Category: Sugata

September 2008 My dear Sugata All the different times I’ve sat, expectant, in a plan to Norway. My mind, then, diving into the writing of the story or, more recently, warmly reflective of our lasting friendship. Now this: wanting to close and not to return, unsentimentally, coming to do what practically has to be done,… Continue reading Sugata: Closing Shangri-la

28 May 2008 Dear Sugata On  the day that the royal family of Nepal leave their pink-hued palace in Kathmandu for the last time, their seven palaces are turned into museums and the queen forced to give up her retinue of beauticians, we three (or is it four?) have found a settlement on your estate,… Continue reading Sugata: the resolution

  Dear Sugata   We were a small gathering coming to see you, half a dozen friends in addition to the two monks and us two. I did not know if it were possible or how it would work inviting the two monks who overlapped your life to both give blessing at the ceremony. ‘No… Continue reading Kathmandu: Sugata’s final rest

Dear Sugata The full moon is rising on the roof top of the Imperial Hotel, Thamel. Did I tell you we have our old rooms, with Gunilla sleeping in your room? Like you she enjoys sitting out the sun on the flower potted terrace. She has your long legs! Our day is altogether peaceful. You… Continue reading Kathmandu: Shiva Puri, Pathupathi, Garden of Dreams

Dear Sugata The Chhairo day breaks with a coffee with Fr Greg, who I have grown to love for his candid responses to my emails from Norway, cutting to the quick with his understanding of you and affirming and acknowledging my role, which I needed to hear at the time of shifting ice flows. Fr… Continue reading Kathmandu: Chhairo

16th April Dear Sugata Gunilla, you daughter, arrived exhibiting commendable energy keen for a beer her first evening landing.  She began recalling not your story but the previous time she was here in 1981 with her husband. With your attention to material detail she brings with her a 1980 map of Kathmandu (published by non… Continue reading Kathmandu: Gunnilla arrives

Dear Bärbel, Haimo and the dictionary Well, here we are almost a year on. Where are you? I am in Kathmandu, awaiting Gunilla, who arrives this evening. I have with me some of Sugata's ashes, and hope to find a resting place for them and this story, in this land he brought me to, nearly… Continue reading 15/4/2008 email to Barbel, Hamio and Dictionary

  Dear Sugata   I am returning to Kathmandu, awaiting Gunilla, your daughter. I have with me the last of your ashes (saved from the mice who I thought had eaten them in my caravan!), and hope to find a resting place for them and this story, in this land you brought me to, nearly… Continue reading Kathmandu April 2008 with Sugata’s ashes