Old Silver Beach- Falmouth - Sunset visit Review from Aug 25th 2020

Living in East Coast I miss sunset on Water. Thanks to google Map I found some amazing places - this post is about one of those.

I have been to Old Silver Beach in Falmouth couple of times but never for Sunset. Last time we were there I noticed the sky , It was so dramatic. After a whole day at the beach I couldn’t stay for Sunset bu that image was stick in my mind. 5 PM drama was just a glimpse of beginning of sunset.

Yesterday we left home ( Franklin) around 3.30 and were there in little over one hour.

Things to remember -

Many restaurants in the area are closed on Monday

The parking attendant leaves around 4 so you get free parking after 4 PM

otherwise it is $20

The resident sticker lot is sandy and the non resident area is full of pebbles ( around 6 ft) then its all sandy

we parked in the resident lot this time. Knew from last trip about Non resident lot.

the Water is really warm and its a shallow beach. You can go very far in the water without worry.

The Sunset was amazing even with the cloudy sky.

a long sand area for kids to play, I saw lot of young families.

if you drive from Franklin, just grab your dinner and spend couple of hours. hour drive back home too.

BEACH HOURS

• Parking attendants leave at 3:30 p.m. at pay beaches; 3:45 p.m. at sticker beaches.
• Bathroom facilities close at 4:45 p.m.
• Lifeguards are off-duty at 5 p.m.
• The gates at all beaches, except Menauhant Beach (East) and Megansett, are locked at 10 p.m. Those 2 beaches are open 24 hours.
• No dogs are allowed on the public beaches from May 1 through October 1.

http://www.falmouthmass.us/151/Beach-Department

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.

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

India 2019-2020 Day - 1 Home coming

India trip means many things - 

Its a whole different meaning of planning, shopping, packing and then travel. These 4 things take over mostly the real part (Vacation) some times.

A wedding in the family so Pandeys were all booked for India trip. These few months have  witnessed the excitement. I think I couldn’t go through even a day without talking about this trip. I think I have started thinking, planning and shopping before the tickets were booked. My sarees were bought even before the bride’s started her shopping.

The last week of travel has seen anxiety, excitement, joy, and sleepless nights. The Indian Government had made some changes in OCI (overseas citizens of India) travel policy and that was enough for headache for many of us holiday time travelers.

I was traveling alone and the boys will come week after. The night before I was in much better place, having clear idea about Visa and Travel scenario, packing done for all of us. Boys leaving after me is still giving me jitters. the farewell dinner was served with finest scotch and that was a good start.

I am lucky to have wonderful friends in my life so next morning was amazing with home cooked idlees, sambhar and chutney by one of them. Anand was very clear that he would go to drop me with dad so a quick stop to pick him up at school and we were off to airport. My mind was full of emotion, the excitement, joy of seeing my parents and family, anxiety of leaving the boys and travel and non stop todo list. when I walked in for checking- in I was offered $800 if I travel a day after. apparently the flight was overbooked. as usual my mind was not able to decide and the man made it very easy saying uber is my option for next day :) I think seeing mom and dad sooner took over the greed of $800.

The flight was packed and I had a window seat. The next several hours were spent chatting, sleeping and watching a movie. Two Students from Boston were going home (Germany) for holiday break. Watched  The Aftermath and managed couple of hours of sleep. A wonderful air hotsess Jana was a delight to talk to. I learnt so much about Frankfurt and Germany in that 15 minutes conversation. She got to learn about shopping in Bangalore from me. I wish I had a way of knowing what did she do on her day in Bangalore this trip. 

The layover in Germany was a drag. With 7+ hours layover I had planned to go  out and explore the city. Conversation with Jana sure helped me. I was in line for immigration when I realized that it was pouring outside and I wasn’t dressed for a wet day. so I ended up staying in Z terminal of the airport. I wish I had stayed in the terminal I was in. you have to take the tram for this terminal and it is busier and has less space to rest. after a long walk, wandering around the airport I had a very tasty Panini and found a place to rest and took a nap. On a crowded place I managed to find 3 empty seats and without worrying, stretched my legs and slept. The memories of sleeping on a train travel when you put our head on the handbag and just dose off.

finally it was time for second flight. I got an isle seat this time. unlike my previous flight it was full of desi crowd. A mom and her cute 10 yrs old daughter J were next to me. They were going home for some family function. The flight was long but was very entertaining. Two of women chatting over life away from home, families, sisters, neighbors, work, the life in Germany and USA and in India and then it became all about Sarees. I think she had overdose of Saree knowledge. Her mom’s closet in trouble this time. she will go to Saree Store with a totally different eyes this time. I really had such wonderful time in this flight, though it was longer.

the check in was so smooth in Boston but the last thing of the journey was long and tiring. the immigration was quick so I was at the luggage belt very soon but my luggage came so very late. Standing next to the belt and thinking  mine is just next to come out of that door. Air France had lost my bag once so that experience is always on my mind. The wait was over and finally I could leave the airport. the best part was seeing my sister and Brother in law outside. I totally forgot how tired I was, seeing them made this worth. and guess what the home made paratha made the long drive fun. 

The drop off company 

The best dinner that night Saboodana Khichadi, dont get fooled by bowl size.It was refilled many times  ;) 

  

Sunny Boston  

Terminal Z . Z for Zoo.. 

 Rainy Frankfurt 

Banaglore .. be ready for me 

                            and the best part.. Seema and Jay right there .. made the long flight worth