Planning.....changes.....take off

My Italian sojourn as I like to call it happened quite by chance, after returning at the end of May I thought about penning my experience to help others venturing to Italy learn a few things, but that didn't happen.

Suddenly, I find myself with time on my hands so decided to write about my dream trip to Italy and Austria (not really a destination I ever planned to visit)

For ease of reading I have penned the experiences by days of our trip rather than by location....here it is....

Planning the trip 

It all started in the first week of Feb, 2013 with my boss sharing the latest product offerings from FIT; he said the offering was the best rate considering the hotels and inclusions in the tour. I checked with some of my friends on their interest and settled quickly on Mansi who immediately said yes, tell when we should go.

The original offering from them was 7 Days, 6 Nights – 2 days each in Rome, Florence and Venice.

14 Feb - we finalized the itinerary with the inclusion of 2 nights at Innsbruck to get a different experience from just visiting Italy and the cultural experience. Innsbruck and Salzburg, one day in each city was the plan, getting to view the Alps up close and experience the alpine scenery on our train journeys across the region. Instead of starting in Italy and ending in Austria or vice versa, my boss suggested including Austria as our 2^nd stop after Venice due to its proximity. So the planned itinerary now was –

1 - Bom-Ven

2 - Ven

3 – Ven-Innsbruck (Train)

4 – Innsbruck to Salzburg (Day trip by Train)

5 – Innsbruck-Florence (Train)

6- Florence

7 – Florence-Rome (Train)

8 – Rome

9 – Rome-Bom

We got the E-ticket done on the same day for 21 and 29 May on Swiss Airlines and gave a hefty deposit to show our intent on the next day which was Feb 15. Wow, we were going to Italy a long dreamed of destination for both of us; just that instead of going with a significant other (which would have been first choice for the romantic destination of Venice) we were both going with a friend!

18 Feb – the first draft of the itinerary was shared with me by the travel agent.

19 Feb – Italy visa requirements and form shared by the travel agent, a long list of documents and photographs with specifications given.

We spent the next few weeks till the first week of March finalizing the itinerary including the train timings which were crucial. I had checked the train timings on the Swiss website – sbb.ch and decided on which trains suited our requirements the best.

Some of the trains suggested by the travel agent had a changeover time of just 8 minutes during which we had to jump from one train and go across to another platform to catch our connecting train. I felt the time was just too short to risk it; anything could cause us to miss the connection from bad weather, delays on the track or just us taking time to figure out the station and the platform we had to reach. I got most of the trains changed to ones with a gap of at least 25 minutes between connecting trains. In practice this proved to be a good thing as most of the stations are huge and involved long walks across platforms to reach the one on which our train was to arrive.

Also something we learnt on reaching Europe is that all European trains arrive just 15 minutes prior to departure at the station, that doesn’t leave much time if your first train is delayed. Hence the announcement on the display boards of the platform on which your train is arriving is literally 15-20 minutes prior to your departure time. So if you reach the station half an hour earlier you might not be able to find your train listed on the display.

8 April – Both Mansi and I were busy collecting our Visa documents and getting the photographs done as per the specifications; we finally managed to get them all done today and sent to the travel agent. Now we await news of our visa appointment. We of course thought we would be called in for an interview for the visa.

9 May – After almost a month and many anxious calls to our travel agency contact, finally I heard from him today that our visa is through, yay!!!

Now we are really going to Italy this month end...the excitement for the trip is just getting built.

18 May  - Things really picked up now, we did the balance payment for our trip and purchased the Euros in both cash and put some on a pre-paid card to use there. I finally get the hotel vouchers, Sightseeing bus vouchers and train tickets from the agency + a free travel bag (which I haven’t used till date)

I complete most of my packing today and purchased a couple of extra sweaters as the weather looks to be quite cold in both Italy and especially in Austria. They are showing daily temperatures of 4 degrees to 12 degrees Centigrade in Innsbruck and rains expected during the days we plan to be there....I hate being cold so it’s definitely going to be a challenge.  I have made preparations to take on the cold weather by borrowing a woollen hat and gloves from a good friend; I had a woollen scarf; which has had minimal use in Mumbai...and a last minute purchase of thermals was done yesterday.

20 May - Flying tonight.....really excited now that we are starting our trip. We plan to meet directly at the airport in the evening; both of us are leaving around 8pm from our homes. Cool cab booked for the evening trip well in advance.

Last minute jitters happened when I discovered our Florence Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off bus voucher was missing in the morning when I did a check of our vouchers, I don’t know how I missed it on Friday when I went through all the vouchers. Frantic call to the travel agency contact and I got them to email the soft copy which was done by them by 7pm!!! Print out secured and included in the pouch in which I am carrying all the travel documents.

Bag is already packed, just throw in the toilet case, toothbrush etc. I am worried about the liquid ban regulations especially at Zurich Airport hence choose not to carry any liquids or gels in my hand bag.

Last minute check – tickets, passport, vouchers, train tickets...all there.

All ready, finally....

 

All is well in my world

After a uneventful day at work today, came home & neighbor catches me to remind me of building meeting in 20 mins. Nod a assent,will be there i say. Grab a quick bite, freshen up, pull clothes from the washer and put them up to dry & head for the mtg. Another proposal for the building is on discussion.

1 hour later leave mtg with a splitting headache from all the people arguing & shouting about futile things. Will we ever get our building reconstucted is my thought!

Sachin is making his spicy pasta...which needs amazing amounts of patience from ones interested in eating it. Usually preparation takes over an hr...and he uses 2 minute noodles to make the same. There is some kinda irony there but am too hungry & tired to appreciate it.
Mom & i get to eat finally at 10.15...by which time i'm having cannibalistic thoughts. It's yummy as usual (he has mastered it) but sooooooooo spicy...i actually get hiccups! We finish the leftover merlot between us...i seriously needed some alcohol in my system after that meeting! Hardly a quarter glass...but its delicious. (Note to self - pick up some wine, that was the last bottle)

Now am sitting with my darling by my side....relaxed, headache gone (another amazing fact abt red wine)

Writing what was originally on my mind...this happened a few days ago...

feline POV (Point of view...for readers who need to google this :D )
It fluttered thru the window on a dark night

My golden eyes spotted it in less than a heartbeat

My paws raced up on the counter...where is it i wondered!
Aha spotted the fluttering wings near the tubelight

Jumped to catch...now they are fluttering in the clasp of my jaws

Yummy evening snack for me!!

Homo Sapien POV
Relaxed evening chat with mom interrupted by the sound of fluttering wings

Look around the kitchen to see tangy sitting peacefully in the chair. He looks very sleepy to me...eyes half closed, barely listening to mom & me
Suddenly he is racing to the counter...there he goes. Chasing what...god alone knows

Wings in his mouth, omg he has caught what looks like a moth to me Ask him to let it go, why cause a poor creature's untimely death.
It disappears in his mouth before i can move from my chair.

Poor moth...short sweet life extinguished by my babe with the golden eyes!

Transformations

My brother visited us today with his almost 2 year old daughter (my niece). It's her b'day tomorrow when she will turn 2. This was one of the first time that i & mom have had a chance to spend the whole day with my niece.

Watching my brother with his daughter was amazing. Knowing him my whole life this is a completely different & new side of his which was revealed to me today. It made me realize that my brother who was pretty much considered very self absorbed had changed with fatherhood. He was wonderfully patient & loving with his daughter. Taking care of her, feeding her, being firm but loving.

Fatherhood certainly is an awakening for some guys. It is very nice to have a brother who is a completely hands on dad without making a big deal about it. He does everything efficiently and quietly. Its not something unusual; its perfectly natural which was the beautiful part to watch. This was someone who had never changed a nappy in his life expertly changing his daughters while I stood by wondering how does this contraption go on!

As is the way with most relationships, ours has changed too over the last few years. Growing up my brother had always been someone I could depend on to help. I suddenly realized that I would have to stop asking him for favors once he was married & not staying with us anymore. Now I hardly ever saw him & calling him up to do a favor for me seemed like an imposition. I started relying on myself only.

My niece is adorable, she spent the whole day chasing cats (who ran helter skelter avoiding her) Tangy ran behind mom seeking her help to get away from my niece...which was very funny since he for once is older that someone in our house. She ran around the whole house pulling things within her reach. Kept climbing & getting down off the sofa & table. I had to keep my glasses away from her as she kept pulling them off my face....my hair wasnt spared either. It was nice cuddling a tiny human being, i introduced her to flowers & ferns (i hope my love for gardening gene survives me) squirrels and birds around the house.

As a woman I sometimes do wonder what kind of a mother I'd be. How does one cope with some things. Guys wonder too i bet about what kind of fathers are they going to be, do we follow in our parents footsteps or do we etch our own. It is a different world from the one we grew up in with new challenges and new battles. Do we trust our instincts to make the right decision?
I have 3 very different brothers, they are completely unlike each other in their personalities and their character. I have wondered what kind of husbands & fathers they will make. Watching my elder brother I realized that we do follow in our parents footsteps...my dad was a very hands on dad...so is my brother.

Today I realized that at last my brother has become an adult! Its not actually your age or the fact that you are married but the fact that you are responsible completely for another life that brings on that change. I felf proud to watch him today; he is making mistakes, but he is learning. He is not afraid & his priorities in life have changed completely. Now its his daughter who is the apple of his eye! (instead of his bike :D)

Tiny paw marks on my life

Sometimes its the small decisions that somehow end up impacting life the most. Mom & i were discussing how much our cats have brought into our lives. We were reminiscing about the last 8 yrs of our lives.

A few near misses, some tough times, almost losing tangy twice, pinks once, jerry's umpteen injuries...but fighting on to make sure they are around sharing their life with us. It's the small daily joys which somehow make it worth living. For mom i am glad she has the rascals keeping company all day long. They worry about her too, Tangy sleeps next to her legs every afternoon. When she was sick they'd jump on the bed & sit with her from time to time.

I've accepted that Thaku is gone forever. What irks both mom & me is the not knowing. I think we all like the full stops in life. The not knowing somehow means that I can't put that full stop anywhere cause i simply don't know. I hate losing someone i love like that!

Can't believe Mouse & Pinks will be 8 next month. How time flies indeed, remember mouse as a tiny brown kitten...my first cat friend. I hope I pass on this to my kids & my nieces & nephews. It's an amazing feeling to be loved for who you are, no expectations, no confusion, you are not good or bad, you are just you.

I remember hugging my dog on days when I got shouted at by my parents for something bad i'd done & i remember his look saying its ok ...i still love you. A lick on my face always got a smile from me.

We should all have someone like that in our life! And they needn't even be furry with paws. Someone who sits besides you and knows you are glad just to have them there by your side. A look, no words are needed. Someone who knows with one look that something is wrong, by the tone of your voice. Till I find someone human who can sit besides me I think I am glad to have tiny paws and a whiskered face nudging me & saying its ok...i'm here!

Thaku...are memories all that I will have of u?

Thaku is missing for a month now! Thaku for the uninitiated is mom-cat. I owe her big time for all 5 kittens who she decided to have me share my life with. Have looked all over for her but can't see her anywhere. Asked people about her, wether they have seen her around but to no avail. Leads me to think something must have happened to her.

She would be waiting every evening near our staircase for me to return from work & feed her. When she stopped appearing I just thought its the heavy rains hence she is seeking shelter somewhere else. But now i guess we have to accept the inevitable. Mom is upset too & keeps looking out of the windows trying to spot her. Whats worst is the not knowing what has happened to her!

How can someone I know for over 10 years just disappear into thin air? I don't know...fear the worse that I will never see her again. Miss her like hell.

She is so formidable & fiercely independent. Even when we gave her the option of staying with us she chose not to as her freedom was valued by her. Choosing to be our friend and accepting our love was her way of showing she cared. Trusting us enough to leave her kittens with us was her ultimate acceptance of our friendship.

I respect her for her ability to survive for so many years, for being so self reliant, yet accepting my friendship, love her for being an amazing mom. The way she took care of her kids, trained them to catch baby squirrels & birds to help them be self-reliant, teaching them to cross the roads in the middle of the night, always coming home to feed them when they were kittens, cleaning & caring for them, earning their respect...it was amazing to watch.

When most people see her they see a stray cat, for me she is Thaku ...a member of my small but extended family.