My
sister and I met him on an interview assignment. It was 10 in morning,
we finally landed at Pokhara airport after much delayed 8:30 am flight.
Although I go to Pokhara every 3 or 4 years this was the first time I
saw reputed mountains. The flight itself was a visual treat as if I was
on a Mountain flight instead of Pokhara. My mom couldn't keep eye off of
the window. She loves mountain she loves hills. And there I saw
Machapucchera for the first time and I took photos with it as soon as we
landed.
Checked into Hotel Snowland. Fairly good, because
although the room was nice and clean with attached bathroom, which is
must, there was constant annoying construction sound right outisde the
hotel compound.
Up until now I had received plenty "kaa
pugnu vayo" (where have you reached) call from Buddhiman ji, adopted son
of JP Cross. What I love about Mr. Cross is he is so full of life,
healthy, very routined and always smiling. So Welcoming.
We
took taxi to his place, unfortunately I cannot recall the name of of
place after 5 months of my visit. Yes I should have wrote this blog in
April when I met him. There, two elderly handsome men raised hands to
wave at us. They came out of house, waited for us on road, lest we got
lost. Greeting us three with namaste and they led us in to his domain.
He has this huge house, and huge dogs. Mind you Pokhara is much more
expensive than Kathmandu, real estate wise.
Buddhiman ji
had to leave because of his upcoming election campaign. Mr. Cross told
us his history tale, he losing his eyes and hearing ability and so on
and so fourth. Between his humours tale and stories, I was worried about
his my size German Shephard (I think) which was lying just next to my
feet. If I moved my feet and hit him, I could be his food in one gulp.
I
tell you, Mr. Cross is one mesmerizing and pure soul, we all were
smiling ear to ear, during his interview be that in Nepali or English.
One could listen to him on and on. Like I said earlier, he is more
Nepali than me. He spoke perfect Nepali without inserting any English
words in his dialogue. The one word I caught that my grandfather uses
and I never use is "sitimiti" which means rarely. Anyway I can go on and
on praising him. After few more chats and quick round of fruits we had
to say good-bye.
He got up as we packed our bags and said, I
can give you nothing but ashirwad (blessings) and cupped his hands on
my head. That was the most beautiful moment for me. I had tears in my
eyes and I choked with happiness. Same happened to my mom and sister.
Splendid
day with Mr. Cross ended there. Left with happy and heavy heart. Happy
because we could meet him. Heavy because it was short. Had it not been
for British Council Nepal's assignment, we would have never met Mr.
Cross. So, Thank you BC.
