Saturday .... PART 2

Continued...

Chalo, after the Anand Kaaraj I had langar to eat. Everyone else went to the next door Gurdwara hall to eat Roti Paani. However, because I was in a rush to get back home because I had another program to attend, I decided to eat Langar.

As usually, Langar was tastey! Dhan Guru Nanak! Saag, Daal and Kheer... Sat Naam, Waaheguroo! :) I was a bit disappointed that the Gurdwara had no-where to sit on the floor and eat Langar! I thought it doesn't take much for the Gurdwara Parbandhaks (Management Committee) to lay down a few strips of carpet or sheets so that Sangat who wish to eat Langar on the floor (as per Gurmat tradition) can do so. Chalo, Rab Rakha!


From the Gurdwara I walked back to the train station (this time I walked, didn't need to jog. lol). There was light rain so I used my Hazoorian to cover my dastaar (probably looked a bit dodgey, but O well!). I got to the train station and the train was set to leave at 1.50pm. So, I waited for 20 minutes and listened to Keertan on my iPod.

ਸੁਣਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਰਵਾ ਹਰਿ ਜਸੁ ਮਨਿ ਲਿਖਾ ॥
sun keertan, har gun ravaa, har jas man likhaa.
"Listening to the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises, I contemplate His virtues; I write His Praises on the fabric of my mind."
(Ang 650)

Eventually the train arrived, and it took me to Reading in 25 minutes. There was no direct train going back to my home town. So from Reading I had to change train. Usually from Reading there is a direct train to Banbury or Oxford. However, on that day for some reason (probably train works) there were no direct train to even Oxford! So I had to take a train to Didcot Park (Rab Jaane, where there it is!). It took 30 minutes to get there.

Sat Naam! When I arrived at Didcot Park, there was a huge sign saying "No trains." Instead there were buses going to Oxford. Waheguru! A bit disappointed, but O well, so I went downstairs and sat on the bus. I thought to myself:

ਕੇਤਿਆ ਦੂਖ ਭੂਖ ਸਦ ਮਾਰ ॥
keti-aa dookh bhookh sad maar.
So many endure distress, deprivation and constant abuse.

ਏਹਿ ਭਿ ਦਾਤਿ ਤੇਰੀ ਦਾਤਾਰ ॥
eihi bhe daat teree daataar.
(But) even these are Your Gifts, O Great Giver!
(Ang 5)

Couldn't believe that I waited for 40 minutes or perhaps longer for the bus to go! I was just sitting there, thinking "Come on driver, make a move on!" Thank God I had my iPod. So I went through my Keertan playlist. One shabad I remember, which I kept on playing was - man preet charan kamal-laare (may mind remain in love with your Lotus Feet) sung by Bhai Satvinder Singh & Bhai Harvinder Singh. Then the bus left, arriving at Oxford in about 20 minutes.


More bad news! Train delays at Oxford! Waheguru Bhalla Kare. I couldn't believe it. The train to Banbury was leaving in 45 minutes or possibly an hour. I waited inside for a bit, then I decided to sit on the platform. WRONG DECISION. It was cold, wet and miserable weather. Long wait! But I had my iPod. So plus point was that Waheguru graced me with an oppurtunity to listen to loads of shabads :)



The train took 25 minutes to get to Banbury. When I arrived at Banbury I put hands together and put head down and said "Rab, Tera Shukar Hai, Tera Shukar Hai! Thank O God!" I was so tired from all the travelling, wet weather, waiting around and lack of sleep.

It was good to get back home and enjoy a nice cup of chaa and relax, after over 3 and a half hours of travelling!!



Note: I will post the wedding photos soon (just waiting for someone to email them to me). So please sit tight. Also I will share the Hukamnama given by Guru Sahib on the day.