Being local guardian of US boys

 http://dailypostindia.com/news/30507-being-local-guardian-of-us-boys.html                               

• 8/25/2012 5:23:33 PM

Not that the US-born-and-brought-up boys were coming to India for the first time, but that this visit was endearing and special one besides being a challenge of sorts. It had me have a mixed feeling—of taking the responsibility-at-home in India and making their trip enjoyable. Now as the date of my nephews’ flying back came close, I recall how excited we and them were about their visit. This was the first time when 11-year and 14 -year old Rohan and Varun respectively were travelling all by themselves from New Jersey to New Delhi. Add to this the Airline’s courtesy. Their mother was bit worried, as all mothers would be, the younger duo was super excited about their a month and half of wholesome unadulterated vacation, and on the sheer thought of enjoying freedom—a byword Americans live with.

We three had spent lot of time together earlier too during my US visits, but for the first time they were going to stay away from their parents for so long. We had decided to make their holidays a memorable experience. So that they did not feel homesick, did not get bored, and had a gala time here. On their arrival here what followed was a guarded week by extra cautious me. Above everything what I was worried most about was that they might not get sick because of any ‘unsuitable’ edible stuff. After this chary week of acclimatization, started the real fun with spicy Indian food, chaat-golgappas, movies, outings, visits to relatives and friends, shopping, excursions, and what not!

Every time they visit India, we try to show them different places to make them familiar with glorious history and vast spectrum of India’s varied culture. This time I decided to take them to Indian hills and so we went to the Queen of Hills–Shimla. With a splendid salubrious weather, breathtaking views, clouds floating around, narrow and steep uphill drive to Tara Devi and Jakhu temple, the huge Hanumanji’s statue, mischievous monkeys, horse-riding at Ridge, trekking to Glen-all this kept the boys action-packed and cheerful. And when they rated Shimla visit at eight and nine on a one to ten point scale, the effort seemed to be rewarding and well attended to with minute details. The short trips to other places in between maintained the entertainment quotient high and evaded boredom, which teenagers start grumbling about very soon if they do not find any pursuit to keep them occupied. Back in their India home what ensued was their Hindi learning classes with their Hindi professor turned principal maternal grand aunt. These were more of fun than the learning as they practiced Hindi hardly ten minutes out of the two hours stay at her place. Rest of the time was spent in her persuading them to study with lot of pampering in the form of candies, chocolates, mango shake, kheer, pakodas, and tandoori chicken. Time just flew with them. Now that their holidays are coming to an end what I dread is missing their fun-filled fulsome masti with massi!