So, I was hell bent that come what may 2011 Diwali has to be at Akola. Enough of the "Visit in Dec during Christmas" stuff..
S & S had already gone month and a half ahead to India and by the time I boarded the 15 hour flight from EWR to BOM they were at Akola. Flight landed fine but thanks to the Naxals, the train from BOM to Akola got delayed 8 hrs. What lay ahead was 8 sleepless hours at definitely the worst railway station ever - LTT. I bet even Akola station is 10 times better than it. Took Chetan Bhagat's book as companion for time pass but was more pissed off by the pedestrian writing. With all the hiccups finally reached Akola to a grand welcome.
First week of the vacation was meant for all travel. First visit was to "Ambejogai" our "Kuladaivat". Again it's been 4 years that a visit was due but 700 Kms in a day was little tough given the terrible road conditions.
Next lined up item was "Javla" function of my bhacha at Indore. And it was also the first time I was to see the 10 month old jewel. We decided to drive ourselves since the public transport facility to Indore have gone worse. And indeed it was a pleasurable ride with lots of Dhaba food along the way. Nothing in the city hotels can beat this raw taste on the dhaba.
Function was awesome and we had a special "Dal-Bafla" traeat for it, speciality of the Malwa region. Had some more visits to the relatives for rest of the time before finally catching some time at Indore Sarafa for some delicious street food in the late night.
After being back to Akola, had a visit planned to Nagpur and Durg. I had to visit my cousin sister since she is getting married few months later and I would be away in US during that time. It was a two day dash, first to Nagpur and then to Durg. Found Bhilai to be very interesting, quiet, clean and well planned town.
After all these rides, finally in Akola for the Diwali days. Nothing gets bigger than those 3-4 days at home. Pure fun, great food, excellent time with family and friends. It's really the place and time where your heart really belongs rather than all the superficial fanfare elsewhere. And we were joined by my sister and her family to add more sugar to the celebrations.
Sounds relaxing but Diwali days are also quite hectic but had a nice buffer of 3-4 days after the Diwali days to get relaxed and really charged up. And after that left for the last leg of the India tour which was Pune. My parents also accompanied us as they always do to Pune and Mumbai.
Reached Pune and had couple of days planned there. Caught up with some friends and also had some pending work to be get done.
Uncle who stays in Dombivli is the last destination on the route before the taxi rides to the Airport. As you are in Pune and Mumbai the rush is very crazy and hardly you find the time and peace to even talk at length. But that's how the life in urban cities is.
Finally the tour concluded as we boarded the same 15 hour rigour flight to US ..
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