Which Church do you go to?

I get asked this question on average almost every 6 weeks. The gravity with which it is asked never ceases to amaze me. Usually, the question is asked almost as if one was interested in knowing which suburb you lived in. One of those questions meant for idle chit-chat, a mere formality. The inquirers are usually inquisitive grandmothers, aunts and an assortment of random old ladies that typically frequent a family get-together.

Usually, my answer is the name of the closest Anglican CSI church I can recall - St. Mark's, St. John's or something along those lines. Never mind that I don't actually know what the inside of the church looks like. You see, one has to be politically correct when talking about religion. As a person of rather convoluted religious making, I've learned that its not alright to ruffle feathers. Although I was baptized a Methodist, I was confirmed in the Church of South India, therefore requiring me forevermore to declare allegiance to the Anglican realm of Christianity.

When I choose to answer that question in the non-affirmative, the conversation usually takes on an interesting dimension. Recently, I started declaring that "I haven't found the right Church as yet." This answer is usually met with the questioner rattling off the names of churches in the vicinity. A sort of audio version of Google Local. I then appropriately "umm" and "aah" and ask polite questions about the service timings, and exact location, before declaring my intention to "try it out." This then results in great joy for the questioner. "I lead the lost sheep back into the fold," they secretly mumble. The conversation quickly dissolves into more pleasant chit-chat such as the wonderful Chennai weather, or the state of the Metro construction across 100 Feet Road.

Last weekend I was asked the exact same question twice in the same evening. Having grown tired of the constant prodding into my personal life, I decided to declare with as much nonchalance as I could muster, "I don't go to church right now" This of course was met with tiny gasps across the room. In other circumstances, this would have probably been met with several questions, a summary judgment on my moral character. Not to mention a quick damning report being swiftly forwarded to all who might be deemed concerned. But this, gladly, is not one of those circumstances. And here's why....

1. I'm 26
2. I live on my own, I earn my own money
3. I am unmarried (and therefore no young minds to influence)

Now although these conditions are by themselves not guaranteed to ward off similar situations in the future for myself or for anyone else, it does have a significant degree of influence over the situation. And so, on this occasion, barring the one aunt who not let things lie for the next ten minute, the situation passed with relative ease.

I find it hard to imagine why someone so distant from my everyday life would be so concerned about how I spent my Sunday mornings. Perhaps its the general inquisitiveness that is so genetic to our culture. Perhaps its just a familial concern to make sure every conceivable need is taken care of.

I'm the sort of person who has what I would call a pretty "live and let live" attitude, when it comes to religion. You do what you want, I do what I want, and all is peachy, unless you come cross over into my territory. I don't discuss my beliefs openly with people, but that is not to say I don't have any. That's not to say I'm opposed to going to Church. I wish though, that organized religion, would lend itself to the needs of a younger, vastly different generation.

My grandmother, who for her age is rather liberal, once said it was alright to "shop" for a Church. After all, she argues, you need to find a place you like going back to every week. Perhaps its time to go shopping. I wonder if there's a 7-11 close by? Now that would make things very easy.

Travel Journal 1 - Sri Lanka

I've been a geography buff ever since my mom first brought home the Reader's Digest World Atlas. I spent hours poring over the outline of continents, land borders, mountains, rivers and so on.

My love for travel perhaps comes from my love for geography and political science. Nations, flags, currencies, the history of the land, people and food, the list of "Competition Success" worthy factoids come easily to me.

Last weekend I flew across to Sri Lanka to spend the long Easter weekend with old friends. Something about Sri Lanka has always intrigued me, more so than any of our sub-continent neighbors. I think it mostly has to do with the people, and also the similarity between the cultures of South India and Sri Lanka.

My weekend there was too short for the must-do visits to Kandy and Galle, or a trek through Up-Country, or the East. But over my three days in Colombo, I came across several interesting observations.

1. Sri Lanka is clean. Whoever thought dirt, filth and trash were part of the landscape in any South Asian city needs to visit Colombo. Agreed, they have a smaller population. But they also have an organized system of collecting garbage from homes twice a week.

2. People are not crazy drivers. Again, granted that lower population and traffic volumes make for saner driving, but it still makes you marvel at not having anyone cut you off, or honk persistently behind you while the light is still red.

3. People are friendly, and know how to give you correct, useful information.

4. The food is so distinctive and tasty; I could easily be vegetarian in Sri Lanka.

5. There's certainly a bit of a colonial hangover. Mostly in a good way. Colonial-era buildings are well-preserved, colonial-era traditions, such as the High Tea!

6. For a country that is just recovering from 20 years of civil war, security is carried out in a smooth-efficient, non-intrusive way. The army men at checkpoints are polite to a fault. They say "Good afternoon" as soon as you roll down your window. When they learned I was a tourist from India, they made sure to be extra polite and wished me a good holiday. Can't imagine that happening anywhere in this country!

7. Almost everything is imported. Including butter from New Zealand which less than the Amul butter that comes across the Palk Strait from India. Also cars. A majority of the cars on Sri Lanka's roads come from second hand car markets in Japan. The roads are filled with Nissans, Toyotas and Hondas. You do find the stay Maruti Alto or the Tata Indica, but with costs comparative (and sometimes higher) to the Japanese imports, its not surprising that Indian automobiles haven't flooded the market.

8. Consequently life for the average local is not cheap. A trip to the supermarket even for the most basic of supplies can rack up a bill of over LKR 2000 (Approx. 800 Indian Rupees).

9. The shopping is excellent. Specially for cheap clothes.

10. As small as a country might seem, never underestimate its diversity. There are Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian Tamils, Burghers, Moors, Malaysians, Tamil Muslims... the list goes on.