I woke up today in my own bed. The temperature outside is 32 degrees F/0 degrees C. This is a slight difference from my last post. I no longer hear the honking horns, the jackhammers, the pigeons and crows and the pack of dogs. I hear the heater powering up to keep the house warm. The view from the living room window has changed from sunshine and light breeze and the Boomerang to overcast skies and snow has high as my knee.
I ended yesterday's post about Mahesh Seafood Restaurant. Shanawaz, Nitin, Amit and Amit (Hub Guy #2) and I went to Mahesh for my last dinner. I went on my last auto rickshaw ride with Shanawaz. I LOVE the auto rickshaw rides. It is so much fun. I understand when you have to use it all your life it is not as exciting. The dinner was amazing because of the company and the food. We had great conversation and Nitin spoke as well. The last time we went to eat Shanawaz, Vijeta and I were so rude discussing Westboro and left Nitin out of the conversation. This time we were talking about the past month and many other topics. The food was delicious. I had prawn and crab soup. Yes - ME! It did not taste like fish. I had Pomfret filet with spices, Golden Prawns, chicken dish, roti and rice. All of the food was delicious. Thank you so much for the great food. We took pictures outside the restaurant before taking the auto rickshaw back to work.
I want to start on the last Saturday morning in Mumbai. Rohit and Ashish came to the apartment right after work. Rohit had to drop off ALL the items he bought. It was OVER 3 kg he promised. I had to repack to accommodate the extra items. Nothing was left behind. We talked about the past month and what lies ahead in the future for both of them. Ashish will begin off hours shift on Monday. Taking a moment to evaluate life to plan the future is important for your success. We said our goodbyes and I was in the apartment by myself. I was going to see Ashish at the airport.
I had to repack to have the luggage under the weight limit. I had to pull items in the put them in the bag to carry on. My carrier suitcase was so heavy with Indian sweets. I did not know how I was going to lift to the overhead luggage compartment.
The sun was up and Ritika came to the apartment after her shift. She is a wonderful woman. I love talking with her. Shahbaaz came to the apartment to say goodbye as well. I was happy to have people with me instead of feeling sad about leaving Mumbai and happy about being home with Manny and Max. A month ago I would not have felt the same. I liked being alone. I have come to enjoy the company of others. All of sudden Swapnil from Admin was ringing the doorbell and taking my luggage to the cab. The last few hours went so quickly. I took a moment to have my last look of a month's worth of memories.
We were off to the Mumbai Airport in the cab. The traffic was at a stop, then after all the horns honking the traffic began to move. We turned onto the road I had been on so many times. I did not realize the airport so close to the apartment. As we are driving and I see the airport sign, but the cab is pulling over and turning off the vehicle. What! Yes - the Mumbai Traffic police had pulled him over. Is it me? There were no flames on the side of the car like Shanawaz's car. Swapnil jumped out of the cab to see what is taking so long. There was a problem with his cab plate. I was so concerned about getting to the airport. This stop took about 15 minutes. Off we go to the airport which was a left turn from where we stopped. The Mumbai airport is beautiful with palm trees and beautiful architecture. The International Departures is all new. There was no traffic when I was dropped off. I gave hugs to Ritika and Swapnil. Ashish has come to say good bye to Vijeta and I. He gave me a rose (live) to remember him by. (FYI...the rose is still alive.)
Ashish and I had time to talk about a lot of things. We were laughing a lot. A security guard came by asking Ashish if he was trying to take advantage of the "foreigner". Does Ashish really look like a person who would be a criminal? Vijeta came but she had to wait for her parents. I decided to check in and get through Immigration. My final farewell to Ashish with a hug and telling him to take care of himself and keep enjoying life. I was in the airport. I checked in and 3 bags checked. The counter person let me check the 3rd bag for free. I was so happy since it was so heavy. I got through Immigration. NOTE: You need the address you stayed in India for Immigration. Thank goodness I had kept the paper with the address.
I was waiting at the gate and decided I was hungry. I had not eaten since dinner at Mahesh's. I had some protein. I went shopping. I bought 4 elephants and other items before getting on the airplane as well as a clothe bag with elephant print and purple lining and handles. The airplane was running late but on I went and sat in the row with a gentleman from Newton, MA. He asked me what I was doing in Mumbai for a month and where I worked. He knows Girish Navani (CEO of eClinicalWorks). The flight was full and the plane was crowded. It was a 9.5 hour flight. The gentleman sitting with me was told in Mumbai that he would not make the connection flight to Boston, so the British Airlines changed his ticket to Sunday at 4pm with a hotel stay. I told him I was checked through to Boston. As the plane was landing in Heathrow, the crew mentioned that the Boston connection can be made and all the people including the ones moved to Sunday were moved on it. We were in Terminal B and had to go to Terminal C and through Security. We all made it. Thank goodness. There was only 45 minutes between the flights.
The plane to Boston was wonderful. The seats were wider and the newer. I slept most of the 7.5 hours. I had one serving of white wine for dinner. The flight was not full so there was no one in the center seat. There was more room in this plane. The flight attendant carried my laptop bag and new elephant satchel. I am very impressed with the crew of British Airways.
US Customs was quick and all my luggage made it to Boston. One of Vijeta's pieces of luggage stayed in London. I opened the doors to the main waiting area of Terminal E and there was Manny. I was so happy to see him. I have missed him more than I thought, but when I was in Mumbai no one allowed me to be sad because they had plans for me. Max came home around 12 midnight. Marian High School Drama team placed in the top 3 to move to the next round of competition in 2 weeks. Max won 1st Place in set design as well. I was so happy to see him. He has a couple of tough weeks at school. I will be speaking to Erika tonight
As we were driving home there was no traffic, no horns, no people crossing the busy roads and driving on the other side of the road. I had my seat belt on and the air was cold. It was so quiet. This morning Manny, Max and I walked outside to get to my minivan to go to Mass. I did not hear the pack of dogs, crows, pigeons, horns or jackhammers. I heard beautiful song birds singing in the trees around my home. It was so quiet. The snow on the ground and the birds singing. The air was crisp and cool.
I have finally unpacked everything. Manny and Max liked my shirt collection. We will be ordering more shirts from the Men's Store in Mumbai. Sharmeen was a great person to go with for the men's shirts. I was so happy they liked the shirts.
My kitchen is beautiful. It should be finished by end of this week. The painting will be done tomorrow. Please follow this link to check before and after. Manny and Max did a great job making decisions during the process. http://oreosdeepthought.blogspot.in
My final thoughts about this trip was summoned up at Mass today. The reading from Isiah was about God's Love even though you may feel no one love's you. I was worried about meeting all the people in Mumbai and what would they think of me. Would the accept me for me? I had felt the love and kindness from everyone. Everyone I encountered made sure I had my needs met.
The Gospel from Matthew talked about not to worry about the basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing because God always provides for you. I have been requesting to go to Mumbai for 2 years. I have worried that I would never go even though I prayed to have this opportunity. Once I had approval and the plans were being made I was so worried about living accommodations and food. My apartment was beautiful. The food was amazing. The only item I did not like was a red candy with cumin in it. (Vance thank you for the candy.) It was horrible. My favorite food was chicken crispy. I am thankful to everyone in Mumbai and in Westboro.
I will be going back to Mumbai in the future. Thank you for great memories. I loved everything.
Auto rickshaws, the terrace, the traffic, the horns, the crows and pigeons, the watchmen at the apartment finally waving and smiling at me, the people at work. I know I missed items and people. I did not mean to but there is so much to write.
THANK YOU for reading my blog. I have enjoyed my 30 days in Mumbai.
