A week ago I had one of the most wonderful experiences of my time in India - a visit to Shilpi's family in Lucknow. We were absolutely embraced by every family member, and I had the chance to speak Hindi, eat tons of homemade food, and live a few days as part of an Indian family.
Here we are at the airport with Shilpi's cousin Sonu. We were greeted by two families and received fresh flowers.
We stayed with Shilpi's mom's youngest sister, her husband, and their two sons Kittu and Vicki. Here we are with aunt (mausi), uncle (mausa-ji) and cousin Vicki.
The first day we spent lots of time shopping for clothes.
Here we are examining chikan, the famous embroidery of Lucknow.
Next we went straight to the tailor. Shilpi's mausi has been going to this same tailor since she was a teenager.
In two hours, I had a new kurta!
Later we went to the mall. Lucknow is a city changing rapidly, and the first four malls have been built in the last year. At the mall you can buy everything from clothes to veggies.
Sometimes the veggies are mis-labeled...
That evening, we began the major highlight of our trip - visiting ALL of Shilpi's relatives. Here we are with her Dad's oldest brother and his grandkids.
Next we visited her dad's next oldest brother and his wife and son.
Our final stop was at the home of Shilpi's maternal grandparents. Nani and Nana-ji. They were fantastic! By this time we had been fed three huge meals of food.
At this home live Shilpi's mother's brother and his wife and their four daughters.
Here we are with all the cousins!
And home at last in our newly purchased nightgowns.
The next day we were very tired.
But we got ready to go again! Here we are with another little cousin.
We went to visit a beautiful Moghul palace and mosque.
And took a ride in a traditional horse-drawn tonga.
That evening we went on a tour in a bike rickshaw - very common in Lucknow.
Here are two bike rickshaws.
And our final stop was a birthday party at the home of Shilpi's uncle's sister.
I got to wear my new suit!
And we danced a lot.
Here's the whole gang all dressed up.
And finally, it was time to go. We stopped on the way to the airport to say a final goodbye to Shilpi's nani and nana-ji. So sad, but hopefully we'll return one day soon.
Here we are at the airport with Shilpi's cousin Sonu. We were greeted by two families and received fresh flowers.
We stayed with Shilpi's mom's youngest sister, her husband, and their two sons Kittu and Vicki. Here we are with aunt (mausi), uncle (mausa-ji) and cousin Vicki.
The first day we spent lots of time shopping for clothes.
Here we are examining chikan, the famous embroidery of Lucknow.
Next we went straight to the tailor. Shilpi's mausi has been going to this same tailor since she was a teenager.
In two hours, I had a new kurta!
Later we went to the mall. Lucknow is a city changing rapidly, and the first four malls have been built in the last year. At the mall you can buy everything from clothes to veggies.
Sometimes the veggies are mis-labeled...
That evening, we began the major highlight of our trip - visiting ALL of Shilpi's relatives. Here we are with her Dad's oldest brother and his grandkids.
Next we visited her dad's next oldest brother and his wife and son.
Our final stop was at the home of Shilpi's maternal grandparents. Nani and Nana-ji. They were fantastic! By this time we had been fed three huge meals of food.
At this home live Shilpi's mother's brother and his wife and their four daughters.
Here we are with all the cousins!
And home at last in our newly purchased nightgowns.
The next day we were very tired.
But we got ready to go again! Here we are with another little cousin.
We went to visit a beautiful Moghul palace and mosque.
And took a ride in a traditional horse-drawn tonga.
That evening we went on a tour in a bike rickshaw - very common in Lucknow.
Here are two bike rickshaws.
And our final stop was a birthday party at the home of Shilpi's uncle's sister.
I got to wear my new suit!
And we danced a lot.
Here's the whole gang all dressed up.
And finally, it was time to go. We stopped on the way to the airport to say a final goodbye to Shilpi's nani and nana-ji. So sad, but hopefully we'll return one day soon.
2 comments:
Jenny, These are so incredible. We have been so busy here but LOVE getting your updates. This last one hit home, as it reminds us all that no matter where you are, Family is so very important. Keep on sending on.. Much love, Lucy
you rule, but deej where's the phone call? i have been waiting now for 9 days... wha happonnnn?
also, i love your suits of gold and royal blue. perhaps you could get me one...
love
triple x
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