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.
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