Ohio to Delhi and Madras Coffee to Mocha Latte

Recently my father traveled all over (again) for work, luckily I was left out of the hectic schedule. Delhi, Chennai, Calcutta, Thailand, Malaysia, Thailand, China (and various cities within china), back to Thailand... eventually India. I had to be here at the mothership and send shipments out to reach to those destinations which coincided with their trip for various trials. I digress, but the minute he lands, he finds the lounge for frequent travelers, finds his tea, and starts working. Yeah that's his life. HE sends the entire family this email- My grandad (whom he calls Baba- father), my mom, my uncle Danny, my sister, and who knows who else!

This is his little story... its an ungodly hour at Delhi international airport, he is waiting for his connecting flight to Chennai, and ofcourse it's morning here in USA.

Baba: I just called you, but NO ANSWER !! That means you are in Sangeeta’s home or ghure berachhen ! Roddure soreer kharap hobe.  (Means you are in Sangeeta's house or out wandering somewhere! You will get ill wandering around in the hot sun.)

I am in Delhi airport,

         First had a cup of coffee ! There are 4 coffee shops, but none had MADRAS COFFEE. I asked they said even though they are using coffee beans from Madras, but they must use “Foren names” like Latte, capachino and charge high for attracting clients !
       So, I said “Desi khotom, and Foren ka jamana” –  no place for Gandhiji ! (which means the Indian stuff is over/ended/gone, now it's time for foreign culture/"things" to invade and make money.)

This next part is other stories he has to tell about from the flight...

Some stories from the United flight –

     Good news: flight landed at 8 pm. I was out after customs clearance by 8-20 PM. That is 20 minutes from the Flight to out side after Immigration and customs. That is an “WOW” achievement of efficiency, my walking as well as the airport authorities.

      My row companion, kept his Bag under the center seat (that was empty), did not even make attempt to put above in the storage area. Then I saw he has only one arm !! I said “Sorry” to him for not knowing it before. As it was right arm that is lost, and he was sitting to my right.

I learned – he is “IT specialist for auditing Financial irregularities”. An intelligent young man from Simla, but works from Delhi for a large US based IT company with 300 global offices.

     In front  Row, I had 3 elderly ladies – all wheel chaired. One lady had her Row-companion – a High school grad US girl student, quite tall. Going to Mussourie for college study. Getting very popular amongst US people. This girl impressed every one from start. She was (so naturally & spontaneously) helping two elderly ladies seating in her row, even though these ladies had other Indian people seating in same row. The air-hostess called her the “Angel”.

     There was an old Sardarji couple just behind me – Before departure I spoke to Indira and Pillu in Bangla. Suddenly, this sardarji started talking to me in Bangla. He stayed in Kolkata for 30 years. Now he has green card, and stays with his son in Kansas city for about 5 months in a year.

    Now, I finished my second coffee cup along with two Samosa ( elephant size). This is also Madras Beans but with a “Foren” name.

So there is room for you to start “Swadeshi of gandhiji” movement or you can continue easily with your “Bilati culture”.

I will take morning flight to Chennai, then I come to Kolkata in the evening of 26^th.

Pronam to you and ma

Ashish

(note: I did a lot of work, and now trying to kill my time).

Another email regarding the coffee shop:

Babi,

I am still at Delhi airport. It is 1-40 am, I am having fun in killing my time with you in a productive way.

Now, you know – I can do things for you from any where  and at any time !!! Example,  in India from a coffee shop, around at mid night !! Correct ?

It is full of life here , with fresh dosa, rice, chart, Tea, coffee being made and served …

Body is getting tired, as sitting since yesterday.

Well used to it.

Love.. Babi

My sister replies:

Aha! I bet that's the same coffee shop Chris and I ate at in New Delhi when we first arrived!! 



His next email after multiple replies from Danny, my sis and I:

Now comes the foren English I learned in America, my new Home, and I am an Amrican citizen !!

Ø  I see nothin !
Ø  I don’t see “nothin”
Ø  I cannot do “Nothin’!”
Ø  Are you doin somethin ?

The class is closed now for the day. You will learn more from me as we do more classes.

Love  to you all.