thailand, Saudia Arabien, Ungarn und natürlich Deutschland.
Da macht bloggen Spass!

Am amazed about the visitors from around the world:
Madagascar, New Zealand, USA, India, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Hungary, and of course Germany.
Write on, write on...

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Countdown

The Unreasonable Institute gives ideas wings.

"We unite up to 25 high-impact social entrepreneurs from around the world to attend our intensive 10-week summer institute. There, we will incubate their ventures with rigorous skill training and expert mentorship. At the end of the ten weeks, we will connect our Fellows with the start-up capital and global network of support needed to give their ventures wings.

We are looking for the world's most unreasonable, bold, and relentlessly determined young social entrepreneurs.

All ventures must effectively address a social or environmental issue, be financially self-sustaining within 1 year, have a model which can be scaled out of the country of origin within 3 years, and must eventually meet the needs of at least 1 million people."



Friday, January 15, 2010

Inner Race

When I woke up this morning, I heard a loud knocking from somewhere. Very consistent. Tak-tak-tak-tak. Fast, impatient, permeable. Tak-tak-tak-tak. For a moment I wondered who could be the intruder. It sounded hollow, like someone desperately trying to seek my attention. That's when I noticed: the knocking sound was my own pulse! First I was irritated, then listened carefully. It seemed so loud, and much too fast for just having woken up. My eyes were not even open yet. It was no special day and I had no reason to be excited or nervous about anything at all. I could choose to stay in bed the whole day and noone would bother. I wondered if it had been beating this fast throughout the whole night. Then I got concerned. I listened to my pulse and thought about what might be the reason for it to be racing. Never in my life had I listened to my own pulse before. Was it because I do not allow myself enough sleep at night? Or because I push myself to spend hours in the virtual world instead of taking it easy in the real one? Maybe because of all the different things that were crossing my mind? Ha, that was the trigger. Now my mind was activated and joined the race. Impatiently, I turned around and buried my head under the bed cover in an attempt to escape my pulse and to arrest my thoughts, seeking refuge in dreamland.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Mopsfidel

Heute früh musste ich lachen. In der Zeitung stand auf Seite 1 ein lustiger Kommentar. Für alle, die nicht die MZ lesen:

Mopsfidel im Regelungswahn

Dinge, die die Welt nicht braucht: Maulkorbpflicht für kleine Hunde

VON Kai Gauselmann, 13.01.10

Halle/MZ. Immer auf die Kleinen. Anstatt, dass mal endlich einer den Winter verbietet, nehmen Berliner Bürokraten nun Möpse ins Visier.

Seit Jahresbeginn müssen alle Hunde in Berlin und Brandenburg in Bussen und Bahnen einen Maulkorb tragen - und damit eben auch Möpse, die vorne statt eines handelsüblichen Hundemauls eine Art Knautschzone haben. Aber das ist der Haken: Woran bindet man Tieren ohne richtiges Maul einen Maulkorb? Der Handel bietet für die knuffigen Knautschkes einfach nicht an, was von den Bürokraten bestimmt mopsfidel Beißverhinderungsvorrichtung genannt wird.

Anderswo soll es die Korbpflicht für Möpse auch geben, aber das tröstet die Berliner Mops-Freunde nicht. Mit Protesten haben sie aber immerhin die Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe zur Kulanz gezwungen. Die BVG will ihren Kontrolleuren nun lange Leine lassen. Möpse dürfen oben ohne fahren, solange sie niemanden zwacken - frei nach dem Motto: "Fahre glücklich, ohne Stuss wie der Mops im Linienbus." Ach, soviel Weltstadt-Liberalität macht doch warm ums Herz, gerade in diesen kalten Tagen. Aber, Berliner Bürokraten, lasst euch von der vermeintlichen Schlappe nicht entmutigen. Die Welt ist doch das reinste Chaos, es gibt noch soviel vergeblich zu regeln! Hilfreich im Sommer wäre ein Nachtflugverbot für Stechmücken. Und zu jeder Zeit für alle schön: Eine bußgeldbewehrte Nörgelbeschränkung für Chefs ("Wo bleibt die verdammte Ansichtssache?"), werktags von 9 bis 18 Uhr.



"3 Möpse in Rotterdam"


Unvernünftiges Institut

Davon werdet ihr bald noch mehr hören:

Das „Unreasonable Institute“ verleiht Ideen Flügel.

Wir vereinen bis zu 25 wirkungsvolle „soziale Unternehmer“ aus der ganzen Welt in unserem intensiven zehnwöchigen Training. Dort werden ihre Vorhaben durch gezielte Weiterbildungen und fachliche Betreuung unterstützt. Am Ende der zehn Wochen werden unsere Fellows mit Startkapital und einem globalen Netzwerk ausgestattet, um ihren Vorhaben Flügel zu verleihen.

Wir sind auf der Suche nach den unvernünftigsten, kühnsten und entschlossensten sozialen Jungunternehmern der Welt. Alle Unternehmen müssen wirksame Lösungen für eine soziale oder ökologische Problemstellung aufzeigen, innerhalb eines Jahres finanziell eigenständig sein, ein Modell haben, das innerhalb von drei Jahren auf ein anderes Land erweitert werden kann, und schließlich müssen die Bedürfnisse von mindestens 1 Million Menschen erfüllt werden.

www.unreasonableinstitute.org




Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Incomplete

Alanis always has the right song for me:

One day I'll find relief, I'll be arrived
And I'll be a friend to my friends who know how to be friends
One day I'll be at peace, I'll be enlightened
And I'll be married with children and maybe adopt
One day I will be healed
I will gather my wounds, forge the end of tragic comedy

I have been running so sweaty my whole life
Urgent for a finish line
And I have been missing the rapture this whole time
Of being forever incomplete

One day my mind will retreat and I'll know God
And I'll be constantly one with her night, dusk and day
One day I'll be secure
Like the women I see on their 30th anniversaries

Ever unfolding
Ever expanding
Ever adventurous
And torturous
But never done

One day I will speak freely, I'll be less afraid
And measured outside of my poems and lyrics and art
One day I will be faith filled
I'll be trusting and spacious, authentic and grounded and home


Monday, January 11, 2010

Balancing Act

Six days ago, I found myself in culture shock. In my search for peace and tranquility I had returned to our remote village in the middle of Germany. All the way from South India, I delighted my family with a surprise visit for the holidays. I arrived with a one-way ticket and the clear intention to return to India for travel purposes. My mood was cheerful, I enjoyed the difference in climate (from tropical plus 28 to snowy minus 18), happily shared oriental stories, got in touch with my friends from near and far, and constantly bubbled up with new ideas.

After less than two weeks my cheerfulness was shaken. Without really knowing what triggered it, I felt completely out of place. Knowing that this may well be part of a normal re-integration procedure, I tried to find ways of coping. But soon I realized it may be more of an identity shock.

A call for bringing together our high school graduates on the occasion of our 10-year reunion forced me to reflect on my life. During the past decade, I had done a lot (really, a lot!) around the world. But, at this very moment, I have no place to call my own, no job or project to commit my time, and no partner to conquer the world. I am at one of those crucial points in my life again. Whatever decision I take may have a lasting impact.

No pressure, but it is very clear that my family is eager for me to return to my country, after I was living abroad for five consecutive years, in four different countries. I have twenty boxes stored in the attic and tons of experience. It could all be so simple! I could rent a place, spread my stuff, do some research, get to know some people, and develop the rest of my life from there.

But what about my 'wild' ideas, what about the opportunities that I might miss out there, what about my backpack patiently awaiting me in Kerala to come back and finally discover India. Could I not explore before building up all of the above? What sense does it make to settle now and then be restless because a piece of me is still out there? What if I missed my exotic life?

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Addiction

The other day, we had a power cut due to a problem with one of the fuses. With combined efforts, we did not manage to fix the problem ourselves. Of course, our phone system was dead. Two out of three mobiles were discharged; luckily mine had enough battery to call the electrician. Meanwhile, we lit some candles and decided it's much cosier without the lights on. Unfortunately, we did not have enough wood near the house to feed the chimney, in case the power cut would last. Our fridge and stove also did not function, but we could make minor adjustments. I thought of the daily power cuts back in India and smiled. I loved power cuts as they enforced a break in our daily routines!

Suddenly a loud knock on the door. Must be the electrician. Of course the door bell also did not work. When I opened the door, it was one of the neighbors asking if we had a power problem. 'How thoughtful of them to be concerned', I thought. "Because we have no TV", the man declared, explaining that the entire neighborhood could not watch their evening program as a crucial cable was located in our house! I politely explained that we were currently sitting in the dark, it was getting cold, and the electrician was on his way. "Do you think you will be able to fix it today?" I hoped so, but I could not bring up much understanding that the missing TV program was such a big deal. Read a book, I thought to myself, or perhaps talk to each other.

For the past 16 months I have lived without a TV and have not missed it even one minute. It can become such an addictive habit to switch it on and just let it wash over you. Instead, I was pre-occupied with the thought that no power also means no Internet. I was imagining all the mails piling up in my inbox and how I could not research on a particular topic today. But frankly this is just another habit: I currently spend too much of my time online, connecting to all of you, researching on the world out there. But this too can become an addiction. It's not the real world. Whereas you are real and so am I, our lives are still in the place we are sitting right now, with the people that surround us in this very moment.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Rooting

8th of January 2009 was a memorable day in my life. It marked the arrival date of most of 'my munyas' on campus. I had joined the team four months earlier. Over the holidays, I had backpacked through Kerala and recovered from the continuously high work pressure. Refreshed and completely up for the challenge, I stood at the airport, pumped with adrenaline, awaiting my protégés. I remember every little detail of those first moments. They were not hard to identify. Most of them equipped with white canes, the majority of them with black skin color. They looked tired, tense, and anxious to arrive after their long journeys. We greeted them with flower chains and water. So odd to meet them in person after having studied their pictures and life stories, having exchanged countless emails. They came with high expectations and some doubts about spending one whole year in India. Now they were here! No time to waste, though a whole year lay ahead of us.

11 months later...

Between 15th to 18th December 2009: Dramatic scenes at the same airport. Time to say our good-byes. Tears and tight hugs were exchanged with tender words and heartly wishes. The chaos around luggage and papers was the same as upon their arrival. Some things had not changed. But our hearts and minds had developed. We had built friendships, relationships, life-long connections. We had shared the same space to live and work over months, including every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We had seen each other laughing, crying, dancing, and screaming. We had experienced all imaginable heights and lows of some thirty people living in the same space for too long. Nevertheless, our good-byes were of a genuine nature. There was a special bond between us and with a little bit of nurturing it will forever be sustained.

My Munyas

This one is for 'my munyas', translating my thoughts during one of my walks the other day, on the way to see "my dentist":

(...)

"My memories carried me along the road. I thought of my munyas who are now scattered all over the world. What they probably just did? Whether they were well? I would give everything to have them here with me. And in my mind I imagined how they trudged with me through the snow. A loud colorful group of people: black, white, yellow, blind, tall, small, old, young... Some of them were cold as it was the first time they experienced snow and freezing temperatures. The wintry walk gave us all great fun. But suddenly, my mind was clouded with a gloomy thought: we would probably never all come together again. We live too far apart, too different lives we lead, reducing the chances of a reunion. I decided to walk a little closer to their side. We turned around the corner and spread across the street. I walked a little slower, to make sure noone was left behind. While I was pondering how and where we could all meet again, we reached our destination: the 'Blue Lagoon' - workplace of the most creative dentist far and wide. With loud laughter they followed me through the door...and suddenly there was silence. I turned around and could not see any of them. Probably, they wanted to rather be outside waiting for me."

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Zuhause

Heute hatte ich einen Termin bei "meinem" Zahnarzt. Es sind nur etwa 7 Minuten zu Fuss und daher stapfte ich hinaus in die weisse Winterwelt. Die eisige Luft erhellte sofort mein Gemüt. Die letzten Tage waren schwierig, denn der Kulturschock kroch langsam durch meine Adern. Wo waren nur all die Kokosnuss-Palmen und die lächelnden Menschen in ihren bunten Gewändern? Schon nach drei Schritten lief mir die Postfrau über den Weg. "Hallo und noch ein gesundes neues Jahr" wünschte sie mir. Ein paar Meter weiter grüßte unser sympathischer Nachbar. Sicher hätte er sich gern noch mehr unterhalten, aber ich war in Eile. Einen Zahnarzt lässt man nicht warten... Ich kam nicht weit, da rief mir schon die nächste Nachbarin einen Neujahrsgruss zu. Und ob ich nun wieder da sei? Ja, ich bin "mal wieder" hier und lachte. Ich bog um die Ecke und sah die Kirchturmspitze in der Ferne leuchten. Das Haus meiner Oma stand nur ein paar hundert Meter entfernt. Ich entschied, ihr nach dem Termin einen Besuch abzustatten. Plötzlich empfand ich in der klirrenden Kälte etwas Warmes: das Gefühl zu Hause zu sein. Hier kannte ich die Strassen 'wie meine Westentasche' und die Menschen ebenso. Manche Dinge veränderten sich hier nur langsam und das war auch gut so. Denn überall strömt Neues auf mich ein und nirgendwo kann ich mich so sicher bewegen wie hier. Ich kenne alle Spielregeln und es gibt (fast) keine Überraschungen. Obwohl ich erst im Sommer völlig benommen an einem Zaun entlang lief, der quer durch die Landschaft meiner Kindheit gespannt wurde. Zu unserem Weihnachtsspaziergang hatte er sich bereits 'in Luft aufgelöst'.

Meine Erinnerungen trugen mich weiter die Strasse entlang. Ich dachte an meine Kursteilnehmer, die nun auf der ganzen Welt verstreut ihr Gutes taten. Was sie wohl gerade machten? Ob es ihnen gut erginge? Wie gern ich sie doch bei mir hätte. Und in Gedanken stellte ich mir vor, wie sie mit mir durch den Schnee stapften. Eine laute bunte Truppe: schwarz, weiß, gelb, blind, gross, klein, alt, jung... Einige von ihnen froren, denn es war das erste Mal, dass sie Schnee und Eiseskälte erlebten. Der winterliche Spaziergang machte uns allen grossen Spass. Aber plötzlich machte sich ein düsterer Gedanke breit: wahrscheinlich würden wir nie wieder alle zusammen kommen. Zu weit entfernt wohnten wir, zu unterschiedliche Leben führten wir , zu gering die Chance auf ein Wiedersehen. Ich entschloss, dichter neben ihnen zu laufen. Wir bogen erneut um die Ecke und nahmen die Strasse nun ganz für uns ein. Ich lief ein bisschen langsamer, damit auch alle mitkamen. Noch während ich grübelte, wie und wo wir uns wiedersehen könnten, erreichten wir unser Ziel: die 'Blaue Lagune', Wirkungsstätte der wahrscheinlich kreativsten Zahnärztin weit und breit. Mit lautem Gelächter folgten sie mir durch die Tür...und auf einmal wurde es ganz still. Ich drehte mich um und sah sie nicht mehr. Wahrscheinlich wollten sie doch lieber draußen auf mich warten.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Minus Twenty

Last night, while tucked in a thick duvet of some bird's feathers, the thermometer dropped to minus 20 degree Celsius outside. 'Siberian temperatures', as the news reported. Indeed, even in parts of Norway it was not much colder today. Our whole village is covered in twenty centimetres of snow - giving it a certain glory. The lake should be frozen by now, but I haven't yet seen any people conquering the ice. I hope it will snow again. Sitting by the window watching the thick flakes fall silently, a cup of tea warming your hands - that's an ultimate moment of peace.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Go Live Abroad!

An interesting article entitled "How to stimulate creativity? Go live abroad" arrived in my mailbox today:

"People who live abroad are more creative; and the more time they spend away from home, the more creative they become. That’s according to a recent study at INSEAD."

Living abroad may lead to a psychological transformation. Fully immersed in local experiences, creative levels can spike. Learning the local language is an important part of the adaptation process. There is an association that bi-lingual and tri-lingual people are more creative in general.

According to the study "getting those cultural experiences at a young age, is going to have a stronger effect on subsequent creativity.”

The study also reveals that "yet another positive correlation exists between entrepreneurship and creativity."

Two good reasons for living abroad. And no wonder my head is buzzing with ideas for innvotive ventures.

One assumption I would like to add from my own experience: Living in a developing country will increase your sensitivity for societal needs and sharpen your consciousness for driving change.

Source

Monday, January 4, 2010

Ich muss los!

Eben war mein dreijähriger Neffe zu Besuch. Er hatte nur 30 Minuten Zeit. Seine Mutter musste noch einkaufen und wollte den Berufsverkehr vermeiden. Wir konnten ihn dennoch überzeugen, seine Mütze und seine kleinen Handschuhe abzulegen, während er uns vom Schneemannbauen erzählte. Am Anfang immer etwas schüchtern, nachdem wir uns ein paar Tage nicht gesehen haben, stürzt er sich dann doch zielgerichtet auf seine Spielkiste. Er zieht ein Buch heraus und lässt mich schmunzeln. Obwohl er keine Geduld zum Zuhören der Geschichten hat, blättert er aufgeregt in dem Buch und beschreibt alle Bilder. Meine Mutter bittet mich, das neue Spiel aufzubauen. Mit kleinen Plasteangeln fischen wir Forellen und Seesterne aus einem winzigen Papp-Aquarium. Mein Neffe angelt die Schatztruhe und freut sich diebisch. Dann gibt seine Mutter ein Zeichen und er legt hastig die Angel auf den Tisch. Er murmelt "Ich muss los!" und stürzt aus dem Raum. Das ist ein Satz, den man sonst eher von geschäftigen Erwachsenen hört, die von einer Verpflichtung zur nächsten hasten, aber nicht von einem Dreijährigen.


Traurig stelle ich fest, dass selbst die Kinder unserer Gesellschaft unter dem Keine-Zeit-Syndrom leiden, beeinflusst durch ihr engstes Umfeld. Für meinen kleinen Neffen wünsche ich mir ausreichend Ruhe und Zeit zum Entdecken, Lernen, Begreifen.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Revival

Spent New Year's Eve in a very unconventional way. My grandma invited me over for some fresh baked goodies, an old family tradition. In my auntie's shelf, I discovered an ancient video tape (yes, video!) that made my heart beat faster: La Boum, a 1980 French movie starring Sophie Marceau. This movie connects our family. No better way to spend the last hours of the year. The three of us ended up in tears of laughter, almost missing the midnight cheers.

Woke up to a fabulous World in White. The thick snow looked like a sugar coating on the trees, the small bird houses, the stairs to the garden. I did not dare to step on this magic white carpet. It is a belief that the way you spend New Year's Day will shape your entire year. Whatever you do today is what you will do in abundance throughout the year.

My first day of the year was filled with many beautiful moments: a walk by the lake, a peaceful nap in front of the chimney, enough time to dream, laugh, play, write letters (hand-written!), and enjoy healthy food. I sat by the window to watch the snow fall, lit a candle and some incense sticks from India, brewed cups of hot tea and listened to my favorite jazz album.

The best moment was when my mom announced joyfully that she will not do the dishes today. She followed my advice to fill her day exclusively with joyful moments and positive thoughts.

And finally I revived this blog, with the intention to regularly update it. I suppose there will be plenty of stories to be shared. My passion to write shall be paired with abundant time and the freedom of expression.