In the land of money

We are here finally. After a journey of 23 hours. It was a great darshan from the sky. Lots of hills, ships in the sea, and a plethora of high-rises. Some of them lit with neon signs. The plane lands. Surprise of surprise, the emigration guys do not ask any questions. They check the docs and then it is in! No questions such as: how long you plan to stay, why are you here and the usual things that one is expected to answer at such counters.

The bags come and we are off in a taxi. The heat is tremendous at 8.30 in the night. Luckily the cab is air-conditioned. We have some unique sausage roll while coming home. Thanks to D. The house is on 32nd floor! Total disorientation sets in. Body clock is struggling, morning home, night here. Exactly 12 hours difference. A peg of single malt and amazing food. V has made idiappam, potato ishtu and sambhol. Followed by rasa malai. Then we head down for a walk in the promenade.
It is midnight yet the heat is palpitating, even down on the water front. The promenade skirts the waterway that brings beauties of the world into the Harbour. Giant container ships, bulkies and other vessels. Even at that hour the locals are jogging and fishing. Despite no fishing signs there are about half a dozen youngsters.
We come up and make attempts to fall asleep, looking down from the 32nd storey window. The AC is on full blast.
More tomorrow...

Getting closer

Our trip to China is getting closer. It is going to be Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing. On July 1st we went to Crystal Crescent Beach here. The day was good, however, the water was very cold. Yet M dared to plunge herself completely.

We had taken PB and J and batata vadas. It was quite hot under the sun. We spent quite a time over there reading books about Beijing and Hong Kong.

ON Friday, we had gone to UGs house for a barbecue. It was a pleasant evening. For a change K did not have to any of that and had the time to sit and chat. His kids took over and managed everything. Also, there was some good white wine to go in fancy Norwegian glasses. It was followed by gimlets and topped off with Tia Maria.

After that we played cards. Judgment and that too after a real long time.

Another new development in the mundane life of mine is that Miss SA has found me on FB. She had initially got in touch with RM and then through her sent me the invite. Could chat with her at length on June 29 as I was home. Did not seem like she has changed a lot. What is shocking is that she claims that I was at her wedding and I had met her hubby but I am totally blank about it.

Random

Today we had a barbecue in the office. The usual stuff. It is getting boring nowadays and ennui is setting in. Saturday is going to be busy again as friends are coming. G and K. They are coming over after a long time. Our big trip to Hong Kong, Singapore and China is also drawing closer. I am not feeling much excitement about it as have seen most of the places on Tv.

For me the journey is the exciting part and not the destination. However, here the journey comprises being cooped in a pressurised tube for over a day. Also, since food is an issue, I don't know how the trip is going to be. R is going to be there and will be meeting him after almost 11 years! Looking forward to that part. He has not met M since she was a year old or something.

Have taken to reading a lot of blogs lately. Most of them Marathi. I am amazed at how some people have an understanding of life at apparently a tender age. But then they are rare. A majority also have fantastic memory and remember what they did during childhood. I can remember only a few things. However, the best part is that sometimes while reading somebodies childhood stuff, I find that "yes that happened to me also" or "yes we did the same thing" . There are of course variations.

Somehow, reading about people going back to India and having plans of bringing up their children there touches a raw nerve somewhere. I wonder, why I didn't do that. My excuse has always been the better lifestyle and education to M over here than in Bombay. Let's see... Got to go. The masoor dal is done the baath is done and the cooker with lobia is also done. Got to start prep work for Saturday too...

March and Spring

It has been a glorious day today. It has been raining on and off. Misty and foggy went hand in hand and crocuses shyed away back into the dirt. Yet, the earth is pregnant with promise of blooms and making true the dictum April showers bring May flowers.
Today we are going to have sabudana khichadi. Also, try to find decent hotel in Singapore. Yes if things continue the way they are, we are off to Hong Kong and singapore this summer.