Categories: Garam Masala TuesdaysHere & There

Garam Masala Tuesdays: My India Trip

October of last year I travelled to India for a 2 month vacation. A trip to Hyderabad and some adorable moments with my niece; Diwali and a wedding at V’s parents’ place in Delhi; a family get together for my niece’s second birthday at my parents place in Allahabad and some fun meetings with friends were the highlights of my stay.

Here are a few pics from that trip.

With my niece, in Hyderabad

Dinner with my brother and his family at Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad. Exorbitantly expensive but we had such a great time catching up and spent the whole night laughing. Was worth it.

Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, at V’s parents’ house in Delhi

Puja done to auspiciously commence V’s cousins’ wedding ceremonies.

Delhi was full of these pigeons everywhere. And I loved clicking them! There are many more pics of these birds, but thanfully for you I am sharing only two! (Taken from my iPhone)

(Taken from my iPhone)

Delhi was also full of stray dogs too. Cute little homeless stray dogs 🙁 (Taken from my iPhone)

Lunch at one of my favorite places in Delhi. Big Chill. And one of my favorite dishes there- Penne a La Vodka. (Taken from my iPhone)

Precious moments: My grandfather and his great granddaughter (my niece) in Allahabad. (Taken from my iPhone)

My mother with my brother’s daughter sharing a laugh. 🙂 (Taken from my iPhone)

My niece on her second birthday. In Allahabad.

The balloon theme cake and dessert table I did for my niece’s second birthday

A 6 layer chocolate cake filled and frosted with a vanilla swiss meringue buttercream.

Besides family, I also got a chance to take a few pics here and there.

Every time when I go to India, it always strikes me how someone staying there can not be humble about the luxuries that they have. Its always a reality check for me and all the problems and little things I cry over, because a minute out on the road in India you see so many people from different facets of life, dealing with much bigger problems than you and being more strong about it than you can ever be. You will see kids who should in perfect reality be in a school uniform taking down lessons, but instead are doing odd jobs on the street. You see people who are half your size pulling carts loaded with stuff ten times their size. But in all this sadness, you see life, you see hope, you see people struggling to make life better, you see people finding joy in simple things. And you learn. You learn so much.

I posted this image on my instagram with the title everyday daredevils. You see so many of them in India. This man is working with no safety harness or hard hat. Such is the value of his life. (Taken from my iPhone)

At Umeed, a non-profit school that is run for underprivileged children. Umeed means hope in English.

Students at Umeed.

A kid selling snacks in Allahabad

This Old Man. In Allahabad.

This young fruit seller. In Allahabad.

This old cart puller. Allahabad.

Somebody’s clothes. Allahabad.

This girl. Allahabad.

This daily wager. Allahabad.

Cycle repair shop. Allahabad.

This carpenter. Allahabad.

Someone’s mode of transport. Allahabad.