This post has taken so long to get ready not only because of the of the time it takes to edit over 80 photos out of over 1100. The entire experience was so remarkable that we've had a hard time processing the trip.
It was almost last-minute before Daniel and I got our crap together to plan this trip we knew was coming. Planning this kind of travel is overwhelming, there were so many logistics, and it's our first international travel together. We got our passports, then approached Herron Travel Agency here in Nashville to help us with the flights. They were wonderful and helped us get our plane tickets, visas, and travel insurance.
We've already told you about the first leg of our trip, a wonderful two days in London, England for New Years Eve and Day. We left Heathrow airport at about 3pm January 2 and arrived in Hyderabad a little after 5 am on January 3. On the flight I had my hair in a top knot so it wasn't in my way when I attempted to sleep in Coach. I bent over to get something from my bag just as the flight attendant was handing out breakfast. I got delicious-smelling breakfast-curry in my hair when my top knot hit the tray out of the flight attendants hands. I also got the giggles. I giggled as I "washed" my hair with sparkling water and my always lifesaver, "Not My Mother's" dry hair shampoo. I smelled delicious. I was also deliriously tired. The flight attendants on all our British Airways flights were positively wonderful.
We landed, gathered our bags, and visited Duty Free. We then had a few minutes to watch the sunrise while we waited for Felicia and Kaarthik. A sunrise when your jet lagged body is pretty sure it's the middle of the night is awe-inspiring. We decided that we wanted to try to trick the jet lag by staying up as long as possible our first day there.
We dropped all our luggage at our hotel, the Tourist Palace and headed to Kaar's parents house. We got to spend some time getting to know Kaar's wonderful parents before more family came over. The rest of the family started coming for the days festivities and it was such a blessing to meet them all.
We went and did some shopping so Daniel and I would be wedding ready. I got a few kurtas and Daniel got a nice dress-shirt from West Side for DJ night. We would go back to West Side again during our trip. I brought about seven kurtas home with me and Daniel got some
That afternoon they started the Mehndi. I learned that they hide the husbands name in the design on the brides hands, and the reason for this is adorable. India traditionally had many arranged marriages. For many brides & grooms their weddings were their first meeting. The groom would spend hours searching for his name in the designs while talking to and getting to know his new bride. Felicia and Kaar already knew each other very well, but his name was still hidden in her designs.
After Mehndi we headed to the hotel and slept for around 12 hours straight. Jet lag exhaustion makes for deep sleep.
Our second day in India we went back over to Kaar's parents for homemade breakfast and fresh bananas. They were the best bananas I have ever or think I will ever eat again. Shortly after breakfast the rest of the family started filtering in.
After the family arrived, the Pooja Service started. This is a Hindi service to ask the gods for blessings and for the demons to stay away. The Pooja Service is a Hindi service that offers light, flowers, and food to celebrate a special event. The family gathered around Felicia & Kaar and blessed them with song, food, and fire.
Ammi spent most of this time taking photos and videos, while I got the play-by-play from various uncles. My favorite was when he said, “Now they will pray to the evil spirits.” I stared blankly for a moment so he clarified, “To… calm down” followed by a huge grin.
Daniel
After the Pooja service Daniel and Kaar went for a drive and saw Kaar's childhood haunts. The women got out a drum and a spoon and sang traditional songs with Felicia & Ammi. Felicia had to sing at least one, so she and I sang "You are my Sunshine" together.
That night was DJ night, we headed to the hotel to get ready. Kaar's family rented a beautiful hotel space for the event. It was so much fun! It's the only wedding I have ever danced at in my life.
On our third day in Hyderabad, we went to Kaar's parents and walked to the neighborhood bangle store. I bought several handcrafted bangles for family and friends. We shopped for shoes and clothes too before coming back and resting at Kaar's parents house. That night we had another dancing party downstairs in the garage of Kaar's parents building.
After two nights of late night dance parties Daniel and I slept in late. Daniel and Kaar headed out mid-morning to buy Daniel's kurta for the reception that night. After Daniel had his traditional clothes we spent a few more hours lounging and resting. The reception would be another late night.
Interesting Tidbit:
Kaar's family is a mix of people that speak Hindi, Telugu, and English or a mix of the three. It's because of this that we have two titles in his family, both refer to the fact that he is Felicia's father's younger brother and I am his wife.
| Hindi | Telugu | |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Uncle | Father's Younger Brother | Chaachaa | Babai |
| Ammi Aunt | Father's Younger Brother Wife | Chaachii | Pinni |
That afternoon Sirisha, Mona Didi, Kamakshi, and Smriti came and picked me up to take me to the salon to get ready. A nice group of ladies at the salon wrapped my saree, and did my hair and makeup. While I was getting ready Kaar picked up Daniel and they headed to Paigah Palace.
I was escorted to Paigah Palace by Kamakshi and Smriti. It truly is a palace, like nothing I've ever been close to. It was something straight out of a fairy tale. There were so many people and so much food! I've never been to anything close to comparable.
After another late nights (they shut the lights off while we were still visiting) we headed back to the hotel.
The next day we slept in again (we are not use to so much late night partying). Felicia, Kaar, and Kumlesh (Kaar's childhood friend) picked us up and we went to a restaurant. Kumlesh knew all the best places and we finished our souvenir shopping and did some sightseeing.
Sadly, we didn’t really take full advantage of our last full day in Hyderabad. I was finally exhausted and starting to get sick. We had planned to spend one last day visiting our new family, but it didn't work out. We headed to our hotel by the airport, Novotel, for our 5am flight the next morning. At Novotel we talked to Kaar's wonderful family on the phone, had very reasonably priced room service for dinner (when you considered the exchange rate), and rested well.
The next morning the Novotel (or possibly Shaley Mama, one of Kaar’s uncles to whom we talked the night before) provided a private cab to the airport because I was clearly not feeling well. I'm never feeling great at 5am, it doesn't matter what timezone.
Our time in Hyderabad left us with a happy soft-spot in our hearts for the warm loving people, the sprawling city, and the delicious food. We were sad to leave it but also excited for our own bed and Magnus.
On the way home we had a horrible experience at Heathrow Airport. We missed our connection flight. Thankfully, British Airways made it right. They got us home only minutes later than scheduled with a different flight. Our experience with BA was great, from the service desks to the flight attendants.
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