Return from India

 Coming back from India on November 25th,  I felt so tired that I was in bed whole day and night. We had guests for dinner and I couldn't join the party as I was too tired. Today I feel better and now busy with my computer with input from my journey from India. 

Still I don't feel much active and feel like resting.  

My April schedule

 April activities.

          I left SFO on March 24th to visit my son and daughter in Toronto.  Next day after my arrival my son Jibesh and daughter in law Rachna organized birthday celebration for  Sayaa and me. Lata, Bianca, Pocca came to attend celebration at Jibesh’s house. We had a good time together. The days passed and on 29th we (Jibesh and I) went to see Brayden and had lunch together. After coming back home I had gone of a long walk. Rachna made dosa. On 30th March I spent with Lata and went to downtown to watch a movie. On 31st I gave Sayaa a purse and $100/- for her birthday. On April 1st Bianca Pocca and Lata came to pick me up and spent the day with them. On 6th April Lata’s birthday we had dinner at Pickle Barrel. Wanda came and gave me a scarf as gift. Later Pocca and Lata dropped me at Jibesh’s place. On 7th April we went to see Brayden and had lunch at McDonal as all other restaurants were closed. Prabha called from India and now at her home in Gurgaon. On 9th April went to winery, Rachna’s sister in law Supriya also came. On way back we much at McDonal and had Fish Fille. Came back home and chatted for sometime until Supriya’s husband came to pick her up. Family get together before Bianca leaves for Portugal on 18th April.

    I spent April 11 with Ushi Choudhury.She drove to Downtown area and had lunch at Moti Mohal.  Spent the rest of the day at her apartment until Jibesh came to pick me up. Next day went to Brampton with Jibesh and had hair cut. Also talked to Ushi to find out about the Upashna culture. I was informed that my booking for India is on 26th October reaching on 27th. Bianca and pocca  moved to Portugal on 18th April 2023. I spent most of the time watching shows in TV and if weather good gone for a walk. Lata is all alone now.   We all sat at Jibesh’s backyard drinking and Lata also came to stay the night. 

      On 22nd April I left Toronto for San Francisco. Even though I had good time in Toronto I am so happy to be in my own room and bed. I keep myself busy gardening as well as reading books. Made hawaijar for our Manipuri meeting.  On April  27 I talked with Gautam’s mom for a long time. She reminds me of my grandmother’s life. Came to know about Arvind’s upcoming surgery on 15 May.

      Spent time with group of Indians for holi color festival in the city along with Shobha and Lall. Leon also came to play. I didn’t join at the last moment even though I went prepared. Evening on 29th April I listened to Jo Biden’s and also Roy Wood’s (black man) speeches and found very interesting. Next day was also  busy day, going to Paro’s place as well as to Gurudwara where special celebration was going on  and hence it was too crowded. (When the Pathans invaded India Sikhs were the ones who fought against the invaders.)This was the reason for celebration.

March Entry

 It is already March and February already over without a single entry. I am surprised how time passed by. How I missed February!  Here is my experience during February: We had gone to Paris on 9th and stayed at an apartment : Sabastopol, 58 Blvd. Sebastopol 76003 Paris, on second floor. Second day we walked and didn't have much to do. On 11th Feb we went to museum, also saw Mona lisa painting and came out around 2 pm. Had lunch at Kabuli place. Dev and MJ also came and joined us. At night we went for night river cruise and saw the Eiffel tower with light, quite different from day time view. On 12th we were greeted by Shana and showed us different interesting places. On 13th we went to Sacred Heart church and went along the Moulin Rouge and  also saw Eiffel Tower by day time. Took pictures near the Tower. Another interesting place was the bridge where princess Diana had accident and died. There was monument in her memory. Evening we had food at an Italian restaurant OTIAMO. After coming back to hotel we got ready for morning check out. Left hotel by 6.30 am next day on 14th and flew from Charles De Gaulle airport Paris. After nearly 12.30 hours we arrived at SFO airport. As upgraded to business class flight was comfortable. The month of February was an excellent one with wonderful experiences for me.  

January 2023

 1/25/23

New year started with a picnic with family friends like Paro and Supriya and her husband and Anandhi and Vijay and our family Shobha, Lall and myself. After the picnic at Park we all went to Paro's house at San Jose, spent some time there. 

The month of January is almost over and I have not written anything for posting till now. The new year started with our visitor from India Shakun Gidwani from Bangalore and her friend Rini from Calcutta Shakun is my niece, daughter of my sister in law Kavita(Mohini) Gidwani. Shakun and her friend stayed with us for two days and left for Seattle for their conference. 

On January 3 the sad news of Parminder's grand daughter found death in the morning by her month as she was chocked after a vomit. 

Trying to clean up my closet and all the papers and files to be organized and also to be discarded. 

On 12th January we left for New York and stayed with Ramki/Manju's place for two nights and then to the city near Dev's apartment about 15 minutes walk. We spent the last few days with Dev and MJ and came back to SFO on 16th January. I felt sick on the way but I was okay at home next day. 

I am now trying to write whatever happened during January. 

On 24th January I went to Dollar store with Ruchica and Prabha. Got two packets os flower plants and planted on 25th January.

So far passing time watching news, gardening, writing cooking etc. 

travel to Squaw Valley

Continuing our stay at Squaw Valley at the Village,
I got the main room where a balcony was there for me to sit and watch the visitors and the shops below. Nest day when I stay alone when Shobha and Lall go for hike with their friend I can spent time sitting at the balcony reading a book or watching the movement below.  Family friend who already staying at their friend's place came in the evening to join us for drink and dinner. As we walked around the nearby locations the view of the sunset attracted us and took a snapshot.

sun set at Squaw Valley

walking in the village

olympic site

walking with friends and family

view from my balcony

cable for ski site.

Writing during 2023

 7th January 2023

Called Prabha and Parminder but no response. Prabha called back and she was not feeling good yesterday. She has to go for the funeral service of Parminder's grand daughter who died suddenly on 3rd January. It was a very sad news. I spent at Parminder's house for about two hours as she needed help. Prabha was already there and I was surprised to see her. Parminder was hasitant to call her in the morning. 

Just finished cooking for lunch tomorrow with Guatam and family. Morning we went to Ranch 99 to get fish and some vegetables. Afterwards went to Indian store to get masalas and sweet dish. Watching a movie about ancient Egypt in which introduction of Christianity started and its opposition. 

New Year Travel

 

New Year Travel: 

January 1, 2022

            The new year started with our drive to LA. around 11 am Lall on the wheel three of us (Shobha and myself).  Arriving  at Valencia, Southern California we stopped by Hiru and Anju’s  house to collect Mala’s things. We were served with food like  paratha and fried rice by Anju Mala’s mom. We enjoyed seeing them after few months and also Komal their eldest daughter drove to her parents house just to meet us. It was sweet gesture of her. We drove towards North Hollywood but on the way we had to stop by Gul’s place to have dinner as Priya and Sandeep with Samir were also coming. Gul’s decoration of his house is superb and classy. Their swimming pool with Buddha’s statue nearby really energized us spiritually. Their dog Lily was quite big compared to last time I saw her, She was very welcoming and friendly. After dinner we went to spend the night at our (Lall’s) apartment in North Hollywood. Morning by 8 am we were out and did some shopping for use during the trip  and then later reached Hari’s place around  9am. They had a friend with his dog as guest.They have their own two dogs. Rhea went to airport to drop her boy friend and she came back while we were there. She showed us their three horses. Her professional hobby is horse riding. She herself is specialized in animal care in her college..  

Rhea and her horses

 

Night view of Las Vegas 

night view of Las Vegas

      We drove to Las Vegas and got rooms at Chealshi building of the Cosmopolitan hotel on 45th floor. It was an overwhelming view of Vegas specially at night from our floor. Luckily we got the room because of my son in law’s status at Marriott. Next morning I wanted to try at the slot machine and surprisingly  I won some money at a slot machine for cents. Out of 20 dollars I won 47 dollars after many ups and downs and then I stopped playing, After cashing out from the cashier I headed toward my room. When Shobha finished her facial at the spa, she called me and I was impatient to tell her about my win.

gambling at casino at Vegas

Shobha hiking

sunset

after watching sunset

       After one night .at Vegas. on 3rd January we left for Death Valley national park where we stayed at the Ranch of the tourism department. De   ath Valley has three distinct features  

          1) hottest on earth 134 degree F 57 centigrade on July 10, 1913. 

          2),Driest US national park

          3)Bad Water Basin 282 ft below sea level. It has the lowest elevation in North America.     

           Local inhabitants/tribes are Timbisha Shoshone people. 

Maximum visitation time is usually from February to mid April. October and January are lowest number of visitors 

           Evening time we went to see sunset, and next day to another place for sun rise reflecting lights on the rocks of different colors. On 4th morning I stayed at my room  while Lall and Shobha went for hiking. By 10.30 they called me to come out and as they plan to see the sand dunes. I got down and joined them and after seeing the sand dunes we went to have lunch at Toll Road restaurant. There we had a very delicious lunch/sandwich. Evening we went to see sunset at another location but by the time we reached  there sun just set and we missed it by five minutes            

            Another interesting program was the talk given by one of the staffs at night 7 pm about the stars .and milky way.  After the car park we had to walk in the dark along the way lighted with dim red light.  As Shobha saw me wandering she had to hold my hand till we reached the destination. We were supposed to get used to the dark so that we could  watch the stars on the clear sky. It was vast open sky with a view of the stars in all the directions. She explained about the names of the stars as a part of the Greek legendary. 

1/5/22

              We were supposed to leave Ranch by 8 am and hence I woke up by 6 and took shower after having tea. Shobha and Lall had gone for a walk while I was taking shower and hence could not hear their call. I responded afterwards and they were coming to the room to have bread and butter with tea before we got ready to leave. By 8 am we left the Ranch and drove toward Baker’s Field. Wanted to have food at Punjabi Dhaba but it was closed for one week as they had been too busy all those years. So we looked for another place for lunch and got food from a Japanese restaurant. Ordering take out mine was chicken with rice and I enjoyed my food specially rica as we had not been having rice for the last two three days. We reached home around 4.30 pm. Shobha  had  made khichri for dinner and really enjoyed it. I did my laundry as I had time.

colorful hillocks 

colorful hillocks

Sun rise

reflections of sun light on the rocks

Lall and Shobha hiking

Sand dunes

sun set.

Unexpected Guest

 Unexpected Guests

A Christmas card from Jan  usually comes every year. But this year seems a bit different. Our common friend Pangila from Nagaland is no longer here in USA as she had to return to her home town Dimapur, Nagaland in India. Jan and I  were not so close from the beginning, except that we happened to meet at our common friend Pangila’s place.  Since Pangila had gone back to Nagaland after the death of her only son. Jan somehow misses our common friend as much as I do. For Pangila, her son had left enough money and hence she could get a plot of land and built her own house in Dimapur a town in Nagaland. Her wish  to bury her son’s ashes next to her own is going to be fulfilled now. 

 It was more than three years Pangila  had left USA and for the first time Jan contacted me. She invited me to come and have lunch with her at her house at American Canyon near Napa valley. I was a bit surprised that i was invited to her place for lunch.There was no possibility of my driving to her place in American Canyon near Napa Valley since I stopped driving on freeways for the last few years.  Then she suggested that they could come to my place and meet me. Since they planned to be at my place by 11 am on Saturday, the 18th of December. I let her know that I was going to make North Indian breakfast type Gobi Paratha (Crushed cauliflower wrapped in tortilla). They were quite happy to try dishes other than their Naga type dishes. 

. On Saturday Jan and her husband Vik came around 11.30 am. I had already made half cooked and kept for cooking again just before serving. When they arrived in time.I was happy to see them after nearly three years. She had in her hand poinsettia plant and then her husband a packet. Once inside the house she handed over the packet to me which turned out to be a beautiful blanket. I thanked them and after some time I asked if they are ready to have food  Yes they were ready. I turned on gas and started  heating the parathas to be fully cooked. Both readily sat down on the dining chairs waiting for my parathas.  Along with the paratha I already made some raita (made with yogurt onions, coriander salt and red chili) and also ketchup at the side for the potato chops. I was quite happy to note that she  wanted to take some paratha to her home. Later I packed four parathas for her. She was happy to get some of the ghost chill I had from my plant at the back yard. I also had two small ghost chilli plants in a pot which she took with her. Also gifted to her a woolen beanie and a scarf which were crocheted by me. 

During the conversation I came to know her husband did his PHD in Archeology from UC Berkeley  His wife Jan did in education and leadership. She is working for a pre school at Oakland. Vik during PhD program he had digging done in Dimapur, there he found some potteries of ancient Kachhari tribe kingdom which were dated around 1400 AD..  While talking  publishing books he had already published one but he planned to publish about north eastern region of India's civilization. 

After sometime tea was served and they left with happy memories.

After few days Jan called wanted to know how Potato chops were made. I sent her the recipe and she said her chops came out good. Photos below were taken on 12/18/21

Jan and Jamuna

Jamuna with jan's gifts on the table

Jamuna, Vik Nuenu, wife Jan

Jibesh's 55th birthday celebration

Jibesh ready to cut cake

Italian Sfoglia birthday cake

Jibesh's 55th birthday celebration

          Today Jibesh and Lata were going to pick up Lall and Shobha at airport coming from California but I got  bored  staying at home so I also joined them. The flight was in time but it took time to come out as Shobha was picked up for covid testing randomly. When she came out she was surprised to see me. We drove back to Jibesh's place and we were going to celebrate Jibesh's birthday today. Later on Bianca and Pouca came with Laika (Puppy) Laika being very friendly to new people and specially dogs as she was fond of playing with other dogs. .She tried a lot to play with Lola but Lola didn't like any dog. she feeling  herself as human being she hated any dog. Every time Laika came Lola was upset.   

  

                My son turning 55 today was also a reminding me of my age. He being the youngest of the three kids i have I couldn't imagine he turning 55. My eldest daughter is now 59 and my second daughter now turning 57. But age is just the number people tried to console. Still  I don't want to think about it. I am grateful that I still can walk around the creek and also I can also continue doing  my routine work like cooking and gardening etc.

             Shobha and Lall are going to join Jibesh's birth day on 20th November but his actual birth day being on 19th, he decided to celebrate when they arrived here in Woodbridge. So we celebrate on 20th November Lall and Shobha. Also my eldest daughter Lata  came along with Bianca and Paoca.  At last all the family members joined together for the special birthday party. It is the first time we could get together for my son's birthday. The Italian cake they ordered was an unforgettable one. It was the best cake among so far I have eaten in my life. That was Italian Sfoglia cake. After the birthday celebration Lall, Shobha and Saaya along with Lata all went for a walk while some of us stayed back home. 

Seniors fare well party/ lunch at my house for Subhasini on October 14, 2021.

 10/14/21

    We had our farewell lunch (potluck) at my place as Lall had gone to LA and coming back today in the afternoon. As we had been together last few months and meeting regularly either walking or at homes we had been having good time together. As I am the only one who drives we had been going for shopping and eating lunch at the restaurants. Shubhasini is leaving on 21st October for India/Mumbai while Prabha is leaving for New Jersey on October 24th and then to India in March. Jayshree is leaving on December 7.
 So Parminder, Pramila and myself, three of us are left behind as we are citizens and living here for a long time. Anyway the COVID 19 had given us a chance to unite us as friends. This is the gift this lock down has given to us. Otherwise I have been living here for the last 21 years and I had not come across anyone to become friends around this neighborhood. I have friends but not in this neighborhood.   

lunch at my house 

lunch at Parminder's house (senior group)

Senior outing and lunch on 10/4/21

My day, today became quite hectic. But I did my morning walk snd my daily routine of prayer. At 10.30 am I drove to Walmart with Jayshree, Prabha, and Subhasini. I gave my car for oil change and many other things needed as I have not done servicing for the last nearly two years due to COViD lock down. Car was handed over around 11.10 am and got back around 1.20 pm. By then all three friends were busy doing shopping at Walmart and later at Kohl. But they hardly purchased anything. I didn’t buy anything except tooth paste and small plant. I need to replant it by tomorrow. I finished doing some gardening today. We(Prabha, Parminder, Jayshree, Subhasini and myself) had lunch at Star Chaat near Regal Cinema. Bill $60, $15 each of us. Later on on the way back home I went to pay my due payment for the month to Dr.Zhao. We had a good time together

Restaurant server man, Jamuna, Subhasini, Jayshree, Prabha 

Jayshree, Prabha, Jamuna, Subhasini at Star Chaat.

My Visit to Toronto after two years (pandemic period)

On 7th November i left San Francisco International Airport for Toronto by Amerian airlines through United Airlines. It was 7 O'clock flight so I had to leave home at 3.45 am. Lall and Shobha took me upto the inside entrance and I was able to go easily. But after check in as i always had problem with my knee surgery I had always to go for farther check up. After the recheck by a woman I went toward the boarding area at G8 and found it was quite a long walk. After I reached the gate I found my boarding pass missing and went back to see if it fell on the way. But I couldn't find and enquired one of the air hostesses passing by and she said i could be issued a new boarding pass. So I came back to G8 and enquired the gentleman who was checking all the computers and set up for the staff/workers. When I asked him for it he went to find out from office and was told to get permission from his boss. So I waited till his boss came but I didn't see him taking any action. So I waited in line and enquired again. He asked his boss and was given permission. I got it at last and I was free of my worries. when the announcement was coming i was given the first choice to board as i was supposed to have a wheelchair. And i walked up to the plane and took my seat 24C.( aisle seat). Middle seats were empty and hence I found it quite comfortable. I took my parotha but didn't eat as I was not hungry. So I had food as i reached Jibesh's home. Bianca and Poka also came and we had dinner together. Lata took all the things brought for them and Rachna was happy with the bread (clam chouder). I had been going out for walk with Jyoti for walk and also at Mall where I got my purse and also sweater from Walmart. I met Brayden and we had lunch together, he is grown so tall and handsome. He wants to become a mechanic (Car).I gave him $100 dollar each for him and Gavin fro Christmas and birthdays. I spent the days walking with Jyoti and also working on my emails. Lata and family came to pick me up on Saturday the 13th November and Pouca drove us to Evergreen Brick work where farmers' market was going on and sale of christmas tree also could be seen. We walked with Laika along the trail and then headed for Lata's apartment but the traffic took us so long by the time we reached Marley Avenue. After leaving Laika we came to have lunch at Vitnamese Restaurant called Lae Vien. As usual we all had to show our vaccine and ID for having lunch there. I ordered Pineapple fried rice with shrimp. I found it quite bland and had to put lots of Chilli sauce. After lunch around 3 pm we drove to Indian store on the way back to Jibesh's place. Got some vegitables for Manipuri Kangsoi and Ironba.

Bianca, Pouca

Pouca, Jamuna, Lata

Jibesh, Breyden

(gazibo) at backyard 

lighting gazibo

Jamuna and Jyoti

Jamuna at Trail, Woodbridge, Canada

Gavin Advani graduation day

Brayden, Jamuna

Bianca, Jamuna, Lata

on 14th Sunday Lata and Bianca with Pouca came for dinner. it was a good gathering. Jibesh made Thai chicken and they all enjoyed. My kangsoi and ironba also came out well, remaining kangsoi and ironba I gave lata to take home. She gladly took it. It started raining and then snow flakes falling was a surprise welcome for me. It was something we miss in California and hence it was some sort of excitement for me. Any way it is time for winter approaching and we are going to experience a bit by the end of this month. Shobha and Lall are coming on 20th and hence they also will experience the cold winter weather.

Weekend in the city, 10th October

I was a bit reluctant to go to city as Lall and Shobha usuallly do a long walk. But to walk with them is not easy for me so i started thinking of staying back. But Shobha mentioned that Shivani also was coming, then I decided to go and see her. And as i cooked rajma curry I wanted to give her some as she likes Indian food. Around 9.45 am on 10/10/21 we left home. But the traffic was not bad and hence we got to Lucas/Leon's apartment arount 10.30 am. Since they were not at home during that time Lall and Shobha went for a walk while I waited at the reception area at the first floor. After about 10 minutes Lucas and Sean came back and they saw me sitting. I was not aware of their presence but when they called me nanima I stood up to hug them in surprise. They called and informed Shobha and Lall that they are back, after few minutes they returned and we all went up to their apartmen. Leon came up as Billy went to have hair cut for Cooper,their dog. Afterwards after Billy came with Cooper which was left in the apartment, we all went out for lunch where Shivani also came to join us. It was nice to talk to her as i found her very mature and understanding. I am glad that I met Leo/Billy, Lucas/Sean and Shivani and I felt i did the right thing going there along with Shobha and Lall.

Planning for my trip to UK in October 12th 2018.

Thinking of the future trip coming up shortly keeps me engaged in thoughts of how things will turn out and also planning for the luggage to carry with me and what all the documents I need to take with me. Something to look forward to and this triggers my thinking in a positive way. Talking to Myrna gave me a lots of ideas and I am excited about this group tour and later our own tour. I am doing it when I am still capable of going around physically.
life is so uncertain
enjoy it at your best
the power, wealth does not mean
anything when one leaves this world
so why not take action now and enjoy
at this present moment.
I am going to stop here my writing till I return from UK after the tour. 

Roman Bath

Today, October 17, 2018  is our sixth day of the tour of England. Memories flashed back of the days of our college days when Shakespeare’s work had been one of our favorite literary discussions.

 Our tour bus proceeding  toward the charming city of Bath  passed by green fields of  country side where cows were busy grazing. The solitary countryside hardly any human being out in the field gave me a feeling of nostalgic moments. Those who sat at the window side could click pictures to preserve those views forever take those with us. When we reached the city of Bath, founded by the Romans as a thermal spa we were  given tickets to get inside the Bath Abbey. 

The Bath Abbey was the center of attraction, once inside the moving images caught my attention by surprise. On the screen the Roman men and women dressed in olden Roman robes were seen engaged in their usual daily activities . I felt as if we were standing right with those figures taking part of their activities.

  At the other side of the Abbey  I stood looking down the pond water below from  second floor level. The view had some similarity with  those of Mughol Empire structure lay out in India.

History of Bath is related with the natural hot springs. The city was founded on it by an age tribe called Dobunni  who first erected a shrine at this site in honor of goddess Sulis. People believed Goddess to possess healing power. After invasion of Britain during 43 AD the Romans built a religious spa on the site. It later turned into socialistic center later known as Aquae Sullis. After the withdrawal of the Romans in early 5^th century the baths were neglected. It was rebuilt in 18^th century and it is now a center of tourists spots and delights. The Georgian architecture of the 18th century is indeed a city, worthy of admiration. 

About three fourth of a mile away from it was Jane Austen museum, which was one of my anxiously awaited one in our bucket lists. My friends Myrna and Angie were also   equally excited. We had a quick bite at one of the popular tea houses and rushed toward the museum. Lots of stalls/shops displaying interesting products we passed by. We were tempted to stop by but not wasting time was our resolution, and  walked toward the museum with quick steps .By the time got there we were exhausted because of the higher slops leading to the museum. When we got to the museum immediate  attention were  the two figures standing at the entrance of the museum. . 

We wish we could go inside and dressed we walked back to our tour bus waiting for us.  Nostalgic memories of younger days reading Jane Ausen’s books “Pride and Prejudice” and “Emma”came along flashing by. She was one of my favorite authors along with Pearl  S Buck, Emily Bronte, Oscar Wilde, William Shakespeare.  I came to know more of her life story which I was not aware of. She was born on 16 December 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire. She was one of eight children of a clergyman . She started writing when she was a teenager and her brother helped her in publishing her books anonymously in the beginning. She never got married and died at the age of 41 on July 18, 1817.

           

 Departing from SFO on 12th October Friday with Virgin Atlantic flight # VS20 I was happy that the flight was in time and I arrived at London -Heathrow LHR, GBR Termainal 3. As my friends from LA were arriving about 1 hour earlier they could come  to terminal 3 from terminal 5 by train and waited form me.  As I was looking around for any sign of their presence I heard my name called and looked at the other side Angie was there. We had not before but we saw each othre's picture and hence she recognized me. I looked at her witha surprise look and asked "Are you Angie?"

" Yes I am" We greet each other by hugging as if we knew each other for a long time. 

Myrna is waiting the other side and I came to buy food also.
So we walked toward Myrna who was sitting on a chair surrounded by their luggage. So happy to see her and after buying food we inquired how to travel to our  Doub e tree Hotel by Hilton London Islington. 60 Pentonville Road.N1 9LA
Once we go the information we took train paying L6 each ticket we could at last reached our hotel walking about half an hour. We    had to get out through escalators  and my freind Myran had quite a lot of trouble taking care of her multiple pieces of her luggage. Once we were in hotel we got ourselves settled and after shower we felt good and refreshed. Evening time we had to meet our tour manger for a welcome drink and introduction with a breifting of the tour of the Southern England. Later she gave a walking tour of the nearby streets where one can find good eating places.
Fourth day October 15, we checked out of the hotel and we were on way to Windsor Castle. It was drizzling and we had to use our umbrellas throughout the tour. Windsor Castle is a favorite place of the queen and she was during our visit at Windsor Castle. We went inside the complex and the St George's church the royal tombs and its magnificent ceiling. The view from the Castle was astounding. No doubt why the queen wants to spend more time here. It is the oldest inhabited castle in the world. It is the home of 39 monarchs in the 1000 years.  We toured the splendidly furnished state apartments where the royal art collections were displayed. 
Driving toward Stradford-Upon-Avon we passed throug the market town which was near the rive Avon.This town is best known as the birth place William Shakespeare, England's greatest poet and playwright. We passed through Anne Hathways' cottage on way to Shakespear's birth place on Henley street. At the hotel Mercure Stradford Shakespeare, Chapel Street, Stratford Upon Avon, UK,we checked in  and had dinner together and including morning breakfast at the hotel.
On Day 5th day Tuesday we left Stratford-Upon-Avon . Driving through the outstanding natural beauty of Cotswold region we captured the view of  small town of Cotswold  yellow stones and its prosperous thriving wool trade. Then visiting the birthplace of Winston Churchill, the Bienhein Palace I learned more about him I never knew before. This is a home to the 12th duke and duchess of Malborough It is a masterpiece of the 18th century Baroque architecture. It was built in celebration of the victory of English over French at the battle of Bienhein. It is now World Heritage of  UNESCO site situated at 2000 acres of land with astounding gardens around the   palace. 
After enjoying the tour inside the palace adorned with its art collections display we took a tour of the site on a trolley.  We did have  in-depth idea and glimpse of the place while the driver explained along the way.
Next our travel toward the  university of Oxford was another milestone. The Oxford University is the second oldest university in the world. The university's ivy clad colleges are famous for architectural beauty and Christ Church where class room scenes in the Harry Potter movies were shot. We returned to Stratford-upon-Avon and had the evening at leisure. At night we had dinner along with cruise at the river Avon. Next day leaving the birth place of Shakespeare I felt a tinge of sadness and with we could spend more time here. The memories flashed back of our college days when we had our literary discussions about Shakespeare's work. 
                

 During our visit to Bath Abbey and on the way back we stopped in the small Somorset town Gletonsbury medieval Abbey where legendary king Arthur was buried. Now this bohemian town is famous for its annual music festival. We trave led toward Exeter for our overnight stay at Buckerell Lodge, Topsham Road, Exeter, Uk.

             Our Day 7 began with a journey along the picturesque Cornish coastline. We could view the famous St Michaels Mount. The spectacular castle is perched upon a granite crag. It was built during 14th century. We took local boats to  the island some of us strolled around below the castle and took pictures  with background of the castle. later came back to the main land taking boat, then our bus stopped at the trendy artists' town St Ives before heading back to Exeter.


          
       On the 8th day, Friday travelling toward Stonehenge we stopped by the Salisbury Cathedral where we could see the copy of  magna carta signed by king John and layeand barons in 1215. Some of our tourists in our group took a tour of the Cathedral. Angie and I opted not to join the tour and spent our time in the cathedral. We had lunch at  the Cathedral cafe and did some shopping inside the gift shop. 
After Salisbury Cathedral we proceeded toward Stonehenge, named as UNESCO world heritage site. It is the most mysterious monument in the world and located in the middle of Salisbury plains. It is believed that the first stone was placed 5000 years ago the rest completed 1400 years later. Its construction still defies belief. Then we returned to London at Double Tree Hotel where we started our tour of Southern England.

  
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Jane Austen museum at Bath.

At Buckingham  Palace with our tour manager.

My First Travel Abroad -Munich Olympic 1972.

During the seventies, in India traveling abroad was something we couldn’t dream of. The government of India was too strict and hence traveling outside India was beyond our imaginations. Luckily for us one brave man fought in the court that travel was birth right and government had no right to restrict it. After he won the case travel became easier for all. When the opportunity came my husband and i joined a group which was planning a tour of Europe during the Munich Olympic Games 1972. Traveling abroad was considered a big achievement and hence friends and families were there at New Delhi airport to greet us bon voyage with flowers and garlands. It was a memorable day for us. Photo above is the one wishing bon voyage to my husband Rup and myself. The flight took us to Moscow and we had three days for Moscow and Leningrad. Being our first travel abroad we were overwhelmed with prospect of seeing new places. As our flight from New Delhi landed at Moscow I was happy with a sigh of relief after a long flight of six and half hour. The uneasy encounter at our first stop at Moscow remains an unforgettable one till today. The seriousness and and stern look of the immigration officers made us feel as if we were some aliens from another planet.===== When my turn came the officer looked at me so intently and then to passport confirming ifi was the same person. He repeated this way three/four times making me feel so uneasy. Later I came to know that everyone in the group felt the same. After immigration procedure was over, we all were out and boarded the waiting two buses for taking us to the hotel. Once in the hotel we were a bit relaxed and after shower and change of cloths we were ready for the evening show, the Ballet of Bolshoi Theater. Not only I enjoyed the ballet but also I found it was very interesting -presenting a bouquet of flowers after every performance on the stage. That was something new to me. Nest day we (seventy of us) were taken by two bus for the city tour. It was a thrilling adventure to be in a new big city like Moscow. The beautiful palaces and grandeur of the city were noteworthy. All those majestic palaces at Kremlin a fortified complex at the heart of Moscow, the residence of the Russian Tzars built in 1849 by architect KonstaninTon. Moscow, Red Square, the official resident of the President of Russia, state historical museum, the impressive Kremlin were worth visiting. Imagining how the kings and queens in those luxurious palaces with architectural splendor was something fascinating and worth visiting. Third day we were taken to Leningrad by bus.Reaching Leningrad gave us a different atmosphere from that of Moscow. Surprisingly we felt free from watchful eyes of the communist regime in Moscow. As a token for our visit we purchased a little girl carved in granite in Leningrad. From Leningrad we were flown over to London. For me to be in London somehow i felt at home since I had been reading short stories and also books written by Jane Austin, the familiarity I felt was profound. Seeing names of the streets like Trafalgar Square and counties like Buckinghamshire, Essex which I came across while reading books during high school days gave me some sort of commection. London tour was the most enjoyable one as communication was easier as English language was a familiar everyone. At the end of the London tour we were driven to Dover in UK and proceed to Calais in Paris via English Channel. The beauty of the country on way to Dover remained a permanent imprint in y memory even after many years. We had to take steamer to cross the English channel those days as English Channel was not yet ready. The most surprising we came across in France was no one spoke English. Even the one who knew didn’t want to speak in English. Luckily the receptionist of the hotel spoke and it was easier for us to enquire anything we wanted to know. Then we had the full city tour of Paris and around the city. Half way during the tour when we arrived in Frankfurt the sad and shocking news flashed all over TV about the massacre in Munich Olympic campus. It was September 4, at 4.30 am local time. Eight Black September members entered the campus dressed in track suit with AK 47 assault rifles, pistols, grenades in duffel bags. It was unfortunate that because of wrong decision of the Israeli commandos the members of the Israeli athletes including the Black September members were all killed. The game continued as usual after the incident. We reached Munich next day. Hockey game was going on and India and Pakistan were main contenders. We were disapointed that India didn’t go to the final. Among the group we few members were close. Young couple who were from the same town always arguing and fighting all the time. Another two elderly gentlemen who were from business communities were depending on my husband for everything as they didn’t speak English. Both were strict vegetarian. Those days no one specially in Europe didn’t know about vegetarians. Since the time they came from New Delhi they have been eating only snacks which they brought with them. As they were reluctant to spend on items like fruit, they remained starving most of the time. My husband Rup was concerned about these two gentlemen and suggested that they should buy one electric stove and one pot with some rations so that we could cook in the hotel room for them. After thinking over for sometime, they agreed finally. Later we got a stove and a pot along with rice , lentils, some vegetables, a small bottle of cooking oil. Then night time came our plan to cook started with the onions fried and rice and lentils cooked together along with vegetables. After adding salt and pepper when the khichri was ready, the smell of the cooked food scarped outside out room and the young couple came in with anticipation of getting some share. After eating all those restaurant food for some time this food was incredible as we all enjoyed it. Thus cooking most of the time I became a cook on tour till the end of our journey. Our tour of Russia, UK, France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy, Rome was over by the end of 29 days. From Heathrow airport we took our flight back to New Delhi. The electric stove and the utensils were divided among the two gentlemen and took home with them as souvenir. For me the memories of those remain as my souvenir.