We spent most of Tuesday relaxing and taking it easy and just doing whatever we wanted to do. No schedule, no to do list. Around mid-morning Mo and I took a rickshaw over to one of the schools that his mom and dad founded and that his dad continues to actively volunteer at, both in the morning and afternoon sessions. We spent some time with the children and listened to what they were learning. We also had the pleasure of meeting some of the teachers that Mo's dad works with. Both the children and the teachers were very sweet and welcoming. What they are doing for these children really warms the heart and puts life into perspective. It makes you reflect on your own life and how fortunate you really are despite the daily challenges that leave you feeling depleted. I for one definitely needed that reminder and as I sit here and type this blog entry I'm reminded yet again how fortunate I am.
After visiting the school we went to a restaurant near home called Gajalee. Mo and his dad tried it for the first time when Mo visited in December. While the restaurant has been around a while, the one we went to is a newer branch. We were the first table to be seated for lunch that day and it never got too much busier, but I suppose that's what should be expected of a Tuesday during lunch in a fairly suburban, residential area. Lunch was delicious and the service was top notch. Mo truly enjoyed himself...and would probably rank it among the top 5 meals in his lifetime.
The remainder of Tuesday was laid back and we just spent time enjoying Mo's dad's company.
Wednesday was a long day! We left home around 7AM and headed to Pune to visit relatives. The journey was moving along fine and it seemed we'd managed to escape morning traffic. Day trips in India always start off as planned, but traffic is so unpredictable in India, the journey ALWAYS takes much longer than expected. This time was no exception. Instead of traffic or an accident delaying us we got majorly lost. Mo's dad aways takes the train so he is not familiar with the driving directions. We essentially missed the turn off and it wasn't until we reached the center of the city that we realized we missed the turn and had gone too far. We ended up totally lost as none of us, including the driver, was familiar with the city. Why oh why did the driver not have GPS?!?!? Eventually we pulled over and called one of Mo's cousins to come meet us and lead us back to his home. He showed up about twenty minutes later by motorcycle and we followed him to the house--the home of Mo's aunt (his father's eldest sister) and her husband and their two sons and their families.
Mo and his dad with relatives in Pune
Mo's aunt and her daughters-in-law had prepared delicious snacks which they insisted we have, in true nurturing, female, Indian fashion. As we were visiting mid-week and in the middle of the day, Mo's other cousin took a break from work to come all the way home just to spend a couple of minutes visiting with us. I had never met these relatives before and Mo had not seem many of them in quite some time so it was well overdue and well worth the effort made.
So that we wouldn't spend any more time lost, Mo's uncle, Bhai mama (his mom's eldest brother) came by motorcycle to lead us to his home. Bhai mama and his wife Lata mami and daughter Sonum used to live in Nasik but relocated to Pune a little more than a year ago. This was our first time visiting them in Pune. Of all of Mo's extended family, I know them best as I have spent more time with them than any of Mo's other relatives. Also my visits with them are much more interactive because Bhai mama and Sonum speak English very well which allows me to join in the conversation more easily.
Lata mami prepared a delicious lunch. Mo loves her mutton curry and she made some just for him. Lata mami is an excellent cook and they are especially careful to take all the food preparation precautions to ensure that what I'm eating will not cause an upset stomach. I can always eat whatever Lata mami prepares and know that it's safe to do so. After spending about an hour or so with them, it was time to hit the road and get on back to Mumbai. We were hoping to miss the rush hour traffic.
Of course things couldn't go smoothly. Our driver was quite young and he must have been inexperienced because he did not know his way around Mumbai and he totally got lost again! He ended up just pulling over and asking for directions no less than a dozen times before he finally figured it out and got us home. Mo and I had an over/under going on how many times he would pull over and ask directions...I took the over and I won! We could not have been more glad that day trip was over!!!
Thursday morning we went to Star Mall for a few provisions in preparation of going to Kelve for an overnight stay. We met Farookh around 1PM at the designated pick up spot which is literally on the side of a highway. He lives in another area of the city and to come all the way to pick us up just doesn't make sense so we always take a rickshaw to the designated place and wait on the side of the road until he arrives. It would be an odd sight to see in the US, but there are so many people all over the place in India at all times, you are never the sole person standing on the side of the road.
Farookh drives and has a car so while he and Mo's dad typically take the train to Kelve, since there were four of us, he drove us. Our journey to Kelve consisted of several stops. The first was a dhaba (traditional roadside restaurant for travelers) for lunch. The food was really good and this dhaba had alot of character.
Lunch at the dhaba with Mo's dad and Farookh
The next stop was Papi's house, Mo's dad's youngest sister, who lives near Kelve and more or less on our way there. Just about every time Farookh and Mo's dad go to Kelve they stop by Papi's house because she always prepares some food for them to take along for dinner that night. This time was no exception and I knew that we were in for some good food because she prepared it for us the last time we went to Kelve in November 2009.
Our final stop before reaching Farookh's house was the small, nearby village for some groceries--milk for chai, eggs and a few fruits and vegetables. Mo and I just waited in the car while Farookh and Mo's dad went about talking to the villagers and making their purchases at each individual's stall. Over time they've gotten to know many of the villagers quite well and they periodically bring them items that they need from Mumbai. It took considerable time for Mo's dad to purchase the eggs because we had to wait for them to be delivered...apparently the egg shop had just run out...but finally a motorcycle arrived with about 50 plastic crates stacked one on top of the other on the back of the motorcycle. How you transport eggs like that and keep them balanced much less keep them from breaking, is beyond me. Amazing India! Wish I had taken a picture of that!
Finally we reached Kelve. It is about a two hour drive outside of Mumbai close to the coast. Mo's dad owns a home there and his friend Farookh owns one opposite. The area is really rural and these two homes are some of the very few around. Farookh spends quite a bit of time there and his house is beautifully furnished and cozy--he probably visits almost on a weekly basis. Mo's dad's house is more of an apartment building with six units that Mo's mom envisioned becoming sort of a retirement home for them and some of their friends. Mo's dad rarely stays there so he doesn't keep the utilities on all the time, therefore, we all stayed over at Farookh's house.
Mo's dad's place on left and Farookh's on right
Farookh's kitchen
Farookh's family room
Farookh's house
Mo's dad and Farookh on Farookh's front porch
He keeps a bunch of old family photos there so we had a great time going through the photo albums and reminiscing. It was quite emotional seeing all of the old photo's of Mo's mom and grandparents. We even saw some photos of Mo's parent's wedding for the first time and Mo's dad let us pick out a couple to bring home with us.
Us in front of Mo's dad's Kelve house
Mo and his dad in front of Kelve house
When we returned to Farookh's house, we freshened up and packed our bags and then he showed us around his plot of land. He's doing a lot of farming and has been for some time, but he's now starting to yield enough to sell some of it. He grows many fruits as well as rice and onions. He sells the onions and he and family and friends consume the rest. After the tour we packed the car and headed back to Mumbai.
If anyone is interested in a stay at Chateau Farookh, just let me know. Mo and I both give it two thumbs up!
Farookh's remaining onions in the store room
Farookh's unofficial pet/a stray dog that's stayed around for years
Farookh's farm
Hibiscus flowers in Farookh's garden
Saturday was our last day in Mumbai. Mo and I went to the early movie to see The Avengers. We were able to get reserved seats in the VIP area complete with popcorn and coke for about $11. It sounds expensive by Indian standards, but now that we are used to London movie prices of about $45 just for two tickets, we were thrilled and amazed by how cheap it was/seemed.
VIP waiting for The Avengers to begin
We also saw this movie poster in the lobby while we were waiting...am I the only one that found it hilarious?
Don't angry me...you rowdy rat whore!
That afternoon, I went for a few beauty treatments. After capitalizing on the inexpensive movie experience, I decided that I needed to capitalize on other things that are inexpensive in India and super expensive in London!
That night Mo's dad cooked us a nice dinner at home and we packed up and got ready to embark on the next leg of our trip...Thailand.
Our goodbyes are always emotional, but this time it was not nearly as tough as normal because we knew we would see Mo's dad again in a week on a stopover before we headed back to London.
