(I have seen London, Paris, and even Japan, Micheal, Elvis, I have seen everything...)
Sare jag mein kahi nahi hai dusra Hindustaan
(In the whole universe, there is not another Hindustaan aka India)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVIW-AhSCDs
Today, I went out on a limb (when do I not?!). Anyway, I had gone shopping in the afternoon with my cousin to get a Dongle and we went to a toy shop next door. I had my eyes on this photo frame that I really liked. In fact, I had been looking for something to gift some special people who I have been staying with this month since I could not attend their wedding 4 years ago! I always regret not being able to be with family and friends during weddings in India. I have missed out on most of my cousins' weddings but one! and I have a ton of cousins! Anyway, tonight, I went back to that same toy shop that had the frame, but I first, I walked to catch a rikshaw. No rikshaw would stop! I know it was late, but not even that late! Finally, one rikshaw wala stopped, and I went to D-Mart (a mini wal mart). It is very U.S.A.- like and modern. It has shopping carts, everything A to Z. I didn't find any good presents there though, so I just browsed and left. That D-Mart was like a mall seriously! It had a movie theater, coffee shop, elevators, and escalators! I really liked some of the T-shirts and kurtas -they were 150 to 250 Rs a piece- which is a good deal, but I was only out to get the present-that's it. I did not want to fall for the trap of materialism no matter how much I liked those other things. They were merely objects, and plus, I have enough clothes! I then decided to catch a rikshaw and head on over to the toy shop which was not too far. I did not even argue with the rikshaw wala even though I knew he was charging me more. It was late, and I wanted to get to the shop before it closed. I got there fingers crossed that it would be open! It was to my pleasant surprise, so I went in to had the frame gift wrapped.
I still have many more people to gift, but I always will have a hole in my heart where I could not be there for the weddings of my loved ones. The least I can do is come spend time with them while I am in India! Every one is like booking my holidays with them! My uncle already insisted I go to his house for Uttarayan-they live in a nearby town with 3 story home with a roof top balcony/terrance (aka agasi in Gujarati). I went to that uncle's house yesterday evening! He picked me up after office, and we cruised on his scooter to their home in a nearby town. The grandma next door saw me and recognized me as my dad's daughter, and my grandpa's granddaughter. I was in awe. My dad and grandpa used to go visit this uncle (my dad's dad's sister's son), so this grandma next door knew them well. It was nice talking to her. Another uncle who went to school/college with my dad was there, and I showed them the pictures of my parents from my camera. It feels nice connecting people through technology. Despite being seas apart, I can at least show pictures, and engage them in conversations or video chatting with each other!
During Uttarayan, people fly kites on agasi (roof top). I will get to celebrate it after 15 years! Diwali-I have like 5 places to go to see family and friends! I will try to visit everyone, but there is only one Diwali day and one Bestu Varas (Hindu New Year).
Nonetheless, no money can buy the precious moments I have been able to live with my family here. Being able to turn on my skype and call over my family has allowed me to connect my parents in USA with their brothers, bhabhis (brothers' wives), nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, and grand-nieces. It has meant the world to me to see my parents so happy to see them all. Thank goodness for Skype. It connects people -except the microphone on my laptop is nonfunctional. Therefore, I pass around my mobile (cell phone) while having Skype open concurrently!
As I am watching a Navaratri special on TV with common TV stars, here are some stars from my galaxy-the songs I have really liked over the years, and make me nostalgic in moments!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K2RKBQ0phs
Morni baga ma bole aandhi raat mein (the peacock speaks in the dark night)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094eFKs8Sh4
Eventually, as in next 2 days, I need to pack. I have so much to organize! It will be something, although I will be sad to leave my cousin and bhabhi here, I will get to live in the house and neighborhood I lived in during my childhood during Novemeber! New and old people, new and old memories, and of course, new experiences! zaraa haste, zara jhoomte, Yeh hai India, meri jaan! (a little smiling, a little roaming, this is India, my love!)
"This world is just a gymnasium in which we play; our life is an eternal holiday."-Swami Vivekanand
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