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.