A disappointing week in Mumbai, with record rainfall and flooding due to rising sea levels. And Lama D’s US visa application rejected in a 10-second interview, no reason given. So I’m coming to Santa Fe alone, and he is staying in Asia. I’m here until November 6th. My USA number for this period is 505-930-2745.
We dressed for breakfast on my departure day in our Bhutanese dress. We are both fine.
Mumbai recorded “extremely heavy” rain this monsoon, when over 200mm of downpour lashed the city within a 24-hour span and disrupted daily life. The numbers are worthy of Swedish 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg’s attention — especially when one considers that the eight record extremely heavy rain days have occurred in the most recent years, indicating a definite trend.
Humans are amazing. Life just goes on in spite of the fact that this year’s rainfall was highest since 1907. By 25 September, Mumbai had received 68% excess rainfall. Residents just keep on.
I understand global sea levels are expected to rise by at least 1 meter by 2100 if carbon emissions go unchecked. If true, this would submerge hundreds of cities including Mumbai, Kolkata, Miami, Venice, Los Angeles, New York, and many others. In some cases entire countries may be underwater, warned a UN report released Wednesday.
Extreme events like storm surges are expected to happen every year rather than once a century because of accelerated global warming, said the report approved by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The high water warnings are a call to action for governments and business leaders across the world to reduce carbon emissions. The entire world needs to take responsibility and come together to combat climate change rather than debating it. India has taken a lead by accepting that these risks exist and has put a climate change action plan in place.
We said good-bye to our friends at the Fire Mountain Retreat Center in Ganeshpuri. It was a joy to reconnect with Bhagawan Nityananda and his ashram there. The wonderful staff at Fire Mountain gave us a heartfelt good-bye. Left to right, Yogesh, Lee, Jane, Lama D, and Hemant.
We took up residence at the Orchid Hotel in Mumbai. The food was extraordinary, and they were willing to adjust menu to my dietary requests of non-GMO, no sugar. This is my breakfast of masala omelet and vegetables sautéed in ghee.
Lunch was garlic infused spinach with rice served on a palm leaf at the South Indian restaurant.
We enjoyed Indian dinner music at the South Indian restaurant, by a very talented team of tabla and sitar.
Lama D is experimenting with panoramic photography. Breakfast at the Orchid Hotel.
Lama D’s haircut before the visa interview included a full head and neck massage.
Hundreds of applicants waited in line for their Visa interview. Lama’s application was flatly rejected immediately, with no reason given.
My US flights are confirmed to leave for the US Sunday evening. So we dressed up for breakfast our last day.
Final good-bye photos in Mumbai.
Thanks for checking in. I’ll stay in Santa Fe until November 6th. My USA number for this period is 505-930-2745. Then returning to Paro, Bhutan. Wish me luck!