Fall

Fall

Fall

Thirunelli

Thought its a long time since I wrote. Decided to write about our Thirunelli trip before I forget.(sorry no photos this time. Have taken a few in my new camera, yet to learn how to transfer )

We-Venu , Malini & I, started from Uttara in an auto & a 7seater van was taken to Sharanya for all others.We reached the station on time to go to Kozhikode. Had taken sandwiches, coffee in 3 flasks, pazham & other snacks. Reached Kozhikode by 10.45 or so. Madhavan chettans brother had come there with a van & we went to his house.Enroute we realized that we forgot to take a packet of 5 umbrellas Meenu had taken with them. it was hung on a hook, nobody noticed it while getting down. Then Preeta said somebody had taken it with him!!!& we didnt realize it. Felt bad-dont know if someone actually took it or it was there only. Had our lunch at Aniyans house at about 11.30. Mini & aniyan joined us from there & we left for Thirunelli.We had booked 5 rooms in a hotel called Holiday Hill. It was neat & clean but about half an hours drive away from the temple. Then we all went to the temple.Had to climb a few steps to reach the temple. A small beautiful temple of Vishnu. We booked for the Shraddam -7 of us did it. Ramu Vinu & Aniyan for Madhavan  chettan; we three for our parents &others of our family & V ch for Machechi & others. Waited for Deeparadhana after which we had to pray as directed by the temple jeevanakkar-he will say something like moksham for all our Pithrukkal & forgive our samasthaparadham & we had to repeat with folded hands.We had our dinner in a hall in the temple itself- upma & pickle.Dinner was free. Venu couldnt come as he had 'Pula'(pela as we say).It had started raining & so couldnt take many photos. We have to get permission for taking photos by donating either for Anna danam or for renovation. I gave for Anna danam.

Went back to our rooms & most of us slept by 8.30!!! Got up early & started at 5 to go to temple without our bath & breakfast/ coffee. By the time the counter opened it was 6. Got the things for the "baliyidal"-darbha & a leaf 'potli' for each. Bali was to be done near the river Papanashini. We had to go down about 100 steps( heard a kid count upto 60+) then through rocky way. Thank God Ramu & Vinu were there to hold our hands.V ch had a fall also- when we were waiting for the bali samagri he went with Venu. Luckily nothing happened.

We had to take dip in the water & get out of the water & again walk a bit, get down to the river& Stand in the water with wet dress & perform the rites. The river is very narrow, water is very clean & freezing cold. But I didnt feel that cold while standing there. But while taking the dip I had to gasp for breath because of the cold.

Did a bit of shopping for cloves, honey & such things. We were not sure if we can go to temple in that wet dress after the kriya without taking bath, so didnt go.We wanted to change our wet dress & there was a room for that. Didnt go to that dingy room ( iruttu guha it looked like). There was no other place so all of us used the van as our changing room with mundu tied as screen.Someone noticed a leech in Vinus feet. Luckily it had not started his sucking of blood. Later we realized that Malini & I were also attacked by it-eeeeks.( this was the worst part of our otherwise nice trip) Mini had taken salt & with that got rid of it.

Went to the hotel & had our breakfast & started our journey back. Enroute there is a famous place( chaya kada type) where you get unniappam & we bought a few packets. It was really tasty( missed all those who couldnt have it). Went to Pazhassi Raja memorial Museum- nothing much to see. Wanted to go to a lake but it started raining & we couldnt wait  there. Reached the station & returned by the 4O'clock train. We had asked for the van to come & all of us managed to fit in that.Got our dinner packed from Oottupura, dropped Sharanya people & reached Uttara by 9.30 or so.Though tiring it was indeed a good trip. Sad we couldnt spend more time there.

Thailand part 2

 we started from Pattaya at 4.15 or so & reached Bangkok by 6.30.We were staying in Howard Square. There was an Indian at the reception desk & I was a bit relieved that we can communicate now . The rooms were good. As soon as we reached a bellboy came to get our luggage. They said dinner will be ready by 9 but by 9.45 they will close. I was a bit taken aback. We came down for dinner & waited for the waiter to come & take our order. There were buffet tables with veg written but no food.many people were waiting like us. All Indians only. Soon the waiter came & then we realised he is the bellboy cum waiter cum...may be cook also. The man in the reception also was serving food.Being Sunday they didnt have enough staff & to add to it there was some function happening in the top floor. It was total confusion after that. 

Remember I told you the Alcazar show was free for us. Vimala had read reviews about this hotel & she wanted it to be changed as she was not happy after reading. So the agents said there is no rooms available else where & gave us the show free. Also included Marine park visit  into our schedule

Back to dinner- they said we can order whatever we want.When we were ordering they said dal chaval, subzi is available. If we order roti it will take a long time So we decided to have whatever is available. We ordered 4 plates of rice, & dal & subji 1-2 plates. No curd or raita. we got our items. There were a group of Tamilians & they lost their patience waiting. One man from that group started shouting & talking in Tamil.He walked out of the hotel etc. After a lot of tamasha their food came & we doubt they brought our order the second time. Not that they have a variety but the quantity didn't seem enough for them.

We have a feeling that the representative of Make my trip there is a partner of that hotel:-P

Next day we started at 9.45after breakfast. BF was better compared to the dinner.1st they took us to The Reclining Buddha temple. It was beautiful. Then Gems gallery.All beyond our pockets.That day we had to have our own lunch. They dropped us at Paragon mall(hope the name is correct) where we were to visit Siam Ocean world. Decided to have lunch at the food court. only Subway had any veg stuff so V ch, Tanchu & I had from there. Vimala opted for some Thai stuff . Appu also had some rice & chicken.

All of us enjoyed Siam Ocean world( aquarium actually). Vimala is seeing an aquarium for the 1st time it seems. or she has forgotten. From there went to Madame Tussauds. Got busy clicking with the wax models. From there went to MBK mall. All these are walking distance only. My friend Sindhu told me that we can get many art & craft items in Thailand so I was a bit careful in spending there as i wanted money to buy lots of hobby material.Got back to the hotel in a taxi.

 After reaching room I felt I should have bought something more.

We had some snacks from Mcdonalds so was not hungry. Still 3 of us had a bit of the standard menu of dal chawal.Appu was asleep by then so V ch opted to baby sit while we had our dinner.

Next day we were taken by 8.30 & took us to safari world(zoo). Its driving through the zoo. Took us to Marine park after that which is at the end of the safari world itself.  There were 4 shows there. 1st Orang utan show, next was sea lion show & the 3rd was Elephant/cowboy stunt. We opted for elephant show while some went for cowboy . Last was dolphin show. The whole of Marine park area was full of trees & where there are no trees water was sprinkled from tubes above. I was remembering the zoo here, with no trees or any facilities like this. We were given lunch there, again Indian food. The area where they served food was a huge hall- looked like sathram or sarvani sadya.

The coach dropped us in Indra square( shopping area). There also we couldnt see any hobby material.Talked to Lata-Shailas cousin Gopan. Both days we were so tired that we didn't have the energy to meet them.Took a taxi back to hotel. Again had same dal chawal. They had ice cream also but same chocolate flavour on both days:-( V ch was so tired he fell asleep without dinner. His hand was sprained also - don't know how.He got a wrist band for support the previous day.

Next day we were taken to the airport in their coach at 8 & thus ended our holidays.

Minus the food issue in the hotel the trip was nice. We had a good laugh at their service so compensated for the lack.Sindhu told us to try Mango with sticky rice & 2 of their fruits( one was star apple & forgot the other one). But we couldnt locate any of these items.

All got worried a bit hearing about the trouble there but as I told someone it was more peaceful than the peaceful days in India. On our way to Pattaya I slept in the coacjh & when I opened my eyes I felt we have come to Kerala. The coconut trees, vazha & the houses with tiled roof all looked like Kerala except that the roads were wider & cleaner.

After reaching back Vimala & I feel that we should have shopped more. I said we will go again & she is saying she doesn't mind shifting to that place. 

It was a nice, sweet short holiday. I think their tourism thrives on Indians. All places had  almost 99% Indian tourists.

That is all for now.

Thailand

We started on the Thailand trip on Saturday morning.It happened so sudden that the fact sunk in only on Friday I think. We have been planning a trip with Vimala & family from Nov I think.We almost decided the middle east trip in Jan when Tanchu had winter hols. Then PV got ill & we postponed it to Mach.To cut it short that too didnt happen.

Before Tanchu's vacation began Vimala kept saying we should go somewhere. She wanted to go abroad. Ashish's passport was about to expire & he didnt renew it, so we thought Bhutan( where we may not require passport-not sure). But V ch was not keen. Then we thought Sikkim(I am the only one who has not gone there, others liked the place). She searched" Make my trip" site & the places they were taking were the same place that they went last time. So she started searching for a 4- 5 day trip they have( PV could take only 3 days off). Then she saw the Thailand package. After that it was  hectic with calling them up every now & then to book, get all documents etc . She spent her birthday like that. Ashish couldnt come because of the passport issue.

On 16th night they came here to sleep as our flight was at 5,30am on 17th. We left the house at around 2 am.By the time we had our security check I was hungry & had iddlies from the airport. We went by Indigo flight.

Reached Bangkok at 9.20.A lady from Make my trip was there to receive us.Had to wait for the coach for some time. (The entire tour was done in the coach- about 10 could be seated).Unlike the Thomas cook tour people were in different packages & staying in different hotels so couldnt make friends.

They took us to their office & we had lunch  there- Indian food.

Then we were taken to Pattaya. We reached at around 4 pm- local time.They had booked in Citin Garden resort for us.Got a welcome drink.The hotel was good. Only problem was language. Devika's fwd" thanguberrymutt" was helpful.That day they were taking us for Alcazar show. We had to be ready by 8.15 so decided to have an early dinner.Their menu had a few Indian items in veg so I opted for samosa( missing the icons of whatsapp). They had some thai curry with rice.

The show started at 9.30 dot. I was afraid if it will be like the Lido show in Paris for which we had to pay extra & i slept most of the time.( Found that boring). This we all enjoyed. They danced to the Hindi song Nachle....nachle mere yaar tu  nachle also. this show was free( about that later).

The package had breakfast included & they said lunch & dinner we will have to have on our own. But on all days except one they gave us lunch too.

On 18th we started at 8.15 to go to coral island. We had to go in boats & they anchor them a little away. We had to wade through knee length water to reach the boat. They had told us to wear shorts & since i didn't want to try it out they said wear salwar kameez. It was fun wading through the water. We had to wait for the boat in the water as the 1st one got full. When our turn came I just couldnt climb on to the boat as the step was too high for me. All of them got inside & I thought I will stay back. Somehow they all( other tourists including) pulled & pushed me inside.In the bargain my slippers came off & somebody caught hold of it from the water The ride was fun .

1 st they took us to an island where we could do para sailing  & do under water walk. Tanchu wanted to try para sailing but backed out as she felt she may feel like coming back midway:-) Then there was underwater walk & she wanted to do that. Vimala also wanted to try as coming all the way should try something. She had to buy a swimming costume as they had not instructed us properly. Both had it in their bags in the hotel. They went for that & took all others to coral island. there we relaxed under the beach umbrellas in easy chairs. Appu was happy as he got coke & chips from muthachan.I had some lovely ripe mangoes . They cut & sell in plastic packets with salt & red chillies. The mangoes were ripe & good so I didnt use the salt. It tasted like our Priyur.Then took appu to have fun in the beach. PV was relaxing in the chair.

After sometime Vimala & tanchu joined us. It seems Tanchu got scared when she went under water & so she came up & sat in the boat. Vimala walked a bit but then she also felt its enough, more so as tanchu was alone( no family member with her I mean).

They then took us to Veeda an Indian restaurant. We had bouffet lunch( Indian food ) there.

After lunch they took us to Bangkok. We reached bangkok by 4.30 or so. They had booked in Howard square for us.

On the whole it was a good holiday. the group was nice. there were about 50 people including kids. The youngest was 4 yrs old & may be we were the oldest.There was a honeymooning couple also. We went via Helsinki to Rome, others  via Doha. from Rome till Paris we had a Coach with a Poland guy Jack as the driver. Our tour manager was Aswin Kamath -Manglorean born & brought up in Mumbai. He was very good.We had Indian food in almost all places for lunch & Dinner. Some places we could opt for local food & we both tried them out.Got upma also along with continental  on 2-3 days for Bfast!!! 

We went by Euro star( train ) from Paris to London. In London our Driver was an Indian but we all liked Jack more. He was more friendly . Aswin had to go to Switzerland in an emergency & had another Indian-Iqbal in his place. He was also not so good as Aswin. 

All are asking which place i liked more -am not able to figure out as it is like an Avial( as aptly said by Malini) now. In London spoke to both Suchitras, Kichu & Deepti. There was no time to meet any of them.

They had arranged our stay in good hotels like Sheraton, Raddisson, Renaissance, Novotel etc.Local Indian cooks provided the dinner in the hotels.Lunch used to be in Indian Restaurants.

The places visited are Italy(Rome, Venice, Florance), Vatican, Austria,Switzerland, Germany,Brussels, Netherlands, Paris &London. 

Europe trip-2

Since all enjoyed my 1st part  thought I can come up with the next. During our travel in the coach on the 1st day I think we had to introduce ourselves to the rest of our group. The tour manager will call out the names of each family & everyone had to go to the front of the bus & use the mike to introduce . we had to say our names, about the family, what you do, our hobbies etc. One from the family had to either say a joke or sing a song. We had many good singers & bathroom singers too. we used to play antakshari too. The manager will sometimes come up with some questions & the one who got the answer right was given a small prize too. I was unlucky in that. PV sang his Surangani medley one day. Watched the movie Jab thak he jaan one day in the coach!!

Next day , that is on 22nd,got ready early in the morning & started our tour at 8. went to Pisa .1st was the Square of Miracles. Then we saw the leaning tower of Pisa. After the photo session there we had time for shopping. Did a bit of shopping( both actual & window). Pinocchio is from Pisa & we could find many pinocchio items there. There were small tent type structures from where could buy a few things. Besides mementos we bought some fresh fruits to have as snacks to take care of my sugar fluctuations. That is the only place  in the entire trip that we  saw a fruit stall !!

I wanted to buy a memory card for my camera as I was not sure how much capacity mine will have. But couldn't get one suitable for mine. My guide said I can get it from Florance.So I was keeping my fingrs crossed that it will last till then.

We had our lunch at Asoka. After lunch we went on a city tour of Florance. We got down at a square on a hill top to get a bird's eye view of the place. There was a replica of David's Statue there. As we got down most were attracted towards not the statue but to a ferrari parked there. Most took photos near that:-) Saw the biggest cathedral-Duomo,Bapistery with the gates to Paradise. It had sculputre of Adam & Eve, Caine & Abel & many other stories. After that we checked in to our hotel-Sheraton in Padova.

On 23rd we started a bit early 7.45 to be exact( thanks to my notes) to Venice. I was looking forward to going to Venice. I was fascinated by the photos that chettan or Appan chettan had.  Had a boat ride through the back waters. We went to St Mark's square. There were people(men & women) dressed in their carnival dress with masks on their face & Japanese type fan in their hands. I was reminded of the mask & fan that we saw in the Tibetan settlement in Coorg. They won't allow us to take their photos unless we pay them. One of the ladies started singing Churaliya he ..... & some other Hindi songs seeing us. By the way we were greeted in many places in our tour with namaste. Many guides used to say a few Hindi words like chalo(dheere chalo, jaldi chalo etc).

Then we had the boat ride in the canals- its called Gondola ride. The tour manager decided who will go with whom. I was a bit disappointed with our team- Mr srivastava & family. Somehow I didn't feel at home with them. The 1st question Mr S had was how much PV earns! May be that put me off. The ride was nice except when we go under the bridge when he tilts the boat a bit so that it doesn't touch the bridge.None of us except PV knew swimming.( changed referring him as He to PV). 

After that we were taken to Murano glass factory where they had a demo of making things in glass. It was so fascinating how he made a horse in minutes by hand. We were taken to their showroom, such pretty items. Glass with Gold inlay( hope it is the correct word) work on them. so no need to say they are quite expensive. Like the fox( munthiri pulikkum) we all left the place saying it is difficult to carry home as it is breakable.

We had lunch in one of the boats with live ltalian music. We had Pao bhaji & veg fried rice that day.

We left for Austria by 1 pm & reached there by 5.45 or so. Stayed in a hotel in Innsbruck . Forgot to note the name of the hotel we stayed. Oh suddenly I remembered it was Novotel. One strange  thing about the room was the WC was a separate room from the bathroom. Never seen like that anywhere else.

Next day we went to the famous Swarovski museum & their outlet. No need to say it was amazing & expensive.

That is the only place we visited in Austria.

That is enough for today.Wait & watch for the next part.

Europe trip 3

I had stopped writing about my Europe trip when in US so thought of sending the next part today( hopefully the last. Did I hear a sigh of relief?)

After Jungfraujoch we went to a place called Interlaken. Got down at the place where a scene of DDLJ was shot.I told you in my earlier mail that I had given PV's jacket to a lady, she returned the coat there& we said you can use it till we reach hotel. So she took it back( I thought so).While having dinner her daughter told that will return the coat now, then she(her mom) said she kept it in our seat in the bus!! Ours was 3rd row seat that day, but we never saw one while we got into it( forgot to add, in this tour we had to always move 1 seat ahead daily so that those in the back are not stuck to the back seat). I thought of going to find it in the coach but Ashwin said the bus had already gone to the parking place. He assured that if it was kept in the coach we will get it back. I was so worried( it was a new one bought for this tour) so also Vijaya laxmi to whom we had given it.Prayed to Mukkuttil Bhagavathi & was relieved to get it back the next day.They had kept it in 2nd row of seats.

 On 26th May we went to Mt Titlis. We took a cable car which can seat 6 people & then got into a revolving cable car which can accommodate 80 . We have to stand in that. We had lunch there. There was a studio where we can get dressed in local costume & take photos. We were waiting in front of that & heard someone speaking Malayalam!!! There was a group from Kerala in some other tour called Soman's tour I think. We started talking to them & was surprised that a lady was from TPA related to my teacher Malathy madam !!( sorry it is stale news for most) Another one was in Delhi for many years & they know chettan's friend Mathew & Annie!!! Small world indeed. We kept bumping into them in some shops, road etc.We went to Lucerne to see the Lion Monument. It is built in memory of Swiss soldiers killed in French revolution. The expression of Lion is very sad. Went on a boat ride in the lake there. did some shopping (again some magnets & small items, other things were expensive).After that went to see the old town. It had paintings on the facade of all buildings. Spotted a Bata shop there.

Next day as always started at 8 to Schaffhausen.. Went in a boat to the Rhein falls(Rhine falls).My 1st glimpse of a waterfall!!! We could go up some steps in between the falls but I chose to remain in the boat as the steps seemed steep & slippery. So the few who sat in the boat had one more trip in the river as they took us back to where we got into it.Then we entered Germany. It took about 3-4 hrs to reach the Black Forest area.Went to Titisee. there we visited the place Drubba famous for the cuckoo clock . Saw a demo there. Some bought the clocks, we satisfied ourselves with cuckoo clock model( yet another  magnet!!) Had our lunch at a place called Rangoli if I remember correct.  Forgot where we stayed that night, I mean the name. It was a cruise in Rhine river next day & then went to Cologne. Saw the  Gothic style Cathedral there which was white in colour but turned black now. Went shopping for Eau de cologne.

Next proceeded to Brussels. It was raining by the time we reached the famous statue called the Mannekin Pis statue. My camera stopped working as it got wet while clicking at the statue. Though it started working later( next day) the review button is still not ok so can't see or delete the photos taken.That place is famous for lace & I got a sample - a framed lace as I couldn't resist. There were embroidery( on napkins hankies etc) also so pretty , neat & expensive .

There was a statue of a man with a dog & it seems if you rub the hand of the man or nose of the dog you will get lucky, not to mention i did it. Stopped near the Atomium( Office buildings in the shape of an atom) to take pictures.

On 29th we went to Amsterdam. Our 1st stop was at Madurodam. It had the main features of the city in a miniature form at the scale of 1:25 Tulip season was over on 20th so we couldn't see it There I saw a lady taking photo so I stopped for her to take a photo. Didn't realize that she was taking mine. On our way out saw my photo & bought it Such an awful looking snap. Didn't know that we need not buy it.Went  to a cheese making factory & woodden shoe factory in Volendam.

On our way we saw the airport ( from our coach only)which had 5 km of parking for cars.It was full!! After lunch went on a boat cruise& went to our Hotel.

Next day went to Paris . It was a 4 hr drive with  comfort stops in between. Visited Chantilly. We had a local guide here. went up the Eiffel tower.Met a gentleman there from Chennai who works for Hindu paper!!

After dinner went for Lido show. We had to pay extra money for that & we had not opted to go for that. later we decided to go for it as we heard it is good & they have A.R.Rehman music at some point. It was at night 8.30 or so( forgot to note the time). I almost slept through the show.Everyone except a few, felt it was a waste of time, money& sleep. When we got out a man from some other group fell at the feet of their tour guide/manager on the footpath & said 'please don't take anyone for this show'.  that speaks volumes about the show . When ARR music was on they had women in   bharata natyam style dress & some men in Ganesh mask. Some one was mentioning that 1st time seeing  Ganesha with the 6 pack abs. we were discussing how the show was when someone diplomatically said the costumes were nice, some with sense of humour retorted " or no costumes". You see they had half naked women in the show.It was past midnight when we got back to the hotel.

So next day we started at 9 .30 or so as most had a late night.We went to see the Louvre museum. Since it takes a lot of time to see as many paintings as possible we just went straight to see Mona Lisa. Took photos of some paintings also. Then we had time to do a bit of shopping.Bought a small replica of Eiffel tower as memento. When we were boarding the bus some people were selling a pair- bigger version. PV wanted  that.  Had lunch at a place called Omkara.

Next day visited the Versailles Palace. We had a guide here too. He was eager to show us the hall where Laxmi Mittal's daughter got married.

We were to have a Seine river cruise but due to the water level going up that takes more time than the usual so we couldn't go. But all of us had enough of cruises by then so nobody missed it I think.. We went around the city in the coach, walked in Champs Elysees etc.

After dinner we went to see Eiffel tower lit up at 10.05. There we saw a lit up version(model of the tower) & he bought that one too. So now we have 4 Eiffel towers in different sizes.Don't know what to do with them, can't keep 4 in the house, can't gift it as those who haven't been there won't have any interest.Ideas welcome. May be can be used as bangle stand as i saw in one shop somewhere.

Enough for today I feel. England can be covered in my next part.

US 2013

 Now my European tour news can wait, let me tell about the US news. Forgot what I wrote last time, pardon me if I repeat the news. One day all minus Saugata went on a River cruise here.

One day we went to a shopping centre where we get all branded things. Even though they have discounts they are quite expensive. It is the factory outlets.

Last Saturday we went to New Jersey to Chinnu's place. We reached at around 1 o'clock. Durga & husband had also come there. Had rice, sambar, pineapple curry, beans & potato mezhukkuvaratti, pappadam, pickle, curd. We took some kadala chundal type. Had mango pie as dessert. Bought  a set of dress(both Kamala & I) each for Aarav on our way.Her house is big( didn't see the 1st floor part)& they have a swimming pool also. After spending some time there went to Sasi's place( Sara chechi's son). Had tea there & Sheeja took Kamala &self to a store called Micheal's. It is a big store selling only art & craft items. No need to say I went mad seeing the items. But I restricted my temptation as I am worried about luggage weight. You need at least one full day there I felt.

By the time we reached back it was late in the night. Had to do the packing( Kamala did the washing of clothes also after that) as we were leaving for Niagra on Sunday morning.

After the new Jersey trip we went to Niagra falls on that Sunday. Saugata couldn't  join us. We had booked in a  bus by a travel agency- chinese. We were divided into groups  family/friendwise & ours was the gp-11. We started at 8 or so in the morning. On our way we stopped at the Corning ware factory.. We reached the falls at 5.20 or so & there was a boat (last one of that day) at 5.45. So all of us took that one. Our group in the bus were mainly Indians, but had Chinese & whites also. The boat took us to the falls & we had a great time. We were looking like penguines I felt - all in  blue ponchos. Took photos & Binay got scared when water was splashing . as it is he was not happy wearing the poncho. I had not seen a waterfall till now in my whole life!! ( other than the overflowing drains or as Venu puts it the overhead tank over flow)And in a months time I saw 2 !!! After the boat trip we were taken to a native Indian show. Took some photos ( of Binay) with the dancers. Went again to the falls to see the lighting & fire works. We didn't wait for the fireworks as Binay & all of us for that matter was tired. By the time we reached the bus pick up point the fireworks started. We should have waited for some time to watch it I felt.

Next day we went to see an old fort & a power plant- both not so interesting except we could see the lake which looked like an ocean to me & a man dressed in Uniform & fired from his gun. Returned late at night  to New York. Next day was rest day.

On Wednesday morning we started at around 11 to Boston in Saugata's car. We stopped for lunch in between & reached Boston in the evening. 1st we went to see Harvard. went around, saw the apartment( from outside of course ) where they used to stay, Got into a classroom & took photos( though not lucky enough to study could click a few snaps sitting in the classroom).

Then we went to a shop selling items with Harvard printed on all items. Kamala went to get some gifts from another shop & so  others decided to have some coffee while waiting for her. We bought a baking dish( from Kamala's side) & snack/ pudding bowls from our side for Tara. Went to Tara's place. I am meeting Tara's husband & Rohit for the 1st time.   Had dinner there. Met ammayi also. Tara was saying she suddenly felt "Kamala chechi has come" seeing me. They had made fried rice, dal, chana, ladies finger, aloo curry, raita. Got appam & boli from TVM & there was cheese cake also. When we were abt to leave I realized I have to take my shawl & went to get it. Then I realized I lost it somewhere . From Kamala's camera noticed I had it in Harvard. Went back to the places I had gone but couldnt get it. Felt so sad( even now I feel bad) That was a shawl I got from Kashmir & rarely used one. consoled myself that some needy person got it or donated to a needy one( but one side said-like you see in movies, the good & bad image- but not my favourite one).Anyway that day ended with a bad note.

Next day  went to see the aquarium. Saugata had some work & he dropped us there. Both of us took a tour on bus to see in & around that place. we can get off &get on to other bus but we chose to remain in the same. saw the aquarium after that. Saugata joined us there in the afternoon.  Again went to Harvard & this time went to see the statue of John( hope the name is correct) Harvard who according to saugata is not the founder but it is written as that. Touched his feet & took photos.As the legend goes if you touch his feet your grand child(Kamala not so sure if it is grandchild) will be in Harvard. Hope they won't curse me for putting to so much stress if & when the time comes:-) Came back to hotel. Had asked my friend Sindhu's son to come there. Kartik & soumya came & we had a great time with them. Next day we started our trip to Washington. 

That can wait for another day.

Europe trip 2013

 Let me start from day one. we started from house at 6 or so in the morning-already forgot the time!!Col madhu mohan dropped us. We were travelling by Finnair to Helsinki.& then to Rome from there.Our luggage was booked till Rome so we didn't have to wait for baggage collection at Helsinki.There was a 1 hr gap between the flights. Had Indian lunch on board. Reached Helsinki at 5.50(Indian time) .It was 3.25 local time.Our next flight was from gate no 29. Had to go through security check again & when I passed through the detector it started beeping. So had to go back & come again with my hands held up!!!Then had to open my hand luggage also& she took out my toilet bag & took out the things inside-Didn't like my face I think.Had to somehow pack it again & run to the gate.There was no 'Q' for boarding the plane so thought we were late &we almost ran to see that we were the 1st ones to board. So the marathon started from there.  they served some snacks to all but I didn't get any as they had no veg items. For that we have to place an order beforehand it seems.Reached Rome at abt 6.53 pm -local time(  I am able to give  so accurate the time as I have noted it down.:-)).Watched the movie Burfi in the plane, played some games etc from  India to Rome. Since we were on our own till Rome we took a taxi & went to the hotel. Our stay was arranged in Sheraton. So the driver dropped us there. Had to pay 65 Euro for it & he gave a tip to the driver also( which they do there normally) The change he kept in his pocket & went inside the hotel. At the reception they said it is in another building & they arranged a car to drop us there. Got the keys to our room & he realised that he can't find the change- abt 20-25 euros. He went again to the reception but no luck. So we started with a loss.

Next day we started our sight seeing trip. started at 7.30-8 in the morning after breakfast. This was our daily routine on all days-wake up call at 5.30 or 6, breakfast at 7 & start at 8 except may be one day in Paris as we had gone for a late night show. That day we started at 9.30 only I think. Our 1 st stop was at the Colosseum.We had a local guide there. Her name is Marie Therese.We were all given a head phone so all could hear . The tour manager used to lead us holding a Thomas cook flag(held high so all can follow him). there were many groups like that including other groups of Thomascook. So he used to call out Thomas Cook Ashwin( tour managers name). felt like kids going on excursions or sometimes reminded me of the political rallies we have!!!We saw more Indians in all these places-tourists i mean. Most of the places were so crowded- we could hardly see any locals there. Most places have free toilets so that was not a problem. If the drive was long they used to stop at comfort stations as they are called where we can use the toilet, buy a coffee & other small items. We had forgotten to take umbrellas so we had to buy 2 in one such stop.

Then they took us to a big Fountain called Trevi fountain. It seems if you put a coin above your left shoulder with your back to the fountain you will visit Rome again. The money collected thus goes to charity Any way we didn't try it out as it was so crowded.Did some memento shopping or was it just window shopping- sorry for the memory loss. Our main motto for shopping was 'sasta sunder & tikao"& also small to fit in our bag( & budget ). So he ( I am using the pronoun HE as otherwise i will have to write achan, vijayan.... etc etc  so it refers to my husband dear Pulluttupadath Vijayakumaran -given name in the passport) was joking that we have brought enough magnets that we will have to buy a new refrigerator when we get back.

We then went to Vatican city. There we went to the museum, Sistine chapel & St. Peter's Basilica. Saw the window of Pope's room!!The paintings, architecture & sculpture in these places were amazing( though after visiting a few in other places felt all look the same almost)

We had lunch at Jaipur Restaurant.

Then we drove to Prato which was 4 hrs drive. we had a coffee/ toilet break in between. We stayed at WallArt In Prato. So the 1st days tour ended there. 

Sesham vellithirayil........

My Gardening skills.

Relocating to my native place after a span of about 40 years, calls for a lot of changes in lifestyle which I was looking forward to. One of them is the luxury of having a garden with lots of flowering plants in the front & home grown vegetables & fruits at the back. With the limited knowledge from a few potted plants in the window sill I decided to venture. With my sister's help & knowledge I knew my dream is going to come true. The articles in the daily about pesticide laden vegetables and fruits and how to grow organic vegetables at home forced me to act fast.Went around looking for nurseries, shops selling gardening tools and other materials.Got a few plants from the nursery & vegetable saplings from the Govt outlet.Learned re-potting from my brother who has a green finger. My gardening started off with great enthusiasm,watering them daily , putting manure, repotting and what not.My joy knew no bounds seeing the buds bloom into flowers of different hues and varieties.
Slowly other things caught my fancy,like the kid who loses interest in a toy after a few days . My gardening got limited to watering once in a while . Seeing my gardening skills my sister took over,luckily for the plants.

After a few days of laziness I felt its high time I take care of the plants again.The coming holiday trips made me feel that I must spend more time with the plants before I leave.They too need my  love and care . While watering I noticed weeds in the Tulsi bed & decided to work on it. Went inside  happily seeing the neat patch and  the exercise it gave me.Must make this a daily practice I felt.

My sister in her round in the garden saw my work and called out to me.I knew she is also happy seeing my contribution. But I knew something is wrong.In my enthusiasm to uproot the weeds I had pulled out the chilli saplings she had planted in between the Tulsi. I don't know whether to cry at my ignorance or laugh at my half baked knowledge of plants and gardening.