Mt. Abu... The journey was the destination

Trip to Mt. Abu

Some close friends asked me... When are you writing about your trip to Mt. Abu?. I said Very soon. Here it goes... My regular readers know that my journeys are always exciting with some unexpected twists & turns around. This one was not exceptional. In fact, I received one of the best welcomes, a surprise welcome with a beautiful rose. For a moment, I asked myself Nirmala, when was the last time someone gave you a rose?. I didn't get any answer. Journey from Udaipur to Mt. Abu was about to start but we already had full of anticipations, all thanks to our driver who filled our minds with fears of gypsies coming out from the jungle and stopping us on the way, asking for money etc. Road from Udaipur to Mt. Abu was really beautiful. The rock mountains by the side of the road were gigantic and fearless. The dark tunnel which came on the way was actually dark (black) and thrilling. For a moment, we feared about gypsies coming out from nowhere and attacking us. But that was just a matter of a second. After all, we are fearless females from Delhi. I didn't have a gun but I did have a pepper spray, which I carry all the time.

Mt. Abu road was beautiful with huge rocks, open spaces and coconut trees all around the place. Beautiful temples (many of them) added to the beauty of the place. We had a feeling that we were in Goa. The only difference was beaches were replaced by temples. Not just that, the unique and majestic houses reminded me of Ooty. I found them so similar to the beautiful houses in Ooty. Goa and Ooty have always been my favorite destinations, and getting that feeling in one single place was something unexpected, something so amazing. Most of the time when we go to new places, we look forward to reaching the destination. But Mt. Abu is a place where I did not want the destination to arrive, I simply loved the journey... the journey was the destination. 

Never kiss a child

Recently I read an article about a mother who lost her child. The reason was horrifying. Doctors found out that the child was infected by a germ which got transferred from mouth to mouth. In that article, doctors have strictly warn parents not to kiss their children on their lips or allow others to do the same. I am not a doctor or a health expert but I knew that kissing baby's lips is not a good practice. I have stopped people from doing that. Some parents didn't like it when I do that. I don't care if they don't like me but I can't see a baby getting into trouble because of their stupidity. Showing love and affection to your child through kisses and hugs is love but doing things even after knowing they are not right is stupidity. For the sake of the child I normally try one more time to convince the parents in simple words. You are exposed to dirt, germs and pollution of the world, not your baby. His/her mouth is the most vulnerable body part exposed to infections which will directly go inside the body. But this is not the only reason. With the increased cases of child molestation and sexual abuse, you have to make your children know that no one should kiss on their lips, not even their parents or loved ones. I have read real life instances of children exploited by their own family members. They were kissed on their lips with wrong intentions. But the children didn't know that it was wrong simply because their parents and loved ones also do the same. Children cannot differentiate what is wrong and what is right, but you as a parent or as someone who adores kids can.

Marriage... Is it a goal?

 

Getting Married

Next year I will turn 29. I have to get married by next year, have a baby after 2 years, a worried friend told me. I asked him So, that's your target? Get married in a year time, have a baby in 2 years. With further worry he said You don't know, things are complicated these days. I read an article, due to pollution and contamination men and women are not able to become parents after the age of 30. I didn't want to argue or disagree with his points. He was right, due to change in lifestyle many couples are facing issues while planning for babies. But this is not the end of the world. Will you like your life if you get married to a wrong person and have a kid? Believe me, your life will become miserable. Marriage is a beautiful thing,  kids are amazing. But marriage is not a life goal, kids are not targets you need to achieve within a timeline. For God's sake, it's not a corporate world, it's your own life. Get married only because you want to spend the rest of your life with the special someone. Plan a baby when you both as parents are very sure of it, both emotionally and financially. I agree, with age there are chances of medical complicacies but there is no point worrying about things which are not in your control. Trust me, it's all in the mind. If you are positive and confident, age is just a number. I have seen real life examples of people blessed with kids at very late age. God forbid, if you cannot become biological parents of a baby, don't be depressed. No one can stop you from becoming parents, no one can take away your happiness of having a baby. Adopt a child. A child is a child, God's gift. It is the upbringing which will mould him/her. You may say Easier said than done. I will say, It's not tough either. You just need one big thing... A big heart.

Aging with Smile

Coffee Home Cannaught Place

Why do I love coming to Coffee Home at Cannaught Place, Delhi? I have two simple reasons for this,  1). I love their filter coffee; 2). I enjoy seeing the crowd of senior citizens who spend their leisure time by either talking to each other or reading books/newspapers. Here you don't get to see young crowd busy with their electronic gadgets. I feel as if I am back to the 90s and I love this feeling. 

It's a Saturday morning and I feel so relaxed sitting on that simple chair sipping my favorite filter coffee, enjoying the view of the senior citizens celebrating their second innings. My eyes fall on a very aged man. He must be in his mid or late 80s. He comes out from the coffee counter carrying coffee on a tray. His other hand is holding a small carry bag. His hands are shaking while walking. Also, he is not able to walk properly. But the best part is, there is a sparkling honest smile on his face. I immediately go to help him. Uncle, let me carry the tray for you I say politely. He continues smiling and politely says No, I am fine. I respect his No and move back. But I cannot stop watching him. He quietly sits on one of the tables, opens his carry bag from which he takes out a small packet of Parle-G biscuit. He enjoys his coffee, dipping the biscuits in the coffee. I enjoy watching him. Like me, he enjoys watching the crowd. There is not even a single moment when he stops smiling. Seeing him I say to myself If this is called aging, I welcome aging with open arms.

Life in a Delhi Metro... Episode 10

Good Looking Guy in Delhi Metro

For the first time I am truly enjoying my metro ride. Why won't I, it's an immense pleasure to watch this super handsome man standing right in front of me. Oh My God! he is so good looking... is my first reaction after seeing him. His simple white Kurta-Pyzama complements his dashing looks. His mom (I guess) is sitting next to me. My doubt of him being a Kashmiri is confirmed after they started talking in Kashmiri. Please don't ask how do I know Kashmiri language. I love my tattoo, and now I love it more. Mr. Handsome is staring at my tattoo of "superwoman with an innocent soul" and then staring at me. He definitely looks curious. Perhaps he is wondering if I am really a superwoman. Perhaps he has more questions for me. Before I could say Ask me, my station arrives. For the first time I find my metro journey too short and too fast.

New maid in my house

Maids are not less than Angels

Mere ghar aayi ek nanhi pari (a cute angel came to my house)... I can't stop humming this old beautiful song after the first day of a new maid in my house. Well, nanhi will be little too much, I don't want to get into legal trouble, moreover, I myself is strictly against child labor. After almost 8 years I am keeping a maid. My past experience was so bad I decided not to keep any maid. But this time, all thanks to my clumsy stubborn leg-in-pain, I am left with no choice. 

Self praising is good for health. Anita, my new maid is surprised to see herself being treated with respect and dignity. She thinks I am a sweet & cute house owner. She made me realized that I am still a good human being. Pollution of Delhi fails to pollute the good person in me. And trust me, I don't show off or try to act good. I am terribly bad in acting. If only I was good in acting, I would have tried my hands in some manipuri movies, after all, my uncle is a famous movie director in Manipur. I still remember, my uncle offered me a role for which I felt like killing him... Baby, I have a role for the heroine's aunt. Will you take it? Coming back to my new maid Anita, I am so thankful to God for sending her to me. She does all the work with complete dedication, no space for complains. Perhaps she is good because she is new, perhaps she wants to impress me... I don't mind as long as she is keeping me happy. With this, I enrolled myself in the league of Women of Delhi who depends on maids. But unlike other Delhiites, I have only praises for my maid.