CHAPTER 1 - TO TAKE OR NOT TO TAKE?
It was in December 2022 that Anand came to me with a proposal.
"Dad, Do you want to visit Japan? Or, Europe?"
"Anand, Now I am already 86 and I have visited US, Canada, China and Hong Kong. Now, I have no desire to see more places. Leave the idea. I am happy where I am."
"But, Dad, you like travelling and you enjoy writing about your experiences with apt photographs. Thank God, your health is not bad. Think seriously about it and let me know. I can arrange everything for your comfortable travel in the company of tourists of your age. Tell me which place you like, Japan or Europe."
"Dad, Don't think about the expenditure. It will cost you about Rupees two lakhs. But, again, thank God, your kids do not need your hard earned savings. It is your money and you should make use of it to the best. Your earthly needs are over. Any income that comes as your pension is for you to spend. Don't live like a miser and die rich. Enjoy your life now. You have suffered enough in your younger days."
That set me thinking. The whole night I was pondering about Anand's offer. My wife, Madhuram, has become an invalid. She is under the care of two maids for day and night. She depends on a walker to move from her bedroom to the hall. She dislikes more walking and we don't know if it is her inability or dislike to walk. In addition, she is affected by dementia. She cannot think rationally and express her requirements. She even cannot differentiate between day and night. She has started forgetting names of even close relatives or friends. Births, marriages deaths etc. have no effect on her. I thought I should not leave her in this stage to go on an international tour. But. Anand assured me that she will be well looked after by him, Sarada and the maids. Anyway, my not being here will not make any difference in her routine. He added that I will be losing a big golden chance since I am no longer getting younger.
Next day, Anand told me that I have a good company. "Balaji is also planning to take this trip. He will be a good company for you and will be of help to you." Balaji is Sarada's athimber and a good family friend. Surely, it is a good piece of information, favouring my intention to take the trip.
I consulted my other children, Aruna and Kumaresh. They strongly advised in my taking the trip.
Next day, I told Anand, "Okay, I will choose the Europe trip. Tell me which countries we will be visiting and whether we will be getting vegetarian food."
I got the answers. The plan is to visit France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy and one more country. Throughout. we will be staying in four-star hotels and vegetarian food will be available. Balaji will be joining me from Abu Dhabi. I have to travel alone from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi. The tour will start from Paris Airport. We have to take our homeward flight from Rome.
Surely, the tour is very exciting. So far. I have seen these countries only in atlas and photographs. Now, I can "touch" these countries and their landscapes, people and buildings. I will be getting chances to travel in various types of vehicles in land and water. I became a child.
I began my preparations. I bought a good diary and a pen-set, collected my good shirts, T-shirts etc. But, pants! I had not purchased nor stitched one since my retirement 25 years ago. I was managing with just three/four pairs of pants. They were "old-fashioned" and dull in appearance. But, thanks to my children, who visited me for my 85th birthday, I got two pairs of pants and a tracksuit. Still, that was not enough. Two more sets would be welcome, I thought. It was at that time that Anand and Sarada presented me with more than six pairs of pants which Anand did not use and was not intending to use either. But, all of them were of size 32 inches. My waist size is 36 inches-plus. I took five of them to the alteration tailor, hoping that he could alter two of them to my present waist-size. But, he did a magnificent job, converting all the five to my waist-size. Now, all my requirements are over.
Anand helped me in completing the requirements for the your; like the payment of tour charges, visa fee, financial papers, flight tickets, insurance cover for the tour-period etc. Kumaresh, who made a surprise trip to us, escorted me to the Visa centre, where we completed the formalities. In a week's time from that date, we received my passport, with my visa, by courier.
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