Thinking local
Off the shores 23
Winding up the Sojourn
Unwinding Life so much
Rajiva Shanker Shresta
We have not been out of home but to enjoy a walk around the neighbouring Park Monday afternoon to have the wonderful sight of bright snow-white spread all over the locality far and wide as far as our eyes could reach. Snow may last for quite a long time due to low temperature hovering around even though sun shines frequent enough these days. From my study I can have a long view deep inside the forest in between the neighbouring houses with some rows of juniper giving greenery for privacy to the deck behind though tall trees are stark naked birds flying occasionally. Wonderful view we have of the beautiful sunrise that turns sky crimson bright with clear sky not with a speck of cloud to be seen but stretches left by jet planes soaring high above in the dome seen covering the whole earth. Such a cover is not visible in our hilly place might be due to the surrounding tress and houses clustered together to mark the horizon. Or late in the evening birds seen flying v-shaped back to their nest to mark the end of the day after day-long search for food and something else more. Where would all these snow go melting slowly and gradually opening the window panes that covered almost half to pile up on the roof over the porch – must be helping earth go resourceful replenishing waterline below unlike our Himalayan glaciers going receding snowline and rivers dried up with unwelcome accumulation eating away embankments down their course. Hazards of thermal power plants could be seen fly ash piling up in the neighbourhood in the national capital but here it is nuclear power station to be seen standing tall next to the King of Prussia said to be largest mall in the US.
We have not been out of home but to enjoy a walk around the neighbouring Park Monday afternoon to have the wonderful sight of bright snow-white spread all over the locality far and wide as far as our eyes could reach. Snow may last for quite a long time due to low temperature hovering around even though sun shines frequent enough these days. From my study I can have a long view deep inside the forest in between the neighbouring houses with some rows of juniper giving greenery for privacy to the deck behind though tall trees are stark naked birds flying occasionally. Wonderful view we have of the beautiful sunrise that turns sky crimson bright with clear sky not with a speck of cloud to be seen but stretches left by jet planes soaring high above in the dome seen covering the whole earth. Such a cover is not visible in our hilly place might be due to the surrounding tress and houses clustered together to mark the horizon. Or late in the evening birds seen flying v-shaped back to their nest to mark the end of the day after day-long search for food and something else more. Where would all these snow go melting slowly and gradually opening the window panes that covered almost half to pile up on the roof over the porch – must be helping earth go resourceful replenishing waterline below unlike our Himalayan glaciers going receding snowline and rivers dried up with unwelcome accumulation eating away embankments down their course. Hazards of thermal power plants could be seen fly ash piling up in the neighbourhood in the national capital but here it is nuclear power station to be seen standing tall next to the King of Prussia said to be largest mall in the US.
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With our departure date nearing it makes us both little wondering if all our things would fit in the suitcases we brought and have to carry more from here than we brought here. With no plans for making much purchase I had brought things with me here that I find now extra with new articles added. We started with packing up collecting things in one room keeping well in mind more would be added by the time we are finally done. Some new additions, last moment purchases or things we have to carry along with those given by friends and relatives. We have to keep these within the limit allowed otherwise pay heavily for excess baggage which nobody would like to bear and dare as it is quite prohibitive too. Winter months made heavy woolens necessary here useful back home as well. We do not wish to leave behind anything as it would not serve any purpose here. Even the books given by Kiran Sitoula and Vimal for Jai Smriti Shodh Granthalaya/Karuna Guthi we have to carry besides the laptop bag and neck-pillows which both Rachna and Raman want us to carry to make the journey comfortable little more. He says even the journey to Siliguri these days takes such a toll on our mind and body forget about the risk to life itself if we are in a car with wrong hands on the NH10 that is accident/slide prone even during fair winter weather.
We were happy to know that Vipin’s parents reached home next evening with a layover at Abu Dhabi their Etihad Airways landed at Kochi from where Shoranur is just another two and a half hours. We would be reaching Bagdogra Friday afternoon after taking Wednesday 10pm (Thursday IST 8.30am) Etihad flight with three stop overs at Abu Dhabi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Our onward journey was hassle-free as our baggage was taken care of by the Jet Airways up to final destination JFK New York. This time we have to collect at Mumbai to take the domestic flight with time enough early morning.
Last Friday we had wonderful view of the snow covered Great Valley in the morning to drop Vimal to work as we wanted to go out for some groceries as the driveway allows only one while the other car is inside the garage with Sheshadri’s car still in the snow outside. We went to fetch him again in the evening taking many pictures as every view is so nice. Later we were with Ruru-Sumit for dinner and it was nice to see the baby Lilian born within weeks we were here have now grown lovely and smiling. Earlier in the Saturday evening Vipin-Priya with baby Reha visited us and we were with Shib-Anu and their baby Ishan born little earlier was equally pleasing and lively. It was little wondering how they manage to spare their time for us for the momo party with little baby and active 6-year Aisha. Dhokla and snacks as starters with drinks to while away sharing latest in and around the friend-circle, ladies got themselves more busy preparing momos wrap and minced meat fillings. Post dinner lot of information shared on different types of lentils/Dals from North Indian Abhishek from Delhi and Sib with his Nanital education background, Nepali varieties and their similarities by Ranjana and their position in the North East by Anu and Dawanka while Vimal shared about their varieties and use in Pune-Kerala. It wound up with the Coffee Cake baked home by Rachna like yesterday. I nearly broke my foot slipped in the ice on the road while crossing the walkway and saved a lot of trouble for myself and others as well. Rachna-Vimal had always been telling about the accidents take place in this season when I mentioned of the shining glassy sheet on the roof and driveway seen through my window in the morning.
Best part of the weekend that was the last for us here this sojourn was when early morning Nevi could not keep to herself the last minute development that was to be a pleasant surprise for us all but conveyed to her Bhauju. This kept Ranjana quite busy adding some culinary skills to delight them especially to suit their taste and health needs. We all were quite excited with this visit as I had been wishing it since our arrival here and the last weekend covered by the Blizzard confined us to our homes secure as the weather forecast had warnings that saw most of the eastern part had emergency declared and taken some 19 lives. Omdai, Renu Bhauju, Aren-Asha with Arisha and Aryanka were here followed by Nevi-Bipin with Vidit on driving wheel as usual ever since he could be of age allowed. It was great joy to see Jwala bahini accompanied Omedai while Deepadi joined Nevi. Achyut completed my cherished list of near and dear ones from Kumhal Tole Birgunj family with whom I personally shared most of my early days that never goes without mentioning the love and care my Nini, their loving mother showered on me. Sometimes it used to be even over her children to have best portion of delicious food like steaming hot meat and a spoon more of yummy Haluwa Nini prepared on special occasions during the chilly winter weather that bites the Terai belt of Nepal. They brought gifts not only for us and those back home in Sikkim but the best was the surprise to come out from Nevi when she laid out a beautiful fruit cake written Happy Belated Anniversary artistically as they could not be here last weekend due to the Blizzard. Every one of us enjoyed it as we cut the cake to the reciting of mantra wishing us in a jovial manner to make everyone laughing out. We usually do not celebrate our anniversary in such a manner but to ourselves every year but this time it was something unique and it had to be. Reason, not simply because we were with the family who had witnessed our marriage solemnized but also for the first time here with them in the US after four decades that flew off like the present sojourn of 25 wonderful weekends this time!
Love and care received here abound from friends and relatives to unwind that made us quite enthusiastic and cheerful to move ahead with our life/journey. Blessed to have such a lovely daughter Rachna with Vimal to making it possible to see all these this day!
Disclaimer:
This is author’s personal account of memories updated to cherish and treasure often on a detour here and there en route to share the joy of the journey called life while in the US. Some names, quotes, places and events mentioned are just to connect with and no malice whatsoever intended. He can be reached at [email protected]