If I have ever felt pure joy or happiness it was around Shivu and Ayu. Yes you heard me right my 2 nephews who were the apple of my eye when I visited Thailand.

Ayu was the exuberant Krishna and Shivaan was the fearless Shivba , the pride of the Gawade household.

How I would wait for Shivaan to wake up for a sunshine smile and Ayu to fill the house with his silly TV shows and football Messi and Ronaldo vibes.

A place like Bangkok has its own traits and I was curious to experience them through the lens of my 2 little warriors( Ayu and Shivu) and 2 older warriors ( dad and mom).

B (beautiful): Bangkok is beautiful and tranquil, people greet each other with big smiles. Even the waitresses take time out of their busy schedule to attend the youngest of their customers. The radiant sunshine and Nath’s spunky physio therapy was invigorating my parents with health and vitality. Maybe they did look a little younger than the last time around in this charming city.

A (aesthetic): Its really hot and humid , yet this does not deter people from going out to enjoy street food and markets. It’s so easy to wander around and be lost in the crowd. Yet the aromas of sizzling food , fresh vegetables, fruit juices and coconut water transport you back to a tropical islandish existence. An aesthetically pleasing landscape of residential buildings, malls, universities, parks and temples all coming together with unfathomable synergy which dad and I enjoyed on our daily walks.

N (natural): Whether it is buzzing Sukhumvit or serene Kanchanaburi there is abundance everywhere. The land smells fresh, although it’s very cosmopolitan. The rain washes out the drudgery, lethargy and nudges u towards action. The earth has music for those who listen. Bangkok has sights to behold and ancestral stories, deeply haunting the spirit houses on pedestals which guard the land. The sunny patio, breezy winds, breakfast chat nurtured natural bonding with Shivaan , Ayu, Sid and Akshata as days passed.

G (grandness): It’s a Land of great Monasteries which gives this nation positivity. I often wondered where does the inner strength come from in Thailanders and why does it seem so holy and attuned. There’s not a trace of homelessness or robbery or crime. People seem to be content with what they have and live unhinged as if in a boat sailing nowhere but within. The Buddha, Vishnu and Ganesh temples add a spiritual dimension which seems to offset the pace of the modern world like a halo in a whirlwind.

K (kindhearted) : Cheerful and caring Thai people have a genuine spark of love, ease and connectivity. They care for seniors with such humility that I was touched to see the hotel people help my mom in and out of the wheel chair touching her legs, helping her balance. Even trained people in other countries wouldn’t go this extra mile for the elderly. The watchman doesn’t mind chatting with my dad in spite of language barrier.

O (opulent) : My nephew Ayu is a dare devil. He is fearless and outspoken. When I don’t listen to him, immediately my luggage is near the door and I am no longer needed in the house. He is not bound to anybody or anything then whether it is taekwondo , art class or Thai lessons. His fortitude can be tamed only by his mom, but in general he bounces back like the natives. Thai people are prosperous, agile and nimble. Look at Shivaan he is probably the fastest of all.

K ( kaleidoscopic): A multilayered, diverse culture with theatrics, freedom and a pure delight to be with Ayu and Shivu our rockstar sweethearts. Sid, Akshata went over and beyond in their kindness , hospitality and warmth the way it is ingrained in Thai culture. The incentive this time around was also the companionship of Aai and Papa (our kid number 3 and 4) which elevated my stay in Thailand to an unforgettable one of a kind experience. The cherry on top was Seeta Didis excellent cooking, Akshata’s Alu parathas and Sid’s knack of ordering the best delicacies in town.

Now It was time to leave Thailand and go to Newyork to my sister’s place. I reminded myself that I was going from the land of Gods to the land of Godessess.

Well if we have Shivba and Krishna , we also have feminine powers Lakshmi (Shreeya) , Saraswati (Saanvi) , Arya (Annapurna) and Aarohi (Maa Durga) . The shiv and shakti have intermingled with the Sawant’s and Gawde’s for a more esoteric genealogical grounding. I was on the cusp of witnessing Long Island through the lens of darling queens and vigorous soldiers Aai and Baba.

N (nectar) : If you ask my girls , their heart is in New York. No other city fascinates them more than the ever awake , glittering, shimmering beehive of US economy. Its nectar is unparalleled intoxicating visitors and locals with its charm and grandeur. Yet there are some unaffected by NY vibes like Aai who is more inward bound and likes strolling in the library with Aarohi.

E (energetic): I was there only for a week but everyday was a new excursion after finishing work. The wandering and visit to New York city in-spite of rain was very fulfilling. Ashutosh and Namita were always ready to go out , the delay of course from our own beauties if they could finish makeup on time. Aarohi although a kindergartner was in par with the other teenagers in grace and style. My energy would always come from subtler things like the Chai that Baba made and the cozy excursions with Aai to the Gurdwara.

W (work-centric): New Yorkers are work centric , fun loving with killer instinct to stay ahead and crush the competition. The overflowing subways , crowded railway stations , business attire , flooded food corners is the city’s spirit. I see the same non- stop pace in my sister work hours, brother in law’s skill to balance PWC travel, home and Maths tutoring, Saanvi’s resolve to skip India trip for studies and Aarohi who is an epitome of creativity, brains and street smartness. The place where you live moulds and mirrors your desires. The city slickers were transforming Shreeya and Arya too, who were now becoming more long islanders than San Franciscans. Who knows we might hold a wedding there in the future.

Y (youthful) : It seems like New York never ages and everyone is so youthful with trendy clothes, designer purses, sexy makeup and high heels. Rushing to the office, taking the subway, zigzagging through the skyscrapers , following Wall Street , experiencing Broadway there is no time to catch a breath or ponder on the past. I felt utterly young when we went to see Lion-king in theaters. Such an unforgettable experience with my daughters and nieces. While Namita and I went after finishing work the cousins spent the entire day there meeting us for an early Thai dinner before our show.

O (oceanic) : Long Island and surrounding cities have proximity to beautiful beaches and amazing views. Here certain beaches are tied to the respective counties. Tobay Beach is free for the residents of the town of Oyster Bay but non- residents may be subject to fee. It was a bit surprising but nevertheless the water is much warmer and the white sand felt luscious to the feet. We collected lot of seashells and had long walks. Aarohi was our leader and our travel guide.

R (raindrops): When I reached New York everybody said that I brought rain from Thailand which is true because it was raining there too. I just love rain it makes me nostalgic. Vivian Greene said “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass , it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Ashutosh used to take us for an outing every evening in-spite of wet weather. That gave us a little bit of winter NY vibes slithery, cloudy engulfing us in chilly flurries. The town colors its dwellers and Namita’s unique and flavorful dishes built our appetite alongside frequent downpours.

K ( kingship) : The city is historical and multifaceted with its art museums, original Dutch colony, Brooklyn bridge, jazz origins and iconic Statue of Liberty. Its rich culture influences the people around. Just like the urban grit, there is always a hustle in the Gawde house with Baba planting in the garden, loading the dishwasher, performing morning Puja. Aai serving new and traditional recipes, doing pranayama yoga, Ashutosh pairing exquisite sauces with authentic cuisines , the majestic Namita juggling with work , hospitality and household chores. All this put together gives a tranquil home which always feels lived in and welcoming.

Each day was a new experience and exploration with our local trips and foodie adventures. Shreeya and Arya were ready to hop on a plane back to NY immediately after landing in CA.. that says it all. I will never forget my bonding with Aai and Baba over a cup of tea and cucumber cake.

The hospitality from Bangkok to New York left me speechless and turned me into a storyteller. Let’s go bonkers where the Thais, New Yorkers, Dubliners and senior Indians get lost and find each other again on a new adventure.