I am writing this mail at 11.05 PM.
Today is the last day of our stay in Cary and Sudha and I can't thank Sachin and Madhura enough for looking after us so well and providing us the perfect dream vacation.They have gone out of the way to fulfil every wish of ours.
At the start of the vacation, I used to be up every day at 6 AM.Lately, it has been 8 AM or 8.30 AM which means that the holiday mood has really got to us.
Today was no different .The sun was already up and it was a hot day as usual. Sachin had already left at 7 AM for the Office. Sudha made me a cup of coffee and we had it in the patio as usual.
I caught up with my mails and then we sat down to watch "The Bridges of Madison County" starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep on DVD.
We packed our suitcases with the final touches to be given tomorrow. For lunch we had anna and kootu that Sudha had made.
We got up at 6 PM after a nap. In the meantime, the Internet connection went on the blink and Madhura was frantically trying to get it corrected by contacting the service provider.The response was identical to what I was hearing in India so I guess there's not much difference in this respect between India and America.
There were a couple of urgent mails I had to do so I went to the Condo Office and was able to access the Internet there.
After dinner, we went and loaded up the heavy suitcases in the car. The internet came on again and I thought I'd finish up this blog.
Meanwhile, Madhura gave the Arashana and Kunkuma to Sudha since tomorrow is a Tuesday.
Tomorrow, we're off to Washington at around 11 AM and should reach there by around 3.30 PM and we hope to do Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial and , if possible, the Washington Monument also tomorrow.
That's it folks. Good Night.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
USA Diary( Photos)
Tennis at Preston Century
The perfect vacation.
Sudha and Nalini at Cincinnati
Stopover at Starbucks on the way to Charlotte
With Seenu,Anupa, Vikku and Anupa's parents in Cincinnati
Sudha with Ron and The Limo in Cincinnati
Madhura cutting her birthday cake
USA Diary----- Day 17---- Cary ( Sun 27 Jun 2010)
After the late night on Saturday, we got up at 8 AM.
I had the takeaway pizza for breakfast and then we sat down to watch the Germany-England match.It was a thrilling match and England got a real drubbing, notwithstanding the goal that was disallowed.
We then went to the photo studio for our family photographs and I'm not exaggerating when I say that the photos have turned out really well.The studio person knew how to get the right expressions from us and we're really glad that we decided to get this done professionally.
Can't wait to get similar photos clicked with Sandeep and Greeshma.
Went to Sam's Club and Walmart to look for a suitcase to bring back all our purchases.We bought some photo frames and as soon as we got back, we put the photos in the frames.
I'll post the photos in the near future and you decide.
I had the takeaway pizza for breakfast and then we sat down to watch the Germany-England match.It was a thrilling match and England got a real drubbing, notwithstanding the goal that was disallowed.
We then went to the photo studio for our family photographs and I'm not exaggerating when I say that the photos have turned out really well.The studio person knew how to get the right expressions from us and we're really glad that we decided to get this done professionally.
Can't wait to get similar photos clicked with Sandeep and Greeshma.
Went to Sam's Club and Walmart to look for a suitcase to bring back all our purchases.We bought some photo frames and as soon as we got back, we put the photos in the frames.
I'll post the photos in the near future and you decide.
USA Diary---- Day 16--- ( Cary---- 26 Jun 2010)
Lovely Saturday and Madhura's birthday to boot.
How lucky we were to be able to share this happy day with her.
Sachin gifted her a lovely solitaire pendant and then I gave her a bottle of rose attar specially brought from Udaipur.Sudha had given the gifts brought from India much earlier.
Sudha prepared vegetable palau( Madhura's favourite) and then Sachin and I sat down to watch the World Cup football matches.
Madhura had her SAP classes.As soon as it ended at 2.30 PM, we set off to Charlotte to visit the Ikea Store--- a good 21/2 hour drive away. We reached there at 5 PM and there was a sale going on.This was my first visit to an Ikea Store and it blew me away. We had a break for snacks and gorged on garlic bread and fries and bought a couple of knick-knacks.Later we went to an Indian restaurant, Jaipur, and had some roti and vegetables.
We left Charlotte at 10 PM and got back to Cary at 12.30 AM. A fairly exhausting journey.
On the way home, we had a chat with Sandeep and Greeshma. Sandeep was on a weekend visit to Bangalore after his first couple of days in Cognizant.
We also learnt about Swathi winning Rs.5000.Don't spend it all Swathi--- you owe us a treat.
That was the end of Day 16 and we can only wonder at how quickly our vacation is coming to an end.
How lucky we were to be able to share this happy day with her.
Sachin gifted her a lovely solitaire pendant and then I gave her a bottle of rose attar specially brought from Udaipur.Sudha had given the gifts brought from India much earlier.
Sudha prepared vegetable palau( Madhura's favourite) and then Sachin and I sat down to watch the World Cup football matches.
Madhura had her SAP classes.As soon as it ended at 2.30 PM, we set off to Charlotte to visit the Ikea Store--- a good 21/2 hour drive away. We reached there at 5 PM and there was a sale going on.This was my first visit to an Ikea Store and it blew me away. We had a break for snacks and gorged on garlic bread and fries and bought a couple of knick-knacks.Later we went to an Indian restaurant, Jaipur, and had some roti and vegetables.
We left Charlotte at 10 PM and got back to Cary at 12.30 AM. A fairly exhausting journey.
On the way home, we had a chat with Sandeep and Greeshma. Sandeep was on a weekend visit to Bangalore after his first couple of days in Cognizant.
We also learnt about Swathi winning Rs.5000.Don't spend it all Swathi--- you owe us a treat.
That was the end of Day 16 and we can only wonder at how quickly our vacation is coming to an end.
USA Diary---- Day 15--- ( Cary--- Fri --25 Jun 2010)
For the first time during our stay, all of us piled into the car and dropped off Sachin at the Office and then Madhura brought the car back home.
I've always had this desire to drop in at my sons' offices and introduce myself as their humble father.I didn't get the chance to do this anyway.
After breakfast, Sudha, Madhura and I went to Macy's where Sudha got me a nice green bush shirt. This is casual in the extreme and no one needs to guess that I'm on vacation when I bear this bush shirt, my bermudas and my loafers.
Lunch and another snooze later, we went to this nice Italian restaurant called Lagazzi's where we settled for a bowl of salad, a bottle of wine and garlic bread. Sudha and I shared a pizza while Madhura had pasta ( fuccini) and Sachin had something equally exotic.
We got back at 10 PM and then had an early cake cutting in anticipation of Madhura's birthday the next day. Madhura had baked a lovely chocolate cake and another eggless cake ( to give the Shastrigalu family next door).
Lots of calls to families in India ( including Malathesh's mother who shared Madhura's birthday) and then we called it a day.
I've always had this desire to drop in at my sons' offices and introduce myself as their humble father.I didn't get the chance to do this anyway.
After breakfast, Sudha, Madhura and I went to Macy's where Sudha got me a nice green bush shirt. This is casual in the extreme and no one needs to guess that I'm on vacation when I bear this bush shirt, my bermudas and my loafers.
Lunch and another snooze later, we went to this nice Italian restaurant called Lagazzi's where we settled for a bowl of salad, a bottle of wine and garlic bread. Sudha and I shared a pizza while Madhura had pasta ( fuccini) and Sachin had something equally exotic.
We got back at 10 PM and then had an early cake cutting in anticipation of Madhura's birthday the next day. Madhura had baked a lovely chocolate cake and another eggless cake ( to give the Shastrigalu family next door).
Lots of calls to families in India ( including Malathesh's mother who shared Madhura's birthday) and then we called it a day.
USA Diary-----Day 14---- Cincinati/Cary( 24 Jun 2010)
Sudha and I were up by 6 AM to get ready to leave by 8AM for Dayton Airport.
Sudha had her breakfast in the room but I went down to the restaurant for my usual omelette, fruits, juice and coffee.
We checked out and then Ron arrived in this stretch limo. This was really thoughtful of my Office and we got a really memorable ride to the Airport.
As we got off at the Airport, Ron came over and whispered in my ear and asked if he could give Sudha a hug. I said yes and then later Sudha told me that it was like hugging a huge teddy bear.
We caught the flight to Washington and then another flight to Raleigh-Durham and reached at 1.40 PM.Sachin came over and picked us up and dropped us off at home and then left for the Office.
Sachin had prepared some onion-potato huli and onion-potato palya and it was good to eat a hearty lunch once again.
After a good snooze, Sachin & Sudha went off to do some shopping while I caught up on my mails.
Madhura and I meanwhile went out to play some tennis but the lights went off after 15 minutes and that was the end of that.
Sudha had her breakfast in the room but I went down to the restaurant for my usual omelette, fruits, juice and coffee.
We checked out and then Ron arrived in this stretch limo. This was really thoughtful of my Office and we got a really memorable ride to the Airport.
As we got off at the Airport, Ron came over and whispered in my ear and asked if he could give Sudha a hug. I said yes and then later Sudha told me that it was like hugging a huge teddy bear.
We caught the flight to Washington and then another flight to Raleigh-Durham and reached at 1.40 PM.Sachin came over and picked us up and dropped us off at home and then left for the Office.
Sachin had prepared some onion-potato huli and onion-potato palya and it was good to eat a hearty lunch once again.
After a good snooze, Sachin & Sudha went off to do some shopping while I caught up on my mails.
Madhura and I meanwhile went out to play some tennis but the lights went off after 15 minutes and that was the end of that.
USA Diary--- Day 13---- ( Cincinnati---Wed 23 Jun 2010)
My colleague and I were up early since we had invited one of our former colleagues to breakfast at 7 AM at the hotel.
We left as usual for the Office at 8 AM.
Sudha got up leisurely.She had booked the hotel shuttle to drop her off at Kenwood Mall at 10 AM.She was then able to realize her lifetime ambition of strolling around in a shopping area to her heart's content and got back to the hotel around 4 PM.
My company's President had arranged for dinner and 6 of us including Sudha and myself ent for dinner to an Indian restaurant in Montgomery ( another suburb of Cincinnati)at 6.30 PM. After dinner, we got dropped at Kenwood Mall again since Sudha wanted me to look at some items she had seen in the morning, but we decided against it and returned to the hotel.
That was the end of Day 13.
We left as usual for the Office at 8 AM.
Sudha got up leisurely.She had booked the hotel shuttle to drop her off at Kenwood Mall at 10 AM.She was then able to realize her lifetime ambition of strolling around in a shopping area to her heart's content and got back to the hotel around 4 PM.
My company's President had arranged for dinner and 6 of us including Sudha and myself ent for dinner to an Indian restaurant in Montgomery ( another suburb of Cincinnati)at 6.30 PM. After dinner, we got dropped at Kenwood Mall again since Sudha wanted me to look at some items she had seen in the morning, but we decided against it and returned to the hotel.
That was the end of Day 13.
USA Diary----Day 12--- (Cincinnati---22 Jun 2010)
I had to get up early in order to finish breakfast by 8 AM.My colleague from India had joined me and we finished breakfast together and took the hotel shuttle bus to my Office.
Meanwhile, Sudha finished her breakfast in the room.The car was waiting for her at 10 AM and the chauffeur, Ron, turned out to be a friendly gentleman.He took Sudha to the Rail Museum, the Museum of Natural History and Fountain Square as well as the houses of the rich and famous along the Ohio River.Sudha got back at 4 PM and I returned from the Office at 5.30 PM.
Seeni and his son Vikku came over at around 7.30 PM and we drove down to Seeni's house.It is a beautiful house in the suburb of Westchester. Anupa was busy with a group of her friends practising for another dance in the basement of the house.Anupa's parents were also there.The pumpkin majjigehuli was delicious.
We spent a very pleasant couple of hours in their house and then spoke to Rajani in Minneapolis since it was her birthday.
Vikku brought out his mrindanga and treated us to some nice beats.
We left at around 11 PM and got back to the hotel and dropped off to bed.
Meanwhile, Sudha finished her breakfast in the room.The car was waiting for her at 10 AM and the chauffeur, Ron, turned out to be a friendly gentleman.He took Sudha to the Rail Museum, the Museum of Natural History and Fountain Square as well as the houses of the rich and famous along the Ohio River.Sudha got back at 4 PM and I returned from the Office at 5.30 PM.
Seeni and his son Vikku came over at around 7.30 PM and we drove down to Seeni's house.It is a beautiful house in the suburb of Westchester. Anupa was busy with a group of her friends practising for another dance in the basement of the house.Anupa's parents were also there.The pumpkin majjigehuli was delicious.
We spent a very pleasant couple of hours in their house and then spoke to Rajani in Minneapolis since it was her birthday.
Vikku brought out his mrindanga and treated us to some nice beats.
We left at around 11 PM and got back to the hotel and dropped off to bed.
USA Diary---- Day 11---- Cincinnati( Mon-21 Jun 2010)
Sudha and I got up bright and early, had our breakfast and then Madhura dropped us off at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.Our flight to Cleveland was at 10.10 AM and at the airport we met Cathy, Madhura's cousin Ashwin's wife , who was returning from San Francisco after a family get-together.
We reached Dayton at 1.15PM and there was a car waiting for us for the ride into Cincinnati.We checked into Crowne Plaza in Blue Ash at 2.30 PM and found a gift bag waiting for us with a note from my company's President welcoming us to Cincinnati.The bag also contained a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates and a box of green tea( Tazo).The bag also contained detailed instructions for Sudha's sightseeing the next day. Very nice gesture by my company.
We were ravenously hungry but, surprise of surprises, there was no restaurant open in the hotel.
We contacted Nalini( Sundari's cousin)and she promised to pick us up by 4 PM.She finally arrived at 5 PM and the first thing we did was to go to a Udipi restaurant.Sudha had Channa Bhatura and Nalini had some other dish while I opted for a Masala Dosa.
Our hunger pangs satisfied, Nalini took us to an Indian Store where Sudha stocked up on some Methi Parathas and other stuff for her next day's visit.We then went to Nalini's house in Clifton, a suburb that's close to the University of Cincinnati.
The area is very nice and busy even at 9 PM.We walked up to Graetter's for ice-cream and ate it on a bench in the side-walk opposite.Very calm and peaceful.
Thank you Nalini for your wonderful hospitality and we look forward to visiting you wherever you are next.
We got back to the hotel by 10.30 PM and I had to get prepared for my office visit the next day.
We reached Dayton at 1.15PM and there was a car waiting for us for the ride into Cincinnati.We checked into Crowne Plaza in Blue Ash at 2.30 PM and found a gift bag waiting for us with a note from my company's President welcoming us to Cincinnati.The bag also contained a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates and a box of green tea( Tazo).The bag also contained detailed instructions for Sudha's sightseeing the next day. Very nice gesture by my company.
We were ravenously hungry but, surprise of surprises, there was no restaurant open in the hotel.
We contacted Nalini( Sundari's cousin)and she promised to pick us up by 4 PM.She finally arrived at 5 PM and the first thing we did was to go to a Udipi restaurant.Sudha had Channa Bhatura and Nalini had some other dish while I opted for a Masala Dosa.
Our hunger pangs satisfied, Nalini took us to an Indian Store where Sudha stocked up on some Methi Parathas and other stuff for her next day's visit.We then went to Nalini's house in Clifton, a suburb that's close to the University of Cincinnati.
The area is very nice and busy even at 9 PM.We walked up to Graetter's for ice-cream and ate it on a bench in the side-walk opposite.Very calm and peaceful.
Thank you Nalini for your wonderful hospitality and we look forward to visiting you wherever you are next.
We got back to the hotel by 10.30 PM and I had to get prepared for my office visit the next day.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
USA Diary----- Day 10 --- Cary ( 20 Jun 2010)
To all of you who've been following my USA Diary, my deepest apologies since I'm updating this today Saturday 26th Jun.That only goes to show how busy I've been this past week.
OK, let's start.
Sunday 20th Jun turned out to be one hot day--- temperature up at 95 DegF.
Sudha and I went for our usual morning walk.Then at 11AM Sachin, Sudha and I got ready to go to the Kumbabhishekam at the local new Shiva Temple.Our neighbours Akhila and Hari also got ready,with Akhila dressed in her 9-yard madisar. Madhura couldn't come since she had her class.
We got off about 200 yards short of the temple and then literally hiked thru a forest and crossed a railway track before we got to the temple.I've added the photo above so you can see how appropriate this was.
The rituals were gone thru meticulously and I'm glad that we were there because this was an opportunity that we couldn't have got even in India.The main priest had come from Houston and he had come over to USA in 1982 after serving in the Madurai Meenakshi temple.Other priests had come from Atlanta, Mephisetc and the Valaga players had come from Toronto.Sudha, Sachin and I had a ringside view since Sachin and Madhura had donated for the Kalyanothsava.
The ceremony got over at 2 PM and then we had lunch at the temple.Madhura had come there in the meanwhile.
After this, we dropped off Sachin at home and then did another round of shopping at The World Market, DSW, Macy's and The Dollar Store. We got back at 5.30 PM and then got busy packing for the next day's trip to Cincinnati.
That was the end of Day 10.
Monday, June 21, 2010
USA Diary ( Day 9)---- Cary---- 19 Jun 2010( Sat)
Lovely Saturday morning when I got up at 6 AM. Caught up with my mails as usual and then went for a walk at 7 AM. Fred wasn't there ( is he avoiding me?).
Came back to a nice breakfast of Dosai with chutneypudi and thuppa ( lip-smacking).
In a break from routine, I didn't go to the Condo Office today.Instead, Sachin and I sat down to watch "The War Wagon" on Turner Classic Movies starring John Wayne and Kirk Douglas. Nice!!
Sudha was busy making chaklis and we gave her valuable tips on how to get the mixture just right. We had anna , saaru and cabbage palya for lunch and went off to sleep.
In the evening, we had planned to visit the local Balaji temple and then do the shopping.The temple is hardly 5 minutes by car from Sachin's house and there was also the Prathishtapane of a Shiva Temple next to it scheduled for the next day.
Huge crowds near the temple and the local police were regulating traffic.We parked at a school about 2 miles away and caught a shuttle bus to the temple. Nice arrangements by the temple authorities.
In accordance with our family tradition, we first went to the Narasimha temple situated in the complex and then came to the Balaji temple.The temple priest is Sachin's neighbour and he accorded full honours to us including a nice darshan of the Lord.
We had dinner in the temple complex but by then it was too late to do any shopping.We just dropped by at Kroger's to buy some tomatoes and some fruits and came back home.
Pretty uneventful---- just the way a vacation is meant to be.
Came back to a nice breakfast of Dosai with chutneypudi and thuppa ( lip-smacking).
In a break from routine, I didn't go to the Condo Office today.Instead, Sachin and I sat down to watch "The War Wagon" on Turner Classic Movies starring John Wayne and Kirk Douglas. Nice!!
Sudha was busy making chaklis and we gave her valuable tips on how to get the mixture just right. We had anna , saaru and cabbage palya for lunch and went off to sleep.
In the evening, we had planned to visit the local Balaji temple and then do the shopping.The temple is hardly 5 minutes by car from Sachin's house and there was also the Prathishtapane of a Shiva Temple next to it scheduled for the next day.
Huge crowds near the temple and the local police were regulating traffic.We parked at a school about 2 miles away and caught a shuttle bus to the temple. Nice arrangements by the temple authorities.
In accordance with our family tradition, we first went to the Narasimha temple situated in the complex and then came to the Balaji temple.The temple priest is Sachin's neighbour and he accorded full honours to us including a nice darshan of the Lord.
We had dinner in the temple complex but by then it was too late to do any shopping.We just dropped by at Kroger's to buy some tomatoes and some fruits and came back home.
Pretty uneventful---- just the way a vacation is meant to be.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
USA Diary---Day 8--- Cary ( 18 Jun 2010)
The temperature is slowly coming down.Earlier, it used to be in the 90s but has now come down to the 80s.
I had a walking date at 7 AM but my partner ( Fred) didn't turn up.
In fact, I had got up earlier for a conference call at 6 AM. I hope some of my office colleagues are reading this so that they know how hard I'm working even during my vacation.
I finished my walk at around 8.30 AM, came back and had a breakfast of Dosa with chutneypudi and ghee---- yummy. To hell with cholesterol was my feeling.
Nalini ( Sundari's daughter ) called up from Cincinnati and said she would meet us on 21st Jun and take us around Cincinnati.Very sweet of her and we are looking forward to meeting her.
Then we sat and watched a Turner Classic Movie ( actually two) while I had set myself up with a glass of Woodbridge ( Cabernet Sauvignon), a bowl of cherries, a smaller bowl of chips and a still smaller bowl of crackers ( we call them Parle Biscuits in India). God was in his Heaven and everything was all right with the World.
I went to the Condo Office and read the papers ( the BP Chairman had been grilled by the US House of Representatives) and also returned " Divine Justice".
Came back to a lunch consisting of rice and onion gojju and then sat down to finish Mickey Spillane.
Sachin was back by 6 PM and then we went shopping.We went to DSW where Sudha bought a purse and looked for some loafers for me ( not like me, for me).Everything was pretty expensive and so I dropped the idea.
We then dropped in at Sweet Tomatoes for dinner.This is a Soup and Salad Restaurant and the fare was just yummy.All of us thoroughly enjoyed the food topped off with some frozen yogurt and icecream. Got back in time for another conference call at 11 PM ( poor me, more hard work during a vacation)and then went to bed at 12 Midnight.
A little more Americana for all you folks.When you go out of home, there are basically only four surfaces you encounter. The first is asphalt or bitumen for the roads.The second is grass as in lawns.The third is concrete as in walkways and pathways for pedestrians.The fourth is mulch which covers pretty much everything else, like flower beds, hedges etc.This mulch is mostly made up of dried twigs and is blanketed on everything which is not covered by roads or pathways or grass.
The mulch allows rainwater to seep through but retains the soil.This way, there is no dust or dirt as we see it in India.
You can go out for a walk or a jog and then walk through your carpeted home without feeling guilty.
That's it for now folks.Enjoy your weekend.
Kesari
I had a walking date at 7 AM but my partner ( Fred) didn't turn up.
In fact, I had got up earlier for a conference call at 6 AM. I hope some of my office colleagues are reading this so that they know how hard I'm working even during my vacation.
I finished my walk at around 8.30 AM, came back and had a breakfast of Dosa with chutneypudi and ghee---- yummy. To hell with cholesterol was my feeling.
Nalini ( Sundari's daughter ) called up from Cincinnati and said she would meet us on 21st Jun and take us around Cincinnati.Very sweet of her and we are looking forward to meeting her.
Then we sat and watched a Turner Classic Movie ( actually two) while I had set myself up with a glass of Woodbridge ( Cabernet Sauvignon), a bowl of cherries, a smaller bowl of chips and a still smaller bowl of crackers ( we call them Parle Biscuits in India). God was in his Heaven and everything was all right with the World.
I went to the Condo Office and read the papers ( the BP Chairman had been grilled by the US House of Representatives) and also returned " Divine Justice".
Came back to a lunch consisting of rice and onion gojju and then sat down to finish Mickey Spillane.
Sachin was back by 6 PM and then we went shopping.We went to DSW where Sudha bought a purse and looked for some loafers for me ( not like me, for me).Everything was pretty expensive and so I dropped the idea.
We then dropped in at Sweet Tomatoes for dinner.This is a Soup and Salad Restaurant and the fare was just yummy.All of us thoroughly enjoyed the food topped off with some frozen yogurt and icecream. Got back in time for another conference call at 11 PM ( poor me, more hard work during a vacation)and then went to bed at 12 Midnight.
A little more Americana for all you folks.When you go out of home, there are basically only four surfaces you encounter. The first is asphalt or bitumen for the roads.The second is grass as in lawns.The third is concrete as in walkways and pathways for pedestrians.The fourth is mulch which covers pretty much everything else, like flower beds, hedges etc.This mulch is mostly made up of dried twigs and is blanketed on everything which is not covered by roads or pathways or grass.
The mulch allows rainwater to seep through but retains the soil.This way, there is no dust or dirt as we see it in India.
You can go out for a walk or a jog and then walk through your carpeted home without feeling guilty.
That's it for now folks.Enjoy your weekend.
Kesari
Thursday, June 17, 2010
USA Diary( Day 7)----- Cary---- 17 Jun 2010
Another lovely day. I had got up at 7 AM but didn't go for my walk immediately.
I left at 8 AM and met a gentleman who wanted to know if we could walk together from tomorrow. I said yes so I'll be meeting Fred at the mail kiosk tomorrow at 7 AM.
I came back at 9.15 AM and polished off the uppittu today.I didn't go to the Condo office today.Instead, we watched a couple of old movies on Turner Classic Movies and even here I managed to nod off to sleep. I'll post a picture of this tomorrow ( taken by Madhura) and all of you will get an idea of the kind of vacation I'm having.
Went to bed around 3 PM for my afternoon nap and got up at 6.30 PM just as Sachin and Madhura were getting ready to go an "Eagles" concert.
There was bright sunshine outside and I was thinking of going for a swim.However, lethargy overtook me and I retired to bed to read Mickey Spillane while Sudha was chatting away outside with her saheli Asha.
Sudha and I finished our dinner at 9.30 PM and here I am at 10.50PM penning my blog while Sudha is busy reading Sidney Sheldon's "Doomsday Conspiracy". A picture of domestic bliss if ever there was one.
Good night and sleep tight
Kesari
I left at 8 AM and met a gentleman who wanted to know if we could walk together from tomorrow. I said yes so I'll be meeting Fred at the mail kiosk tomorrow at 7 AM.
I came back at 9.15 AM and polished off the uppittu today.I didn't go to the Condo office today.Instead, we watched a couple of old movies on Turner Classic Movies and even here I managed to nod off to sleep. I'll post a picture of this tomorrow ( taken by Madhura) and all of you will get an idea of the kind of vacation I'm having.
Went to bed around 3 PM for my afternoon nap and got up at 6.30 PM just as Sachin and Madhura were getting ready to go an "Eagles" concert.
There was bright sunshine outside and I was thinking of going for a swim.However, lethargy overtook me and I retired to bed to read Mickey Spillane while Sudha was chatting away outside with her saheli Asha.
Sudha and I finished our dinner at 9.30 PM and here I am at 10.50PM penning my blog while Sudha is busy reading Sidney Sheldon's "Doomsday Conspiracy". A picture of domestic bliss if ever there was one.
Good night and sleep tight
Kesari
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
USA Diary ( Day 6)----- Cary---- 16 Jun 2010
I believe that the effectiveness of the vacation is inversely proportional to the length of the blog.
Since I'm having a truly great vacation ( doing nothing in particular), I don't have much to write about and that shows that I'm having a great vacation.
Got up as usual at 6.15 AM and attended to my mails.Saw off Sachin at 7.30 AM and Sudha got ready for her usual walk.Madhura then appeared and said she was ready for a game of tennis so there was a small change of plan.Sudha went off on her walk alone and Madhura and I headed to the tennis court at 8 AM.We played a set and I managed a win again but Madhura made me run around a lot by trying those devious drop shots. No fair and I will have to teach her a little about sportsmanship and treating old codgers like me a little more gently.
All of us got back around 9 AM and I once again had the delicious uppittu with mosaranna and uppinakai with maagli beru.It was even more delicious than yesterday, if that's possible.
Went down to the Condo office after a bath and shave to read the dailies and again dropped off to sleep there.
Sudha and I then put "Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya" in the DVD player and watched the movie before, during and after lunch.Sudha had made a fabulous Hirekai Chutney and all of us polished it off.
Got up at 6 PM and had a mango and then Sachin, Sudha and I headed off to Macy's for a bit of shopping.We returned one bag that Sudha had bought ( yes, she finally made up her mind!!) and Sachin and I bought a pair of chinos each at The Banana Republic.
All of us got back at 9.30 PM and had our dinner.
I've already finished 480 pages of Baldacci's "Divine Justice" and intend to finish the book today.
It's 12.15 AM now and time for a bit of reading and then sleep.
Bye!!
Kesari
Since I'm having a truly great vacation ( doing nothing in particular), I don't have much to write about and that shows that I'm having a great vacation.
Got up as usual at 6.15 AM and attended to my mails.Saw off Sachin at 7.30 AM and Sudha got ready for her usual walk.Madhura then appeared and said she was ready for a game of tennis so there was a small change of plan.Sudha went off on her walk alone and Madhura and I headed to the tennis court at 8 AM.We played a set and I managed a win again but Madhura made me run around a lot by trying those devious drop shots. No fair and I will have to teach her a little about sportsmanship and treating old codgers like me a little more gently.
All of us got back around 9 AM and I once again had the delicious uppittu with mosaranna and uppinakai with maagli beru.It was even more delicious than yesterday, if that's possible.
Went down to the Condo office after a bath and shave to read the dailies and again dropped off to sleep there.
Sudha and I then put "Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya" in the DVD player and watched the movie before, during and after lunch.Sudha had made a fabulous Hirekai Chutney and all of us polished it off.
Got up at 6 PM and had a mango and then Sachin, Sudha and I headed off to Macy's for a bit of shopping.We returned one bag that Sudha had bought ( yes, she finally made up her mind!!) and Sachin and I bought a pair of chinos each at The Banana Republic.
All of us got back at 9.30 PM and had our dinner.
I've already finished 480 pages of Baldacci's "Divine Justice" and intend to finish the book today.
It's 12.15 AM now and time for a bit of reading and then sleep.
Bye!!
Kesari
USA Diary ( Day 5)------ Cary---- 15 Jun 2010
Got up at 6.30 AM and saw off Sachin to work and then worked on my mails.
Sudha and I got ready and kept our date with the swimming pool.It was just the two of us and we had a nice time with the water being quite warm.
Got back at 9 AM and had a lovely breakfast of Uppittu with Mosaru and Nimbekai Uppinakai with Maagli beru. Can anything be more heavenly? Yes, as you will see later.
After my shave and bath, I went to the Condominium Office to read the newspapers and promptly fell asleep there.Got back at 11 AM and again helped myself to a glass of Woodbridge ( Cabernet Sauvignon), a bowl of chips and a bowl of dried raisins, dried papaya etc. I recalled what Jehangir had Kashmir---- if there is a Heaven, thisis it, this it, this is it!!!
Lunch at 1 PM consisted of cabbage sambar and rice ( delicious) and then it was off to the bed to read " Divine Justice" and nod off to sleep.
Got up at 5.45 PM.Sachin had come back by then and we all sat on the patio and contemplated a game of tennis.However, it started raining and so we changed our plans and went to the local library instead.A lovely place--- this library and I spent a lovely hour going thru the books before finally choosing " The Messenger" by Jan Burke. Sudha chose " The Doomsday Conspiracy" by Sidney Sheldon and Sachin chose a couple of John Grishams. Membership is free for Cary residents--- lucky them.
We dropped in at Kroger's to buy some groceries including a Moscato for Madhura and came back home for dinner.
That was the end of Day 5.
PS: Here's a funny thing I've noticed in America.Almost all cars drive with either their headlights on or at least the parking light now even in bright sunshine.I suspect the lights come on by default when the ignition is turned on and the car drivers can do nothing about it.Maybe their eyesight is bad and they can't drive without the headlights on. Contrast this with India where our eyesight is so good that we often drive without headlights even when it is totally dark!! Food for thought??
Bye for now Kesari
Sudha and I got ready and kept our date with the swimming pool.It was just the two of us and we had a nice time with the water being quite warm.
Got back at 9 AM and had a lovely breakfast of Uppittu with Mosaru and Nimbekai Uppinakai with Maagli beru. Can anything be more heavenly? Yes, as you will see later.
After my shave and bath, I went to the Condominium Office to read the newspapers and promptly fell asleep there.Got back at 11 AM and again helped myself to a glass of Woodbridge ( Cabernet Sauvignon), a bowl of chips and a bowl of dried raisins, dried papaya etc. I recalled what Jehangir had Kashmir---- if there is a Heaven, thisis it, this it, this is it!!!
Lunch at 1 PM consisted of cabbage sambar and rice ( delicious) and then it was off to the bed to read " Divine Justice" and nod off to sleep.
Got up at 5.45 PM.Sachin had come back by then and we all sat on the patio and contemplated a game of tennis.However, it started raining and so we changed our plans and went to the local library instead.A lovely place--- this library and I spent a lovely hour going thru the books before finally choosing " The Messenger" by Jan Burke. Sudha chose " The Doomsday Conspiracy" by Sidney Sheldon and Sachin chose a couple of John Grishams. Membership is free for Cary residents--- lucky them.
We dropped in at Kroger's to buy some groceries including a Moscato for Madhura and came back home for dinner.
That was the end of Day 5.
PS: Here's a funny thing I've noticed in America.Almost all cars drive with either their headlights on or at least the parking light now even in bright sunshine.I suspect the lights come on by default when the ignition is turned on and the car drivers can do nothing about it.Maybe their eyesight is bad and they can't drive without the headlights on. Contrast this with India where our eyesight is so good that we often drive without headlights even when it is totally dark!! Food for thought??
Bye for now Kesari
Monday, June 14, 2010
USA Diary ( Day 4)---- Cary ( 14 Jun 2010)
Woke up at 6.15 AM on another glorious day.
Sachin left for work at 7.30 AM and then Sudha and I set off for our usual morning walk.
On our way back, we stopped at the swimming pool and found that it was empty.Sudha and I have decided that we would go to the pool tomorrow by 7.30 AM and skip the morning walk.
We had breakfast at 9.30 AM and I had a whole wheat bread sandwich with tomatoes and cucumber with a glass of orange juice.It was nice to feel the wind in our face as Sudha , Madhura and I sat in the patio and had our breakfast.
Madhura took me to the Condominium Office at 10 AM and I picked up two books for reading--- " Divine Justice" by David Baldicci and "Black Alley" by Mickey Spillane--- a Mike Hammer detective story. I read my last Mickey Spillane in the 70s so this book is sure to take me back to the 60s and 70s.
The best part of the day was after my bath.Sudha had put on a DVD of "Amruthavarshini"- a Kannada pic starring Suhasini, Sarat Kumar and Arvind Ramesh while I set myself up with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, a bowl of potato chips and a bowl of dried raisins and other dry fruits------ ah, Paradise , even though the movie was nothing to write home about.
A snooze after lunch was followed by catching up with my mails. We then went to the tennis court where I played with Madhura.I beat her 6-3, 6-2, but she made me sweat for it and we've agreed that we'll play again tomorrow.
Sachin had gone for his Cricket League match while Sudha was catching up on the latest uodates of "Jhansi ki Rani" and "Choti Bahu" with her new found Saheli who she has found in the Condo.
A nice refreshing shower and the watched "Larry King Live" while having dinner followed by another long chat between the four of us on the patio.
Y--a--w--n, it's now 12.15 AM and I think I've worked hard today for my night's sleep.
Good night
Kesari
Sachin left for work at 7.30 AM and then Sudha and I set off for our usual morning walk.
On our way back, we stopped at the swimming pool and found that it was empty.Sudha and I have decided that we would go to the pool tomorrow by 7.30 AM and skip the morning walk.
We had breakfast at 9.30 AM and I had a whole wheat bread sandwich with tomatoes and cucumber with a glass of orange juice.It was nice to feel the wind in our face as Sudha , Madhura and I sat in the patio and had our breakfast.
Madhura took me to the Condominium Office at 10 AM and I picked up two books for reading--- " Divine Justice" by David Baldicci and "Black Alley" by Mickey Spillane--- a Mike Hammer detective story. I read my last Mickey Spillane in the 70s so this book is sure to take me back to the 60s and 70s.
The best part of the day was after my bath.Sudha had put on a DVD of "Amruthavarshini"- a Kannada pic starring Suhasini, Sarat Kumar and Arvind Ramesh while I set myself up with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, a bowl of potato chips and a bowl of dried raisins and other dry fruits------ ah, Paradise , even though the movie was nothing to write home about.
A snooze after lunch was followed by catching up with my mails. We then went to the tennis court where I played with Madhura.I beat her 6-3, 6-2, but she made me sweat for it and we've agreed that we'll play again tomorrow.
Sachin had gone for his Cricket League match while Sudha was catching up on the latest uodates of "Jhansi ki Rani" and "Choti Bahu" with her new found Saheli who she has found in the Condo.
A nice refreshing shower and the watched "Larry King Live" while having dinner followed by another long chat between the four of us on the patio.
Y--a--w--n, it's now 12.15 AM and I think I've worked hard today for my night's sleep.
Good night
Kesari
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Day 3 ( USA Diary)--- Cary---- 13 Jun 2010
I woke up on this Sunday at 6.15 AM.It had rained overnight and it was another glorious day. I was ready by 7 AM but Sudha was still enjoying her nap.I let myself out of the door and went for my usual walk and was back by 8 AM.
Sachin and Sudha were already having their coffee in the pation and I joined them.The tennis court was wet so Sachin and I dropped our plans of having a game.
Madhura got busy with her SAP class so Sudha, Sachin and I went to Kroger's and stocked up on some foodstuff including fruits which I cannot do without.We bought some mangoes ( yet to try them) and grapefruit and oranges.
When we came back, I finished my mails and completed my blogs.I was delighted to get a mail from Cornelia Bennet ( nee Stokoe) from KGF and she's promised to connect me to other folks from KGF including my good friend Leonard Ryder.Thank you Cornelia and I hope to hear from my other KGF friends soon.
I know that I've put " The Story of my Life " on hold for some time now and I intend to resume shortly.That's a promise.
We had Poori and Saagu for lunch and then sat down to watch "The Paradine case"--- an old Hitchcock movie from the 1950s starring Gregory Peck.After a short nap, we all went to watch "Beauty and the Beast" which was being performed at the Durham Performing Arts Centre.We sat in the 3rd row and had a lovely time watching the show.
On our way back, we stopped at a Thai restaurant and had our dinner and reached home around 11 PM.
It's now 12.15 AM on Monday morning and I'll sign off now .
Kesari
Sachin and Sudha were already having their coffee in the pation and I joined them.The tennis court was wet so Sachin and I dropped our plans of having a game.
Madhura got busy with her SAP class so Sudha, Sachin and I went to Kroger's and stocked up on some foodstuff including fruits which I cannot do without.We bought some mangoes ( yet to try them) and grapefruit and oranges.
When we came back, I finished my mails and completed my blogs.I was delighted to get a mail from Cornelia Bennet ( nee Stokoe) from KGF and she's promised to connect me to other folks from KGF including my good friend Leonard Ryder.Thank you Cornelia and I hope to hear from my other KGF friends soon.
I know that I've put " The Story of my Life " on hold for some time now and I intend to resume shortly.That's a promise.
We had Poori and Saagu for lunch and then sat down to watch "The Paradine case"--- an old Hitchcock movie from the 1950s starring Gregory Peck.After a short nap, we all went to watch "Beauty and the Beast" which was being performed at the Durham Performing Arts Centre.We sat in the 3rd row and had a lovely time watching the show.
On our way back, we stopped at a Thai restaurant and had our dinner and reached home around 11 PM.
It's now 12.15 AM on Monday morning and I'll sign off now .
Kesari
USA Diary ( Day 2)------ 12 Jun 2010
I woke up around 7 AM.It was a glorious day and the sun was already high in the sky.
Sachin's apartment is splendid and appears to be set in some kind of a holiday resort.We sat on the patio overlooking a tennis court and sipped our coffees.
Then Sudha and I set off for a long walk.Sudha was already into this routine for the previous ten days and took me over her walking route for around 45 minutes.
It was like walking through a forest.There were fat squirrels scampering around here and there and the occasional rabbit hopping around.Some of the houses were really lovely and Sudha and I went around admiring them.The air was crisp and clean and there was a light breeze.It was a really lovely way to start a vacation.
Sachin and I went to the tennis court at 11 AM and tossed around a few balls.We played a set and I handed him a shock 6-3 defeat.Then we all went to Sam's Club and bought some items and came back to watch the Argentina-Nigeria football match.
The US shopping malls ( I suppose like other malls all over the world) are really dangerous.If you don't have control over your shopping, you'll be loading the shopping cart with a whole lot of stuff that you had no intention of buying in the first place.Sudha spent a lot of time agonizing over her purchases of handbags and then came up with this gem when we returned home--- " I'm very sure about what I want.I'll either keep this bag or return it"
We had lunch at 1 PM and Sudha had made a lovely Southekai gojju.We went to bed after lunch and woke up around 5 PM.It was raining and the smell of fresh earth was exhilarating.
All of us left at around 7 PM and went to Target and did some more shopping and came back for dinner.Then we sat on the patio and made calls to India.The weather was lovely and we were up till 12.30 AM making plans for Sachin and Madhura's visit to India next year.
That was the end of Day 2.
Sachin's apartment is splendid and appears to be set in some kind of a holiday resort.We sat on the patio overlooking a tennis court and sipped our coffees.
Then Sudha and I set off for a long walk.Sudha was already into this routine for the previous ten days and took me over her walking route for around 45 minutes.
It was like walking through a forest.There were fat squirrels scampering around here and there and the occasional rabbit hopping around.Some of the houses were really lovely and Sudha and I went around admiring them.The air was crisp and clean and there was a light breeze.It was a really lovely way to start a vacation.
Sachin and I went to the tennis court at 11 AM and tossed around a few balls.We played a set and I handed him a shock 6-3 defeat.Then we all went to Sam's Club and bought some items and came back to watch the Argentina-Nigeria football match.
The US shopping malls ( I suppose like other malls all over the world) are really dangerous.If you don't have control over your shopping, you'll be loading the shopping cart with a whole lot of stuff that you had no intention of buying in the first place.Sudha spent a lot of time agonizing over her purchases of handbags and then came up with this gem when we returned home--- " I'm very sure about what I want.I'll either keep this bag or return it"
We had lunch at 1 PM and Sudha had made a lovely Southekai gojju.We went to bed after lunch and woke up around 5 PM.It was raining and the smell of fresh earth was exhilarating.
All of us left at around 7 PM and went to Target and did some more shopping and came back for dinner.Then we sat on the patio and made calls to India.The weather was lovely and we were up till 12.30 AM making plans for Sachin and Madhura's visit to India next year.
That was the end of Day 2.
USA Diary( Day 1)----- 11 Jun 2010
As promised, I'm writing this blog on my experiences during this 3 week vacation in USA.
Sudha ( my wife) had already left Chennai for the US on 27th May and I left on 11th Jun to join her as well as Sachin and Madhura in Cary ( North Carolina).
I left home for the airport at 2 AM to catch the 4.50 AM Qatar Airways flight to Doha.I checked in at 2.30 AM and was fortunate to have my Master Card to spend a couple of hours at the Clipper Lounge before boarding the flight.
Qatar Airways is good. The planes are new and the service is excellent.I saw " Shutter Island" on the way to Doha and didn't like it one bit.Martin Scorcese's films are always morbid and this was no exception.
We reached Doha at 6.50 AM local time and I didn't have the time to sample the delights of Doha Airport since we had just about an hour and a half to change planes and catch the flight to New York at 8.10 AM.
The aircraft was again very good and there was enough leg space. I had a good breakfast and sat down to enjoy " Sherlock Holmes", "Casablanca", a Spanish film whose title I forget and " Amar Akbar Anthony". The meal ( Asian Vegetarian) was also very good and I had time to grab a little shuteye before we touched down at JFK at 2.30 PM. The 14 hour flight had whizzed past in no time.
It took an hour to collect my baggage in Terminal 4 before I took the Sky Train and moved to Terminal 3 and checked in at the Delta Airlines counter for the 7.25 PM flight to Raleigh/Durham.
Sleep caught up with me as I was waiting at the departure gate and I woke up with a start at 7 PM.There was bright sunlight and it looked like how it be at 4,30 PM in India.Just as I was starting to worry whether I had missed the flight, I heard this announcement" Passengers to Raleigh /Durham are advised that there is an indefinite delay since we have no idea of the wherebouts of the crew".The waiting passengers took this candid announcement with good humour.If such an announcement were to be made in India, there would be bedlam.That's what I like about the US.No beating around the bush.Tell it like it is.
Anyway, the flight finally took off at 8.30 PM and I couldn't wait for the 90 minute flight to end so that I could see Sudha, Sachin and Madhura.They were waiting for me at the airport and I gave them all a big hug.
We reached home at 11 PM and after a hot bath, I had annu, saaru and curd rice and then we all hit the bed.
That was the end of Day 1.
Sudha ( my wife) had already left Chennai for the US on 27th May and I left on 11th Jun to join her as well as Sachin and Madhura in Cary ( North Carolina).
I left home for the airport at 2 AM to catch the 4.50 AM Qatar Airways flight to Doha.I checked in at 2.30 AM and was fortunate to have my Master Card to spend a couple of hours at the Clipper Lounge before boarding the flight.
Qatar Airways is good. The planes are new and the service is excellent.I saw " Shutter Island" on the way to Doha and didn't like it one bit.Martin Scorcese's films are always morbid and this was no exception.
We reached Doha at 6.50 AM local time and I didn't have the time to sample the delights of Doha Airport since we had just about an hour and a half to change planes and catch the flight to New York at 8.10 AM.
The aircraft was again very good and there was enough leg space. I had a good breakfast and sat down to enjoy " Sherlock Holmes", "Casablanca", a Spanish film whose title I forget and " Amar Akbar Anthony". The meal ( Asian Vegetarian) was also very good and I had time to grab a little shuteye before we touched down at JFK at 2.30 PM. The 14 hour flight had whizzed past in no time.
It took an hour to collect my baggage in Terminal 4 before I took the Sky Train and moved to Terminal 3 and checked in at the Delta Airlines counter for the 7.25 PM flight to Raleigh/Durham.
Sleep caught up with me as I was waiting at the departure gate and I woke up with a start at 7 PM.There was bright sunlight and it looked like how it be at 4,30 PM in India.Just as I was starting to worry whether I had missed the flight, I heard this announcement" Passengers to Raleigh /Durham are advised that there is an indefinite delay since we have no idea of the wherebouts of the crew".The waiting passengers took this candid announcement with good humour.If such an announcement were to be made in India, there would be bedlam.That's what I like about the US.No beating around the bush.Tell it like it is.
Anyway, the flight finally took off at 8.30 PM and I couldn't wait for the 90 minute flight to end so that I could see Sudha, Sachin and Madhura.They were waiting for me at the airport and I gave them all a big hug.
We reached home at 11 PM and after a hot bath, I had annu, saaru and curd rice and then we all hit the bed.
That was the end of Day 1.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Haldighati and Nath Dwara( 2nd Jun)
On 2nd Jun, my colleague Dinesh and I visted Haldighati and Nath Dwara.
Haldighati is about 50 Km from Udaipur and this is where the famous battle took place in 1572 between Rana Pratap, Ruler of Mewar and Emperor Akbar's troops led by Man Singh.
The road from Udaipur to Haldighati is ringed by hills on both sides and every hill has a battlement built of small stones.It's very obvious that all these hills have been inhabited for the last 500 years.The area is redolent with history and every hill seems to tell a story.
We reached Haldighati at around 9 AM and first went to the museum.The photos you see above are from the museum.We saw a sound and light show. The horse you see in the picture is Chetak.During the battle, Rana Pratap was wounded. Another warrior donned his armour to lure the Mughal forces away from Rana Pratap.Meanwhile, Rana Pratap rode away from the battlefield on Chetak, fiercely pursued by the Mughals.Chetak was injured on the rear leg, but gamely carried on and took a flying leap over a nullah and thus escaped from the Mughals. We saw the nullah but there was no water there now.
About 3 km from the battlefield, Chetak breathed its last and a grateful Rana Pratap erected a memorial for his horse at the very place.
Haldighati gets its name from the turmeric coloured soil of the ghats of the Aravalli Hills.
We drove past Rakta Talai, the actual battlefield which was supposed to have run red with the blood (Rakt) spilled on the ground.
From Haldighati we drove down to Nath Dwara where there is a Krishna temple of great antiquity. Kokilaben Ambani is the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of this temple and comes here at least twice a month from Mumbai.Huge crowd at the temple and all the priests looked suspiciously well fed.The prasad made at this temple is from pure ghee and no wonder.We also went to a goshala and fed some of the cows there.
We then came straight to Udaipur Airport and took a flight to Mumbai on our way to Chennai.
I'm supposed to go back to Udaipur around Jul 15th and will hopefully get to see more of Udaipur then.
Bye for now.
Kesari
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Sandhya's Birthday
Hi Sandhya,
Happy Birthday to you on 3rd Jun and many, many happy returns of the day.
I hope you have a grand celebration in the company of mom, Ravi,Sunil, Swathi and Shruti.
Sandhya is my younger sister and the life of the family She has an amazing sense of humour, is a terrific cook and is a wizard in tailoring. She is one of the few women on this planet who is not addicted to television and films.
It's not correct to state a lady's age so I'll just say that Sandhya is 30 +.
Here's a photo of Rummy, Sandhya and me that was taken recently during Sandeep's wedding.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Udaipur Diary
Reached Udaipur yesterday and had my official meeting.
Yesterday night ( 1st Jun), my friend Manish Nehra came over and took me to this place called Apni Dhani which is a little like Choki Dhani in Jaipur. We saw some magic show, a couple of dances by rustic belles, a puppet show and then a sit down dinner where one has to squat with crossed legs in front of a low table and eat.
We were served authentic Rajasthani fare with Dal Bhati, Makki ki Roti, Bajra Roti, Gehu ( wheat) Roti, kadi, rice, buttermilk and then the waiters caame around stuffing jalebis.They forced around 7 jalebis in my mouth before I put my head down and refused to look up.The amount of fresh butter and oil served was humungous.Apparently, these people are not aware of cholesterol and other such terms.
Today ( 2nd Jun), my colleague Dinesh and I are off to Haldighati and Nath Dwara before coming back in the afternoon to catch the flight to Mumbai and back to Chennai.
Bye for now.
Kesari
Yesterday night ( 1st Jun), my friend Manish Nehra came over and took me to this place called Apni Dhani which is a little like Choki Dhani in Jaipur. We saw some magic show, a couple of dances by rustic belles, a puppet show and then a sit down dinner where one has to squat with crossed legs in front of a low table and eat.
We were served authentic Rajasthani fare with Dal Bhati, Makki ki Roti, Bajra Roti, Gehu ( wheat) Roti, kadi, rice, buttermilk and then the waiters caame around stuffing jalebis.They forced around 7 jalebis in my mouth before I put my head down and refused to look up.The amount of fresh butter and oil served was humungous.Apparently, these people are not aware of cholesterol and other such terms.
Today ( 2nd Jun), my colleague Dinesh and I are off to Haldighati and Nath Dwara before coming back in the afternoon to catch the flight to Mumbai and back to Chennai.
Bye for now.
Kesari
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