Summer break is an automatic extension for meeting grandparents, cousins, friends, and having an enjoyable time together. For me, this summer is exciting because we will be traveling to India. Yes, full summer… 🙂 I am sure many of you must be making plans and a list of things to take for your friends and family back home. Right from the minute, you book the ticket, the countdown starts. My last India trip was three years ago. So, now you can understand why I am so much excited. My daughter’s excitement level is way higher than mine as she will be celebrating her birthday there. The same is with her grandparents. We could feel the excitement in their voice.

 

 

There are countless things that we miss being away from India, but now, this is not the time to talk about what we miss. The feeling of ‘yeh to des hai mera’ comes when you land at the airport. It’s time to talk about the things we look forward to our India trip.

1. We are a family (Meeting relatives, friends): Breaking the ice and making friends is not tough when you are in India. Ten unknown people will surround you when you asked for minor help from only one. It is the warmth, affection, and closeness of people that makes India unique. It will be an excellent opportunity for our kids to know and experience the same connection.

2. Food (Home-cooked meals and Street food): There is always something unique and magical in mom’s hands that gives the distinctive taste to every meal she cooks. Whether it is plain daal-chawal (lentil-rice) or a delicious meal, that taste can never be replicated even if you follow any specific recipe step-by-step. As far as I am concerned, I am waiting for Guava (I know it sounds silly); I am waiting for yummy Chaat, Kulfi, Dhaba (roadside restaurant); I am looking forward to Melas & Haat (carnivals, open craft & food market)

 

 

 

 

3. Sound of Life (which is no more feels like noise now): Living in the USA, you don’t hear any horns or any sabzi-wala (vegetable vendor) coming on your doorstep calling sabzi le lo…, OR you do not have those long conversations with your neighbor sharing the common wall OR you don’t hear any distant but yet audible Ramayan or Bhagwat paath that enables you to have the satisfaction of attending the ritual even if it is not at your place, OR any Shaadi (wedding) band with latest Bollywood songs. All this is a part of your lifestyle when you are in India. Calling it a sound of life won’t be wrong. Isn’t it?

4. Local transport (Rikshaw, Auto): Going from one place to another is not dependent on whether you drive or not. If you live in Texas, you would agree on the importance of having the luxury of local transport.

5. Festivals/Weddings: If you happen to be in India during any festival or wedding season, it is like icing on the cake. Living in the USA, we miss these festivities; we miss the colors, fun, joy, laughter that comes with these festivals & family functions. I remember when I went to India first time after coming to the USA, I was looking for any wedding or at least an engagement/reception that I could attend..:)

 

 

 

6. Few unwanted and uninvited guests: I am talking about those small creatures whom we call mosquitoes. They just start hugging you as if they were waiting for the imported blood.

The list is endless, and I can go on and on..but now I would like to hear from you what you look forward to your India trip?

Also, I will not be able to post that regularly while I am on vacation. I will try my best. Who knows, I might post some of my Mom’s thoughts in the articles or new recipes right from her kitchen. So stay tuned.

On this friendly note, for those who will be traveling to India this summer, happy and safe travels!!