On leaving Lonavala, we realised that we had missed going to Tiger Valley (TV) where the views are spectacular, and it has leopards, but no tigers. There is also another Hill Station near Lonavala (LV) called Khandala, which is probably the same, as it is still on the western ghats. Fortunately, we saw TV, whilst speeding on the expressway.
Obesity is a burgeoning problem over here, commensurate with social status, the middle class. The masses (another horrible term used locally for for many ‘common’ men ) are poor, thin and lean. So the Kare resort had some middle class using Ayurveda and massages to lose weight, do yoga, and find the Self. And this is now becoming popular with westerners, looking to sort themselves out. The secret is that if you live like Kisumu Lohana Boarding what do you expect?
I would highly recommend Kare for those seeking the alternative experience, Ayurveda, weight loss, redemption, or have masochistic inclinations. And of course any seeking psychiatric assistance, excepting occasional wallies like ourselves.
Oh , at LV, we met an American Indian Patli, who told us that England has gone to the dogs, as they are allowing in too many Muslims. She happened to be flogging her yoga ‘movie’ for emancipation! She probably does not wear cotton socks, otherwise I might have blessed them.
My take on Hindu thinking is that it is inclusive (aatman is in all), and any exclusivity demonstrated by fanatics ( normally from the three Abrahamic religions), is unacceptable, and for Hindus it is outrageous. As MKG (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi) once said to a Christian, I love Jesus, but not all of the Christians that follow him.
The leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAM) Arvind Kejrival has resigned after 49 days, on grounds that he could not prosecute alleged corrupt powerful people. The papers summed it as ‘the Kejri wall has had a Kejri fall’. That’s sad, because the AAM represents the equivalent of the Arab Spring.
Back in Juhu, via Panvel, Navi Mumbai, Mahim, Sion, past Ghatkoper, we landed and the women are rushing to get to the Mendhi afternoon of Dhanraj Nathwani, Meena’s nephew, via her cousin Parimal Nathwani (PN).
A bit about PN. He is on the main Board of India’s largest Company, Reliance Industries, close confidante of the Ambani family ( one of the worlds richest family), and head of its oil refineries in Gujarat. On the side he also happens to be an MP for Uttarkhand, and has to go to do his Parliamentary work in Delhi with all it’s privileges. As Dhanraj is his only son, this wedding has the who and who of India coming over, not that any of the razzmatazz turns me on. However, I am going to soak it in, so will find out who turns tomorrow, so will report forthwith.
Slight change of subject , the tiki I referred to for Lonavala is called Chikki, not that it’s makes up for the ‘sinking of my lower mandible’. And India does not have 50 States, it’s about 28, overall still bigger than Europe, but less people per square kilometre.
As a reminder of abbreviations which is the norm here , STD, ISD, PCO, NRI, NRO, PIO, TV, LV, AAM, NaMo, MKG, PN, etc etc. This is infectious, and I am calling my journey VW, short for Vacation Wedding.
Tonight we had a Chinese meal with some friends at the Novotel next door to Sun N Sand in Juhu, and it’s so much better with a grander sea front and ambience, rather Ombience.