Fantasy Island Revisited

In India especially there is a need to escape from time to time from the dirt, dust, chaos and poverty into a different world. One happy bolt hole is to join the crew of the Enterprise as we work our way through Star Trek the Next Generation on an almost daily basis. As well as providing a virtual escape it continues to act as the source of the most relevant leadership lessons, although I am somewhat concerned that Mrs Reiver is starting to exhibit certain Worf tendencies in parallel with her Jean Luc Picard (with Data undertones) aspirations.
Yesterdays offering (Episode 2, Series 3) concerned a small fantasy house and garden recreated by a pacifist superior being after his planet had been wiped out. I was reminded of this little green oasis amongst the devastation as I walked around to the gym we have recently joined this morning. The gym is part of the Leela Palace Hotel which is a lush verdant 5star luxury blot on the vibrant scurrying chaotic and noisy real Bangalore landscape.
My preference in gyms is at the grunt and sweat end of the spectrum – exemplified by Daves Gym in Northwich – no frills, as many machines as possible in one room, equal parts sweat, chemical cleaner and testosterone in the air – one small dodgy shower as the only facilities - £2.50 a session. The Leela is a bit different and more expensive – there is a gadgee just to help you get changed who hangs up your shirt and trousers, and then post exercise puts your sweaty clothes in a little plastic bag – just a bit too ‘Suits You Sir’ for my liking. Then there are the towels and the water – they must have got a job lot as everywhere you turn you are being offered both.
The juxtaposition with real life becomes even clearer when you walk down to the pool and notice the there is only some palm trees and cunning green mesh which separates the poolside from the balconies of the cheek by jowel flats alongside with their balcony washing lines to the fore – one can only hope that the force field continues to keep reality at bay.
To continue the surreal feel after splashing about a bit in support of my delusional ideas of sometime doing a triathlon, I was reading quietly (2 ½ Pillars of Wisdom – v funny – recommended) when I noticed that a middle aged white lady was about to go into the pool. Nothing untoward – but then she put on trainers and gloves as she got in??! – One can only assume she was an American!
So I will continue my fantastical life in Bangalore renewed by the thought that “Fantasy is an exercise bicycle for the mind. It might not take you anywhere, but it tones up the muscles that can. Of course, I could be wrong.” (Terry Pratchett), and of course wait for…the Plane boss the Plane.