Shaila Scope

Back from CA yesterday. We left on Tuesday March 29th. Stayed at the SFO Westin for 2 nights. First day went to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Muirwoods. Both had heavenly views! Muirwoods was a real delight! Rutha was sick with a stomach virus that started its way from Rohun the previous week & then on to me & then on to Rutha. So through all that on Wednesday we had limited time at both these locations. We ate lunch at a Korean place called Tofu House.
Evening had dinner from Tava. Then Thursday Pramod took the kids to a Discovery House Museum in San Jose. The kids had a blast. I stayed at the Sofitel - helping out as much as I could with the wedding plans. Ru & Ro got mehendi on their hands. Ro wanted the same tattoo as Rutha.
On Friday April 2nd we went to Mayuri Restaurant in Santa Clara for the wedding. It was very nice. The priestess (Guneja) was very interesting. She had very nice explanations - of course to my equality-seeking mind it still lacked the respect and position that a woman deserves in any marriage. The analogy that a woman needs to be twice-planted like rice in order to fully grow and mature was a sore point for me - what crap is that in this day and age?!! On the other hand the correspondence of the DNA to the 9 nakshatras was interesting.
Varsha and Chandra looked great together! It brought tears to my eyes - one reason because she really deserved a shot at marital bliss and second because Ajay Bhasale was cracking me up as he was laughing so hard! The priestess made Varsha call Chandra "Oh Dear" and made Chandra address Varsha as "O Gracious One" to which Ajay burst out with laughter - saying this is a first for Varsha!!
In the evening we attended the reception at Sofitel. It was a very nice affair. The decorations looked lovely. The bride & groom lovelier together! We all danced with abandon!! I said a few words but felt like I could have been better prepared - but it was genuine & from my heart!
Next day we had brunch at an Omelette House with Leena and Harsha. Then went to Napa Valley with Harsha. NV was gorgeous!! We went to Sutter House & on our way to Sterling Wineries our rented Chevy had a flat. Went to Santa Rosa airport and were given a houseboat aka Lincoln Towncar. Reached Sandeep & Tejal Kadakia's house at 9 & were very warmly received by them & their kids Keya & Viraj & Vicky, Charu & their kids Nikita & Ruchita & Prashant & Varsha & their son Rohit (their daughter was out at a sleepover). It was an evening filled with laughter, old memories, jokes on our current lifestyles & hilarious attempts to scandalize the young ones with memories of escapades from grad school days!! The kids had a blast too - they must have run a mile or two in the house!! Ruchita stayed over - she is a very bright & witty kid! On Saturday went to park at the top of the hill in their Evergreen neighborhood - it was like watching a scene in Europe - very ethereal!! It was misty from the rains which added to the aura. Later that afternoon we all went to San Francisco - the usual Lombard St, Fisherman's Wharf etc - a total Patel trip as it was raining very hard. Pulled up at Souvenir Shop & then found a parking spot at the door of Ghirardeli. Enjoyed some yummy, icecream, desserts, chocolates & coffee there before driving around at Union Square. Then landed up at Nan & Curry a dhaaba-like joint for some delicious kadai Paneer, baingan bharta & veg biriyani & naans.
After yet another late night - headed back to NJ the next day - landed at midnight & were in bed by 2 am April 6th. Kids & I went to school & work late today. All tired out - so to all a goodnight!!
A reunion of Pramod's friends from Carbondale would be a great idea when Manish returns to the US!!