[Sam Kapasi]

We're on our way to see the firecrackers at Marine Drive.

I really want those stars and lanterns. I still hope the little stalls will be open.
Oh look!! Let's stop!

The area of Dadar and Mahim is alive with the spirit of Diwali. I park inside one of the lanes and we both realise how beautiful things really are.








Shopping now, for lanterns and stars and gifts for family and friends.









I hear her talking to the stallwalla.

Don't give me some firangi price haan?
NO madam!! This Indian price only!! No wrong price.





I help her bargain (Tee majhi bayko aahe baba!) and she makes some good deals and purchases. All in all a good time.





Now we will drive to Marine drive, we have a table waiting for us at the Dome on top of the Hotel Intercontinental.

[Sam Kapasi]

Good evening Sir, good evening Ma'm HAPPYYY Diwali says the smiling Sikh at the door to the Intercontinental.

We're at the Dome. Amazing location, classy place, awful food, terrible cocktails. I can think of no better place to be on Diwali night.

SCREEEEE WHAM!!!
OOOHH!!



CHEEEEEE KABOOOM!!
AAAHHH!!







We join the four score and twenty tourists upstairs in our oohs and aahs and clap loudly at the really good firecrackers. It is a fireworks show for free!







It is beautiful, but clearly conversation is out of the question. It is a magical night as thousands of beautiful Indian people collect with their families and celebrate by painting the sky with fire.



It is wonderful to re-discover the pleasure of Diwali with TheOne®. I sit there quietly, staring up at the sky, reminiscing.

Your first Diwali?
You came specially for Diwali? How lovely?
Oh how nice, you're here for Diwali?
How do you like your first Diwali?

Everyone has had a similar question for her all these days and to all she has answered smiling brightly and nodding. This Diwali has been very special for me, I have enjoyed it so much.

So many things that I have seen all my life, I have been able to rediscover this year. This Diwali has carried a very simple basic joy that I have discovered through her eyes.

While it is a magical night, we are very high up in the sky and the air is getting thick with gunpowder smoke from the rockets. A hour and a half later, it is time to say goodbye to the fiery sky.










I take a few pictures of the Diwali decorations and we drive home, taking a back route as marine Drive is completely jammed.

It has been a good day. Good Night everyone.

[phamilyman]

Lovely. Thanks for sharing. Well spoken and wonderfully photographed. Which cam?

I never recall Mahim quite like your pics above. Fantastic.

[srijit]

Another stellar narration Sam. What I especially liked were the photos of you in that Salwar and the pic of the Milk Power in the puja ceremony.

In case you read this post, just go back to your photo in the Salwar and read the line just above it (though I am sure you put it like that, on purpose)

Where's Jenny's narrative? Or has she been too busy?

[Bullfrog]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Happy Diwali!!

Time to get up and get dressed for the office Laxmi Pooja. Every year we have this little traditional ceremony and this year TheOne® will be part of it.

Attachment 66411

Oh!! What this line of flowers on the car?
It is part of the tradition of Diwali.
But why do you worship your car?
Well we do this with our cars and homes and machines and more.
Why?
Uhhh....

I see that this way of decorating the car is getting quite popular. All new cars seem to have it nowadays.

My colleague calls it 'Nappie' design. Here the car is wearing a floral one

By the way pics are great and truly capture the spirit of the festival. Enjoying the thread.

cheers
Bullfrog

[Sam Kapasi]

Thanks for appreciating. I was a little embarrassed as I had no great adventure to write about.

Originally Posted by srijit

the pic of the Milk Power in the puja ceremony.

While I am not sure I understand what Milk Power means, I found it most amusing that we were having a traditional Pooja with Low-fat skimmed milk.

Originally Posted by srijit

In case you read this post, just go back to your photo in the Salwar and read the line just above it (though I am sure you put it like that, on purpose)

I read every post. Actually I only just realised that I mixed up the order of my photos and put my own photo after saying "She looks beautiful" too funny!

Originally Posted by srijit

Where's Jenny's narrative? Or has she been too busy?

Jenny flew back to Germany on Sunday. Now where's that sad smiley?

She is back home, but a bit unwell. I am sure she will be here shortly.

Thanks again, I'll go on in 15 minutes.

[Lukeskywalker]

What a wonderful way to spend your diwali, and to be with a special person makes it priceless, it is a very happy post, feel nice just reading it.
Wishing you and Jenny many more such wonderful times together Sam.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Thanks for appreciating. I was a little embarrassed as I had no great adventure to write about.

That you can craete such an interesting account out of 'nothing at all' is testimony to your writing skills!!

That was a very enjoyable read. Thank you. And some of the photos are remarkable.

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by anupmathur

That was a very enjoyable read. Thank you. And some of the photos are remarkable.

I haven't finished
There are a few days left.

And would you really want this story to end without one of my trademark airport goodbyes?

[sammyboy]

Sam, I love your blogs for the way you make us realise the beautiful pleasures of togetherness, which we take for granted in our everyday lives.
Each blog about you and Jenny is extremely lovable, romantic but at the same time so real.
Thank you for sharing it with us. It makes us feel special.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

I haven't finished

Ooops!!
Now, can anyone be unhappy about that!?
I'm all ears, err.. eyes!

[Steeroid]

Lovely pics and of course a beautiful lady.

The low-fat milk for puja must be a first, though! Whatever happened to rich full milk and shuddh desi ghee?

[srijit]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

While I am not sure I understand what Milk Power means, I found it most amusing that we were having a traditional Pooja with Low-fat skimmed milk.

Ha ha. I missed the "d" in Milk Powder (which I assumed it to be)

Your Salwar pic was great. Caught me totally off-guard while scrolling down, reading the post.

[mmmjgm]

I bow down to you o lord Yeti, I thought you could take pics and weave words around them, but this is sublime stuff.

In my so many years, I have not seen the sights and sounds that make mumbai so beautiful as you have portrayed through your pictures.

In a daily rush to get to wherever one is going one misses out on the subtle beauty in and around us.

Beautiful pictures. Its that you have captured and held still the spirit of Diwali in Mumbai.

Great pictures.

I am now thinking of a monument to the yeti.

No offense meant but I remember a gujarati one liner someone had passed on. Fatakdi side ma hoy anne tamme fatakda jova gaya ?
Cheers
M M

[arpandiv]

Nice pics, you captured the vibrant feeling of diwali pretty well.
Wonderful read.

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

We join the four score and twenty tourists upstairs in our oohs and aahs and clap loudly at the really good firecrackers. It is a fireworks show for free!

Umm isnt a score = 20 so 5 score tourists.