Time flies when with loved ones and stalls while waiting for them said Einstein in his Theory of
Relativity. Nothing could be truer it seems. My one week of waiting to leave for hometown – Mumbai, India had seemed like an eternity. Time went painfully slow, making me aware of every hour and day. Last one month with family has gone away in a blink. I can’t believe it’s already 30+ days that I am with people I love (And I still haven’t met up with half the people I want to!).

By sheer luck, I arrived in Mumbai night before my family was leaving for a holiday to Kodaikanal (Hill Station in TamilNadu, India). And wonder of wonders, my travel ticket could be arranged. What followed was two weeks of bliss – in Kodai with family. Breathtaking views from mountain top and long walks, boating and trekking … idle evenings and a lot of gupshup (casual talks).

My heart soaked in all the love that was pouring, it savoured and cherished all moments – hugs, smiles, talks, walks … Time flew even faster as we chatted non stop catching up with each other on updates lost so far. Them interested in each and every detail of my life in US – what do I do, how do I spend time, what’s life like with hubby, how are neighbours, whom do I interact with, who are my friends, are there temples around, are there any Gujaratis/Indians, what food do we get there, what places did I visit, how’s market considering recession, how’s weather, what do I like over there, what I don’t, am I happy, is US better or India …. questions are endless and so are my answers. Of course, I too left no stone unturned. I had with me ready a whole new barrage of questions about everyone in town.

The second half of vacation began when I came back to Mumbai to spend time with my second family (hubby’s family). As news travelled within circles that I am in Mumbai, invitations to lunch and dinner started pouring. In India, people show their love through food a lot (I guess this must be true globally). Not only you get invited for varied meals, you are treated with a variety of food options and almost forced to gluttony. To make you eat more and more is the mantra. Whether meal is an excuse to catch up and spend time with each other or catching up with each other is an excuse to invite for meals … I am no longer sure. Both always go hand in hand.

After a couple of meals this routine gets kind of tiring but invitations don’t stop. Lip smacking sweets, yummy snacks, specially cooked vegetables laden with paneer, butter or ghee …. every delicacy makes stomach grumble and say no more … all it wants is a simple home cooked meal. And nothing is more appetising than mom made food.

A straight no to the invitation can be taken offensively. Hence we keep finding convincing reasons of why we can’t accept the invitation and friends/relatives find solutions to all our imaginary reasons so that we have to accept the invitation. Sometimes they win, sometimes we … either ways it is always fun.

It’s now 30+ days and I still haven’t found time to be with myself and relax at home. Social life is on a new high … everyone wants to know more about me and life in US and of course vica versa. I believe this is how it is going to remain till end of trip (Mid March). But who’s complaining I am enjoying every minute of it. It will be another year and half before I get to meet any of my people again. Cheers to a cup of chai and all night talks.

While I was gone, some of my blogging friends have come up with interesting projects and retreats –

Mary Jaksch @GoodLifeZen has started Virtual Zen Retreats to relax and nourish exhausted souls. Read more about it in her guest @ZenHabits, ‘How to Find Islands of Ease in the Chaos of Life’

Stacey @CreateABalance has started a Online Retreat Programme for those who desire to live the authentic life they are supposed to lead. Find more about the same in her article – Hungry For Balance Online Retreat

Ari Koinuma @OurBestVersion has taken up a 60 Day Challenge to come up with a new business vision which will be profitable earlier than his original business plan – and that too while balancing his family’s needs and business needs simultaeneously. He will be sharing his lessons and discoveries @Netpreneur’s Journal

p.s. : As you must have guessed by now, I will resume posting new articles. Hope you had a great Jan’09
photo courtesy of NID chick