The boat

 

Boat carried the lovers

To the shore

They whispered among the flowers

And bushes

They took the small path

And vanished

Never to return

Boat waited and waited

Ripples from big house boats

Passing by,hit the small boat

Saying Come with us,

they would not return,

But the boat is waiting

Because, a day like this

One may return

If not both !

-Ajith 17/06/24

Your love is like a star

This song idea came from me, and I worked with an AI assistant ChatGpt to craft the lyrics.

your love is like a star

*******************************************************

 Verse 1:

Beautiful sky, beautiful star,

Shining so brightly, though you’re far,

I reach out my hand, but you’re just out of grasp,

Like the love that I feel, but cannot clasp.

Chorus:

Beautiful sky, beautiful star,

You're always close, yet always so far,

Like your love that I see, but can't hold,

A story of dreams, yet to be told.

Verse 2:

Under the moon, in the still of the night,

I wish upon stars, hoping I might,

Bridge the distance that keeps us apart,

For your love is the longing of my heart.

Chorus:

Beautiful sky, beautiful star,

You're always close, yet always so far,

Like your love that I see, but can't hold,

A story of dreams, yet to be told.

Bridge:

In the quiet of twilight, I whisper your name,

With every sunrise, my love stays the same,

One day I hope, our paths will align,

Till then, I’ll keep dreaming, of when you’ll be mine.

Chorus:

Beautiful sky, beautiful star,

You're always close, yet always so far,

Like your love that I see, but can't hold,

A story of dreams, yet to be told.

Outro:

So I gaze at the sky, and I make my plea,

For one day your love, will shine down on me,

Beautiful sky, beautiful star,

One day, I’ll reach you, no matter how far.

And the same song with Country song Style:

Verse 1:

[Chords: G - C - D]

Well, that big ol' sky, those bright shinin' stars,

They're like you and me, babe, but oh so far.

I reach out my hand, but you're just out of sight,

Your love's like them stars, always out of reach at night.

Chorus:

[Chords: G - D - C - G]

Beautiful sky, beautiful star,

You're always close, yet oh so far.

Like your love, it's a dream I hold,

A story of longing, yet to be told.

Verse 2:

[Chords: G - C - D]

Underneath the moon, in the still of the night,

I'm wishin' and prayin' for some sign of light.

But you're up there, darlin', out of my grasp,

Your love's like that star, too far to clasp.

Chorus:

[Chords: G - D - C - G]

Beautiful sky, beautiful star,

You're always close, yet oh so far.

Like your love, it's a dream I hold,

A story of longing, yet to be told.

Bridge:

[Chords: Em - C - G - D]

In the quiet twilight, I whisper your name,

Longin' for the day when our love's not a game.

But until then, darlin', I'll keep holdin' on,

Prayin' for the day when our hearts become one.

Chorus:

[Chords: G - D - C - G]

Beautiful sky, beautiful star,

You're always close, yet oh so far.

Like your love, it's a dream I hold,

A story of longing, yet to be told.

Outro:

[Chords: G - C - D - G]

So I'll keep on reachin', no matter how far,

Hopin' and prayin' to catch that distant star.

Beautiful sky, beautiful star,

Someday, my love, we'll be where we are.

(c) Ajith Dharma  02/06/2024

Pang in my heart

 

Pang in my heart

*****************************

Whenever I go to this place

My heart is filled with such happiness

Whenever I leave this place

I feel a pang in my heart

I feel like  I can’t leave

Like some sort of an attachment somewhat

To this beautiful place

Friend of mine said

I may have had a previous life in this place

I am a non-believer of previous lives

But maybe he is right somehow

Says my wife

It’s the nature’  serene beauty

that we attached to

My heart and mind are cool and calm

Even though outside  hot at  

37 degree Celsius

Dry zone in Sri Lanka-

Ajith Dharmakeerthi 07/05/2024

 

Two sides of Istanbul

There were two sides to Istanbul. Yes, we all know the European and Asian sides. When the Crusaders attacked and sacked the rich city of Constantinople in 1204, it was still a Christian city. It was then the capital of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire). That was during the Fourth Crusade (1202-1204). At that time, Constantinople had been in existence since 330 CE, created by Constantine the Great of the Roman Empire. By then, settlements existed in the area since the 13th century BC.

Constantinople fell to the Turkish Ottoman Empire in 1453. It's called the conquest of Constantinople on the 29th of May 1453, ending a 53-day siege. The siege was led by Sultan Mehmed II, and he made Constantinople the new capital of the Ottoman Empire, replacing Adrianople. After the Turkish War of Independence, the Turkish capital moved to Ankara, and Constantinople was renamed Istanbul in 1930. It is the largest city in Europe, lying in both Europe and Asia, divided only by a 3.7 km wide, 30 km long narrow stretch of seawater called the Bosphorus Strait.

We stayed on the European side, and all the restaurants and tourist food prices are similar to European or British prices. We heard many stories of crafty tour guides and salesmen in Istanbul, but that is most probably if you stay on the European side.

When we first went to the hotel, alas it was under repair. We could not stay there and moved to a different one on the same night. The hotel staff was okay with it, and they realized we would not stay in a hotel still undergoing repairs. Strangely enough, it was Booking.com that advertised the hotel. The owner of the next hotel was Kurdish but spoke Turkish. They were quite nice and helpful too.

I heard Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish-speaking people in a lot of places. Some hotel workers in the hotel we stayed were from Turkmenistan who spoke to me in Russian. One Turkmen woman told me that the maximum monthly wage there (in Turmenisthan)  is about 100 US dollars, so it's better for them to work in Turkey. I told her, 'You came to the place where the original Nomadic Turkmen built.' She did not get the joke, though.

There was a Russian mom and two daughters who were very politely talking to us in the morning. I talked to her in Russian, and she explained that they are coming to buy Turkish and some Western products to sell in Moscow. 'What kind of goodies?' I asked. 'You know, perfumes, cosmetics for women, clothes. Now they don't come to Russia easily.' 'Oh,' I told her, 'foreign students did the same back in the '80s in the Soviet Union. It's like what Karl Marx said, "History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce."'. There was a mild smile from her at that quip.

On the second day, our tour guide took us to the ferry, and we went to the other side of the strait. Food is one-third cheaper, and most items sold to tourists are not exorbitantly priced. People are friendlier in a good way.

This chain there for the Sultan so he lower his head before the god. 

I went inside a mosque for the first time, and I found it calming. Inside, there is a large space to pray, and there was only a place for the sermon. I like this kind of large space in religious places; it's calming and ideal for meditation.

One of the most touching things I saw in Istanbul is their treatment of stray dogs and cats. This is a really compassionate act of not only safeguarding the animals but effectively caring for them, leaving food and drink in many places, and looking after the dogs with necessary injections, etc

You can see in one of the buildings there was a little inbuilt nests for birds.

Ajith Dharma 28/03/2024 

My Artichoke Salad and Mango Salad:

My Artichoke Salad: 

This is a quick salad to prepare, ideal for individuals dealing with Acid Reflux, high stomach acidity, and similar issues. It has minimal sugar content as well.

According to WebMD, artichokes contain chemicals that can alleviate nausea, vomiting, spasms, and gas. These chemicals have also been found to lower cholesterol and protect the liver. Artichoke is commonly used for indigestion and to manage high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood. Some studies suggest that it may also help lower blood sugar levels.

Ingredients I used (these may vary): Italian-style salad mix (baby spinach, green and red lettuce, wild rocket), Italian artichokes (available at Turkish or Greek shops or in Lidl), green olives, cucumber, two tomatoes (not ideal for acidity but when consumed with other salads, they seem fine), chickpeas (optional), no need to add olive oil as artichokes are typically marinated in olive oil, but if desired, some olive oil can be added. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste.

Mango Salad (with Cheese if you like it)

Ingredients include half-ripe mango from Lidl, leftover watercress, spinach leaves, and rocket, 2 tomatoes, cucumber, salt, pepper, and lemon. If you like the taste, you can add Vintage Cheddar Cheese or a handful of any mature cheddar (not necessary). It takes only 10 minutes to prepare.

//Mangoes are generally considered to be low in acidity, which means they are unlikely to aggravate stomach acidity for most people. However, individual reactions to foods can vary. Some people with sensitive stomachs may find that certain fruits, including mangoes, can trigger acid reflux or other gastrointestinal issues.

Mangoes contain certain enzymes and fibers that can aid digestion for some individuals. Additionally, they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can be beneficial for overall health.

- Ajith Dharma 19/03/2024