Anuj's thoughts...

Feeling so far away, here in Canada from the recent attacks in the UK... helpless, sad and at the same time feeling some sense of indifference. There were attacks in Spain last yeat, now UK where next. This is quite sad, that innocent lives are being hurt, but for what reason? What is the motivation. At the same time as i do not respect these acts, i do not either respect the sense that we need to kill innocent people in another country that does not share the same believes as ours... is that not what some countries are doing in war? Not to mention any names, but I am sure that one of our southern neighbours is guilty of such crime. Fighting fire with fire only makes more fire... i just can't understand why the people of the world can not just speak, understand and love... is that not what humans do best, or i am just dreaming on cloud 9 still...

Amazing! Yesterday was a very rainy wet day in Montreal... however this did not at all hinder the Jazz fans of this amazing city to hit the festival... and was it ever worth it. THis years festival is totally nomad and international... just yesterday there was a latin american group and then a Brasilian-Quebec group playing... and to top of the event a free outdoor concert with CHAMPION (DJ) and his G-Strings.... an amazing techno-jazz multimedia show that took over downtown montreal with art, music and dancing... despite the rain. http://montrealjazzfest.com/fijm2005/accueil_en.asp

Sorry... forgot to add to my blog that today is Canada Day! Bonne 138e ... Happy 138th Canada! and special happy 100th to Saskatchewan... ah oui... envoie moé de la blé!

... as i continue to Nomad my days around Montreal's tropical summer heat, I must say that each day i find new things that keep me filled with new energy and hope... Yesterday after a 4 hour volunteer shift at the Montreal Arts Festival, i noticed lovely flakes of colourful fire (fireworks) in the sky... for no apparent reason there were fireworks... either for the start of the Jazz Festival or pre canada day... who knows.. .just enjoy them. Aftere this, I ventured down to the Jazz Festival... going alone not knowing the program didn't hinder me from getting a taste of Montreal energy. After squeezing through the hoards of people (jazz fans) i finally made to the steps of Place des Arts... for a Brass Band.. but hang on a sec... not any Brass Band... this one had some different spice to it... a bit of Garam Masala... they were Indian.... i moved closer to the group to make sure.. and yet, they were the Rajistan Brass Band. For their first time in North America, they were at the Montreal International Jazz Festival... amazing! As I moved closer, I ran into a bunch of Columbian, Chilean and other latino friends all jazzing away to the bangra jazz beats... what a night, what a surprise... life is great when you are adventourous! Carpe Diem!