Humanity runs on coffee ... ;)

I found it so amazing while I was having my favorite black coffee in the morning. No matter where I am, my bed coffee is black coffee and its special when I come to my hometown at my parents place.
This coffee is actually organic which is from our own backyard at my Mom's place. They pick the coffee seeds, dry them and grind them at home and they also add fenugreek seeds. Believe me the flavor it adds to the coffee and the important part is the benefits of fenugreek, all this adds up an extra love to the coffee.
My Mom knows when I come home she makes this for me all the time without asking me as she know that will make me happy :).

"You are what you love, not what loves you." ~ Charlie Kaufman 

It's so amazing to see that Kerala as a state has its own uniqueness within being North of Kerala and South of Kerala, the way they eat certain things and the names that they have for, even though it is the same thing and funny part I find is that in south of Kerala people are more inclined towards coffee and on the north side its more of tea. This is all about the crop that they cultivate and they get used to that side of the place... similar to what we have in California - the south cal and north cal :) - people's language usage of vocabulary, food habits etc differ and based on that people identify which part of the place one belongs to! 

"Perhaps it is our imperfections that makes us so perfect for one another." ~ Douglas McGrath

I always took pride in the traditions that our ancestors carried and things that I have seen my grandparents practicing those such as these making your own coffee powder, spices, snacks out of crops that grow in your own farm or garden - I always treasured those memories and felt proud of these. Today I see that my Mom specially brings this coffee powder from her hometown for me and when I talk about these to cousins they probably like the today's coffee latte, cappuccino etc... and what we miss is that after all these processed items consumption, we hunt for organic products...which was our basics that we were using for our well being...!

I feel sorry for even thinking that this will slowly with the generation of my parents will end too. Because earlier these coffee beans were powdered at home in the special equipment such as stone grinder which is a physical hardship but that's similar to what people do today at the gym lifting weights. 
Soon this changed, now these coffee beans and fenugreek seeds are added and taken to the mill to grind it...and then probably the coffee beans will be just sold to the companies and then it will go with that tradition.

"Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition." ~ Jacques Barzun 

It's better to enjoy while it lasts...and hence this coffee is a special for me until I am here!

"We must not only obtain Wisdom: we must enjoy her." ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

~ Dawn

O mangiar questa minestra o saltar questa finestra

There's no word that can express the feeling when our train reached at the shore. It's amazing how one can travel via road, rail and through water.
We reached and took the tickets for the ferry to come so we can reach our hotel in Venice.
It was happiness across as I have this childhood connection with Venice through this bollywood song from the movie The Great Gambler, where there are lyrics in Italian expresses love for his lover and very beautifully this song is composed and in my mind every minute this song was playing.

Don't they say always keep a song in heart? I was happy in my own way inside me.
Going around places, and watching every bit of it as everything has a connection... And the Venice Grand Canal was the one which took my heart, the bridge of sighs, St. Mark's square, Doges palace... If I don't share that song here then this post is incomplete.
Listen to this song and feel what's Venice is about through my eyes...

And for those who don't understand the lyrics, believe me love doesn't need a language, you will get it...!

We were guided by Andre who received us from the port and walked us to the hotel room, explained everything but we were not listening to him completely as we just got distracted with our room, the windows showing the narrow streets and the close neighborhood, all this brought happiness and we just said addio to Andre as he left.

Everyone took a shower and changed to go for a dinner. We realized it was 8 pm and some of the shops closes at 10 or 11 and so we started going around to see where we can eat. It was interesting as one wants to eat but at the same time look for more options of restaurants and time was something that was running too.
We finally decided to check in to one which was going to be closed in 30 minutes and when we checked they welcomed us. We all were really feeling very comfortable and happy at Venice. You really don't need much to be happy it's all in your mind.
After a delicious dinner we started walking around... My Moon was blooming with love and I couldn't stop gazing at him until we decided it's late, let's go to our room.
The interesting part was that these streets are like a maze, you get lost easily and what I heard from others also is that they all had experienced once getting lost in this maze.
Finally we figured out but learnt a lesson, specially me who made sure the address is well captured on Google maps and thanks to my phone that helped all the time to reach places no matter what.

Next day we planned for the gandola ride and we had decided we will take in the evening when the sun is calmer and still up. During the day we went around the palace, and it was so hot that we didn't feel any guilt in having gelatos every now and then.
And when in the evening we sat on the boat which you might have seen in the song above, exactly those moments were lived and mesmerized!

I think no matter how many pictures we took and how many times I looked around, I always felt it's less! I also sang that movie song, because that's how much it's in my system. You only need music, and love that too if people can appreciate and enjoy in that moment. 

Sailing in the boat, the boatman gave us the tour of places and showed us the house where Marco Polo lived and how that later got converted to an auditorium... And the market place where entire town comes to purchase their daily groceries... I talked to him about the bollywood movie and before I could say much he said I know that movie and have watched 300 times because that's the only movie that has Venice for so long... I am sure the song shows the Venice and the boatman which he always relates to himself probably and he said he loved the jazz music... There you go another one who got connected due to music even though he doesn't understand the language... We reached the shore as we were ending our ride and with a group picture we said addio to him!

As we were walking by at the St. Mark square my 12 year old felt like giving me a rose. It's amazing how kids as they are growing what all goes into their mind which tells that they are growing and how they are coping with the changes...! It was a sweet gesture and I will remember this life long. Don't they say a boy's first lover, friend and mentor is his mother 💕! Anyway I cherished that moment and captured in my heart and camera 😊.
We had our dinner at Marco Polo restaurant, it was interesting and cozy small place and what caught my eye was that people visited from all around and they left a currency with their names on it with them which was displayed on the ceiling...

I kinda liked that gesture... With a satisfying dinner we came back to room and packed as next morning we were supposed to leave though our flight from Marco Polo airport to Frankfurt was around 7:30 pm. 

We woke up easy and had late breakfast and went to see the bridges of sighs and spent little time and planned to catch the ferry to Marco Polo airport. It was an hour to reach but the ride was like a roller coaster ride with bumpy ride ..

but at the same time leaving this place was  somewhere making me a bit sad, I guess it's always a bitter sweet experience when you love a place and you're leaving because you were only a visitor here!

Senza tentazioni, senza onore!

~ Dawn

Oh venvia!

After a hectic time in Rome with 90+ degrees, we planned to come to Florence via train. It was interesting as early morning we got ready and went in a taxi which was sent to us via some friends that we met in Rome. Social media doesn't only create chaos and hatred but it also brings people together.

These friends suggested this taxi and the taxi guy was a nice guy and as part of his 20 years being in Rome he had some advice to give it to us while we travel in train.
After listening to his stories and alerts, I literally felt how can one travel peacefully if all the time you have to keep an eye on people as anyone can come push up, snatch your bag and run away...! As a mother of a 12 year I was more worried for my son as he is a carefree person and moreover he believes everyone is good and there's no one in this world who is bad guy because bad guys are only in movies according to him.
Somehow, we reached station and said addio to the driver and checked for our train timings and decided to quickly grab breakfast as we had sometime before catching our train to Florence.
After breakfast, it was kind of relief when we sat in our seats. The main question that was bothering for all of us was about the room... How will this one be?

We reached Florence, a small beautiful and tidy city. You can feel the ancientness as you walk around... The roads made out of stone, the narrow buildings with huge wooden doors and when you open that door you will find many families living inside that door in different apartments. Amazing way, it reminded me of houses in Punjab villages. Anyhow, we had time to check in hence we kept our luggage at the office and walked around the city with the map. It was amazing how there were churches, cathedrals and monuments all around the city with restaurant and gifts shops and I see cops all around.
One thing I loved about this place is that they didn't change anything about their city, yet they have all the brand name clothing and fashion designer shops for everything you can think of. This city has not lost its authenticity with shopping malls and I think that's a blessing!
It was amazing that we were welcomed with a band that was marching with everyone in their costume and getting into the cathedral, I loved it but only worried for them with costumes in this heat...!
We had gelatos and went around the cathedral and the Duomo. Everywhere it's long lines and here we decided not to get in. I think the most we walked around in Florence and that was 6.9 miles. When you're tired the food tastes good and you're ready to eat big meal too..! One thing I have to admit that Pasta, Pizza all tastes so good as compared to US.

We happened to meet someone from India and as we discussed how they came here and what work they do, all that discussion brought us close enough that the person came with us to show places and because of them we were able to use the public transportation as well.

Florence, we had a full day and next day till 5 pm as we had plans to leave for Venice.
It was a long walk, talk and hopping on the bus until we figured the last stop was the Michelangelo's hill.

It was like a festival there, people gather there to see the entire town of Florence with live music on one side and shopkeepers on the other with duplicate brand name leather bags, art related things for selling... And the main attraction being Michelangelo's statue itself where people have queued up to take pictures.
We had our time too and enjoyed the view and the music!

Finally we decided to return back when we were invited for dinner and guess what the food was traditional Kerala food, it was beyond amazing! We were satisfied fully with their hospitality and love.
It was an amazing night that turned into next day already when we left for our room. All night I was thinking about the person as how they came to Italy from India, what work they were doing, helping and doing all kinds of jobs and then now as home nurse, taking care of some big shot Grandma who's alone and is suffering from Alzheimer, but Govt appointed them to take care of the Grandma...! All these put me in thoughts about Grandma and her life and then this new person we met his life...! It's really strange where you're born and where you end up when you grow up and whom you take care of in old age..? Nothing is planned for anyone, it's destiny!

All this and next day we got up to see Leaning Tower of Pisa. This was an amazing train ride watching the sunflower farming land and the houses which one cannot differentiate between India and Italy...! It was interesting when we were going in the train there were seats in such a way that we split sitting two each on different areas and suddenly a gentleman who was sitting alone in a section of four asking us to take that seat so we four can sit together. It was really a nice gesture, because one doesn't have to... But then he said Namaste and nicely moved to opposite side of the seat!

The Pisa tower was amazing as once you read the history about it and how due to its unstable foundation the tilt happened then you'll only say thank God for the gravity that they fixed so it didn't fall...! It was scroching heat and yet like everyone we also tried pictures that would show as if we're touching the tower or correcting it!!!😅

Return from Pisa was and then a satisfying lunch gave us our energy back as we had enough time to catch our train to Venice.

I was ready to say addio to Florence a beautiful city just like it's meaning, like a flower🌺.
Beautiful memories with beautiful people, don't know when I will come next but carrying all the love and gratitude in my heart 💕🙏!

~ Dawn

Crepi lupo!

Paris fever was not down yet when we landed in Rome. It's hot, when I say that it means it's hot as if you're in the oven and yet you're dripping wet with sweat.

Our experience with bed and breakfast was way different than what I had experienced long back in 2000 when I did the UK trip. It's an apartment and each room is given to individuals. There's no breakfast by the way, it's just that you get beds to sleep and common bathroom to use. Now this comes interesting if you were not told about this, obviously one wouldn't book if that was known earlier. Something to be aware for next time.
When the bed and breakfast was like this, the view on Rome or rather I should say Italy was way different because now mind is trapped with judgement. Anyway I even went as far as thinking about Sonia Gandhi, the former Congress President of India, as it was her place and this is how she must have lived and what not.

We got out to walk around and eat, it was good. This place looked like India. My kids were surprised as they even kept saying it smells like India...! Well what do you think of Europe? It's not all that heaven. But I truly feel that we are spoiled in North America and probably our expectations around the world too. May be that's why people don't like North Americans unless you're from Canada!
One thing we figured out Rome is for Romans, the believers. It was good to go on the guided tours to understand the history of Rome, and that rivalry, slavery, women as second or third class category, it all make sense that we have not changed even though a lot has changed for people from then to today!
I wish it was a bit cooler and less crowded, but at this time it's only a wish.

People didn't seem all that friendly and I felt may be that's because of certain place that I stayed or people don't smile at tourists? In bocca Al lupa!
Three nights we spent here and we visited Colesseum, couple of churches, Vatican museum. In fact I walked through those 14 steps on my knees where Jesus Christ walked when he was crucified on the cross.
We had an amazing experience of meeting a malayali family who invited us to their home, rather the person's brother came all the way to escort us knowing we are new in town.
This trip also helped understanding how people migrate to Italy, in what conditions and circumstances, what kind of jobs they do and how they survive at one place with multiple families living together to save money and look forward for a better future.
Some still have that pride of living in Roman Catholics country and struggle for that sake is not a big issue.

We had the opportunity to eat Indian Kerala food and the hospitality indeed was touching to the heart. You go places and meet some people and you connect in today's world virtually as well that's today's era!
It was very obvious by now that we were there to see some places and leave when it's time to leave!
Evening we went out when the Sun set and Moon showed up for dinner. Since it was very hot we decided to eat light and simple nearby. The first restaurant that showed up we went in, it was a Chinese food and believe me it was incredible. The food was tasty and spicy and it was not pricey at all.

As they say all thats well ends well... We took the morning train to Venice with new hope and new adventure... Until then it's in bocca al lupo to us until we reach home safely!

~ Dawn

Bonjour to Paris and Hello to All...!

I have seen Paris in pictures, in story books and through different people's eyes... And thus you create a picture in your mind.
I also had one and to tell you the truth today I have a picture of my own about Paris.
When we landed in Paris, first nothing is that makes you feel that you're in a foreign land believe me!
Except the french language, it reminds you of home. For me it was the Pune that I grew up as a kid holding my Dad's hand and walking around those streets which were familiar to my Dad but new to me.
Every corner, every smell of the street reminded of a place that I have known closely or lived in one.

When we came to our hotel room, it was a surprise because of its size and how a small is being utilized to it's fullest. This reminds you of Bombay city... Where rich or poor, everyone lives in a small place, apartment except what's in the place may differ... And here I am not talking about any millionaires like Ambanis or Bollywood stars... I am talking about common people who live everyday, every air and every minute of their life is an achievement.
Quickly, we adjusted to the space as it was small and sweet with colorful curtains and wallpapers... Yet with an old style cooler to keep us all cool in this hot weather of Paris.
Enough room for everything and nothing extravagant. Isn't that we all need? Actually that's all one need to survive, place to stay safe, food to eat and clothes to wear so we can be warm when we need to and be cool when it's too hot!

When we talk about Paris, Eiffel tower and the monuments that comes to mind because that's what I have seen so far but there's more than that, it's the people that make this place beautiful, lovable and livable.
The bolt drivers, the hotel receptionist, the restaurant folks and the people that you find on the road while walking around... I was able to see people, the humans and artists because that's what this city showed me and that's what I could see.
This was not the case when I was taking the flight to Paris, as mostly I heard about is that, be careful, there are thief's, pick pocketers and what not and all this made me cautious, be reserved and always look people with suspicion... I think after my first day in Paris all that got washed away with the rain.
You go anywhere in the world there are survivors all around and there's nothing different here in Paris.
My request to people who visit Paris is that please don't spoil the name of this beautiful city with your bad decisions, bad judgements and experiences because with that no matter which part of the world you visit it will be the same for you.

Some of the school memories also made this city close to my heart as I got to revisit on French revolution from my history class and the visits to the  Palace of Versailles, the paintings and the story that it tells was a revision. Along with that the visit to Montparnasse cemetery to see Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir... Great humanist and feminist but what else I saw there was people buried there after they have left this mean world they are stored here in these places and there are people who are alive yet may be some still with no place to live? Why do we need these cemetery? To remember such great people can be through many different ways, plant a tree in their name so people know and remember and visit them... Some were like a store room space and it really made me think about it for the ones who are still alive on this Earth.
Same with Voltaire and Marie Curie and other French dignitaries...! We care for the gones and not for the ones who needs to be cared!
Life always comes with a perspective.

I have a sweet tooth and I loved my cafe visits in Paris... These cafes gives you a homely feel where fresh bread, croissants and pastries are baked and on the sides the coffee brewery just reminds of home. My first day morning wake up was with the smell of fresh and warm bread baked smell... I can still feel that and not only that it's the joy that comes with it in your heart. You want to get up and go out to feel the smell, to taste those fresh ones and watch people.. Some are like us running around to go to work and some are like enjoying the moment.
 I really enjoyed my mornings here with spending time at the cafe... I got to observe people around, see their beauty, their culture, their language and more when they speak the language and the way they speak because French being their first language... It's an experience that makes you want to learn their language French.

The amazing thing that I loved about this city is the there's no community or rather there's only one community and that's of being human.
You will see all kinds of people, of all ages, from all different places with different religion, language and what not but the beauty is that everyone speaks French and look and feel one!
Here people are not in hurry, doesn't seem like they want money either because everyone is taking things at their own pace, no hurry, no race just live at it's own way... Made me feel very relaxed. People party here on Saturday and Sunday nights, there's no mourning moment that I see in US on a Sunday evening... Here life is full on living with fun and joy. One simple thing that today one needs to learn is you don't need a hell lot of luxurious things to be happy. Simple things such as having an expresso outside of the cafe looking at the traffic, may be a smoke in hand, or some with a placard protesting the government for the raising gas price and yet wave at us asking, are you from India? Which part in India? Or someone in the car starts a political discussion about America and the Trump lovers and French government and their smartness in managing things without discrimination and thinking ahead of the game... All in a simple way you express and move on... Isn't that anyway we do in other places too? But there we do with a bit of more stress, hatred, racism, guns and killings!

One should travel to discover the simple pleasures existing in small places around the world. If you travel you will not hold on to things too tight and that let's you lose your ego, and your belongings so that you're light and less stressed about anything and will make you live life and be happy as happiness doesn't cost much in real!
As I say Au revoir to Paris, I say je t'aime Paris 💕, you have taken my heart to keep with you forever ❤️!

~ Dawn

There is no certainty; there is only adventure ;)

While growing up I never thought I will leave the place which I call as home and hence the thought of blind date with the world is something not even came in my dream.

But as I started going to college and started reading things the curiosity bug bit me too. I often thought of just going to some place and keep traveling because at the end of the day what do you need – something to eat, a safe place to sleep and stay and then keep moving.

"The biggest  adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams" ~ Oprah Winfrey

I had many times discussed this with my school friends about dreaming of living in a place in a small hut where in the backside of the hut we have some vegetable garden with veggies and in front of the house are the hot springs where we cook most of our food and eat and sleep under the sky gazing stars and my Moon.

I know dreams are so beautiful and when someone says go live your dream – that’s really an action which once taken then you’re on your own.

I also took such a blind date with the world and it was in the year of 1997 when I took a one-way ticket to Toronto, Canada. I had gone through the process of immigration where I got my Permanent Residential visa and I headed to this blind date with Canada where I have no friends and/or family. I will share the journey which now I look back and feel good about taking that blind date with Canada because it changes my whole perspective about how I look at world now.

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." ~ Jawaharlal Nehru

I remember I had only clothes in my suitcase as I had heard its very cold in Canada and so I landed in the month of April assuming it will be spring and may not be cold. Surprisingly, it was still snowing that year and I had my mixed feelings towards that. It’s beautiful how nature itself deals with all these seasonal changes and how people adapt to it too.

My journey was a struggle in the beginning because when you land at any place which is not your home, you start your bill from that moment. Not only that, there's a strangeness in the beginning and also cultural shocks which makes you to be more cautious. I somehow made use of the newspaper ads which helped me to get the rental basement space for me even though the job was still far from me. I have met many people during this struggle time and to be frank only Indians took advantage of my situation. Others, they offered help without expecting anything in return. I am not sure if I should call that out but that’s one of the experiences which happened not once but number of times.

People tried to convert me to Christianity, so they can get money from their institution and to me they suggested we will help you with the job, which was totally incorrect, and I am glad I didn’t fall for it. One thing I knew that there are no free lunches so some of the proverbs that I learnt in school did actually help me from not making mistakes.

"Life is an adventure, it's not a package tour." ~ Eckhart Tolle 

But then in all this, you tend to find yourself safe in the custody of your race and people and that’s what lead me to suffer. The moment I freed my mind from that, I felt a relief and freedom from all tie-ups, taboos and everything. It’s all about your mind believe me. I decided to move out of renting in someone’s house and went to rent a one-bedroom apartment where I had my freedom and independence to live. It not only gave me my space, but it also taught me how to not look to lean all the time.

I found a small job as a part-time cashier with minimum wage, but again it was the mind which said this is not what you came here for and so I decided in 4 months I need to move on from here. And believe me sometimes you got to make your decision from your mind and not heart, because only then you can do things that your heart wants.

One after the other jobs and finally I ended up in a Bank and it completely changed my life, from an HR field to technology field. The merge was amazing, and the transition was such that I figured out my actual interest, which is people and technology that enables people to do things. I guess the blend of this helped me to move from one company to the other and one place to the other, and now I am in California, USA.

I think we should all blind date with the world, so we understand people and life better. Sitting in a comfort zone can make anyone do anything that they feel is right but actual life is in traveling and understanding the life of different people. So, I love this blind date which made me to marry to traveling :).

It’s true that blind date is not always about happy ending, because many ups and downs are there which occurred in my life too because of meeting wrong people at the wrong time and place but the better lesson you learn and move out from there. Because life always gives you another chance and that’s up to us to see and grab it.

"Life experience is what defines our character, even if it means getting your heart broken or being lied to. You know, you need the downs to appreciate the ups. Going on the adventure or taking that risk is important." ~ Nev Schulman

As I was getting comfortable with my date in Toronto, I decided to do another blind date with San Francisco, in California USA. Let me tell you, it was not a very happy one. I feel when there is a change, it does bring some turbulence, but one got to hold on to it and stay strong that’s what I did. Initial days I didn’t like US. It was something like I started comparing between Canada and USA. Everything I related it that way, whether its people, place, behavior or even the process in banking etc. I realized I was missing Canada very much because it was my first blind date with whom I fell in love, so the first love is always there as special in my heart. I guess no one will understand that because that journey I had taken alone and every corner of the place, city, people have made an impact on me. It is difficult to not be connected with a place where I started from scratch and built my home finally.

Over the period, I went back to visit and be at every place that I lived in, walked around and worked around and after that when I came back to California it was kind of be at peace.

"Life would be pretty boring if I didn't explore. It's about letting my ears take me on an adventure to soak in everything I can." ~ Trombone Shorty

I would like to go for another blind date and I am just going to go for that soon!

~ Dawn

Not all those who wander are lost ;)

Ohio Cleveland here we come ... ;)
Kids were very happy to meet their to be six month old second cousin. It was a bit relaxing moment. Once the meet and greet was done the journey took the ride towards Kentucky. 
Many people do not make this as their part of visit to Lincoln's birthplace and boyhood place - thats what we realized when we landed the place.
It was an amazing feeling as we drove down the lanes where you see lush green corn fields and soya bean crops and the only road in the center which takes you from Lincoln's school to his boyhood place to his birthplace and memorial place. It was a place where for a moment your heart wants to reside and live there.
Reading the history and knowing Lincoln more closely was kind of literally living Lincoln's life. What I felt proud about that anyone in this country become a president irrespective of his class, status as long as he is a deserving candidate.

The hardship he went through something that I am sure the new generation will get bored to hear but as one thinks its a reality that nothing comes free in life.

It was a different feeling altogether to imagine that you are driving through a place where once Lincoln used to walk around and go to school etc.

The thoughts along the roads took us to Atlanta and we spent couple of days with our friends. It was kind of relaxing after hoteling at different places, home was a good change and with known people around and with the hustle bustle of kids.

Visiting MLK's birth place was quiet inspiring. Many times we read books and know about all the national heroes but when you actually visit to their places and then remember and read about them - you are able to connect immediately and thats the feeling I got when I was at MLK's birthday place. MK Gandhi's statue makes one feel so proud which is situated right at the entrance and I feel its a good way to give tribute to the one who inspired MLK for equal rights and non-violence. 

As you go through these places and read what they have said in those days... it really makes you think about what has changed ? Really, ask yourself what has been changed other than that we are continuously progressing as we are intelligent human being but then what worth is it if you see even today there is killing and violence all around.

People talk about old school and old methods but looking at the history, it seems either we go back to school to study and understand history from heart rather than to pass the exam or we must have the new generation Gandhi and or MLK.

Our visit was almost ending as we took the flight from Atlanta to Las Vegas. Drive to home from Vegas was kind of giving a slow relief as going around different places and sleeping in different hotels and living through suitcases all was going to end. I guess thats when you remember your sweet home. 

This year vacation was really a stress free and relaxing one. Work was not at all on mind and a new role was waiting for me to start - all this gave me an immense satisfaction. It's true when you are changing your job or a new role, you need to refresh your mind and a vacation at that right time is a must so that you come back all refresh and recharged to start the new role with extreme enthusiasm.

Adios to East Coast until we visit next....!

“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” 

Life isn't meant to be lived in one place ;)

Drive from New York to Buffalo was with a mixed feeling...as leaving New York and then Buffalo where I used to drive from Toronto quiet often to meet friends - it was good and bad kind of!!!

As we reached Buffalo, it was kind of flashback and nostalgic moment. It literally felt the other side of the bridge is to walk towards home - Toronto.

I think by the time I reached here New York was no where in mind. I was more or less going through each and every minute of my days in Canada and the Niagara Falls.

People might think what it is about Niagara falls but one who has seen the falls in deep silence has spoken many words which are speechless and soundless. It's mere an understanding and spirituality that exists with nature. It was a blissful moment for me. It always gave me strength. In my lonely days, I used to drive to Niagara every weekend and just come and stand in front of the fall and I forget also who's in my surroundings. It was getting one with nature - a mutual zeal to talk to each other and share the thoughts and get strength to look forward for the next.

Through out the Niagara falls visit, it was one thought in mind that this is not the right view of Niagara falls... to watch it one must cross the border and view the real nature's beauty. Something where there is life and spirituality. On the Buffalo side, you only see acts of tourism and the nature aspect of it is NIL.

Buffalo city - I was there for two nights and this gave an opportunity to visit the Mummies Museum - a totally different outlook of the life from past. Sometimes it really made me think, what must have made those people think and create these mummies after death? Whatever belief they had with which they did this, but in today's world it does allow our scientists to determine about life and disease if they had any in those days.

Night was a bit scary as everything was shut down even before it was dark. It cannot be called as a city, specially where the roads are dead creepy. Living in the hotel was kind of bringing memories from past. Even though I was there in the present, mind was continuously running into things in the past. A moment came in mind where I just felt to go to the place where I came alone and built my home - i.e., Toronto.

Finally that day also came when I said adios to Buffalo and the drive was towards Ohio Cleveland to meet the family and thus the journey still continues...!!! 

"My restless, roaming spirit would not allow me to remain at home very long"

~ Dawn

People don't take TRIPS, TRIPS take people ;)

As we hugged and said Goodbye to North Carolina, Washington DC was waiting for us to receive. Going through all the government monuments and historic places, it reminded me of most of the capitol cities such as Ontario in Canada, New Delhi in India and similar many places. Washington didn't grab my heart, neither I felt anything special about it. As a tourist went through places, museums and read lot of history about monuments, world war II events and aftermaths. Even when we are in school we do get connected with the class and the class teacher but here nothing was like that.

My next leg of the journey was towards the happening and never sleeping city - the big apple - New York. As the drive was going through, fantasies were haunting as well. I realized, its good to have fantasy because it keeps you chasing and craving - I like that and enjoy the thirst. Something that is there which is unfulfilled yet the hope is one day it will get fulfilled... !!! 

New York, brings back many memories to me. My usual long weekend and weekday flying from Toronto to New York was always a pleasant one. Professional element always gave a different outlook while working in the financial sector and at the same time my pleasure trips gave me the feeling of landing in Mumbai (Bombay). The NY map, the stores, the city setups, the traffic and the rash drivers and 'I don't care' attitude brings that element of a metro city where everyone is there for a living and everyone is there with the movement. 

As I see people, as I see the NYPD cops - it brings my old memories - a time where I used to fool around with the cops and taking pictures with them and making them feel good was a common knack. 

Many such memories crackled into mind and it was a soothing feeling going back and coming slowly to the present. Life taught me many things - what I enjoyed then is not with me now and what I have now is something which is priceless. Why not I enjoy the present and leave the rest.

Living right in the heart of World Trade Center, reminds one about life and it's uncertainties. A lot to learn and adapt from the past. Be in the present, do what you like and don't just lose the thought by thinking and analyzing it because then it looses its charm and passion. If you love someone, go and express it. Do not worry what will happen or what someone will say or think. It's your thought and if you don't give that importance to it then who would?

Going around the city in the tour bus gave lot of flashback memories from Mumbai - certain shops, certain street setups, the park in the middle of the places all gave a homely feeling to me.

New York once was my city... now am more like a California girl!!!

Saying goodbye to NY was kind of giving me a sad feeling. I tried thinking hard what is it that I am leaving behind that I should feel sad? There is nothing... this city is yours if you are there and if you leave the city nothing is yours. 

The journey continued to Buffalo city.....!!!

"Every hundred feet the world changes"

~ Dawn