Perhaps it is the rich and ancient culture, or the incredible diversity of people, or the rise of one of the worlds largest democracies after centuries of oppression.
Or maybe it's the food. After all, this love affair began with my first meal at a real Indian Restaurant almost 30 years ago!
Regardless of the reason, I have longed to spend time there and when work-related travel presented the opportunity to be close by I couldn't pass up the chance to visit. A short visit, a single appetizer as it were, but one that was sure to whet the appetite for a future feast.
Of course, the best meals are shared with others and the best travel is through the back door. Manish, my colleague and friend is a US citizen but native of India. When I asked if he would be willing to take me there once we had completed our work in Abu Dhabi he graciously and enthusiastically agreed. He then set about planning what turned out to be an unforgettable visit to two corners of the Golden Triangle of India: Delhi and Jaipur.
We met in Abu Dhabi where we had several days of work to do before heading out for our adventure together. Over breakfast the first morning in AD, Manish says he has something important to tell me. Something personal. Something that would affect our trip. He has a strange look on his face - a mix of excitement and apprehension.
He started off, "I've met someone. Her name is Charuta. Actually I've known her for almost 2 years but since we worked together we avoided mixing our personal and professional lives. But we realized that we truly liked each other. She is Indian too and we have so much in common. So we started dating and that, in turn led to us falling in love....and....we are getting married! Is it ok if she comes on the trip with us?"
I must have had a grin a mile wide and could hardly contain myself. I stuttered, "Manish, this is fantastic! I am so, so happy for you. You have such a big heart - you need a woman to help fill it up. This is GREAT!"
"Thank you.", he responded and then with mild apprehension, "But is it OK that she is coming with us on 'our' trip."
Again, the mile-wide grin, "Are you kidding? Of course it's ok. It will no doubt enrich the trip. Frankly, I am honored that the two of you would share your maiden voyage together to India with me. This is GREAT!"
And so, early one evening I boarded a plane in Abu Dhabi with my friend and his fiancée to begin a long awaited adventure to India.
Manish & Charuta preparing for take off:
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