In the Bay Area in California there is a road which has a name full of memories: El Camino Real. In English I would translate it as The Royal Path . Memories of Don Juan de La Vega alias El Zorro. Memories of struggle and liberation. Just memories but still on that Camino Real I found myself more than one time riding a bicycle or on the bus connecting Los Altos to San Jose California.
Latest yesterday I was on the way to San Jose with a split mind. One side with the determination to reach St. James Park in order to check for the coming Food Distribution and on the other side looking for a string to put on my bow. Of course the first side was more important but the second was bothering and I could not resist stopping on the way and puzzling the store keeper of an hardware store. I was not satisfied with a fishing line and I was sent to a fabric store on the way just in front of the police station. Good. I thought. Police station is one of the places I wish to check out. So asking for the police station I ended up way out of the path at the City Hall of Mountain View . Going from one office to another I was told that there are not fixed regulations for food distribution and it is better to inquire locally. They called the local police and they gave me a green light after mentioning that I was from Ananda Marga.
Back on El Camino Real I was still thinking about the food distribution when I saw a shop sign: "We repair rugs". If they repair rugs they must use some kind of strong string - I thought. The owner was sitting on an armchair at the entrance. He made sign to come in and a teller came full of courtesy. He received my request and he quickly process it. He guided me in the back of the store and show me a case of packing plastic rope. Will it work for your bow? - He asked with an accent which I could not trace immediately. Sure and by the way, where are you from. Iran. And I lighted up because Iranian people are for me so amazing with a refined sense of hospitality. As I mentioned them they offered me chocolate toffees which unfortunately I had to refuse as I don't eat chocolate. I thanked deeply and I went back to my bicycle resuming the original main purpose - the food distribution.
In the park there were maybe 15 homeless enjoying the sun. I chatted with them about the coming food distribution and they gave me thoughtful indications. In the end they concluded not to worry too much and bring good food. Still I went to the police department of San Jose in the desire to check thoroughly. At the counter the police officer gave me green light minimizing any concern. And if you have trouble call 911 - he concluded.
It was time to get something in the stomach. I asked a homeless outside the police station where to go. he indicated me that at 4 pm there was food at the Salvation Army and at 5 pm there was at City Team. These are actually the two main agencies involved with the homeless and I was very happy to be going to the Salvation Army asking for food. After a bit of search about the right office I was in the line for getting the generalities checked out. It resulted that as I was living in another county I could not enroll in that office. But they gave me a one time card for vegetables and I was filled by fruits and bread at my heart content. I did a brief meditation and finally I ate my first in the day. I packed some extra on the bicycle and I thought to go back to my place.
Why to bring food home when I have to come again on the same spot to distribute it tomorrow? There was no reason and I went back to the park were we ate that bread and shared the rest. Still with a couple of loaves I met another homeless downtown and finally I was empty handed ready to ride on the bus back on El Camino Real. I didn't want top wait in the cold and I took the slow bus instead of the rapid one. On the bus the situation became very soon obvious that the driver didn't like one of the passenger. He didn't do so much noise but it was enough to get in the way of the driver injunctions. After a few thretens the driver decided to call the police and alerted the passengers that they could be a kind of a circus so we were advised to transbord on another bus right behind. This noise fellow was still a bit surprised and passing him I just told him - get out. What are you waiting for. As I removed the bicycle from the rack I saw him strolling out with his bag of personal cloths and I felt happy. I proceeded by bicycle the whole way feeling great.
In the morning I stringed the bow and I set a target in the yard. I prepared my best spaghetti for the coming food distribution and i ate a full bowl. Even the smallest desire had been fulfilled. I hanged a small pumpkin in the front of the target and I began shooting. Now it is just another beautiful day unfolding with its charming little mysteries and unexpected turns. I love it. On the path of bliss was the title of the blog and I changed to a shorter form. BE THE PATH as I could not find anything else which was not already taken. In reality nothing has changed beside within myself. And that is all.
