Homecoming #1: Mumbai and Pune

I can't tell you how happy we were to finally be going to Mumbai and Pune to visit family.  I had really hoped we would get there sooner, but we really needed to be in Patna to see that every step was taken care of or it simply would not have gotten done.  I am certain of this.  Our flight had a layover in Lucknow though we did not get off the plane and the flying time from Patna to Mumbai was about 3 hours.  Anjali did fine on the flight.  She didn't sleep, but she had enough to keep her occupied.  There were some really fabulous billowy clouds on the way and we looked at them in wonder as we traveled through them.

My cousins Aarti and Sarita met us at the airport in Mumbai.  They gave us big hugs and a warm welcome.  Mumbai had always been our first stopping place on trips to India when I was growing up.  My Uncle Daji, who was a Superior Court judge settled there while Aarti, Sarita, and their two brothers Niranjan and Jaideep were growing up. We passed the apartment where they used to live as we traveled on the highway to Sarita's apartment.  We drove across the Sea Link bridge, a new cable suspended bridge that wasn't there when we visited in 2009.  The bridge reminded me of the Bay Bridge in the Bay Area.  We felt like we were back in the 21st Century again.

Sarita had a roomful of balloons waiting for Anjali as we entered the apartment.  This totally broke the ice for Anjali.  She couldn't resist playing with the balloons.  Then came the cake for her with candles and her name on it.  She felt so special and enjoyed cutting the cake and eating the frosting.  She warmed up to Sarita first who she followed into the kitchen and in no time Sarita was holding her.  Sarita's daughter, Ruhika was there for a bit before she had to go to class.  She is studying clinical psychology and also is the lead singer in a band!  We were able to listen to a recording of her singing and were so impressed.  Anjali is quite musical and perked up when the music came on.  Sarita made us a really delicious fish curry that evening.  When we finished Anjali spent about a half an hour playing with balloons with Aarti.  Both worked up a sweat from the back and forth game. We headed to bed early as the plan was to drive to Pune in the morning.   

When we woke up Raja, Sarita's husband was there as he had gotten in late that night from a business trip.  We had a quick breakfast and then headed out to Pune.  Mumbai hasn't really changed that much, but Pune has become a metropolis in my lifetime.  It has been India's fastest growing city for the past 20 years and I am blown away by how much it has changed and grown.  Predictions are that soon Mumbai will connect with Pune.  The highway to Pune was easy traveling and the area between Pune is mountain resort towns.  Big billboards were everywhere advertising getaways and vacation homes. 

We visited my aunt Akkamau first.  She is the oldest of my mother's sisters and sort of the head of the family.  She lives with my cousin Sunnu, his wife Archana, their college age son Arthava and their two big dogs, Max and Bruno.   She has been a great support for us sending emails to me filled with advice and messages of encouragement.  She was so happy to see little Anjali. We had a wonderful lunch prepared by Archana and Akkamau had made a couple of dresses for Anjali that she of course wanted to try on immediately.  My Aunt Vijimau called from Banglore who I had hoped to visit as well, but there was just not enough time.  My cousins Anu and Alka stopped by and then there was more cake for Anjali sent compliments of her aunt Suja.  There were two more meals served that evening even though we were told we would eat a light dinner!  Everyone made us feel so welcomed and Anjali warmed up to everyone very quickly.  It was as if she knew this was family.  She wasn't clingy and was fascinated with Max and Bruno, though didn't pet them until the next day. 

The following days were a whirlwind.  We went to the Pune zoo and went to a McDonalds afterwards.  Anjali didn't care too much for the food, but loved the playroom that had a trampoline and inflatable slide.  Everyone took turns holding Anjali and interacting with her at the zoo.  She had so much fun.  The following day my cousin Chitra paid us a visit on her lunch break.  Anjali and I were both coming down with a cold at that point, but having fun regardless.

The following day we spent the morning getting passport photos that we would need in Dehli and buying a few gifts.  We spent the afternoon with Akkamau and family then headed to my cousin Niranjan's house.  Niranjan is actually working in Australia right now, but we got to spend time with my aunt Taimau, his wife Shilpa and my nieces Tanvi and Janvi.  Then we headed to my cousin Anu's house for dinner.  On the way there we passed by the wedding hall where we got married which is near Niranjans apartment.   My aunt Surekha, cousin Shaila also came to visit.  We had a delicious south India meal.  

The following morning we headed for Delhi.  The visit was way too short, but I was so grateful to have had the opportunity to bring Anjali home to her family in India.  It meant so much to see everyone and they were all so loving towards Anjali and made her feel so special.  Anjali can feel proud of her culture and heritage knowing she has so many people who love her in India.  My generation in our family has spread their wings wide and far around the world.  I have cousins in Malaysia, England, Oman, Dubai, Australia, Canada and Bahrain.  Hopefully Anjali will have the opportunity to some day visit them all and we will definitely take her back to India when she is older.