Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World ~ Haruki MURAKAMI

A Review

Haruki Murakami never leaves stone unturned when it comes to writing hilariously funny, thrilling, mysterious, seductive and inventive novel. Hard-Boiled Wonderland and The End of The World has the touch of sci-fi data processing, fantasy in the hard-boiled wonderland, info war, suspense and some comedy. We are kept in suspense, often plunged with some odd characters. We tend to dwell in some kind of parallel world, not exactly the scientific parallel world we know. So, the story runs parallel, same time, one person but in two different worlds. One world seems to be real though.

Murakami’s trademark, a nameless character narrates the story. A data processing genius, working for a company had had his life placed somewhere mysterious by a professor, who seem to conduct neuro-physical research for good. There, this nameless guy thrives in both the worlds until he is brought to knowledge on it or in other words, expiration time.  

He somehow involves in the info war with granddaughter of the professor, who has his laboratory established underground besides INKling dwelling (INKling seem like some kind of folklore animal related to fish family; prefers rotten human flesh). Rival companies as well as INKlings are after them, all in want of the data. In another world, it’s the end of the world. Surrounded by high walls, where one’s shadow is cut off, with it goes one’s consciousness and the people of the town got no mind at all, a hard-boiled wonderland. In this wonder world, memories are no more and yet no feelings, no love. Somehow, he thrives here or may be lives here.  

Story in the end somehow expects the unexpected, revealing how mind is feeble and flexible. An easy to read but hard to grasp at times, this novel takes some stake in neuro-data processing or in simple words, processing data with conscious mind but through the brain (professor explains well though). All in all, a worth reading book and if you ever feel like to imagine some faraway surreal world, this book is the ticket. 

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki ~ Haruki MURAKAMI

A Review

Haruki Murakami has his book Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki And His Years of Pilgrimage set as number one New York Times Bestseller. His work as usual has mesmerizing and mysterious touch which keeps us going till the end. His book wonderfully describes how simple things matter the most in life and how unnoticed ordinary actions drag us down at times. It touches in detail the small things in life, the endless thoughts and dreams with never diminishing excitement.

Intelligently written, seducing, mysterious and detailing everyday lives, the book resonates lives of Tsukuru and his high school group friends. Tsukuru here is obliged to go back into the past and lighten his burden which he carries for more than a decade. Things turn up unexpectedly, whereupon he decides to move on, although he continue carrying burdens which he hardly recognize. Struggled and challenged enough with his burden, in other words with his own identity and destination, he is lost in his own thoughts. Though, he tried to move forward and still trying. And his love for train station never fades whatever is the reason.

It has a smooth storyline with deep touch on the isolation and loneliness which is often disturbing. The depth of disturbance is well described which reflects vivid images within us. It’s the story revolving around mystery, friendship, love and sadness over ages. Murakami’s book certainly hit bull’s eye with this one more remarkable masterpiece, no wonder it’s the best book of the year.

A Wild Sheep Chase ~ Haruki MURAKAMI

Written by one of the finest Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, A Wild Sheep Chase takes us on a long journey in search of a sheep. A sheep that doesn’t even known to exist or may be it existed! Profoundly written and easy to read, the book takes us into a thriller-like mysterious road to nowhere but at times one is tangled into a relation of lost friend and ephemeral love and a madcap comedy.

He had decent job and a decent life. An innocent, divorced and ordinary man encountered with a mission to chase a wild sheep, whom nobody knows about its existence, leaves everything behind even his job and a cat.  No knowledge of sheep, he is set for the chase not only for sheep but for his lost friend as well. Along with his girlfriend, they get involved in business of the Sheep Professor, a professor who was so obsessed with sheep that he wasted his entire life for sheep. Lands in no man’s land and gets lost, who in the end finds mystery in his own life. He embraces his new world.

Story is surrounded by mysteries but runs into story of comedy which paves way into a tale of depressive and forlorn situation. It ends with something unexpected. It captivates us to read further until it reaches the height of a wonderful novel. 

Self Motivating

I am all set to start off my research and I am here still wondering from where and how to start. I had thousands of thoughts about it and I think of it every day. I really wanted to start by now and I am thinking of actually starting it tomorrow. I am here in a new place, got new friends and basically everything is new, just that I am that same old guy with same thoughts. Settling down here, turning the new into old and familiarizing myself to everything around me right starting from my room to vegetable market to pubs to university. But I am having that level of confidence that I am going to finish it by any means in the end of the day. And it's going to be real interesting. 

Visit to Adirondack Mountains

Visited beautiful Adirondack mountains NY, substantiated beauty with foliage color, numerous lakes and light snow fall. Here are few pictures from the visit.

Crossing Lake Champlain via ferry, which takes approximately 25 minutes to reach other side of bank. Breeze was cold and hitting hard on face.

Woody debris; there are really large amount of large woody debris in the mountains. Never seen so much debris before.

Hemlock growing on a log.

Lake in the mountains. It was a sunny a moment and snowing the other moment. The mountains ranges from 500 m to 600 m above sea level.

Sunset of Lake Champlain in Vermont

It was a beautiful Sunday evening. Thought of visiting Lake Champlain struck me and I ended up encountering beautiful sunset over the lake. Wondered around the lake for few hours until the was completely set. This beautiful sunset reminded me of how beautiful mother earth is, and how beautiful life is. So, the bottom line is, I was watching the sunset and thinking of life :) And yeah, hundreds of people staring at the set along with me! 

Imprisoned in Iran ~ Review

A book narrating true story of author Dan Baumann. He was falsely accused of espionage and was halt in the most infamous high security prison in Iran for 9 weeks. Story describes some horrifying experiences in a foreign prison. Having dual citizenship of America and Swiss, he managed to enter Iran with his Swiss passport to spread the love of God. 

Toured around Iran for almost two weeks, he developed many connections among the locals. All he and his South African friend couldn't do was to get out of Iran, whereby they landed unexpectedly in an infamous jail.His story reveals the nightmares of being in a foreign prison for no apparent reason. Also adds how he really had faith in God despite doubting God at times.

A good book to remind oneself to be prepared before planning any trips.

Always Loved This Trip

Blue pine infected by Dwarf Mistletoe, it's found rampantly infecting pine growth and as well as modifying the stand structure. 

Mushroom found growing underneath the pine forest. Grows usually during the peak of monsoon.

Paro Rimpung Dzong captured from cantilever bridge. I am always fascinated whenever I see this structure. 

Trail towards Paro Taktshang; appreciated the way trail is maintained!  

Walking along the trail surrounded by pristine nature and colorful prayer flags makes it most amazing hike. I always enjoy it!

One of the most magnificent structure in Bhutan engraved with traditional architecture. 

We took two and half hours to hike towards Taktshang, which is located around 3100 meters above sea level. It is worth a hike. This was my second visit whereas two of my team members were first timer. They were really fascinated by its architecture, significance and location, which made them really out of words to describe their excitement. 

An Experience of Earthquake in September 2011

September, 2011 in Bhutan is an unforgettable moment for me. My team who visited the remote and tiny Shebji village in Haa district will always remember this trip. Our team consisting of Stig Dalstrom, Thomas Hoijer and officials from Ministry of Agriculture and Forests begun the journey from Thimphu towards Shebji, Haa to explore the orchid diversity in the region.

Well, we planned our journey on 17th the beautiful morning of September but couldn’t make it as our team member Stig had severe backache and was bedridden and could hardly move. He was referred to the hospital and while back in the hotel, a pop sound from his back warded off the pain away. To our surprise he was completely back to normal and he eagerly wanted to start the journey at the earliest. Thus, we began our journey towards Haa, where we halt a night. While at Haa, some more foresters joined our team and had really good discussions and planned our adventurous journey into the wild.

It was a fine morning and I could hear the birds chirping. Well, we were all set to travel towards Tegola but unfortunately our car ran out of fuel. So, we headed towards the fuel station only to find electric power shut down and the station didn’t work. Hence, our driver went around Haa town and managed to get few liters of fuel from private drivers. Once again we begun the journey.

Road construction has just begun and it was still in its first cut and was filled with muddy bumps and it seemed be have rained all through the night. We stopped halfway since car couldn’t travel further due to slippery road surface and waited for the horses to arrive. So with the horses, we started to walk down the hills. We walked down the hills for nearly 6 hours on a rain-wet trail. We were all split up and I was somewhere in the beginning with Bakta and Sangay and horses somewhere in the middle.

Shebji Village

It was beginning to get dark and I just climbed to a hill in Shebji from where I could see Bakta about to get nearer to an old traditional two storied house. I was just staring at the house and all of a sudden I could hear ghostly loud sound commencing from an old house and in the blink of an eye the whole earth beneath me shook. I could hear boulders fall, tree branches breaking and some animal noises. That feeling could resemble the near to death feeling. I was completely blank and I didn’t know where my mind was, I was just standing there. Within few seconds Sangay shouted at me to stand in the middle of the open field and I saw him shouting to Bakta as well. Bakta too was just standing and staring at the old house. Within seconds, three of us were standing in the middle of an open ground and after few minutes everything was calm. Some of the villagers also came out running towards us and we all stood in the middle of the ground for a while.

It was so frightening and the worst part is when some of the team mates are still missing. Immediate thoughts like “where are they? Are we going to make through it? How can I rescue them?” were arising spontaneously. So, we all decided to get into the old house and after few minutes few of our mates arrived, still few were missing. After some 15 minutes, Thomas along with some horsemen arrived making some loud noises as usual but the noise he made that moment sounded so aggressive and terrified. We laid him down near the fire and let him have warm soup, he felt very cold. Some of us started to hand pick numerous blood sucking leeches from him, his body had full of it and shirts blood stained. We were told that he was all alone when the incident happened. While he walking, the trail just was washed away, so he jump upwards and laid down for few seconds but he felt hundreds of leeches climbing on him. Finally, he managed to climb on a tree upon which he was spotted by some horsemen and was brought down. Horses were without luggage on its backs yet looked so terrified. Luggage were placed somewhere on the trail, since the horses started to fall down as the tremor occurred.

Bakta, Guman and few horsemen went to look for Stig and friends after spotting a tiny light from far away in the dark from other side of the slope. We could see them responding to out lights. Finally, we were all altogether but very scared. I heard that Stig and friends during the thunderous earthquake they were all set to face any consequences that would fall upon them and decided to spend the night in the forest at some safe spot.

Now that everyone was well aware of the aftershock after some local people heard from their friend through telephone and radio. Unfortunately, both telephone and radio didn’t work so well, it was just not working though. Hence, we spent the night out in the field for few days.

Still the memories seem to be fresh; I can feel how 2015 Nepal earthquake has effected the people.

PS: No Proof Read

We spent our few days in this traditional house, sorry near the house.

Native Austrian Plants

Euphorbia austriaca

Pedicularis recutita