Lost and Found

The final evening in Delhi our family took us to Akshardham Temple complex.  Akshardam means Eternal Abode of God.  This stunning temple complex took 11,000 people 5 years to build.  The temple has an intense security but we didn't initially realize how extreme.  The signs state the basics: no backpacks, purses, cell phones, cameras.  Yes, to money and passports.

The entrance to the temple complex is guarded with a long wait in gender specific lines to go through a metal detector and then get patted down (equivalent of a groping).  As we were being processed, the security officials scrutinized Jaya's much loved and irreplaceable sidekick Mittens, a stuffed toy cat who is Jaya's confidant, would NOT be allowed in.

Jaya's loyal Bua's (Roshni, Roni and Kamya), in Hindi, tried to persuade the security team to let the little girl have her toy with no success.  Massi Ji was angered that her little niece couldn't keep Mittens.  She decided to slyly hide Mittens in the pleats of her Sari.

We passed through the check points and anxiously awaited Massi Ji's turn.  However, at this point all the security have their eyes fixed on us, we are now being watched closer than someone on the FBIs most wanted list.  Of course, Massi Ji was virtually strip searched and Mittens was discovered.  Now, Mittens was to be confiscated.  At this point,  I expected Massi Ji to politely hand Mittens over for fear of being detained.  Mentally, I was preparing for the horrifying task of explaining to Jaya that she about to lose Mittens forever.

Massi Ji and her infamous sari!  

Mausi Ji, an interesting, intelligent, kind and overall fabulous man.

But No, Massi Ji fired back, in Hindi, tore a strip off the security demanding Mittens back.  Mittens was actually returned to us (had I been the security guards, I would have feared for my life).  Unfortunately, Mittens was still not allowed to pass.  So now this is when we have to leave Mittens behind.….there are 16 of us, the line was long, the entrance was closing and the fountain-light show was about to begin, really it's just a stuffed toy, right?  Absoutely not!!  Roni and Kamya Bua, without hesitation, grabbed Mittens ran from the temple, and COAT CHECKED Mittens, then had to re-enter the long security line!   During this time Roshni bua comforted Jaya and assured her Mittens would be safe.  I thanked them afterwards…their response "Don't thank us we are her Bua's that is our pleasure and responsibility".  This world needs more Bua's.

Roni, Jaya (holding Mittens), Roshni, Kamya, Jay & Nina

Roni, Savitri, Kamya, Jaya, Roshni, Jay

The Akshardham Temple was worth the drama.  The temple was breathtaking, the art, the buildings, the architecture, the Hindu artists attention to fine detail, no words would ever supply justice to the experience.  Topped off with a spectacular fountain-light-musical show (think Bellagio light-fountain show but on a larger, more spiritual scale) at the temple complex.  The show told the story of the Human Life Cycle from birth-marriage-death-reincarnation-birth with a brilliant display of music, lights and water.  We were transfixed.  Unfortunately cameras were not allowed, not that any combination of pictures or words could ever truly express the experience.

After the light show a local family came up and were in awe of Savitri (Jay and Jaya were sitting elsewhere).  They said she looked like a doll and wanted to touch her.  Savitri said Namaste and allowed one girl to shake her hand!

Dinner at Dilli Haut Marketplace.
Gordon, Guddu, Ajeet, Manu, Krish

Archana, Guddu, Manu, Mausi Ji.

The next morning Massi Ji and Masui Ji invited us over for lunch..it was only an hour visit but Goodu, Archana, Kris, Kamya, Roshni and Manu all came!

Jaya helping Massi Ji serve drinks

Savitri, Manu bhaiya, Jaya.  Manu prepared the girls their own lunch...non spicy noodles and eggs.

Next stop Udapiur.  Approximately 1 hour plane ride.  I am excited to carry on but it will be the last time we see Roni bua so it was bittersweet.

Now one would think, if you have a driver taking you to the airport, porters taking your luggage to check in and a local guide literally taking you by the hand, checking you in and guiding you to security that this would be an relatively smooth, seamless trip.

One would think.  Again, we went through gender specific security check points, searched.   Jaya was scanned and patted down, as I was I, but security personal were going to let Savitri pass …. however Savitri refused to continue unless she was also patted down in the "exact same way Jaya was".  She literally jumped on the tiny platform and grabbed the security guards arm guiding her to complete the same security check on her.   We still managed to get though it.  Then, onto our carry-on where multiple items are removed and scrutinized (you would think by now we would know exactly what was and was not allowed on planes but apparently not!).   Our precious Mittins was swished and squeezed and poked to ensure there was no contraband inside her, this time she was permitted to pass.

Once cleared, all of our carry on bags had to be ticketed AND stamped to get on the plane (Note this point for later!).  Ajeet, Savitri, Jaya and I have 4 carry on bags, a pack we are using to carry Savitri on our backs, the now infamous Mittens and some loose toys that Savitri continually changes her mind about holding/not holding.  Phew!! made it though that now all we have to do is wait to board…right?

Jay taking a power nap at the airport.

The final boarding call was made and I realized now I couldn't find our passports.  Nina (Ajeet' sister) was helping me frantically rummage through the numerous pockets of my purple carry on bag to no avail….just, as I was about to sprint back to security the passports were discoverex secured in a small pocket of my bag.  Nina has now requested I no longer travel with that purple bag, especially when I am with her.  I am ecstatic to have found the passports but still reluctant to I let go of my bag.  Ajeet now takes charge of the passports.
Okay, just grab our stuff and board the plane…last obstacle, another pre-plane bag checkpoint (I have completely forgotten about this)….and of course my stamped ticket for this purple bag is MIA, security is not letting me by, my heart is pounding out of my chest.  I start fumbling around, I am preparing to erupt in a scream of anger, frustration, terror, desperation that could be sensed by security and feared by all bystanders waiting behind me.   Seconds before I release my RAGE, I spot the ticket ripped and fallen down the side of the bag.  Once my heart slows down and breathing returns to normal I realize that Nina is right, the bag must go!

Love, Shannon (with lots of help from my superstar husband Ajeet)