Thank you Sydney!

Being in the concrete jungle, my father and I always yearn to go on vacation to a place where man lives in perfect harmony with his kith, kin and nature. A place where chirping birds wake you up from the bed, awesome schools & work places to keep us busy during the day and the loved ones around you during the weekend. A place where nature trails, multiplexes and friends are at stone’s throw away. Yes, we wanted to have our cakes and eat it too J. Such a place appears far too ideal to exist… or is it?

After constant prodding by all of us here in India, my lazy father made an attempt to go to Sydney to spend a weekend. When has my father’s attempt to do anything right the first time been successful? This time was no different this time as well … His halfhearted attempt to meet my lovely aunts failed miserably, thanks to the project he is working on. His project is as unorganized as him. When we all gave him thinking that he would never go to Sydney and would claim that he never found time to go, he managed to surprise us by booking his tickets to Sydney yet again for the long weekend. Overjoyed, we were keenly waiting to see Sydney through his eyes.

My father’s Sydney trip was just perfect. Starting from the day he landed in Sydney, till the time he boarded the flight to India, Carlingford and Westmead offered unlimited warmth, love and hospitality. All his apprehensions about how the trip would be vanished the moment the Prasanna Mama coming on time to pick my father up at the airport.  Every moment was near perfect. The fun filled barbeque night at Sasi athai’s home and the hospitality showered by Rajan mama, the short rendezvous to Uma athai’s business house and the intellectual conversations with Shekar mama, the long drives along the coast of pacific ocean with Radhika Athai garnished by the delightful and open conversations with Prasanna mama, the awesome food and fun filled game of carom with the little ones at Hema athai’s house, and all this capped by a touch of spirituality offered by the temples around Sydney shall remain treasured in  my father's mind for a very long time.

What’s equally special about this trip was the locality in itself. Sandwiched between the bustling city of Sydney and picturesque Hill district, Carlingford & Westmead exhibits perfect harmony between man and mother nature. We certainly look forward to spend more time here in the future. 

 All my cousins have something very unique. The academic capabilities of Niva akka, the creative mind of Gaya akka, the hospitality and the business minds of Jagath anna, the meticulous organization skills of Sharan anna, the vocal skills of Shellah akka and the nimbleness of Skanda have left an eternal impression in my father’s mind. And am sure he would torture me to be like you all J. Thank you for the warmth and hospitality you showered on my father, we look forward to host you when you come to India.

 As I sign off, for all my bright teen cousins looking forward to accomplish great things, I wish you the best in all your endeavors. While this time around, it was my father’s pleasure to meet you all, there is not an iota of doubt in my mind, that in the future, you would achieve so much that my father, mother and I would consider it an honor to know you and be a part of your success.

Loads of Luv, hugs and kisses…

Azad….