We had some friends that moved from Toronto to Montreal area. So, my sister Lakshmi who was doing her Ph.D in Botany at the University of Toronto at that time decided we go to see the Expo (click on the word Expo to see the wiki details) and this was prior to my adventure trip to the Maritime provinces. We stayed with that family, took a bus to the Expo grounds. The first night, after seeing the largest escalator there, I had a nightmare and started screaming in my sleep. The house hold thought that I had gone mad. I enjoyed 'The habitat' the most. The labyrinth was my next favorite. What is a Labyrinth? Click here. As I write this, I am remembering a few things. I did not even think about these in the last 4 decades!!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Fredericton, NB and Halifax, Nova Scotia
Now I left the safe zone of being with a family. My next halt was at Fredericton. My contact here was the Dean of women's residences. I met her in her house, she took me to the campus, the mathematics dept. etc.
In the Math dept. I met three young men and a woman, students from Southern part of India, where I came from. They were very excited to meet and talk with me. I still remember their comment - "your visit is like a breeze of fresh air for us". Any time I feel low or down, I should remember the 'glory' of my past!!!!
I have seen mostly, Churches, Art galleries, Campuses in all the places on this trip.
In Halifax, I stayed at the local YMCA. It was $7.00 per night, shared with another woman. When I checked in, I was the only one in the room. After I returned from the day tour, visiting the Campus, the light houses, Peggy's cove, the paper and pulp factory etc., I entered the room and saw another woman on the next bed. She was wearing a white night gown, an Asian (Chinese?) and I thought she was not real. The most beautiful person I have ever seen and I told her that. Her husband was a medical doctor doing his residency. He had night duty and she saw mice in her apartment, got scared and checked into the YMCA!!! We became instant friends, I visited her place the next morning, met her husband. She said they will eventually be moving to New York. I was in touch with her for an year or too after that and then, like many other friends, lost track of her. I don't know whether they were able to move to the USA or not.
Another person I met, whose name I forgot - her son from Toronto arranged the meeting. He worked for Ontario Hydro and had two daughters and a lovely wife. He met me at his mother's place to spend Mother's day two days prior to the actual day May 10, 1968, so that he could spend May 10th with his wife. He pulled out a photo of a very beautiful teen age girl and showed it to me. I asked him whether it was his daughter's. No - it was the photo of his wife given to him on their first date. He said he never removed it from his wallet. Even though I forgot his name etc., this sentiment made a lasting impression on me.
I think I stayed at his mother's place. I remember that she took me to a restaurant to eat. It was on the banks of small river. I could see the waters through a window. Again, sea food was the speciality. I did not get much vegetarian food to eat. We saw logs floating in the river. She told me that they were all marked and the owners transported them like that to a different location. That was interesting, I thought.
I admired the trust and honesty in that arrangement.
It was really sad when my trip was over. I met wonderful people, strangers who became friends, even though now I forgot some names and some details.
In the Math dept. I met three young men and a woman, students from Southern part of India, where I came from. They were very excited to meet and talk with me. I still remember their comment - "your visit is like a breeze of fresh air for us". Any time I feel low or down, I should remember the 'glory' of my past!!!!
I have seen mostly, Churches, Art galleries, Campuses in all the places on this trip.
In Halifax, I stayed at the local YMCA. It was $7.00 per night, shared with another woman. When I checked in, I was the only one in the room. After I returned from the day tour, visiting the Campus, the light houses, Peggy's cove, the paper and pulp factory etc., I entered the room and saw another woman on the next bed. She was wearing a white night gown, an Asian (Chinese?) and I thought she was not real. The most beautiful person I have ever seen and I told her that. Her husband was a medical doctor doing his residency. He had night duty and she saw mice in her apartment, got scared and checked into the YMCA!!! We became instant friends, I visited her place the next morning, met her husband. She said they will eventually be moving to New York. I was in touch with her for an year or too after that and then, like many other friends, lost track of her. I don't know whether they were able to move to the USA or not.
Another person I met, whose name I forgot - her son from Toronto arranged the meeting. He worked for Ontario Hydro and had two daughters and a lovely wife. He met me at his mother's place to spend Mother's day two days prior to the actual day May 10, 1968, so that he could spend May 10th with his wife. He pulled out a photo of a very beautiful teen age girl and showed it to me. I asked him whether it was his daughter's. No - it was the photo of his wife given to him on their first date. He said he never removed it from his wallet. Even though I forgot his name etc., this sentiment made a lasting impression on me.
I think I stayed at his mother's place. I remember that she took me to a restaurant to eat. It was on the banks of small river. I could see the waters through a window. Again, sea food was the speciality. I did not get much vegetarian food to eat. We saw logs floating in the river. She told me that they were all marked and the owners transported them like that to a different location. That was interesting, I thought.
I admired the trust and honesty in that arrangement.
It was really sad when my trip was over. I met wonderful people, strangers who became friends, even though now I forgot some names and some details.
To Shippagan
I packed a small suit case. Being sarees, I could pack plenty and enough in it. Tom's mother wondered how they were going to recognize me when I got off the train. I told them that it was easy because of my saree. How many would be there wearing a saree? Actually, I was the first one from India his sisters and parents met. The journey on the train was long and very pleasant. Tom's mother and his youngest sister(around 5 or 6 years) came to the station to receive me. There were three other younger sisters. One was studying in PEI, so I did not get to meet her. Fans of 'Anne of Green Gables' would know about this province.
The other two were in high school then.
The girls took me to their school. I got a tour of the school, classes and got to meet the brothers, sisters etc. of the Convent. Geography and Math were taught by one teacher who was not a Nun. I was asked to give a talk on India to her class, the traditions and customs. Then there was a question and answer session. The boys had all the questions. About dating, whether I was allowed to dance with boys, why I was wearing that dot on my forehead and finally whether I was eighteen years old!! I told them that I was in my twenties. I was quite nervous addressing such curious audience.
That night at the dinner table, it was a shock for them to find out that I was a vegetarian. The mother was very disappointed to serve only potatoes and salad to me. One thing I noticed different from the Ontario families was that here, like my family in India, the mother made sure everyone got their meal and then she sat down at the table. We went upstairs to the bedrooms. The older girls and i were chatting and the little one, Christine(?), was hiding in the hallway and listening to our conversations. It was past bed time for her and was not allowed to stay up late. But we let her in secretly anyway! The midnight snack was served and we had to go downstairs. To my surprise and a second time disappointmet for them, shrimp, the delicacy for them was served and I could not eat. I had to explain more on my food habits.
On Sunday, we went to their church for the morning service. It was in Latin. It sounded great even though I did not understand a word. When we returned home, there was a saree wearing ceremony. I draped my silk sarees on the older girls, took photos and they enjoyed it a lot.
Next they took me to their grand parents place. I do not remember the name of the town. They had some special family celebration that day. The tradition of that village was that a small figurine (idol?) of Virgin Mary from the church was allowed to be taken to their home for a night, whether it is a happy occassion or a death in the family. I got to touch that sacred figurine.
I am amazed that I am able to recollect even this much after 40 years!!!
Finally, when it was time to leave, the youngest girl was sobbing!! They refused to take any money even though I came as a paying guest. They said they gained so much by my visit that they did not want money from me. After my return to Toronto, I sent a 'Thank you' note and a pair of Silver candle holders as a token of appreciation.
I saw the Tidal bore, Tidal waves, The pulp and paper factory during this trip.
The other two were in high school then.
The girls took me to their school. I got a tour of the school, classes and got to meet the brothers, sisters etc. of the Convent. Geography and Math were taught by one teacher who was not a Nun. I was asked to give a talk on India to her class, the traditions and customs. Then there was a question and answer session. The boys had all the questions. About dating, whether I was allowed to dance with boys, why I was wearing that dot on my forehead and finally whether I was eighteen years old!! I told them that I was in my twenties. I was quite nervous addressing such curious audience.
That night at the dinner table, it was a shock for them to find out that I was a vegetarian. The mother was very disappointed to serve only potatoes and salad to me. One thing I noticed different from the Ontario families was that here, like my family in India, the mother made sure everyone got their meal and then she sat down at the table. We went upstairs to the bedrooms. The older girls and i were chatting and the little one, Christine(?), was hiding in the hallway and listening to our conversations. It was past bed time for her and was not allowed to stay up late. But we let her in secretly anyway! The midnight snack was served and we had to go downstairs. To my surprise and a second time disappointmet for them, shrimp, the delicacy for them was served and I could not eat. I had to explain more on my food habits.
On Sunday, we went to their church for the morning service. It was in Latin. It sounded great even though I did not understand a word. When we returned home, there was a saree wearing ceremony. I draped my silk sarees on the older girls, took photos and they enjoyed it a lot.
Next they took me to their grand parents place. I do not remember the name of the town. They had some special family celebration that day. The tradition of that village was that a small figurine (idol?) of Virgin Mary from the church was allowed to be taken to their home for a night, whether it is a happy occassion or a death in the family. I got to touch that sacred figurine.
I am amazed that I am able to recollect even this much after 40 years!!!
Finally, when it was time to leave, the youngest girl was sobbing!! They refused to take any money even though I came as a paying guest. They said they gained so much by my visit that they did not want money from me. After my return to Toronto, I sent a 'Thank you' note and a pair of Silver candle holders as a token of appreciation.
I saw the Tidal bore, Tidal waves, The pulp and paper factory during this trip.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Other trips
Now that the Niagara trip was successful, I wanted to do more. This time, it was to the local CBC station. They just introduced a show called 'The Sunday' (I hope I remember the name correctly). I called the CBC and got the tickets. Atleast twenty people signed up. For a person like me who never even saw a TV while in India, watching the making of a show was very exciting. It was a variety show and we applauded whenever the 'applauds' sign blinked. (I thought that it was silly to prompt for applauds!!). My group returned to the international center happily.
Again, I received lots of compliments for my enthusiasm. This triggered an idea in the staff. I was chosen to receive a small travel grant to visit The Maritime provinces of Canada. They are New Brunswick, Newfound land, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. I was thrilled when they asked me. They would give me $100.00 (it was in 1968, that was a lot of money) and supply me with the names and addresses of the Deans of the local universities. Being young and confident, I accepted it. In return, I was supposed to write a feature article about my trip.(I am really ashamed to say that I never wrote that article).
Out of the blue came a student Tom (I guess that was his first name) Gionet who was from Shippagan, NB and offered his family's help. He even suggested that I could stay with his parents for a week as a paying guest and explore other places. But Shippagan was a small village. Mostly French Canadians and fisheries was the main (perhaps, the only) industry there. I had to study the map very thorouhly. When I click on the links, I am amazed to see how different and grown and famous that small town is now. I will continue in my next post about what happened next.
Again, I received lots of compliments for my enthusiasm. This triggered an idea in the staff. I was chosen to receive a small travel grant to visit The Maritime provinces of Canada. They are New Brunswick, Newfound land, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. I was thrilled when they asked me. They would give me $100.00 (it was in 1968, that was a lot of money) and supply me with the names and addresses of the Deans of the local universities. Being young and confident, I accepted it. In return, I was supposed to write a feature article about my trip.(I am really ashamed to say that I never wrote that article).
Out of the blue came a student Tom (I guess that was his first name) Gionet who was from Shippagan, NB and offered his family's help. He even suggested that I could stay with his parents for a week as a paying guest and explore other places. But Shippagan was a small village. Mostly French Canadians and fisheries was the main (perhaps, the only) industry there. I had to study the map very thorouhly. When I click on the links, I am amazed to see how different and grown and famous that small town is now. I will continue in my next post about what happened next.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Niagara Falls - my first visit
Niagara Falls, situated in Ontario, Canada and New York state, USA it is not only a source of beauty in all the four seasons, but also a source of Hydro-electric power. I have visited this place many times in the last 40 years. The first one was in February about 40 years ago. I was a student at the University of Toronto and I organized a bus tour to the Falls. The then International student center Director Kay Riddell and her admin. staff thought, being winter, the bus would be empty. On the contrary, it was more than full. It was bitter cold. It was ice and snow literally everywhere. I was new from India, that too from the hot area of Andhra Pradesh. I wore some insulated pants under my saree, double socks, heavy boots, woolen cap, heavy coat and in spite of all this, I could not stand in one place for more than one minute. But it was exciting and adventurous! I heard about Niagara as being one of the natural wonders of the world. Finally I got to see it.
There are tons of websites you can look into for information about what to see etc. Also, in my India blog, I have one post where Mohan visits us and we take him to the Falls!! But 40 years ago, it was very different and I did not have a camera with me.
Every one praised my efforts and success of the trip.
On the American side, during my subsequent visits, I enjoyed the boat rides on 'The maid of the mist'
The rainbow is awesome and I got to see it everytime!!
The Wikipedia sites I have linked in this post are very good source for details and photographs.
There are tons of websites you can look into for information about what to see etc. Also, in my India blog, I have one post where Mohan visits us and we take him to the Falls!! But 40 years ago, it was very different and I did not have a camera with me.
Every one praised my efforts and success of the trip.
On the American side, during my subsequent visits, I enjoyed the boat rides on 'The maid of the mist'
The rainbow is awesome and I got to see it everytime!!
The Wikipedia sites I have linked in this post are very good source for details and photographs.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Walden Pond
This was the most recent place I visited in The USA. In the first year of my college, I have read "Thoreau's Walden". It took me more than 50 years to visit the place. I have to read the articles again, having visited this beautiful spot. Walden pond is located in the state of Massachussetts, in Concord.
My daughter lives in New Hampshire and she insisted on our going there and walk around the pond on June 21, 2008. The weather was great and the long walk was extremely pleasant. My daughter Gayatri, her husband Srikanth and their five month old daughter Sharanya were in our group. It was a long drive from their home.
Walden Pond is a 102-foot pond, total walking area was less than 2 miles. I think the total area is more than 60 acres.
The writer Henry David Thoreau was a philosopher who lived on the shores of this pond for two years begining the summer of 1845. His account of the experience was recorded in Walden and hence this spot(pond) became famous. Concord Museum contains the bed, chair, and desk from Thoreau's cabin. But we did not visit this. I wondered about destiny, coincidences, synchronicities when I was walking around. When I read about it in my teens, I never thought that I would actually be visiting this place in my life time.
My daughter lives in New Hampshire and she insisted on our going there and walk around the pond on June 21, 2008. The weather was great and the long walk was extremely pleasant. My daughter Gayatri, her husband Srikanth and their five month old daughter Sharanya were in our group. It was a long drive from their home.
Walden Pond is a 102-foot pond, total walking area was less than 2 miles. I think the total area is more than 60 acres.
The writer Henry David Thoreau was a philosopher who lived on the shores of this pond for two years begining the summer of 1845. His account of the experience was recorded in Walden and hence this spot(pond) became famous. Concord Museum contains the bed, chair, and desk from Thoreau's cabin. But we did not visit this. I wondered about destiny, coincidences, synchronicities when I was walking around. When I read about it in my teens, I never thought that I would actually be visiting this place in my life time.
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