Happy Birthday Communal Global!!

My favorite blog just turned ONE!!!!

Communal Global is what I look forward to everyday!!

The pictures by the lovely ladies at Communal Global inspire me,

motivate me to do  better...

All in all, they keep me going!!   

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COMMUNAL GLOBAL, MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE!!

or in German,

ALLES GUTE ZUM GEBURTSTAG!!

P.S: For those of you wondering whether I have left out the 'Y' in February in the header, well that's the month in Deutsch!!!

Sundays in my City..

Have you seen this vehicle before? It is an autorickshaw, a three wheeler. In short, we call it an auto. It is a popular mode of transport for us in India, much like a taxi. A ride in it is thrilling, thanks to the openness behind. During one of our trips to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, we were excited to see one on the cobbled streets of Germany.

Do you feel the same way as us, pretty excited when you see a familiar being from your homeland in a foreign country? We stood and admired it, wondering who it belonged to. The guy had also fitted make shift doors onto it. In India, we have no doors fitted to it. So, when the autorickshaw is actually moving, you have got to hold on to your seats tight. Otherwise, you will feel you are flying. And if you have jazzy music playing along, then even more the merrier..:D

In preparation..

Remember the post I had done here. Well, my daughter and I have been busy searching and reading blogs on how to make deco, flowers, centre pieces etc etc. When we like something we read, we just about get into action to see whether we can do it. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes not. At times, the result is beautiful, but not always.
    We both are having fun together preparing for the big day. You can see the sense of excitement building up in her. She doesn't tire and it is pretty hard to keep up with her pace. The moment she enters the house she says"Shall we make something for my big day??" I cannot imagine, how will it be, when the time comes for her to marry.

P.S: The roses are something which we made with paper and are planning to do many more. This was just a trial piece. The pot was painted by Anna.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Incredible India!!

I have never shared anything about my homeland on this blog. Well today marks the 62nd Republic day of India. When I first moved, I was astonished by the questions that were put forth to me by the people here...the most prominent being "Now that you are here, do you want to return to India??" At first I was aghast, then slowly realized how ignorant people were about my land. 

     India, with its rich heritage and diversity, from snow capped mountains to sun kissed beaches, palaces, temples, festivals, villages., the list is endless.....never fails to charm the foreigner. It is hard not to fall in love with India. 

The above advertisement presents to you my homeland in 2 minutes. It is my kids favorite and the only one which comes on our TV channels here. It portrays a tourist traveling around India, experiencing the land to the fullest. I wish i could explain the entire ad in detail. In the end, he says "Bahuth accha" which means "Very good" or "Very nice".
This post will give you reasons enough for us wanting to return HOME..

ENJOY!!!!!

   

Peek a boo..

Growing plants and nurturing them is quite challenging in Deutschland. Thanks to the winter and controlled temperature inside homes, am unable to keep the plants alive for long and no, I am not a plant killer..:( 

   When new life sprouts, like the one in my tulip bulbs, I am over the moon. I keep watch gently and cannot wait to see the first bud and then the bloom..:)

Sunday's in my city.

When a very good friend of ours informed us that he would be in Frankfurt over the weekend, we were more than delighted. Making new friends in a new country takes time. So when old friends pop in even for a very short time, it brightens our day and lifts up our spirits.

We headed over the weekend to Frankfurt to pick him up, already prepared with the sights we would be showing him around. And that would be the romantic city of Heidelberg. For the first time I wasn't keen on looking out the window during our drive. There was too much to catch up on and very little time. 

Heidelberg is famous for its University, Museums and the Schloss or castle which are now world famous ruins. After a meal at the kids favorite joint MAC Donalds, it was a pretty long walk over a steep mountain all the way to the Schloss. Cursing under my breath, pausing to take a shot or two in between, I was breathless by the time we made it to the top.

The castle is nestled on hills 300 feet  above the city. It is a combination of several buildings, each building highlighting a different period of German architecture. It is over 600 years old and had three destructions which brought it to its current state. The first two being due to wars and the third was a lightning strike.

From the castle and its gardens, you have amazing views over the city of Heidelberg and the Neckar river.

Weddings at the castle are allowed. You have got to book a spot in advance. I think it is one of the most romantic places to say I do.
After a guided tour of around the castle, we were told that the castle also houses the World's largest wine Barrel built in 1751 by the Prince Elector to house the wine paid as taxes by the wine growers. Made out of 110 oak trees, it holds  220,000 liters of wine (58,124 gallons) and has a dance floor built on top of it. Look how tiny we are in comparison with the barrel!!!

The day ended with a long walk on the old bridge and through the old town, walking, taking in sights and simply enjoying each other's company.

Weekly Winners

Tuesdays around the world...

If I was a Tulip

And you were wind’s-wings,

I would not count

My broken dreams,

But bless the coming spring.

I would let you see me

In colors-

Pink, yellow and red.

You’d find me blooming

By the riverbed

Or, down in the valley

By the little creek,

To make proud

The water falls,

To make you feel meek.

But strong winds

Of late May

Again could make me weak.

My petals scattered

On the ground

And gone in a week.

But I will come again

To let you see…

Life is but a circle,

I will bloom

Again next spring:

Isn’t it a miracle?

I would be happy

To know that you would

Touch my face

When the sun sets in.

I would feel you in full force,

Gently from within.

You would come to me

Each day-

Again to disappear,

But when the sun’s-rays

Touch at noon-

Again I would feel you near.