If you want it enough…you are sure to win it!
This is one thing I truly believe in…not sure since when, but yes my incessant belief in God has helped me in pursuing in what I really want and never to give up effortlessly.
This particular incident happened recently, in the pious city of Vatican. Had been to Italy with a bunch of people, whom I had met for the first time…Now to kill your curiosity as to why I went all the way to Rome with folks I didn’t know, all I got to say is that they were good friends of one of my old school pal. Also to tell you, I made real good pals with all of them after the trip (hope they all agree).
Month of March, so rains had all their mercy on the day we were to visit Vatican City and it being the Easter eve, as they say all roads did lead to Rome that day. Tired by previous day’s escapade, eventually we reached the Vatican very late to get queued up for the entrance. A serpentine line was build up which never had a tail to which we could get attached to get into the Basilica. Not that I am an avid follower of Christianity, but respect and admiration for all religions is something I nurture and to see and offer my prayers in the Basilica was one of my long running wishes. But all plans went haywire because of our late arrival, rains and big line to the entrance. To add to the misery, Basilica was closed for the next two days on account of Easter (not sure about this one, it’s what we heard). Made several attempts to trace and join the queue, but all efforts in vain as we could never find out where it started. The attempts to take a guided tour also botched as some one dropped in a suggestion to us of not taking a guide as all they will do is dupe us. And anyways in a group of eleven, decision making somehow takes a slow trail.
Rains were merciless, crowd incessant and the queue moving at its record slowest pace. Pangs of hunger was creeping in while the umbrella sellers were making a quick buck and the long cherished yearning to be inside the St. Basilica was slowly waning. The happiness and feeling of accomplishment to be in Vatican City was dying a slow painful death. Icing on the cake was when news came flying that The Basilica closes at 2 pm and even if we joined the line, we would not have made it to inside. So the only option left to spend the day at the Vatican City was to try our luck with the Vatican museum. Story goes like this - after 3 hours agonizing and distressing wait we gain entry into the Museum.
The day still didn’t seem fine after missing the Basilica. We were just winding up the day with some expert photography sessions, when I and another friend noticed a huge line leading to some where we had no clue about. Someway we found out and realised they were all lined up for the Easter mass at the Basilica. The impulsive person I am, I just rushed and joined the queue, and my good friend also was with me. Italy being a place where spoken language is a slight problem, we realised after spending quite sometime in the queue that we need tickets to get inside, which were generously donated last eve by the Swiss Guards.
How many times in a day can you curse your luck? Not that everyday I can manage to go to Vatican! But still we two didn’t give up our hope, which even though were very high, were truly genuine and deep rooted. Not giving up is what counts, at least for me and so I decided to stick on. So we finally reach the first barrier where without tickets there was no entry and we are made to go back. In such a chaotic situation it was no less difficult to go out as much it was to get in. We were trying to figure out how to go back to our group, which we had abruptly left out; reason being no one had the energy left to even try getting into the Basilica without any proper channels and information.
So while we two were looking out for ways to get out, our faces had pulled down to the lowest and spirits were as dull as the queen’s necklace without any lights or may be a bollywood movie without any item songs. If one needed an ideal example how perseverance pays this one incident can be picked up.
So while we two were looking out for ways to get out, our faces had pulled down to the lowest and spirits were as dull as the queen’s necklace without any lights or may be a bollywood movie without any item songs. If one needed an ideal example how perseverance pays this one incident can be picked up.
When we were just about to make our way out, suddenly a beautiful angelic girl came forward out of the crowd and asked us if we needed tickets to the mass.
May be I was destined to be inside the chapel that day. Coz here when I try going inside I am sent out because ‘no tickets..no entry’, and just when I was all set to leave the hopes behind, out of the blue this messiah came and dropped in the secret link into the beautiful world of St. Basilica. Nothing was possible in my part to thank that girl enough, and all I could manage at that moment of extreme exhilaration was a meek ‘thank you so much’. You had to see her to believe her, she was the incarnation of love and strong belief. Of so many people leaving coz they didn’t have tickets, this girl picked us up and had exactly had two extra tickets to spare. Luck can be illusory sometimes.
Finally we managed to grab a seat inside, some what near to the aisle which would have been the passage way for dear Pope to walk by us. Immense satisfaction and happiness was all I felt inspite of the very wearing day in the rains, no proper grub and late hour of the day. Words fail me to describe the beauty of the Basilica. Artisans had put their soul into the scriptures, paintings, figurines, carvings and statues and the effect was a virgin beauty. Even with a digicam in hand I didn’t feel capturing the beauty in my clicks all coz of the abundant satisfaction & peace I felt just as I entered the Chapel. The tranquillity of the place can only mesmerize you and fill your heart with elation more than you can imagine. Seeing Papa walk by just meters away from me was too great a feeling to keep tears away from my eyes. The ecstasy was beyond any measure. Suddenly all hunger, sluggishness went away with a phew! I sang the verses, hymns and offered prayers by reading the Mass booklet provided, which was in Italian. The jollification and revelry can only be felt by physical presence. It was a night to remember and I will always feel a lot better all my life for having been able to make it. Not every day I go to Italy and Vatican, and meeting the Pope was a cherished fascination.
It was midnight when it all ended and it was finally the time to call it a day (in the true and happy sense). With happiness comes a price that needs to be paid. Gradually when the day came to an end, realisation crept into me and I got a feeling that I hate the most – guilt, making my heart heavy. In my pursuit of happiness, may be I did hurt few of my friends who I left unexpectedly and ran my way to the Chapel. I really did not mean to and may be some day they would forgive me for my childish behaviour.....someday when they read this and realise that it meant to me more than they could see.
And trust me, even with almost not being able to make it I was meant to be able to go to the Basilica.
Why??
Some things in life just don’t need a reason!!
May be I was destined to be inside the chapel that day. Coz here when I try going inside I am sent out because ‘no tickets..no entry’, and just when I was all set to leave the hopes behind, out of the blue this messiah came and dropped in the secret link into the beautiful world of St. Basilica. Nothing was possible in my part to thank that girl enough, and all I could manage at that moment of extreme exhilaration was a meek ‘thank you so much’. You had to see her to believe her, she was the incarnation of love and strong belief. Of so many people leaving coz they didn’t have tickets, this girl picked us up and had exactly had two extra tickets to spare. Luck can be illusory sometimes.
Finally we managed to grab a seat inside, some what near to the aisle which would have been the passage way for dear Pope to walk by us. Immense satisfaction and happiness was all I felt inspite of the very wearing day in the rains, no proper grub and late hour of the day. Words fail me to describe the beauty of the Basilica. Artisans had put their soul into the scriptures, paintings, figurines, carvings and statues and the effect was a virgin beauty. Even with a digicam in hand I didn’t feel capturing the beauty in my clicks all coz of the abundant satisfaction & peace I felt just as I entered the Chapel. The tranquillity of the place can only mesmerize you and fill your heart with elation more than you can imagine. Seeing Papa walk by just meters away from me was too great a feeling to keep tears away from my eyes. The ecstasy was beyond any measure. Suddenly all hunger, sluggishness went away with a phew! I sang the verses, hymns and offered prayers by reading the Mass booklet provided, which was in Italian. The jollification and revelry can only be felt by physical presence. It was a night to remember and I will always feel a lot better all my life for having been able to make it. Not every day I go to Italy and Vatican, and meeting the Pope was a cherished fascination.
It was midnight when it all ended and it was finally the time to call it a day (in the true and happy sense). With happiness comes a price that needs to be paid. Gradually when the day came to an end, realisation crept into me and I got a feeling that I hate the most – guilt, making my heart heavy. In my pursuit of happiness, may be I did hurt few of my friends who I left unexpectedly and ran my way to the Chapel. I really did not mean to and may be some day they would forgive me for my childish behaviour.....someday when they read this and realise that it meant to me more than they could see.
And trust me, even with almost not being able to make it I was meant to be able to go to the Basilica.
Why??
Some things in life just don’t need a reason!!
