kbsunnyside's VirtualTourist Home Page

While journeying through India for many months over a period of several years, Dutch anthropologist/photographer Iman Bijleveld and American novelist Don Bloch discovered the concept of "masti", a Sanskrit term that stands for quiet, ecstatic surrender to the beauty around us.

As Bloch says in his introduction: "Masti involves seeing the world clearly and whole, and knowledgeably enough to fall in love with it. Not so much seizing the day, as letting the day seize you."

I soak up the stark beauty of your world
Through my foreign eyes
And absorb whatsoever you offer
Having learned to be thankful
For the bounty of your coffers
However great or small.

I am an eager student of your realm
Chronically curious ever wandering, wondering,
Observing your thoughts, culture
And reactions with reiteration of my preoccupation.

I have slowly evolved into a mirror of your moods,
Your laughter causes me to smile,
Your tears well rivers of my own
Which overflow the banks
Of my perspective, giving me introspective
Into your psyche.

I have trod your oft-trodden paths
I have swum to the fire of your distant shores
I have sailed the clear blue of your skies
And have painstakingly etched my lifeline
Through your own.

Now, weather worn, sand torn,
I plod through the rifts of your drifting
Shifting valleys, barefoot,
Embracing my rod for comfort
Ever searching for your green pastures.

Through the still waters of my resilient fascination
Where the shadows of death
Impatiently, rather than serenely haunt my imagination.

by Edna Yaghi

After the love affair began with my first visit to Rome in 1991 I traveled regularly to my personal Mecca for 9 years before finally relocating. Happily, my permesso di soggiorno has been renewed.

I grew up where the address was an R.D. and had dairy cows for neighbors--not too far, though, from Philadelphia. I'm sad to see that it has now become development central. I loved living in Philly for 20 years. There was so much just a short walk from my doorstep--street characters, parades, vendors, ballet, symphony and museums, and quite a foodie and club scene.

I've been traveling for work for 6 years hitting hot spots like Hartford, CT, Kansas City, MO and Cincinnati, OH. Yeah, 2 n's and 1 t. Must say that I'm currently enjoying working in Charlotte, NC. Have to note that I officially call Rockford, IL the frozen tundra. Hopefully some of these travel notes will be helpful.

Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worries on the doorstep
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street

Can't you hear the pitter-pat
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be complete
On the sunny side of the street

I used to walk in the shade with my blues on parade
But I'm not afraid...this rover's crossed over

If I never had a cent
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street

I used to walk in the shade with them blues on parade
Now I'm not afraid... this rover has crossed over

Now if I never made one cent
I'll still be rich as Rockefeller
There will be goldust at my feet
On the sunny
On the sunny, sunny side of the street