Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Bombay
Packing, Packing and More Packing. Parting (From Bombay) is Such
Sweet Sorrow!
Namaste from Bombay!
I awoke at 6.30 am on my very last morning
in Bombay knowing that I had so much to do and yet wanted to live fully in the
moment as I savored every last second with family members whom I will only now
see in December.
After
morning prayers, we got ready for breakfast—porridge with coffee for me—while I
hurried along to re-do my packing. It is amazing how long and arduous a task
this is when one is restricted by airline weight regulations. There were also a
dozen other things I had to do for Dad who needed forms explained or filled,
papers sorted. The internet connection was up for the first time in Dad’s house—a
historic day or sorts!—but the CCTV guys still had to come in to complete the
installation of the cameras. Most of the day passed in that fashion with me
culling, finishing up the clearing of clutter from Dad’s place, calling or
texting friends to say Bye—that sort of thing. No matter how organized one is,
great international journeys of this kind can be very worrying indeed and until
one’s bags are all locked, one is on tenterhooks.
I
plodded on until lunch time when Dad, Russel and I stopped to eat another one
of Valerie’s meals. I had to pay her for the last of my meals and I had to
correspond with Sameer about paying up the last electricity bill for July which
I had not yet received. Thanks to the use of the air-conditioner, it was Rs. 1410.
That is about the average for my studio on summer months.
I tried to take an afternoon nap but I still had work to
do at the photocopy place—my London itinerary had to be printed out and Dad had
some letters and forms that needed photocopying. I have spent about half my
time in Bombay at this cyber café!!! Honestly. I have spent a small fortune on
the sort of office work I do on my own in my own office in New York and whose
expenses I usually completely take for granted!
Two
friends called to say they were stopping at Dad’s place to say Bye to me—Ashley
from Vasai and Romanee from Bandra. However, I was so busy settling up the bill
with the CCTV man inside, that I barely had ten minutes to spend with them. It
is annoying how keeping these major projects for the last minute has resulted
in this sort of last-minute scrambling and unnecessary stress. Anyway, once
this system is resolved, it will make a huge difference to my peace of mind.
Once our guests left, Dad and I left for
Mass—it was a Thanksgiving Mass that I offered in gratitude for a terrific year
and for the many blessings I have received both professionally, personally and
as part of my Bombay family. It was sad to know that it would be a long time
before I would be hearing Mass at this church again.
After Mass, Dad and I returned home but I
had to nip off again to Jay’s to print something else. It simply did not end!
Dad waited to have dinner with me and we sat and chatted about the couple of
bank errands he needs to complete on my behalf tomorrow.
I had to excuse myself, however, because I
still had a bunch of things I had to finish up with regards to my packing
(which did not seem to end). I guess it is that way when one has three and a
half medium-sized bags to pack, not exceeding 50 pounds (23 kgs) each.
I continued saying goodbye and thanks to
friends through texts before I was eventually able to go to bed past midnight
on my very last night in Bombay in which I had lived with much joy for an
entire year. Thanks to the good Lord above for his many blessings and to the
Fulbright Program for making this incredible year possible! I fell asleep with
a prayer of gratitude on my lips!
Until tomorrow…
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