Friday Reflections

When the world must come together as one-Coronavirus

 

Point to Ponder: To all our brothers and sisters in countries who are affected by Coronavirus - Oh, send them your heart so they know someone cares.

Story Line: Recent Coronavirus has brought out the best and in some cases the worst of human nature. The demonstration of human kindness, care and extending loving hand are shown by some countries and people. Also tremendous resolve and determination demonstrated by Chinese people once crisis was recognized is admirable. Building a 1600 rooms fully equipped and staffed hospital in two weeks and being able to quarantine 11million people in a very short time are impressive accomplishments. 
On the worst side, some media and people have seized on this unfortunate situation to slender an entire race, culture and country. Such negative propaganda has resulted in increased discrimination and prejudices which we have witnessed during our recent travel too. Some have even used this incident to glorify their own culture and country by belittling habits of a few in the affected country  

This sad situation brings back the memories of an incident I witnessed in my early career. A group manager was delighted to share with his team during lunch in cafeteria that his peer in the staff was chewed out badly and humiliated by their boss in their staff meeting. An elderly employee who was sitting in the chair nearby intervened and putting his hand on the shoulder of the manager said  “it is not good to laugh on the misery of others” 

As he was leaving he murmured “ For the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Reflection:

There comes a time 

When we heed a certain call 

When the world must come together as one

There are people dying 

And Oh it’s time to lend a hand to life 

The greatest gift of all...

 

 

 

Tricycle Diaries

Tricycle Diaries in a minute. 

https://vimeo.com/391884294

Point to Ponder: Quality Driving means never having to say you are sorry to your passengers. 

 

Story Line: El Nido, Palawan, Philippines 

Precision, Accuracy in Driving. Zero Defects in over 20 trips we took from town to the beach side hotel. Normal load was five people but two times there were six people, 3 suitcases and 3 hand carries totaling about 1000Lbs. 

Portion of driving on slopes and beach sands required rebalancing and use of centripetal force theory ( even though the driver has not taken any Physics). 

 

Reflection: Even though driver seemed very skilled and has been accident free, from Systems Point of View, there are many risks such as overload, extreme narrow spaces, bouncy tough road and going on some handmade bamboo bridges during high tide. Eventhough we Trust the Driver, This is where word Faith becomes clear.  

https://vimeo.com/391884294

Puerto Princessa- Meeting Face Book friend for the first time.

Video Link of Puerto Princessa, Palawan

Puerto Princessa

Point to Ponder: Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. -Anais Nin

Story Line: The primary reason for majority of visitors to Puerto Princessa, a coastal city on Palawan islands in the western Philippines, is to take the boat trip through the massive limestone caves and underground river of the biodiverse Puerto Princessa Subterranean River National Park. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/652/  and voted as a New7Wonders of Nature in 2012.

 

However the primary reason for our trip to Puerto Princessa was to meet for the first time a friend I met on Facebook about two years ago. My wife and I were also accompanied by friends we had made during my expatriate assignment in Manila in early 1980s.  Roger, my Facebook Friend welcomed us with an open arm and a hug at the airport.

Our first stop was a school founded by a friend my wife has known since young age. After that we went to a beautifully choreographed/decorated Filipino Restaurant for some delicious delicacies. 

On the first day, What followed was the visit to Plaza Cuartel, the site of American Base in World War 2, and a very tragic event. Reminder of consequences of human Power Hunger, EGO and bad Leadership and resulting tragedies and suffering of the man in uniforms ( on both sides) and common people. (In First half of the video) 

The second day was visit to Puerto Princessa Subterranean River National Park, 80 km ride through beautiful green forests and mountains leading to the sea. ( captured in the second half of the video)

Reflection: in FB terminology Roger was A Friend of my Friend. I came across his posts and found them interesting with like minded ideas. So I invited him to be my friend and he gladly accepted. Over last two years we shared many posts and realized that we have many common interests. 

So we specially added Puerto Princessa in our itinerary to meet Roger. He was supposed to be in Manila this week but cancelled his trip to spend time with us. And what memorable these two days have been for us, listening to Roger’s stories and also explanations of local history, places and culture. 

He spent 20 plus years in a career as a Seaman that took him to  over 75 countries and enriched with lot of experiences and knowledge. Roger is highly energetic, enthusiastic, talkative  and loves to tell stories, non stop. And they were so captivating that for the first time in my life I kept quiet for so long. And listened without intervention. 

Reflecting on last two days I end this reflection with how I began “ Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”

 

https://vimeo.com/391328047

Seven Days in Chiang Mai

Video Link: Seven Days in Chiang Mai

Point To Ponder: Synchronicity?- Few days after Publishing  Friday Reflection titled: Life doesn’t happen to you it happens for you, we went to Chiang Mai Thailand with my former colleague from the last work place. First Restaurant We went for lunch there was a poster on the wall..

Story Line: Chiang Mai is a city in mountainous northern Thailand. Founded in 1296, it was capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom until 1558. Its Old City area still retains vestiges of walls and moats from its history as a cultural and religious center. It’s also home to hundreds of elaborate Buddhist temples, including 14th-century Wat Phra Singh and 15th-century Wat Chedi Luang, adorned with carved serpents.

The video highlights seven days in Chiang Mai region covering it’s rich cultural diversity. Various Temples, Exotic Foods and Cuisines, Elephant Nature Park that rescues injured, tortured animals, handicrafts, clothing, day and night markets, healthy massages and some remaining old customs. 

Seven Days in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai