Chaitanya Rao's Outfit

Well I couldn't have been more surprised or pleased with what Chetan had delived to me to wear at our engagement. I was under the impression that he was just making a skirt to match the top that I had brought with me. Little did I know that the monkey had his own plans! It was a lovely outfit, and I felt beautiful in it. Many, many, many thanks go to Chetan and his tailors for the wonderful job on my engagement outfit. I can't wait for Chetan to get a comprehensive website up so that you all get to see his work... it's stunning. He is truly a creative talent, and I'm sure that his reputation in India will burst through those borders and he'll find himself in a whole new playground in no time at all. No need to limit yourself to just a billion people Chetan ;) xoxox, thanks again for everything.




Chaitanya Rao and I :)

Engagement...

What a slacker I know, but you can't imagine how busy and hot it was in India. If we weren't entertaining, visiting, going to a dental appointment or eating, we were sleeping. It was non-stop... but non-stop in a good way. I had an incredible time in India, especially at home with the family. I was comfortable from day one. I always felt that I was treated like a daughter and not a daughter-in-law and I couldn't have been happier with the family I received either ;)

The cultural differences were at times overwhelming, but I attribute alot of that to heat exhaustion too! Nothing like 44 degree humid heat let me tell you. The poverty is pretty hard to miss, it's all around you, unless you've settled in for the night at home. The pesty bugs around were a bit troublesome for me too, but mostly because I am unfamiliar with the creatures who exist in the hotter climates. There were a couple of tense show downs, but Ajay always came to my rescue. Hard to imagine me as a damsel in distress but if it's creepy and crawly I turn into jello and forget I have a backbone.

The food fair was very enjoyable, lots of different things to try, like mutton. Who would have thought that mutton would be so tasty? Certainly not me. But everytime I heard that birayni with mutton was going to be on the table, I started to salvate. I guess for those disbelievers you'll have to try it for yourself. The one thing that I had trouble adapting to was the fact that every meal had a savoury taste to it. Here in Canada or even North America for that matter, we find that there is something sweet at every encounter, whether it's syrup for french toast, french fries with ketchup or honnied carrots with dinner, there is always something sweet gracing our plates. I learned to comprimise with ketchup where applicable and toast with jam for breakfast, often accompanied by an orange or some watermelon.

The engagement was very special... it is much more than just an exchange of rings and promises to marry. It is more of a celebration with friends and family, and a welcoming into each other's family. It was quite unique and beautiful... I'm sure unless you see the video that I will be unable to do it justice in word. Needless to say, I don't see how it could have been any more meaningful to us, and I hope that we continue to look on tradition and our cultural nuances as blessings to us.

Me receiving my ring :)



Aju receiving his ring (that's right we each get one at the engagement)



The happy couple



The family shot :)
Papa, Shalu, Aju, Nanu, Sanju, Mummy and Kareena

Adendum

Here is a link to an article quoting Chaitayna Rao - the designer I mentioned. It's from 2005 but there is a picture there of him.

Part Deux....

Ok so I last left off with the arrival in Chennai... from there is has been a constant stream of visitors with well wishes, gifts and hugs all around. Honestly, aside from the Maritimes I don't think I've ever encountered a more friendly community. We've received calls from abroad in India, and been fed some of the most incredible dishes ever from friends just stopping by. And not to mention that you should be careful of anything you say you enjoy, because guaranteed it will be delivered to you in short order. :) I think it was day two when someone asked if I liked ice cream... this is me we're talking about... I can pass on a lot of stuff, but not ice cream, and especially not in this heat! So of course, I said that I loved the stuff... and the conversation moved on. Little did I know that Asha Aunty had placed a call to her driver and 10 minutes later low and behold we had strawberry ice cream delivered to us. Crazy cool, no?

In addition to all of the visitors we have also ventured out to various friend's places and I was ever so fortunate to enjoy Domino's pizza last night at Sid's. The restaurant chains are cooky here... we had a double cheese and pepperoni pizza, stuffed with some crazy sauce.... and then there was the Kima (spelling) pizza, which is some type of spicy mystery meat.

I can't even begin to describe the home cooked food we've been having... unreal. A lot of veggie stuff, but meat and fish thrown in too. And Mummy Jaan had a pasta dish made for me this evening, super sweet of her.

We went to have our rings made... and I swear to God my comment at the jewellry store was, "this must be where the queen shops" - it was well beyond my wildest imagination. Take any jeweller you know in Halifax and multiple the selection by 100 - no exageration. And of course the diversity of the pieces would just floor you. I wanted to take a picture, but Ajay felt that it would be frowned upon, so you will just have to take my word for it... INSANO. Our rings are simple and lovely... just what we wanted. We had the engraving done on the outside in Hindi, but it's not as deep as I would have hoped... so chances are we will have to have it redone in years to come... but we both thought that was a nice idea too :) Can't wait to exchange them on Saturday.

I go to get fitted for my new skirt on Tuesday, totally looking forward to that... he's quite talented from what I've seen of his work, and a very lovely person. As soon as his website is back up I'll post a link so you can see for yourself.

I've only done a little shopping since we arrived, since much of our time has been spent visiting... more to come soon I hope... still want to find something perfect for my parents.

It's quite late now, and Ajay and his friends are still downstairs playing cards.... it's so great to see him here and happy. I'll have to do my best to remind him of how happy we are back in Canada too when it's time for us to depart for the airport.

More pictures coming soon... just have to download.

Ciao!

Special Shout Out to My Mom

It was good to hear your voice today... things really are going great, but I miss you lots, and of course D and the boy.

I wish you were here to share in the fun with Ajay and I, but we'll be sure to do lots of cool things with you guys too once we're back. Maybe we'll have an engagement party or something?

Thanks again mom for always being there to take care of Marsh, aside from Ajay, there is no one I trust more to keep my baby safe and loved. I hope he isn't hogging the blankets too much at night... he does that ;)

Lots of love to you and D - and a super big kiss from Ajay and I to Marshy.
xoxox

Nan

ps... Ajay's friend who is a fashion designer is set to design a new skirt for the engagement for me, as I've already worn the one I brought. How cool, no?

pss... we really need to get you an email account ha ha ha

Family...

Ajay and I :)


Papa, Me, Mummy Jaan and Ajay


Mummy Jaan, Suraiya Aunty, Neerja Aunty, Me & Ajay

First couple of days....

Here are a few pictures:


This is us in Halifax, waiting to depart.


This is Ajay in Frankfurt making his escape!


9 hours in $%^#@* Frankfurt!


Ajay and Mummy Jaan


Suraiya Aunty, Ajay, Me, Mummy Jaan & Kareena


Lack of sleep is killer! :(

Ok, better late than never :)

Yeah yeah, it took too long for this post to arrive, but the truth is that we've been coming, going or sleeping since we arrived.

The trip itself was GROSS. Halifax to Montreal was uneventful aside from the fact that our video monitors weren't working, well half the plane at least... we did a lot of people watching in Montreal during our 4 and half layover, but it was fun hanging out with Ajay. Our flight to Frankfurt was a quick 7 hours across the Atlantic without much to comment on, other than we didn't sleep. We arrived in Frankfurt almost an hour early, thanks to some fabulous winds. The airport was pretty much dead at 6:30am and without very good signage, so we walked around a bit before figuring out where we needed to be for our next flight. Before that though I made the mistake of needing to pee... honest to God, not a word of a lie, it was like a metal outhouse that was just gross... but I was at the point of waddling and didn't think Ajay would appreciate me peeing my pants. And here is a little piece of info that everyone needs to know... we shared a hamburger and fries and had a coffee and tea respectively, with a cost of $25 USD - can you imagine!?!? ** WARNING -- do not eat in the Frankfurt airport, it's not tasty and they rob you blind** he next 9.5 hours would be THE longest of our lives... we plotted to kill our travel agent with increasing enthusiasm with every passing hour, and somewhere managed to get 2 hours sleep. Finally it was time to board our flight on Emirates. PHENOMINAL. The service was the best I have ever had in the air. The meals came with a beautifully printed menu, booze was free and unlimited, hot towels to refresh yourself, your choice of movies, games or music on your own monitor. It blew Air Canada out of the water. The 6 hours flew by, but we were increasingly cranky due to the loss of sleep. As soon as I stepped off the plain in Dubai all I could smell was oil... truly. It was midnight, and warm but not gross, but with a whiff of oil and almost a creamy feeling across your skin. The duty free in the airport was a zoo! People everywhere, and the cheapest booze I've seen ever. Two bottles of Skyy vodka for $20 US - you can bet that there will be some in our luggage on the way home :) The gold was beautiful, but not without it's cost.... everything is sold by the ounce, which is cool because you don't pay for the work that goes into making these very unique pieces. The flight to Chennai was jammed full with 450 people and I was very excited to be on our last leg. While in the air I saw, without any debate, the most splendid sunrise I've ever seen. It's hard to describe, but we were above the clouds which were black, and then the upper atmosphere was as well black, but what came in between was the complete spectrum of colours.... basically a rainbow (from the top, black to navy blue, medium blue, light blue, green, yellow, orange, red, crimson and then black again at the bottom). As the sun rose, the colous began to stretch apart and blend further into one another, until there was the most incredible yellow orange and the sun started to break through the cloud line as it displayed it's majesty. I wish we would have video taped it, but the camera was out of reach and we were semi close to landing. It is a memory I hope to carry the rest of my days... it's beauty was simply awesome. Customs and Immigration in Chennai was a snap, and I walked out to be greeted by my new family inclusive with flowers. How thoughtful no? Lots of hugs and kisses all around and we were on our way. Walking out of the air conditioned airport into the "fresh" air was like being hit by a train... and it was only 9:30am. I drove home with Mummy Jaan, Ajay with Sid and Papa and my new sister-in-law Shalu in another car. The traffic situation is terrifying. There are lanes on the road but they're more of a guideline than anything. Everyone beeps constantly and there are motorbikes zipping in and out between the cars... and yes there were cows!! I don't know how we made it back to the house alive....

...more on my next post, which now I've had some rest will be much sooner.
xo from Ajay and Nanette