Colorful Puppets of Jaipur - October 22, 2013

Depending on whether you are in India or San Francisco, 
I have 42 or or 43 days left in Mumbai - it's 12-1/2 hrs earlier at home!

One of the things I love most about this "country of my heart, is the brilliant colors

everywhere, in clothing, home decor, puppets and, of course, cosmetics.  When

I finally win the lottery, I will return, oblivious of overweight luggage charges, to

outfit my new homes with all sorts of wonderful Indian purchases, in brilliant 

colors, to offset gloomy rains and to fill my days with happiness and wonderful

memories of visits to this land I love so much.

I am participating in

Mandarin Orange Monday 64

Monday Mellow Yellows

and

Blue Monday

A Return to the Umaid Mahal - July 10, 2012

I wrote about this special heritage hotel in my blog of January 31, 2012 -
http://rnsane.blogspot.in/2012/02/my-first-day-in-jaipur-rajasthan-india.html#links -
after my three day visit there. I just couldn't resist going back again,
especially when I checked out the incredible off season rates. Ajay
Singh Shekhawat, the front desk manager, and I had become friends
so I called him to book a two day stay and was warmly greeted by many
staff I remembered. I checked into a beautiful room with a canopied bed
and gleaming black marble floor. I couldn't have felt more luxurious and
regal!


What was nice about this visit that I didn't get to use in January was the
lovely rooftop restaurant. Even during the brief periods of rain, it was so

nice dining up there, enjoying the coolness of the evenings. I just regret
that I never had an inheritance or lottery winnings that permit me the
luxury of spending the rest of my days alternating between life at the Umaid
Mahal or cruising on a Royal Caribbean ship. I'm really going to work on
that in my next life!

Ajay Singh Shekkawat, front desk manager

Keeping the brass shiny

Shrine to Hindu goddess, Durga, at reception

Lobby reception area

Lobby guards

Rooftop dining

Chai break with Ajay

Cloudy Jaipur skies

Friday Flash 55 - The Biggest Loser - January 28, 2011

Every day was agony,

She treated him the same,

Calling him a loser,

She was a hateful dame.

Twenty years of marriage,

He'd been a faithful spouse,

He gave her every paycheck,

And bought her this nice house!

He left behind some money, heading for the door,

With his lottery winnings, he'd return no more!

I am participating in Mr KnowItAll's Friday Flash 55!

Check it out and join in the fun.

The Lottery

For over fifteen years, I've been eating at a wonderful Thai restaurant called Manivanh. I'll do a blog on them one of these days soon. The family that owns it are like my own family. Very often when I eat there, San Pen - who works there and is the partner of one of the Douangpanya daughters ( the lovely Ann ) and I joke about winning the lottery. We always say we'll share our winnings when we do. Often, if I haven't gotten my ticket, he'll go across the street for me, to the neighborhood market, and get two for me - one for California's Superlotto and one for the national MegaMillions. The only problem is that, thus far, San hasn't brought back any winners!

Just last week, I couldn't believe, a lady won the MegaMillions with a ticket purchased at Pak N Save, the grocery store where I shop. I never even thought of buying a ticket there! At any rate, they say that lightning never strikes twice in the same place so I guess I'll stick with buying a ticket when I'm feasting at Manivanh. Don't give up San...we're both going to win one of these days. Keep the faith.

Regardless, I wrote this poem and it is dedicated to you!!!

The Lottery

( dedicated to San Pen )

I know the odds are not the best,

And though I play each week,

And buy a single ticket,

My chances seem quite bleak.

I wouldn’t be a selfish one,

I’d gladly share the loot,

I’d give to every charity,

That’ll be in hot pursuit.

I don’t need mega millions,

Just a million would suffice,

But if I got a little more,

I’d think that mighty nice!

My years are growing short,

So there isn’t much I need,

I wouldn’t want the lottery folks,

To think I’m filled with greed.

I don’t have special numbers,

I do the “quick pick” things,

I’m not asking for great treasures,

Just some pleasures money brings.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) December 2009 by Carmen Henesy
All rights reserved.