Close encounters with the dreaded coughlings

As the festival season begins to settle in, as the cold and nostalgic breeze stirs my memory into a feeling of longing, i suddenly WAKE UP, sniffling and coughing, half-cursing the gloomy weather as my feet slowly turn lifeless and cold.

For priviledged citizens like me who get to ride the famed Delhi public transport system everyday, no amount of Vitamic C will help us avoid being overwhelmed by nano-microscopic organisms who humiliate us by giving us runny noses, blocked noses and purring chests at least once during this joyous season of love and cold-wave deaths.

All my hygenic rituals and warm clothing could not save me from everyone's scourge, although, i proudly must admit that i held out for quite some time. But alas, when every person next to you on the street and on the bus coughs and sneezes in your face relentlessly for a couple of months, your immune system eventually raises its arms and say- you got me, pardner.
An encounter with the cough-lings always lead you to the cougher side.

And with my luck, it was only logical that I would fall additionally ill through food poisining. An exciting assignment ended on a sour note when the day i returned, my stomach started giving me sleepless nights for almost a week, with the obvious result felt most acutely in the bathroom. I'm never going to munch on butter-and tomato sandwitches on trips again. Ever!

I'm recovering, thank God, and i'm all set to take my plane ride HOME FOR CHRISTMAS at the end of the week. The thoughts, the memories, the smell of bonfires, of glowing embers of charcoal and wood, of chilly but starry nights, and yes, a full moon without the obstruction of ugly tall concrete buildings.

I'm set, i'm set i'm set. All my bags are packed i'm ready to go......and i'm leaving on a jetplane (provided it's not cancelled due to the wretched delhi fog).

In case I don't post anymore before I leave for the holidays, Merry Christmas to everyone. ----by Hobbs (taken not from the philosopher but from my favourite cartoon character Calvin and Hobbs). yea