I asked my father today to recollect his most ‘exciting’ holiday ever. He didn’t have an answer. Naturally this got me thinking of what my answer to this question would be. I have many memorable trips, but the most exciting, that’s actually a difficult one to pin.
The one that comes to mind immediately is my second trip to Disney world. The first one was when I was too young. The second one I remember. There the excitement was directly related to the first trip. I wanted to do everything I had done the first time round and everything I had missed. I even kept my eyes open through the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ ride, but then that’s another story.
My first time in Paris was definitely exciting. I couldn’t believe it; I was actually on top of the Eiffel Tower, and inside the Louvre staring at Da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’, walking up the steps of Montmartre, and cringing at the prices at Galeries Lafayette. What an experience! What a city!
My second trip to Dubai could count as well. I was going to be at the ‘Dubai Shopping Festival’ for the first time. I had heard so much about it. Plus it was 15 days before my graduation final exams. That definitely added to the fun. The highlight of that trip was an evening out in the desert. Only sand and dunes till your eye can see. Even though we were with guides, I couldn’t shake a nagging inner voice saying ‘what if you got lost’... Shudder!
A lot closer to home, my first visit to my fiancé at his army base, ranks as one the best. Oviously since it was the first time I was going to visit him I was excited. But him being in Jaipur (a city I have always been fascinated with) added to it. I went for New Year’s and it was so cold. Yet what a blast we had. Of course 6 months later I went right back. Rajasthan in May, you can imagine what it was like. Not that it made a difference to us; we still had a great time.
Now that I think about it, I have had very good reasons to be excited about most trips I make, whether it is to party with my best friend in Delhi, or to attend national conferences with AIESEC, or to have laid back vacations at the beach, whether Goa, Diu or Kelva…
I think it’s time I plan my next trip… But for now, Arrivederci…
Monday, May 23, 2005
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Happy Birthday Dad
Today is a special day! Not because it considered one of the most auspicious days of the year 2005, but because it’s dad’s birthday.
As usual I have spent an agonizing last few days trying to figure out what I could get him, how I could make his day enjoyable. Like Susan Sarandon’s problem with Richard Gere in ‘Shall we dance?’ there is nothing that I can get him which fits in a box.
Mom and I have tried many gifts, from mobile phones, to the entire set of the TV series ‘Yeh jo hai zindagi’; from briefcases to books to music to clothes. Eventually the ideas have run out. He has already acquired all the little oddities that he enjoys. I know a few things he would love, but had they been available, he would have had them already.
For many years, we as a family would shove off to Goa and celebrate his birthday there. I don’t think he has ever enjoyed his birthdays more than those. The first time we were there, some friends of his decided to get the hotel to make a cake for him; in the shape of a woman’s naked abdomen. I was mortified, I was also 11.
Another year, we had an impromptu gathering with some friends who were there as well, and some people who we had just met there. Someone brought a guitar, and the party was on in the lawn outside our cottage.
But Goa isn’t possible every year, so one year mom and I decided to make summer fun come to us. We had a party on the poolside of my grandparents’ house. Everyone swam and ate and drank and had a blast.
I don’t know when we will be able to celebrate his birthday like that next. But I do hope it is soon. Actually when I think about it, if I were to carefully plan this out, maybe I can put things together for his birthday next year from now! Not only will it be a great gift for him, but it will also ensure he spends this day as he likes best.
Looks like I have a goal for the coming year. I had better start cracking… Happy Birthday dad, thanks for inspiring me to do and be everything good… I love you! This time next year, I’ll wish you on the beaches of Goa…
As usual I have spent an agonizing last few days trying to figure out what I could get him, how I could make his day enjoyable. Like Susan Sarandon’s problem with Richard Gere in ‘Shall we dance?’ there is nothing that I can get him which fits in a box.
Mom and I have tried many gifts, from mobile phones, to the entire set of the TV series ‘Yeh jo hai zindagi’; from briefcases to books to music to clothes. Eventually the ideas have run out. He has already acquired all the little oddities that he enjoys. I know a few things he would love, but had they been available, he would have had them already.
For many years, we as a family would shove off to Goa and celebrate his birthday there. I don’t think he has ever enjoyed his birthdays more than those. The first time we were there, some friends of his decided to get the hotel to make a cake for him; in the shape of a woman’s naked abdomen. I was mortified, I was also 11.
Another year, we had an impromptu gathering with some friends who were there as well, and some people who we had just met there. Someone brought a guitar, and the party was on in the lawn outside our cottage.
But Goa isn’t possible every year, so one year mom and I decided to make summer fun come to us. We had a party on the poolside of my grandparents’ house. Everyone swam and ate and drank and had a blast.
I don’t know when we will be able to celebrate his birthday like that next. But I do hope it is soon. Actually when I think about it, if I were to carefully plan this out, maybe I can put things together for his birthday next year from now! Not only will it be a great gift for him, but it will also ensure he spends this day as he likes best.
Looks like I have a goal for the coming year. I had better start cracking… Happy Birthday dad, thanks for inspiring me to do and be everything good… I love you! This time next year, I’ll wish you on the beaches of Goa…
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