american summers
summers in US used to be a lot of fun. its usually the time when parents, in laws, friends' parents, parents' friends and so on would come from india for a once-in-lifetime trip to the US. i had spent a decent number of summers in the US to experience this. i might look back at those times and think that it was funny how mom would always send something or the other to eat, but i really used to look forward to those times.
the first time when you get a parcel from home, as a student in the US, i think that's the most wonderful and the most nostalgic feeling ever. the first parcel would most definintely be brought by a very remote relative or a friend of yours that you or your parents barely know. however, they are kind enough to oblige and bring along a parcel for you from home. i still remember, there would be a mini-party of sorts - with all the indian students and friends gathering and feasting on the theplas, chaklis and kaju katlis. the one who's got the packet would not be tired telling stories of his home, his mom and how he loves and misses home food. he would look for signs of home from wherever he can in the food packet. most definitely, there would be some other souvineers sent with the theplas, sweets and snacks. indeed a super feeling!
a couple summers later, comes the big graduation summer. thats the summer that most likely your own parents would make a trip to the US. that, by far was one of the happiest times for me in my life. i'm sure parents feel the same. 2 out of their 4 suitcases are filled with all the indian food - you can tell very well at the airport when you go receive them. that summer is the putting-on-weight summer when mom would make you eat till you fall and dad would just stand on the side and watch.
summers would go by and each summer you would end up having someone or the other visiting. each time, mom would spend so much time on the phone what would i want her to send (of course, besides a gazillion theplas!). though i used to think why go through the same drill each time, even though you get everything in the US? but still, to let mom do that little bit for me and feel satisfied, i think it was always worth it.
the first time when you get a parcel from home, as a student in the US, i think that's the most wonderful and the most nostalgic feeling ever. the first parcel would most definintely be brought by a very remote relative or a friend of yours that you or your parents barely know. however, they are kind enough to oblige and bring along a parcel for you from home. i still remember, there would be a mini-party of sorts - with all the indian students and friends gathering and feasting on the theplas, chaklis and kaju katlis. the one who's got the packet would not be tired telling stories of his home, his mom and how he loves and misses home food. he would look for signs of home from wherever he can in the food packet. most definitely, there would be some other souvineers sent with the theplas, sweets and snacks. indeed a super feeling!
a couple summers later, comes the big graduation summer. thats the summer that most likely your own parents would make a trip to the US. that, by far was one of the happiest times for me in my life. i'm sure parents feel the same. 2 out of their 4 suitcases are filled with all the indian food - you can tell very well at the airport when you go receive them. that summer is the putting-on-weight summer when mom would make you eat till you fall and dad would just stand on the side and watch.
summers would go by and each summer you would end up having someone or the other visiting. each time, mom would spend so much time on the phone what would i want her to send (of course, besides a gazillion theplas!). though i used to think why go through the same drill each time, even though you get everything in the US? but still, to let mom do that little bit for me and feel satisfied, i think it was always worth it.
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