India Saga - The iron man of India -the Statue of Unity - Surat Trip

Finally it was the day to see the statue of unity. Known as“Ironman’ of India”Sardar Patel was the builder and consolidator of new India.

My father being history buff was sure excited, Though it was my mother who expressed the wish to see the monument.

I cannot move forward without thanking my Amazing friends Preeti and Praveen who made this possible. The night before was busy planning. We should have left for the trip early morning but the day began with Special Chat, Samosa, Kachori and Jalebi from Mathurwale :) a very North Indian breakfast in Surat

That was the perfect way to start our day. we left for Statue and after a long 3 plus hours drive we were there. The place is far from highway and is being developed as tourist attraction. Our friends have some wonderful friends who arranged the wheel chair and guide for us.  It is the school vacation week so was busy beyond imagination. I haven’t seen these many people in one place. But the crowd was extremely disciplined and courteous. we had the express ticket so was manageable to go up with mom. We could go on the viewing floor and the view was amazing. My dad had wonderful time reading, listening and just being there and my mom was just happy to “see” it. Pictures talks about it better than I can express .

This post is more about the gratitude I feel towards my friends. I don’t think I could pull it off without them, They took care of so many details to make it possible.

Exhausted us didn’t feel like going to Dam or park. We could see the dam from the viewing gallery so we decided to drive back to Surat. On the way we found a “kathiawadi restaurant”. The food was spicy but amazing. It is another Gujrati cuisine.

I am grateful for small gestures - the driver going to check the bathrooms first and then cleanliness of restaurant before asking my mom to get out. He made sure we get clean table and hot food.

The drive back home was quieter and felt shorter because we all could nap : )

a nice hot tea was so needed, after that my friend and I got ready for Surat Saree speak meet. I did write about it so won’t write much about it. But one thing I will sure mention, I have never been to one of the Saree meet without a saree on and  so underdressed.

My parents were exhausted beyond measure but happy beyond imagination. Our friends to the driver to cook to the guide everyone made it possible. My gratitude is beyond words.

The day ended beautifully.

A saree meet but I wasn't wearing one .. An unusual saree meet - Surat

Last month I was in Surat with my parents visiting a friend. litte I knew that I could join a saree meet in Surat even though I dont know a single saree friend in this city.

Every year I visit India and meet some amazing new people, #100Sareepact made my world wider. This time I decided to spend more time with my parents so didnt make elaborate plans for meetups. but one day in one of my post I just mentioned that I will be in India and will be visiting Surat and a fellow 100SareePact-er asked for date and freaky coincidence she would be in the city at the same time.

I still wasn’t sure about my plan but we both decided we should at least try.

My mom wanted to see “Statue of Unity” so this rip was planned for that bucket list item. We decided to play by ear and meet.I landed in India last week and she mentioned the meet up. I told her I wasn’t even sure if I could make it on time from the trip by the evening.

we landed in Surat on Monday afternoon and my bag decided to not join me. Here I am in Textile capital of India without my own clothes. The friend bailed me out hoping my bag will follow me next day.

Yesterday ( Tuesday) was the day for the big trip, after 3 and half hour one way, we reached the place. My parents are history buff they really enjoyed the place. I wasn’t planning on wearing Saree for the trip but a dress would have been my choice. I ended up wearing my friend’s Salwar Kurta. a very rare and unusual choice of my attire. By the time we came home it was very late in the evening. The meet was already happening. it was a wonderful, fun but long and exhausting trip.I decided to just go like that, i figured if I not rush and decide to change in a saree I might change my mind. My friend and I just rushed to Venue.

I am so glad Archana was there, I was an odd woman out and only she knew me or of me. Walked in and saw such beautiful woman and I felt so refreshed. The introduction the talk and the whole “instant connection” the joke me walking in a saree meet in a salwar kurta and above all the love I felt is something I will cherish all my life.

Thank you ladies, you all rock and I cannot wait to know you more.

Archana you are a darling, still amazed that we finally met.

I so missed my Boston group.

The wedding saga - an adventure

Indian weddings are an adventure for everyone involved. Mine wasn’t any different but this story is about our niece’s wedding. The main reason for our India trip.

She is my husband’s older brother’s daughter. She was one when we got married. My memories of newly wed days are filled with 3 young kids of the family. This wedding was the first in the next generation, one after ours, almost 25 yrs ago.
We couldn’t wait for the big day since she got engaged.  Planning, shopping and packing, everything was exciting. The bride didn’t worry much about it but I was all ready for the wedding. My shopping was done way before hers. A beautiful paithani was ready for the occasion. Paithani is an exquisite saree of Maharashtra, a community my husband belongs to. For me it was very important to be all maharastrian for this wedding. 

The kids had decided on a registered wedding and small ceremonies, just close families. They agreed to a grand reception.

We reached Nagpur on the day of the Haldi, a day before the wedding. We left my sister’s home at 5 AM ,on the road for 5+ hour to reach on time for haldi. After this ceremony we decided to go shopping.

A mangalsutra for me.. it had been in my list for this year and who would be better company than my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. 3 of us Pandey ladies and Ajey went looking for a perfect neckpiece thinking I could wear that for the party that night. We were in the shop checking out the jewelry when the phone rang. The court employees were going on strike next day so the wedding had to take place today within the hour. Imagine the shock. We rushed home to witness the commotion. The bride didn’t have enough time to get ready in a saree or make up so she decided on a beautiful Salwar Kurta. She had to go to the court right away, so she left with her parents and my sister-in-law. I on the other hand, refused to go in the old saree I was wearing :)

I had been planning for this day for too long to go to court like that. I told everyone I needed only 10 minutes. The beautiful Paithani came out with  perfect jewelry from my suitcase and Kaku ( aunt) was ready. 

We reached the court but had to ask a few people where the marriage court was. A women clerk asked in Marathi - तुला लग्न करायचं आहे का ( do you want to get married ) I said - नक्की, फक्त एक नवरा  मिळवा (sure just find a guy). Her response was फक्त हो म्हण, line लगनार  ( just say yes, there will be a line) It was funny because Ashish was right next to me. I realized later that I was the only “dressed” woman there with a bright saree and flowers in my hair. We all waited for the groom side of the family and finally the wedding took place. It was just a formality of signing papers / wedding agreement in-front of the registrar and two witnesses. We had more fun outside the office. The garland exchange, the sweets, the hugs and pictures took longer than the ceremony. We joked that they needed an adventure wedding story. 

The saree remains my favorite of the lot, a gift from a friend, but now it has a story about a much awaited wedding in the family too.  

The pictures tell you the story :)

waiting for the couple, cannot do anything, lets just pose :) 

Finally the whole gang. I am sure My in laws has more people even when they just meet for simple Tea. 

India Saga - Day -3 - Surat here we come..Dated Dec 23rd Monday

Technically I should be writing about my day two at home but things took another turn and I needed to pen down the day 3 before the feeling of gratitude gets overshadowed by other things.

The morning was eventful to say more. Not only the jetlag the excitement and wandering mind wouldn’t let me sleep. I did manage 4 hours tonight so that was a big deal. we were up and ready way before our target time. that means hurrying down with breakfast. My visionary and caretaker sister knew this so she packed food so we had something before we get to Surat.

I love Bangalore only if I could skip the drive part. getting to airport feels like forever. I dont know how my BIL does it almost every weekend.

I could catch up on my phone calls but still felt we were in the car for ever. We got Mom wheelchairs so that makes life easier for all of us. The staff was Indigo was extremely helpful, polite and kind. From the counter staff, to wheel chair in charge to person who took care of carrying mom around, to the check in person, security guard to person at the gate, the one who took to the bus to the aircraft, the one who helped us getting her on the plane to the on board staff who were very patient with her slow walking to the person who let her sit on his seat on row 2 so she didn’t have to walk to the row 15.

I just cannot imagine how my morning would have been without all these people around us. The girl at the counter was a trainee on day 3. she was a happy, cheerful and kind person. she was enjoying her job so much and was a local.

My id mishap was another story, more about it later. I still feel how stupid I was today, lesson learnt but again grateful to the the boss in charge who made me believe in goodness all over again.

Mom being on wheel chair we could go through security faster, airport was crowded but people were careful not to come on the way.

The girls on the flight are another sight for eyes and soul. Smart, young and beautiful but more than anything courteous. I was on row 14, dad on 15 on opposite side and mom on second. They kept me updated how she was doing and about dad too. I heard from mom later that they kept checking on her.

Flight landed and guess what my suitcase didn’t show up. After enquiring I got to know the power bank was in my checked in luggage, earlier I was planning to take the bag  with me so I dumped everything in it. Last minute plan change and I totally forgot to take that out. After the paper work finally got to see the friend. A ride home was nothing but the fun. Some times all you need is meeting your age old friend to feel happy and young.

Surat is another experience - The evening was well spent in Textiles Market. I was totally lost and amazed. I was in like whole different world. a crazy day ended with some gorgeous fabric. Stay tunes for “Made in Surat” picture.

Happy Mom, she was going to get one thing off from her bucket list.

Indigo - Thank you.

 A meal to remember at home in Surat. this trip turned out to be amazing in many ways but for now let's enjoy the meal.

and then the Surat Market. I could let ma papa rest and came out to the market. BUT i missed her every minute, she would have loved it. Only if she could walk in this area. Old and very busy. Preeti and Praveen - thank you for this amazing experience. 

It was almost closing time.

India 2019-2020 Day -2 what Family is for me and you?

Sisters are the blessing in various forms ( dated Dec 22nd) 

Yesterday was another testimony of how lucky I am. The morning started with amazing breakfast. The things I enjoy most about India. I get to eat wonderful food without doing anything. 

The shopping, the trip to tailor and a visit to spa and then an evening outing. All in one day it’s only possible if you sisters are on top of your every need and wishes.

they manage to run their house, take care of kids and at the same time be your amazing sisters. I am sure they need another vacation to recover from my vacation.

but its not only them, their spouses and kids are in this together too. the meal times are my favorite part of the day. All of us sitting together. somehow fitting around that one table all of us in unison, sharing stories, jokes. the kids playing , running around, arguing with their moms, negotiating for more play time. I was there and some time my mind would think of our childhood. Not too many luxury but the happiness and laugh sounded just the same.

I cannot wait to have my other sister and her husband and my men. The house will be busier and crazier but I think thats what my mom needs right now. The noise of her grandkids fighting, arguing, shouting with their moms so she can revisit her time with us. She needs to see that  with my dad she has raised awesome daughters and her grandkids will turn out OK just like her daughters did. she is not very strong yet she would like to sit and listen to our conversation late in the night. she pushes her body to the extent she can, just to be around us.

My dads usual busy with his way of taking care. The fruits we love are on the kitchen counter in abundance,  the flower strands are fresh and fragrant. I am sure the flower  seller next to temple know by now that his oldest daughter is in town and these are for her to put on her hair. Amazing how he remembers tiny details and without words he makes me feel how fortunate I am to be his daughter. How he listens to my stories and nods and wraps his arm around me when I need it. his laughs and smiles make me feel how proud of he is of his daughters.  I am amazed how easily he agrees to his daughters plans and follows the instructions and agrees to our wishes. 

I sat with them going over the travel plan for Surat. I did go through the packing list, instructed and suggested. Now I wonder about the transition. Not too long ago my mom would pack our clothes and get us ready for travel. I feel happy and sad at the same time. Seeing two very strong people who taught me so many things about life are so fragile. every year I feel they grew older more than a year of their age. seeing my mom struggle to even walk is hard. She is woman who took care of non stop guests at home, worked full time and raised 4 daughters, managed to read and do things for so many people around. Cannot wait to spend my days with her.

Sisters in Mysore Saree Udyog Commercial Street , Varsha was missing. 

Living room was everything that day from bedroom, to play room to chat room

the luxury in India - dad knows what you really want. 

 things going on at home, negotiation going on for sleep time

                                                  rocking commercial street