Skip to main content
Monthly Archives

August 2015

My India Adventure (Part 8) – The Sun Tattoo, Goodbyes & The Journey Home

By Adventures, Happiness & Joy, Inspiration, Nature, Paganism, TravelNo Comments
IndiaJuly2015-suntattoo-0

Sun Wall Plaque.

I’d been thinking about getting a tattoo for sometime. I just couldn’t decide what or where. I knew it would be a permanent feature on my body, so didn’t want rush into anything.

Earlier in the week Eddie and I had gone shopping (see My India Adventure (Part 3) – Shopping in Delhi) and I had bought this sun wall plaque (photo left) as a gift for someone. As the week went by, I decided I liked the plaque too much to give it away and decided to keep it.

Then an idea popped into my head: Why don’t I get a tattoo like the sun plaque? So on the afternoon of my last full day in Delhi, I had it done. Here’s some photos of me being tattooed:

IndiaJuly2015-suntattoo-1

Me being Tattooed.

IndiaJuly2015-suntattoo-2

The finished Sun Tattoo – it looks superb, I couldn’t be happier with it.

Eddie came with me to get the tattoo done. It’s three inches by three inches squared. It was done by a Tattoo Artist at the Tattoo Work Shop in Connaught Place, Delhi, India. The Tattoo Work Shop was clean (all needles were single use and in date) and they showed me a portfolio of tattoos they’d done before.

The sun for my symbolises many things. I am a sun-worshiper in every sense of the word. Literally, pagans worship the sun. Figuratively, the sun makes me feel alive and energised. My sun tattoo symbolises my adventure in India, as well as my upbeat personality with the happiness and joy I hope to bring into people’s lives.

Eddie suggested the location of the tattoo placement on my back. I left the tattoo parlour pleased with the tattoo and with no regrets about having it done. My only slight disappointment is that where I had sunburned skin the tattoo’s colour has faded a little as it’s healed. Still, I can have it touched up.

That evening Robert, Michael and I had a farewell meal with Neha’s family. I presented Neha’s parents with a gift of a sun-shaped wall mirror to thank them for having me to stay and for treating me so well. We had a lovely meal, said our goodbyes and then headed back to the guesthouse. The flight was an early one.

At the guest house, Eddie called me. He wanted to see me last time, before my departure. I explained that I hadn’t even packed yet and that he wouldn’t get much sleep. But he insisted and I’m so glad he did.

The next day, Eddie waved me off as I got into a car to the airport with Robert and Michael. Neha would be flying over to Robert the following week.

The British Airways flight was relaxed and easy. Once at Heathrow Airport, London, Robert, Michael and I said our goodbyes and headed off in our own directions all destined for our own homes.

The luggage collection and immigration passport controls hadn’t taken had long as I had expected. So it turned out that I would have a long wait for my pre-booked Megabus journey. Plus the Megabus would only get me into Manchester six minutes before the last train home, which was risking it. So at the airport I spent a bit of money and booked myself on an earlier National Express coach.

I set off on the London Underground to Victoria Coach Station. From there I caught the coach and arrived in Manchester over an hour earlier that I had originally expected to. I got an earlier train for the final leg of my journey, meaning that I got home an hour earlier. I was glad to be home, tired after a busy but exciting week and worn out by the journey.

But I’m already excited for my next trip to India.

This is the final part in my series of blog posts about my India Adventure. Here is a list of the other posts in chronological order: My India Adventure (Part 1) – The Journey, First Impressions of Delhi, The Guest House & The Family, My India Adventure (Part 2) – The Wedding, My India Adventure (Part 3) – Shopping in Delhi, My India Adventure (Part 4) – Delicious Food, My India Adventure (Part 5) – Gandhi’s Grave & India Gate & My India Adventure (Part 6) – The Taj Mahal

Blog soon,

Antony

Share on Social Media:

A List of Qualities in People that INSPIRE Me

By Inspiration, Life, ThinkingNo Comments

According to Google inspiration is defined as:

inspiration-definition

Google’s Definition of Inspiration

Back in 2008, I wrote a blog post about People that inspire me. I could add so many people to that blog post.

But instead I decided to look at the qualities in people that inspire me. Here’s my list of qualities that those people display:

  • Accepting.
  • Authentic.
  • Balanced in their thinking.
  • Battle their inner demons.
  • Believe in fairness and equality.
  • Brings joy to others.
  • Can have a presence on entering a room or blend into the background in social situations.
  • Captivating Story Teller.
  • Careful in their actions.
  • Cares about others.
  • Comfortable with themselves.
  • Confident yet humble.
  • Connects emotionally with others.
  • Creative.
  • Describes their own thoughts & feelings through words well.
  • Determined.
  • Diplomatic.
  • Dislikes injustice.
  • Empathetic.
  • Enthusiastic.
  • Flawed.
  • Funny.
  • Generous.
  • Good communicator.
  • Has others following them.
  • Honesty.
  • Humorous.
  • Independent.
  • Influences others.
  • Intelligent.
  • Is a Collaborator.
  • Is a Doer.
  • Is a Dreamer.
  • Is Grateful.
  • Kindness.
  • Knows when, who and why to ask for help.
  • Makes others feel comfortable.
  • Makes others laugh.
  • Motivational.
  • Non-judgemental.
  • Occasional vulnerable.
  • One-step ahead of others.
  • Open minded.
  • Optimistic.
  • Passionate.
  • Patient.
  • Positive.
  • Relaxed in new situations.
  • Self-aware.
  • Sensitive.
  • Shares their Knowledge and wisdom.
  • Sincere.
  • Stands up for the rights of others.
  • Supports & helps others.
  • Unconventional.
  • Values community.
  • Vibrant.
  • Wants a better society for all.
  • Wants others to reach their potential.
  • Willing to fight for a cause.
  • Wise.
  • Works hard.

I’m sure there’s many other qualities that could be added to the list. I also know that as well as people, many other things inspire me. Things such as music, books, films, paintings, nature, animals and expressions of love to name but a few.

What qualities do you admire in the people that inspire you? Feel free to share by leaving a comment below.

Blog soon,

Antony

mental-health-wisdom-banner



I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


Share on Social Media:

Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

By Amazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments
the-fault-in-our-stars-john-green-book-cover The Fault In Our Stars is the outstanding novel by John Green. The book has become a worldwide bestseller and has even been made into a film.

The concept of The Fault In Our Stars is a simple one: it’s a love story between two teenagers, both of which happen to have cancer.

Hazel is a terminal cancer patient, who has been bought a few additional years of life by an experimental cancer drug. She is encouraged practically forced to attend a regular Cancer Kids Support Group by her mother who feels she should socialise more.

Into the Support Group enters love interest Augustus Waters (Gus), who is there to support his friend Isaac and is in recovery from cancer himself. He is instantly captivated by Hazel.

As Hazel and Augustus start to get to know one another and get close, a predictable plot twist means that everything turns on it’s head for Hazel.

Hazel is no longer the only the ticking time bomb, ready to explode and hurt those close to her. She is at risk of being in an explosion herself. This role reversal was simple, yet at the same time, very clever.

The Fault In Our Stars is exceptionally well written, captivates the reader from the first page and is perfectly paced. It is a superb novel.

The reader will laugh at the many funny scenes in the book, be touched by the tender scenes and be occasionally saddened at the knowledge and recognition that Hazel & Gus’ relationship will end prematurely.

Without giving any spoilers away, there’s a great and unexpected twist at the end of the book that will leave the reader feeling uplifted and believe in true love from beyond the grave.

The Fault In Our Stars is available to buy from Amazon.

I can’t wait to read another one of John Green‘s books. I will be picking up another one soon.

Review soon,

Antony

mental-health-wisdom-banner



I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


Share on Social Media:

My India Adventure (Part 7) – Agra Fort

By Adventures, Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, History, Inspiration, TravelNo Comments
IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-0

Agra Fort Information Stone.

On the same day that Robert, Neha, Michael, Neha’s family and I visited The Taj Mahal we also visited Agra Fort. I don’t know enough about Agra Fort’s rich history, but I do know about a legend…

Legend has it that the Emperor who built the Taj Mahal inherited Agra Fort. He desired buildings made out of white marble inlaid with gold and semi-precious gemstones, like the Taj Mahal. So he knocked down some of the existing buildings and rebuilt his own.

The Emperor was later deposed by his son and imprisoned in his white marble buildings (see photos Inside 5 and Inside 6 below) until he died. From his prison, the Emperor could see the Taj Mahal, where the ashes of his love rested.

It looks like it was quite a luxurious prison to me. No doubt he had staff to feed, water, bathe and cloth him. Along with maybe a few guards to make sure he didn’t try to escape.

Here are some photos of Agra Fort:

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-1

Agra Fort Entrance.

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-2

Agra Fort Outside (1).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-3

Agra Fort Outside (2).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-4

Agra Fort Inside (1).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-5

Agra Fort Inside (2).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-6

Agra Fort Inside (3).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-7

Agra Fort Inside (4).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-8

Agra Fort – you can see The Taj Mahal from a window.

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-9

Another Agra Fort Information Stone.

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-10

Agra Fort Inside (5).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-11

Agra Fort Inside (6).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-12

The Third & Final Agra Fort Information Stone.

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-13

Agra Fort Inside (7).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-14

Agra Fort Inside (8).

In the next blog post in the series, I’ll tell you all about a permanent reminder I got to remember my India adventure. It will be published soon, so check back regularly for the next update.

Write soon,

Antony



I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


Share on Social Media:
×