23rd Sep: Time flies at Toronto .

Another weekend & we take off to Yorkville, the quaint Victorian architecture which houses dozens of restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. We walked around hoping to spot some celebrity since the Toronto International Film Festival was on …...but guess, humare samne saab phike paad gaye & couldn’t take the competition!!:-)

I can sooooooo live at Bloor Street & Cumberland street. Just about all the designer’s are here & someday …. Like Anwer said …. This Devil shall wear the Prada!!! Amen to that!!!

China town, largest in North America, reminded me a bit of fashion street. However, we did discover some cute shops & is a fun place to walk around. There are probably  more Chinese here than China itself!!!!

We drive through the length of  Younge street, the longest street & pass Dundas square, Toronto’s Life Square, which is Toronto’s answer to Times square!!! Also, go across to the country side of Milton (where I went hunting for Milton ke flask!!he he ), & checked out some of the Indian Reserves & saw the small ski slopes of the area.

Meet up with Jayesh’s sister Pallavi, her husband Vijay bhai & son, Chirag & his friends. Missed meeting Jay, though. Dinner was a mix of  Punjabi fare & Gujrati , where we all overate!!! Was a fun evening with everyone getting to know everyone. With Rayan doing masti as usual, which lead to some major horror stories about Chirag as a kid!!! Pigged out & also got home a dabba full of Dhokla!!!!!

The Past continues to meet the Present. Meet up with Subhash Ganguly ,after about 20 odd years. Both of us wouldn’t have recognized each other, have changed since college, but was a afternoon where we did exchange notes. Wish his daughter,Sonya hadn’t fallen ill , then would have met her & his wife, Eithna. But his meeting us , has once again connected us to his mom….. Leela aunty called us from Bolton & she hasn’t changed either , sounds just the same …. & hoping to meet her in Kerala sometime in February!!!! Another holiday waiting to happen , I guess!!! ;-)

And meet up with Rafeal & Joanne. Last I met Rafeal was at the ashram, around 7 yrs back. Rafeal is a musicians & can play quite a few instruments. Was lovely talking about the days in the ashram & how life has taken him through, living in the ashram …. to making a mark in the IT industry today !! Yehi hai Zindagi, meri jaan …..

Since Monday was a holiday for Osman, took off with him & Rayan to Casa Loma,built by a wealthy Toronto businessman Sir Henry Pellatt in the early 1900s.Named ,the "House on the Hill", it  boasts of central AC and an Elevator, even in those times. Has a wonderful history behind it & does look like a castle!! Walked all the way to the top of the castle & Osman was not very happy walking up & down the spiral steps … dizzy that child was!!! Saw a photo shoot happening at the Conservatory … would have taken some pictures, if the model wasn’t such a sad looking anorexic types.

From there went to Hockey hall of Fame, which one can skip, unless one is inquisitive about Ice Hockey or is a die hard fan!!! Took a few nice pictures & that’s that … koi interest jo nahin hai hume ….  and poor Osman had no choice but to come back with us!!

African Lion safari was with Rayan & that child had a blast. Loved watching the elephants do their tricks & went racing with a Bird of Prey!!! It’s got all these animals from various parts of the world living in their natural habitat!!!A place where we are caged in our cars, while the animals roam free in the 50 acre reserve!!

We are ushered out of the house by Noori & Anwer. Thinking we are going for a short drive around the country side, we end up at Niagra Falls. Its nature at it best, an intimidating experience, to see the power & strength of the falls. Maid of the Mist, is a must, to feel the droplets of the falls shower upon you, the mist that is created at the base of the falls, the Horse Shoe Niagra falls which can only be seen from the Canadian side!!!Next time, I would like to spend a night here, to enjoy all the other attractions, including trying my luck at the Casino!!! 

Osman making me a star with his friends, who came home to meet me …. Met a couple of his friends this time & next time, will make it a point to meet all his friends!!!

Its time to say Adios to Toronto , and a heavy hearted goodbye till we meet again to Anwer, Noori, Osman & Rayan. Without them this trip would not have been much to write home about. They made us feel a part of their family. Today, I can say that they are an extention of my family!!!

Warmth that touched my heart was … Rayan crying at the airport when we said our goodbye’s & Osman , giving me a side hug & saying “ Aap ke saath bahut maza aaya”!!!

Now, it is Reading calling with Kashi Uncle waiting for us at EWR!!!!!

Trivia………. Casa Loma was used as a location shoot for the 2002 movie Chicago.

Highlight …. Noori’s version of Meat Biryani , Lajawaab!!!

Highlight….. Ganesh Chaturthi was on 15^th Sep, so we did our little puja & Mom put tikka on her forehead & mine. Rayan was playing outside the room, decide’s to check what we were doing , spots me with the Tikka & says “ Aunty, You have Fire on your forehead!!”, with a complete look of awe!!! To say that it took me sometime to send him away from the room & get back to the puja, is , welll…….. another story altogether!!!

Highlight …. An ostrich decides to scare us by coming towards the car, saying something & then pecking at the car & window!!!! Thak the lord we were caged inside the car , warna humara kya hota , Kalia …………

14th Sep: The city of Toronto..

Weekends are family times, 2 days when we can spend the entire day together!! And thank the lord that Anwer has his own company, can afford to take off even during the weekdays.

Took off, on the weekend to Eaton Centre. Why is it so famous …..don’t even ask me, coz in my books , its just another Mall !!! But was interesting driving around the downtown area, where for the first time in so many days, we actually hear the impatient car Honks…. Humare raste ki yaad diladi !!!!! Next day was dedicated to shopping for the week & buying some decorations for the house & painting stuff for me…. Let me see if I can manage to do a decent enough job with the 3 canvass we have bought!!! Walmart here is better equipped than the one’s I have been to US of A, including the quality!!

Anwer has become our self appointed official host (not that we are complaining!!), he has made it his call to make sure he takes us around every distinct attraction, even if it kills him. Considering the poor chap, half dead & dying still took us around through Ramzan with the fasting, which began on 13^th Sep.

CN Centre, 1815 feet free standing tallest building. An imposing structure…. One has to give it to the people who have a vision and actually create something like this!! Kitna dedication, discipline, patience …. Just about everything that helps a vision come to Life!! Was fun watching everyone skeptical about walking on the glass floor deck for an eye view of the city at 1122 feet… which also includes mother dear ….. who, Anwer & I, thought would faint with Vertigo!!! Just imagine walking across a glass floor & looking down straight at the ground below …. Take’s a while to get use to it ……

Rogers Centre, with the world’s first fully retractable roof , looks better from this vantage point . As do the Harbour, the impressive buildings of downtown, the Islands ……  the complete city!!

CN Tower & The Cathedral Church of St. James’ spire, the oldest & the second tallest church, are structures that look over the city at all times!!!

Couple of days disappear with me painting & helping Osman paint his first canvass, which comes out real nice. Rayan takes off from going to his play school & gives company to Mom!!! Take off for a late night show of Bourne Supremacy & another day for a late night Coffee ….. just like we do in Bombay!!!

Royal Ontario Museum was an eye opener. They have redone this place & the bldg is modern & impressive. With collection, artifacts, galleries, natural habitats …. Fantastic display…. If only we could learn from them & make our museums as interesting & informative!!!

Modern & old architect do give this city a European touch.

Highlight….. a sea gull deciding to take a photograph with me at the CN Centre, wasn’t scared & made sure it gave us a perfect profile!!!

Highlight …. Rayan pressing mom’s leg, applying pain relief ointment coz she had sprained it & was in pain, she still hasn’t got over it!!!

Highlight…. Seeing pictures of the Dalian gang when they were in school …. They look so different & funny, I could just about recognize 3-4 of them!!! How everyone has changed … so grown up ….. then again … maybe not …..

9th Sep: Relaxed paced of affairs ..

4^th to 7^th is spent at Dharmali’s. Go to Hritik’s school & make a friend there too!!! Mom & Uncle, do a lot of soul searching, while Dharmali & Anish get set onto the adjustment mode of new home & new job’s!!! It’s interesting to watch Tanmay’s fettish for keeping things in order ….god save the woman he marries!! ;-)

We do a session of chanting the Gurugita ,a gift to the new home by us!!! A fantastic spicy dinner at  Anjappan Chettinad place near their home. But nothing can beat Dharmali’s typical Gujju roti !!!

Then off we go to Anwer’s, bag & Baggage! Since it is a Friday, we eat at the most typically typical Indian Chinese,  place called …………….. Bombay Chopsticks, talk about homecoming!!! Our plan of going to downtown Toronto goes kaput coz of traffic!!! Once again …. No one dare complain about Bombay traffic …. Every city has its own rush hour & one can be stuck in that for Hours!!! Hummmm

It is visit to downtown Toronto, drive through the area, go to Eaton Centre (just another Mall , if you ask me!! ), drive around an area near Mississauga, which is known for its most Posh Homes …. They really were something else … most impressive!!! (Anwer Mian should be getting one home here in the next 5 years or less!!! ) Have crossed my fingers & eyes already for that!!!!! J

Spend half a day at Anwer’s office (very chilled), trying to understand what they do … still more to understand !!!! Noori is the face & Anwer , the heads on man!!!!

The walks with Osman at the park, while making friends with anyone with a child or a dog!!!! 

Highlight…. Osman hunting for the man or the machine!!! Saw a real cool convertible Lamborghini at Montreal, with the person driving the car, missing…..  and once we find any one of them , we shall both just have to go for a drive!!!! Just have to ….

Double Highlight …. This home is such a complete mini India, one can’t miss Bharat desh mahan …. And haven’t spoken so much of  shudh hindi, for the longest time , coz no one is allowed to speak in English in this house!!! devaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Atlast …. Mom has found a home, where Dad can actually have a fantastic time. She is totally taken in by all 4 & can see Dad chill out here, walking, gardening, talking shop with Anwer, getting spoilt by Noori & adoring 2 kids, who will keep him on his toes all the time!!!

3rd Sep: Meet Leo after about 15 years!!!!!

What is with this trip of mine??? I am meeting friends after 15yrs and more …. Some reunion this trip will end up for me!!!

Leo, was dot on time. Nine in the morning & he calls from the lobby. Osman & I, go down. I am not even sure I will recognize him, but he hasn’t changed much … and like he says … nor have I !!! We exchange news, loads to share, then Osman & Leo, talk about the history of Toronto & Montreal !!!! And so, it is decided, that after breakfast we shall go & visit the Museum of Archeology ( Pointe-a-Calliere), something that Osman has been wanting to see for the longest time!!!

With Leo as our self appointed guide, the tour is fantastic. We see the creatively made 16 minute film that gives an overview of the history of Montreal from the ice age to present day. From there, we head downstairs through the old foundations of the buildings, the museum is built on the site where the original colony began back in the 1600s, with Leo telling us all about the fascinating history of Montreal. He sure knows his stuff & one can see, he absolutely loves Montreal!!! ( However, at the end of it all, one thing is for sure, we have more history, more artifacts, more natural resources, more of everything, if only we knew how to market them, proper infrastructure, give them hype, make it larger than life …….)

More time & we would have gone to visit Leo’s sister & family…. But that is left for my next trip, during the Jazz or Firework festival, including spending time at Leo’s farm!!! As of now, It’s alvida with Leo, and a definite promise of making a fast re-entry to Montreal asap types!!!

Coz, still have to see some of the other museums ( a good idea is to take the  Montreal Museums Pass, which gives free access to 30 Montreal museums)!!

Then there is, the Night life (ahem) , Walk all the way to the top of  Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Watch Notre-Dame de Montreal Basilica’s , sound & light show called … And Then there was Light!!!

Nickname … I am being called the official Caffeine drinker by Osman, considering all he has seen me do is drink filter coffee in the room & more caffeine at Tim Hortons ( which , btw is Rayan’s favourite drinking place for French Vanilla espresso !!!! ) J

Highlight… Anwer being tailed by 2 women, who, I guess decided was the perfect pilot car, till Anwer decided to loose them & drove as if the highway was a Formula 1 track!!! And just when he was through, we saw 2 BMW’s snaking their way at top speed in the crazy traffic of the highway ….. humme toh big time bambai ki yaad aa gayi!!!

2nd Sep: A city that has something for everyone ..

Wake up to a warning by Anwer that if Noori & I, keep whispering & giggling all night long, the boys in one room & girls in another will not happen!!! Seems we are worse than the kids, who slept like such angel’s!!!! sighhhhhhhh ……..

It’s a 3 hour city tour, where we get a first hand insight into the contrast between old and new architecture. Cobbled streets in Old Montreal, horse-drawn caleches ( humare Bambai ke Victoria ke bhai bandhu hain yeh), the museums, the Cathedrals, the Golden square of Downtown Montreal, the Mount Royal park, the universities, the Casino’s, the amusement parks, Bio Dome, Olympic park, as is customary in every city…. China town & a whole lot more!!!

We then make our own way through the city. Check out the absolutely fascinating art galleries, with the most unusual eye catching paintings, interesting local artifact shops. Walk through the underground shopping mall,that forms the Saint Catherine Street, which also boast of some major shops on the main street.

Drive around Mount Royal Park, where every Sunday, the park gears up for performances by local musicians & a bazaar(typical local flavour), with the gleaming cruciform tower(Palace ville marie), watching all this action & a wrong turn took us to a crescent, which had the most amazing looking homes, with a beauty of a car standing on most driveways….

From there to the best Fish n Chips & French onion soup that I have eaten in a very long time at the Place Jaques Cartier square. Later drive through Sainte-Catherine Street West,a highly notable nightlife area between Mackay St. and Peel St. where nightclubs, bars, restaurants, movie theatres, shopping, and a lot more interesting places are located.

Trivia … Christ Church Cathedral at Saint Catherine Street…suffered from important engineering flaws & the soft ground could not support the heavy central stone tower and steeple, which began to subside. New foundations were poured while the complete Cathedral was suspended in mid air & the underground shopping mall was also constructed. The Cathedral stands tall because of the mall!!!

Anecedote… while showing us one of the cathedral which has been converted into residential apartments now, the tour guide asked us , if we cud guess how many Nun’s were still living there …. The answer was a total PJ … NONE!!!! J

Highlight… Osman insisting that the man who was dressed like a preacher, standing in one position with his outstretched hands , ready to give a Hug, with a placard next to him saying … Free Hugs.. was not a real man!!! Till I showed him otherwise & a bet of 5 dollars … which we decided to give the man after he gave Osman a Hug … but it was Rayan who went without a blink of an eye for the free hug followed by Osman!!!! Free Hugs are to be passed on … anyone for a Hug???

1st Sep : Montreal.. the very very French city of fun n frolic..

We take off early morning. It’s a long drive, but time has a way of flying when there is a CD of Kishore Kumar & Mohammed Rafi, belting out all the popular numbers, hand picked by Anwer for that special someone from his school/college days!!!! Hummmmm

Noori & I, shall figure that out soon enough. And then there are loads of gupshup that flows between us & the kids , with stops for Coffee & lunch at Pizza Hut, where , Osman, Rayan, Noori & Rita, try their hand at coloring …. Trying to outdo one another …. We still haven’t figured out, who was the best!!!!;-)

Anwer has booked us at a place called Saint Sulpice, which is at Old Montreal. The hotel is nice and Old Montreal…. Stunning!!!

We take off for a walk by the river side, at the Old Port area, with its marvelous architecture of Grey Stone buildings. Spent time watching the boats, jet ski’s , performance of the dragon dance. Walk across the defunct railway track, the gardens. Next is, Place Jacques-Cartier, where there are so many street performances & the place is lined on both sides with various Café’s & restaurant’s. This Square is brimming with Vive la Joie!!! With Anwer ready to throw me in the water, so that I can be rescued by a good looking chap, who has the best boat on this river….. free fund main ride for all of us!!!:-)

Off for dinner at a place called Dev, run by a Sikh family. Place is set to look like a complete Dhabba & food so desi, thought I was in one of the Dhabba’s enroute from Delhi to Kashipur!!!

Highlight…Beauty was when we asked for spicy gravy, the Lady got the gravy  separate, coz the kids would not be able to eat spicy………… Trust an Indian Mother to think like this ……. It only happens in India!!!!

Too Too funny …. When we check into the hotel, we are given the most sort after room in the entire hotel & considering We the Dalians are checking in, they have to give us the Best….. the Room No. is ……….. 420 !!!! LOL……

1st Sep: Where ever I lay my hat . that's my Home ...

It sure is, from UK to US & now Canada. Every home in every country, has become my home, so much of apnapan … so much pyaar … amazingly awesome!!! And the same shall continue till the fag end of my journey, that’s for sure!!!

Reached Toronto at Dharmali’s on 31^st Aug, & just cannot believe I am actually at her home. Meeting Anish, Tanmay & Hritik is fine, but meeting Uncle here is too much …. Am not sure if I am in Bombay or Toronto!!! Its still settling in for them in their new home , all of a week old , we are her first guests!!!!

Evening time & meet Anwer’s family for the first time. Noori is the kind , who can make one feel completely at ease…. Wonder Anwer mian ne kitni manattein mangin thi, ki unhe aise sahi biwi milli!!! And as usual, the kids, Osman ,Rayan & I click, like, peas in a pod!!! 

It’s bonding time between everyone at Dharmali’s & then I am whisked off by Anwer to Montreal the next day, while Mom chills out at Dharmali’s. Once again, I feel completely at home at Noori & Anwer’s!! Aisa laga hi nahin ki I was meeting them for the first time!!!!!

What name would you give these bonding’s????  Unconditional relations…. Wow …..

29th Aug: Dad's Birthday celebrations..

Started off yesterday, Rakhi celebrations with Mithun, who took us around Maryland’s interesting farmland & the riverside.  The drive is alongside carpets of cornfield, which end at dense forest lands. The roads are typical countryside, narrow, winding, giving one the feel of a roller coaster ride, considering Mithun was driving at his speediest best, making sure my tummy did double turns at every dip on the road!!!! 

Today, he takes us to Monotac river point, where we saw a few people canoeing, which was interesting. And, even though Mithun was sure I wouldn’t be able to cross the river, I managed quite well on all four & scaring the chottu chottu machliyan  …. There is no ways I plan on breaking any limb of mine in a foreign land!!!! If Mithun had told us about this place, we would have definitely made it into a nice picnic, with pukka bonfire, khanna & drinks!!!

While Daddy gets his surprise party organized by Ashaji, Rony Uncle , Ruchi, on his 70^th birthday, at Wellington Club, where he cannot help but grin & recover from the shock of seeing his second born ( complete surprise for him!!)  & the invitees of a few of his favourite’s!!!  We party with Shabnam’s friend at a Thai place & then get back home to partying with Montu da & Mom.

Trivia …. The quality of food is definitely better at London!!!!

Trivia…. If one was to drive, even by mistake, onto anyone’s land, Maryland gives the residence of their county to shoot at sight!!!!

Highlight…. Here was Mithun thinking that I would fall in the water, but it was Mithun who just about managed to keep his balance n not slip in the water !!! ahem … don’t take punga’s with me, is wot I say!!;-)