So I’ve been thinking what I can blog about, and have mulled
over numerous ideas, none of which have attracted me enough to take my pen to
paper...ummm type to document (Aside: I’d love to write on paper and
automatically have it transferred to my blog!). Then I thought how about using
my blog like a journal (sort of...a monthly one maybe...the retrospective
type...we shall see!) until I find something more interesting to write about.
I’ve just returned from my month-long trip to India, where I
was visiting family. Since I’ve managed to settle back in to my life as I know
it but I’m still reminiscing my trip, it’s probably a good idea to pen down my
ramblings about the trip.
It’s funny how the place where you’ve spent most of your
life begins to feel strange in a matter of months. That’s the oddity I was
battling from the moment I boarded the final flight to India. It was almost
like my senses had grown extra sensitive. Walking out of the airport and
finding an eager happy face (that’s my f-i-l) waiting makes you feel that these
familiar faces are what make all oddities worth it.
The first couple of days were spent in Mumbai (where the
husband hails from) eating and sleeping, unknowingly preparing for some very
frantic days ahead. Soon we headed to Kolkata and directly dove into the
action. There were events galore. Birthday parties, dinner invitations,
numerous drinks with a friend who had just been jilted, catch up with old
buddies, and so on. Thanks to Jay’s upselling of my culinary skills, I had to
spend a good amount of time in the kitchen too!
The highlights of the trip...
Sports Day at the local church, where Jay and I were dragged
into participating in the couples’ race to the finish line while balancing a
wee balloon between us. Quite hilarious! The sports were followed by
entertainment, when I felt like a proud mother hen as I watched my little niece
and nephews, including the 4-month old addition, enacting the nativity play. No
points for guessing who Baby Jesus was.
My BFF’s bridal shower – the readings on the
mischief-o-meter were satisfying! It was complete with making the bride-to-be feel
special, good food and drinks, games, gifts of lingerie, naughty advices, and our
very own drag queens (Where did we find them? If I ever let that out, I’m dead
meat!). By the end of the event, my BFF looked happy. That’s all that matters
in the end.
A day trip to show my parents around Jay’s city. They did
manage to see a couple of landmarks and eat at one of the popular eateries.
However, what they experienced was the true essence of a Mumbaikar’s life – the
numerous hours spent in traffic.
Jay’s mate’s wedding and celebrations surrounding it. It was
great to be able to meet friends and acquaintances who have known Jay for
donkey’s year but being told umpteen times that Jay is a good catch can be
quite annoying! But the wedding was fun nonetheless.
Christmas and New Years were family affairs; contrasting
ones for that matter. It was a quiet relaxing Christmas with Jay’s family and a
loud party-rocking New Years with mine. The whirlwind of activities, and the
couple of trips between the two cities thrown into the mix, kept us on our
toes. Then all of a sudden, a wonderful month was over, and we were packing our
bags again.
It was a lovely trip and nothing compares to
seeing family and friends. We were sad to leave but it was also nice to be back
in NZ... from home to home. Two homes...damn, I’m lucky!