Day 75: Relaxing at Marz and Aarti's

My morning was nice and relaxing...I woke up early after a nice night at Marz' parents' place. Marz, Aarti and Kyle were sleeping so I let them rest and the maid brought me a cup of tea, which I enjoyed with the Sunday papers.  The simple pleasures in life are often the best.

Day 74: Getting towed in Koregaon Park

I was kidnapped - by relatives only, don't worry - on Friday afternoon and thus unexpectedly stayed the night in the suburbs of Pune. Once everyone finally got ready to go this morning, and after a long journey that involved me being left alone for an hour with a nice girl who spoke no English (but we seemed to have a lot to talk about anyway), I finally reached Koregaon Park around 2PM (four hours later than I had hoped). Mangesh parked the bike outside German Bakery so that we could pick up my mobile, and ten minutes later, the bike was nowhere to be seen. We instantly realised it had been picked up by the municipal corporation because it had been parked in a no-parking zone. Not that it had been signposted or anything; you're just meant to know these things. Anyway, so this was a regular occurrence when I lived in Pune in 2004, and it just meant taking a rik to where the bike was meant to be held. Once the truck (in the photo) was full with illegally parked bikes, it came to this lot where we paid off a small ransom to the guys holding it.

Day 73: Two wheeling action

Your intrepid heroine has had quite a trip to Pune so far. Today was spent first relaxing chez Irani, where I was served tea and nashta, then played with young master Kyle Irani before his papa Marz and I dropped him at nursery. I then went to the hallowed German Bakery for their famous apple strudel and chai. And then eventually, after much internet time, I was picked up by Mangesh for a trip around old Pune and then out to the suburbs. I had almost forgotten how cool it is to ride a two wheeler in Pune...no helmet, no seatbelt, just plain fun. You might be able to catch a glimpse of me in the mirror...yes, I was holding on and taking photos, and even talking on the mobile at the same time! You know me, the ultimate multi-tasker, even without the Blackberry. (Health warning: don't try this at home.)

Day 72: Soumitra and me at Vama

Sorry about the poor quality but this is my nephew Soumitra and me. We are in a sari shop called Vama on Laxmi Road in Pune, where I bought a gorgeous blue and purple sari. I cannot wait to wear it! Sadly it will take some time before I can, because the sari needs to be prepared for me. For now I will admire it and imagine how lovely it will all be.

Day 71: Watching history being made

Although I am a day ahead of most of my friends in the US and the UK, I was lucky enough to wake up in time to watch the election results. Needless to say, I am overjoyed and thrilled. Watching my very own hometown on the TV was moving...I think the most emotional part for me was seeing everyday Chicagoans with tears running down their faces. It may sound twee or sappy, but I am so very proud to be an American. And although I am travelling from Bombay to Pune today via train on a very picturesque trip, there's nothing I'd rather post today than the photo above.

Day 70: Shopping in Bombay

Although I usually shop plenty in Bombay, today I bought something quite special. I decided to purchase some gold jewelry this trip. Last time I was here, the price of gold was phenomenally high, and it had come down somewhat since then, so I felt it was a good time to make a move. Also, as you know, we are in desperate times economically speaking, so I really do feel it's my job to do my part in turning things around. Thus I bought these lovely gold bangles. The photo doesn't do them justice...they have a quiet glow about them. I love them!

Day 69: The memsahib has arrived

After a frantic rush to Heathrow on Sunday, I reached Bombay without too much bother on Monday around 1pm. Luckily I was so worn out after the weekend, I slept nearly the entire flight. After having pav bhaji and freshening up at my uncle's house, I went to the Willingdon Club to relax. I was about to fall asleep in the library so thought I'd better get outside. I told my uncle I was going to take a taxi to the mall. He had a few words with his bridge partners, and suddenly I found myself not in a Padmini but instead in an airconditioned car with a driver (whom you see in the photo). Ah, I needed this.

*edited to make it a bit brighter, for my dad!*

Day 68: Goodbye

Things I left behind in London:
my camera case
my cloche hat
my heart

Day 67: Saturday night at the Pigalle

Saturday was a manic day. I first had to finish packing up the house in the morning, which would have been alright except that I slipped in the shower and found myself on the floor with my head against the wall. It wasn't pleasant, and I still am a bit traumatised by the experience. Anyway, so my friends Tracey, Rudi, and Gigi all helped me get packed up and sent on my way to London. After travelling through the pouring rain to Harrow, and then back out to Central London, I finally ended up an hour late for dinner. But it was alright once I finally sat down and relaxed. And following dinner was dancing at the Pigalle. Which, like the rest of the night, was amazing.

Day 66: My last day of work

Today was my last day in the office. One of my very dear clients sent me a bottle of champagne, which we opened around 5pm tonight. One British tradition I have been introduced to is to put a 50p (or 20p) piece in the cork as a remembrance of the bottle. We did this today for me and I am going to keep the cork to remember my last day in Edinburgh. I can't quite believe it's over, but it really is. On to London tomorrow!