Prudential Tower, Boston

On 30th July evening, Runi, Yash and the 3 of us--- all went to Prudential tower, which is the 2nd tallest bldg. (The tallest one is Hancock tower) in Boston to have a 360 degree top-view of the city of Boston.
After purchasing tkts., we were lifted to the 50th floor, thru an elevator, where the Skywalk observatory enclosed desk is there for all the viewers. The observation is further guided by audio-visual hand-held gadgets and also aided by  simple electronically operated boards plus a lot of writings to help the viewer enrich his storehouse of  knowledge.
The obsrevatory is almost dome-shaped with windows to have views therefrom.  The Hancock tower, Boston common, Boston public garden, Boston public library, The Trinity church, Copley Square, the nearby Colonnade Hotel, The CITGO signs  (visible fm here) , the Christian Science Church,  the  Charles river, Red line trains, Boston Symphony hall,  Beth  Israel medical center, the Boston harbor and the far-away islands, the Back Bay plus the range of mountains, at a great distance & visible  on the  horizon, the JFK  Presidential library & Museum overlooking the Back Bay, the Science Museum...........  it was a feast of the eyes to see them  from  such an altitude. The roads down below with cars moving seamlessly, the redline trains moving  from time to time, the river with  boats floating as evident from the white  of the sails and the range of mountains on the horizon plus the airplanes flying from and landing at the Logan airport, the flight of the  airplanes in the sky & the back Bay.......... it was  really really a stunning view.
There was a telescope also there  as a facility.
We entered the gift-shop and saw  some of the items. No purchase was made however. 
Next, we entered a mini-hall where a 10 to  15 min. show of  the famous places of Boston was shown on screen.
Children who were with their parents & guardians were beaming with joy  & were  running from one place to another.
People clicked their cameras endlessly. Dada, Runi and Yash also took snapshots at their freewill.
We waited  for nightfall,  bec. it would be great to see lights & Neon signs on,  plus car lights through the streets. Actually it happened so &  wow....... it was  now dazzling all around. Naturally,  people rushed to the windows to have this spectacular view of the city of  Boston with its River and the  Back Bay, the Airport and the streets plus  the residential quarters as well as the  commercial  hub............. all in flying colors & light.  Yash showed us the Neon sign of the Gillette Shaving Headquarters, visible from here & actually at a considerable distance from here.
Next we came down to the retail component of the Prudential tower and found a few shops & restaurants such as Ann Taylors, Sephora, Vineyard Vines etc.
Also, there is an office component of this tower which holds many important Offices also.

Today, it is 31 July & a sunday. Runi's as well as Yash's  friend  Prashant and his wife Akashi are due to come to our house in the evening. So, Runi rises early &  is off to Coolidge Corner for marketing, I presume, in her car. The weather is good and we have no other agenda, but to take rest. I have to go to my routine walking exercise. Maybe I would look into Indian newspapers for updates and also the latest updates of the world news. Bou-di is busy in the kitchen.
I am closing my blog here.

virus vs blog

No blog was written, on 28th---29th July,  bec. of  computer virus & cleaning of the same by Yash  mainly   & partially by Runi also.......however, nothing to write about besides khana-pina aur ghumna (daily walking exercise).

Today is 30th..... it is 12-30 P.M now, as I am writing this blog. Dada & Runi have gone to Macy's for certain
changes/returns/new purchases..... may be they will return home at abou 2 P.M. Yash is home. He will go to the Lab. Me & Bou-di are also home.

Just another day?

Today is just another day. Runi & Yash left for their labs together in the morning. Dada's computer is not working...... Yash will look into the problem when he returns and is sure to fix the same. So, dada is reading  books as long as he can. Bou-di is busy cooking. Today's menu:--  Biulir (Kalai) daal, alu-olkopir tarkari, lau dhane pata diye, Katla fish curry, achar (pickles) and dahi.
Before that, I had some walk at about 10 A.M, for about 35 mins. first towards Cleveland Cir. and back and towards Tappan St. next and back.
I saw a laurel & Hardy video in computer and took my bath. Runi mailed & suggested that we shd go to a library near Coolidge corner.
Lunch over, we had some sleep, but failed to go to the library, bec. it was almost 6-o-clock in the evening when we were ready. So, the idea of going there was dropped.
Runi came home after 6-30 P.M. Yash will come late.

Back home

25th-26th July passed on, after our tour to Niagara falls & TI Park. 25th July was a rest day for the 3 of us, as none of us moved anywhere. Bou-di was busy with her activities in the kitchen. I was busy with the computer........writing a blog about the tour and  also e-mailing to friends and relatives plus replying to 1 or 2 mails received. Yash and Dada had a lot to talk  about among themselves in r/o different topics.
Photo albums  (Photos of our different trips) had been ordered online by Runi and the delivery was made.
Everybody looked into the same, refreshing memories thereby. 
In the evening, a few phone calls were made to India.  I recd. a call fm Himadri who wanted to know about all of us.
Next day i.e today  (26th July), we went to  Russo's in Watertown  (Border of Watertown & Waltham) with Runi.... she driving the car  .... Yash was in his lab. a lot of vegetables and saag purchased. The salad bar was tempting; but, on second thought, I refrained fm eating anything........ I  had sort of  a stomach upset yesterday & had been feeling ok today. So, I dropped the idea.
We also went to Patel's thereafter & purchased a few items there.
I forgot to mention that today it rained here in Boston..........the gruelling heat is gone  & the weather is pleasant.

To Niagara falls

23rd  July to 24th July.... we chose those 2 days for our trip to Niagara falls by a Bus, fm Boston & back there, at the end of the tour.
So, our journey began in the early morning of 23rd, when we boarded the tour bus.  It  was a motley  crowd  of Europeans, Indians (in a large no.), chinese & ors. Everyone of the passengers seemed to be in the best of his or her spirits........ everyone had just one agenda  in common  i.e to see & enjoy the spectacular & powerful waterfalls on the river  Niagara, known as  Niagara falls.
The journey was peaceful thoroughly so far....... things falling in places  i.e  limited stoppage of the bus for the passengers  to have breakfast and tea, words from the lady announcer on microphone, giving description of the places to pass through and the places to come next..... all from time to time.......to keep the passengers  alert & awake.... to give them relief against the long  and strenuous bus-ride plus play of  a comic action movie  in the Tv sets within----------- it was sort of a smooth journey. Even it drizzled for some time to provide us some respite against the weather which was hot & humid outside.  However, it was immaterial on account of the fact that the Bus had its own AC system.
Then, out of the blue, the AC of the bus failed. People murmured and then resented. As the temperature was rising ouside and inside also, passengers burst into feats of anger. The lady conductor tried in vain to appease a  section of the angry crowd, when the driver brought the bus to a sudden halt and we were advised to have a break and khana (for lunch), while he (the driver) tried to restore the faulty system.

Wastage of time & nothing else------------ the driver told us that while we reach  & enjoy the Niagara tour, he will, in the meanwhile, have the system rectified.  No other option.
So, we bore with the situation or rather had to bear with it, and the bus was driven on & on.

Finally, the goal was achieved and  it was near the waterfalls where everybody got down.
A movie show awaited us..... name:  Maid of the mist. It deals with  a legend which depicts the spirit of a native girl who lived near the great waterfalls of the Niagara and  was bold enough to break free from  the bondage of marriage to a wise as well as  respectable man, much older than her & respond to the call of  the nature & eventually  die in the waterfalls, as she, after disregarding her own community's decision, could scarcely live in her own village. So,she remained an unmarried girl and died and acquired the immortality of being acclaimed as the maid of the mist.... ........ people say that her spirit lives in the mist of the Niagara waterfalls & some even go to the extent of seeing her there, in the midst of the water-particles or the mist rising high.
Next, we  went down the gorge, by an elevator, of course, & enjoyed  a boat trip, on the river. The waterfalls have two sections i.e the American side and the more renowned and attractive  horse-shoe waterfalls of the Canadian side where the water really falls from a much greater height than the American side. Plus, in  this Canadian side, the waterfalls  are  more voluminous & consequently more powerful. By the way......... hydro-electricity  is derived easily and on a very large scale fm the Niagara falls in USA and Canada.
How shall I describe Niagara waterfalls? It is spectacular  & sort of a treasure in one's memory. So, cameras clicked,  clicked and clicked. People enjoyed the great natural phenomenon from a close range, between the waters of the river  Niagara in US side as well as the Canada side. One has to wrap up in a plastic raincoat one's head & body, as far as possible; but, still one can not get rid of being wet and sometimes drenched even.
Up again, we had  a view of the Niagara and Runi, Yash & dada ventured to go upstairs to get a closer look..... of course from quite far.  They were really drenched when they returned and joined us.

Next, we had our dinner at an open-air eaterie  (India restaurant) which was basically a mobile van with a water supply and a power line connected there within, and an Indian Tri-color flag flying atop to attract probable visitors from the sub-continent.  Dada and myself chose to have Veg Biriyani whereas Yash, Runi & Boudi opted for some other dishes, according to their own choice. We had our dinner sitting on chairs and the dishes were put on the table.... everything in the open area near the mobile restaurant.
The Bus driver had meanwhile restored the AC and  took all the passengers to the Goat island,  which divides the river-water into 2 sections--- one in US side & the 2nd one in Canadian side. It is the top view of the waterfalls & we saw lights of different colors being focused  on the Niagara waterfalls creating a rainbow which was a feast of the eyes. Should I call this as Niagara by night?  The tour operator perhaps said so, earlier.

From this point, the bus drove all of us to a hotel for night-stay viz Comfort inn, quite comfartable really. We were too tired bec. of the strains &  did go to bed without a second thought.
In the morning,  I prepared myself for the brkfast & had the same downstairs, along with Runi and Bou-di. Runi fetched me some good brkfast, in a hurry. Bou-di was also having brkfast , while Dada was still not there with us. However, as the bus was ready to go, Runi and  Yash carried brkfasts for 3 plus also more for all.
A  2 and 1/2 hr. drive fm this hotel, brought us to the famous Thousand island Park, which is an archipelago of more than 1700 islands between US & Canada waters. Each island is a separate entity with cottages and residents  (not all of them),  migratory birds and trees on it. Some have birds and trees only to live and grow.... some are smaller ones with just a single tree and sometimes migratory waterfowls living on the same.
The TI Park is already known to us, the Indians,  for Swami Vivekananda's historic trip there, upon an invitation from Miss Mary Dutcher, an artist and owner of a cottage in an island,  in this TI Park, in the June of 1893. I learnt fm Google search that Swami Nikhilananda mostly, as well as some other monks of the Ramakrishna order and also many other admirers of  Swami Vivekananda restored the cottage of   Swamiji to a modern-day condition, after sincere research, spending of money and  dedication ----though the said cottage where  Swamiji  once lived for a few weeks and held classes also, remained in an obsucrity for more than 50 yrs., after his departure.
I could not know which  one  is the island where Swami Vivekananda  once set his feet upon.
Our tour operator had arranged for us a boat which ferried through the waters of the TI Park & we saw a lovely sight of so many islands at a distance... some with inhabitants and cottages and trees and also sometimes we saw birds on the trees. Some of the islands were , however, uninhabitated, but, trees were there as a sign of life. This boat cruise would be a lasting memory for all of us.
From here, the bus started for  the return journey to Boston; but, after travelling some distance, all of us heard loud noises of the engine and  the driver  gradually sidelined the bus. The lady announcer had earlier been much scolded for the failure of the AC . That upset her and she was , at that time, moved to tears. Now, came the final blow for her.... yet she announced that there had been a break down  and the bus won't go any further.
We waited. The driver tried hard with  all his experience, knowledge as well as his available handy set of tools.  But, no........ the engine did not roar and it seemed to be a lost case. The driver-conductor contacted with another bus coming from behind. Their driver came and  checked and gave his valuable opinion------ you have to wait till we come back here again, after some time i.e after we drop our passengers on board to a hotel. Thereafter, we will come here again and pick all of you up and  take you to a place of rest. The process may take  about one hour or so.
That was agreed to , but what about our own bus? Was it going to re-start?
Yes----- you would have rest & food/tea/coffee at that pl. for about 3 hrs. and then this bus would  be ok and re-start.
In the meantime, everybody got down and was was  either standing or sitting in the open space  down the road.  A police officer came in his patrolling car and took stock of the situation.
People found time to interact among themselves now. Yash, while introducing me to an Indian origin passenger, said....... He is kaku to me... he loves to blog  everyday. Maybe he will write a lot about this happening i.e  the AC failure & specially the break down of the bus.
 The young co-passenger remarked----- a few pics. of the bus standing on the road-side & all of the passengers sitting or standing behind, shd be attached .
Yes---I agreed  ----- perhaps I would allot just 2-3 lines for Niagara and many lines for this episode.
The rescue Bus came and loaded all the passengers and started for the Oasis place...so to say. While going, the conductor/announcer (Of the new bus)  tried to boost up our sinking morale....... Break downs are rare in USA, but, such things can happen in reality.  I remember....he went on saying.......  the incident of a bus brk down, while I was in China, many yrs. back  (he was a chinese).... we were stranded in a forest-like place and in the midst of a heavy political situation, as a war was going on at that time, between China and another country (He named, but somehow I failed to listen to).
In short, he tried to be bold enough to console us and face the situation in good humour. In fact, we all had already been doing so,  in the absence of any other option.
The place of rest was a  Mcdonald's  food joint........ here we attempted to get some food & coffee; but, adverse circumstances for us  came full circle,  when their ( Mcdonald's) coffee machines failed. However,  good news  are on the other side of the coin,  so far showing bad news &  we got reports that our main Bus had  been  set right  & was approaching. In a hurry, Runi and Yash procured some food & drink  for  the night & also took some food in packets, for the journey.
The rest  was good news really------- the bus came in about 10 mins. and we all boarded  (save for a handful of passengers  who already went to their own  destinations thru separate arrangements) the same.  Now,   did that matter at all in the night, when after covering quite some distance towards Boston, the light & AC again failed?  The lady conductor was desparate enough to declare :---  We have a 2nd bus behind us. Those who want to avail, can avail that one. AC & light are on in our next bus. Will  any of you go??
One or two hands were raised , in utter frustration perhaps ------ hoping against hope. Then as it was realised that Boston was only about one hour or so away, better senses prevailed upon everybody, and none went to argue with her.
Came Boston at about  11-45 P.M & the lady was now generous enough to smile and declare----- there are Taxis here in the Taxi stand. Please get a taxi & go home..... Our company is paying for you.
So------ all is well that ends well & when we had two taxis (fare paid by the travel agency) heading for Brighton, where we live, the driver of the taxi in which I was there, along with Yash, asked Yash a question.... what is this fuss all about?
Yash explained the situation & the taxi driver wisely remarked.......... break downs do happen, but most of the travel companies shrug off  their responsibility. You are lucky enough to be compensated  by this Co., I think.
We were at one with him.  Both the taxis had reached the destination. 
It was an eventful tour of course, but, at the end of the day or night, whatever it was.... we began liking the whole affair from a different angle.

Quincy re-visited

   Dada has a toothache & Runi has already made an appointment with the Doctor,  in Aspen Dental, in Quincy. She used to go to Aspen  Dental in New Hampshire & is satisfied with their services.

  So, after breakfast, we proceeded to Quincy. This is our 2nd trip to the subarban town  (we earlier went there to meet Amitava & family).

  Aspen  Dental is in Newport Ave., Quincy & we reached there at about 11 A.M. The receiptionist there welcomed us and gave forms for filling in.  Dada filled the same in...... Runi helping him in doing so, and we waited till Dada was called in.
  Boudi and myself waited  near the reception, while Runi & Dada went to the Doctor's.

When they came out, we learnt that extraction of tooth, though necessary, may be done after we go back to   India.  Medicines for relief of toothache were given by the Dentist. She also gave an estimate for  Denture of the upper row of teeth.

Next, we visited Dollar family where all items (smaller variety) were selling @ $ 1. No purchase was made here.
So, our next target was Walmart--- may be that we would do some shopping here , as it is a big  name for shoppers and has a large and  a wide variety of stock

We  did some shopping here, in Walmart  and  next we moved towards home for khana and some sleep following the same.

The museum of science.

As planned, Runi, myself, Dada & Bou-di all went to  the  Museum of  Science today.  Yash had been to his lab already. Lunch over, we availed a  Green line train  (C-line) to detrain at North Stn. & then took a bus to get down at the Sc. Museum which overlooked the beautiful Charles River flowing by  its side.
There are  systems as well as facilities of admission to the Museum &  Runi chose to be an annual member who can, throughout the yr., take admissions along with   a few guests, at a concessional rate.
Problem of admission being resolved, we entered the Butterfly garden which is a glass-enclosed conservatory & is home to a variety of free-flying butterflies. Many snapshots were taken & even with a butterfly on Boudi's saree. It is not permissible to drive away butterflies, if they are on your body or clothing, in this natural home of butterflies/moths.
In the Exhibit hall...... we saw a variety of models of science & technology.......models of  light & optics.... we found time & pleasure to handle a No. of  easy-to-handle models of light & Optics. We were highly impressed by the model named Frozen shadow, where one stands against a phosphorescent wall, having some chemical thereon & light is beamed upon it , for a few seconds,  to generate a shadow & the board or the screen, on account of its phosphorescence,develop a shadow  (The screen had a  chemical  painted upon it),  lasting for a few seconds.  Runi & Dada  clicked their cameras here.

We saw many models of optical illusions.    Name-----Seeing is deceiving.   Human brain has its own shortcuts for what it sees, but, in many other cases, as here, optical illusions deceive the brain and we see curves whereas those are straight lines,  circular forms of different sizes, whereas they are of the same size and so on.

We saw tamarins of   Ecuador ------ they are but smaller monkeys in  trees and are live. Children were taking much interest here, to see the tamarins jumping and running.
Fossils------Runi asked me touch a fossil  of a dinosaur  (many varieties of Dinosaurs are there, of course)..... there was a small circular opening for touching the same and it was actually written there----' touch me here' 'Possible causes of the extinction of dinosaurs were written in a place, on a board. I came to know that though some asteroid striking the earth millions of yrs. ago & thereby causing the end of the  Dinosaur-age was a cause, for sure, other causes like volcanic eruptions etc. also were there. 

We saw mathematical and statistical models also-------- we saw Archimedises's experiment of  lifting of water from a lower level, through a screw or a spiral , by rotating a disc at the open end, to  an upper level.
We saw quotes of  Scientists  like Sir Isaac Newton, Hardy, La Place & many ors.

Also, We saw Models of  solar energy, Radio & microwaves,  experimental models of sound etc. I  learnt that if   millions of  Nano particles ,of  let's say water, can combine with each other at the rate of  millions combing per sec for millions of yrs, then a water-droplet  can be formed, after all.
We saw a 3D video  show. Ocean in  an African coast. The African people & their traditional dances. Swarms of  Sardine  fish  versus fish-hunting birds diving into the sea and fishermen catching a huge huge lot of the fishes.  Polarised light was used in this show & we wore 3D vision specs. &  the effect of digital technology  for the video plus audio cast a  spell on us.

In short, we  became aware of the fact that science & technology is surrounding us every moment, everywhere.

We took a break in a  cafe  inside the Museum & had something to chew. Then, again after exploring some  other corners of the  museum, we found people going out in Nos. In the wake of the outgoing visitors, we also made our exit.

Watertown mall & Arsenal mall

Today, it  is planned to go to 2 malls viz. Watertown mall ---- it is also known as Target, and the Arsenal mall. The 2 malls are located opp. to each other and are in the 2 sides of the Arsenal Rd.
Runi is on leave.... Yash is already in his lab. So, we have lunch & some sleep before we start for the malls. Runi is driving the car for us.... also she would have some of her suggestions in case we buy things in the malls.
In the  Watertown mall or Target, as it is known, we spend more than 2 hrs. looking  into   kitchen items, reading & writing items, electrical and electronic items, fragrances, men's & ladies wears plus many other items.  For some items, rebates are there for attention of the buyers...  for many other items... no rebate. The shopping center is huge and  has a v v large stock.

Next, we  go to the Arsenal mall. Earlier, we came here & purchased  a few things, I remember.   This mall is also large & has a variety of stocked items in a No. of shops.  We spend about 1 hr. here also.

Out in the parking space, Runi  is again on the wheels & drives home quietly. Bou-di first serves tea for the 2nd time in the evening & dinner is laid on the table soon after. Menu----- Chawal  (Bhat), Roti (Nun), papiya curry (peper tarkari), mochar ghanto ,  daal,  kajari maacher jhol & achar (pickles).

Nothing more to add  to & I stop here.

HNHM

Runi is on leave this week & she has planned to go to HNHM or the Harvard Natural History Museum.
Yash goes out for work more or less early. Boudi and Runi are engaged in cooking, while dada and myself  are preparing for the trip. I learn that the museum closes by 5  P.M.

After a quick lunch at about 1100 hrs. we all are ready and move on. A Green line train  and then a Redline train in the subway, bring us to Harvard Sq. Stn. We walk thru Harvard univ. campus area upto the main street which leads us to HNHM. Runi gets the passes (She is a Harvardian) for us & we enter within the museum.
The botanical gallery feature the internationally acclaimed glass Flowers. One has to marvel at the perfection (even from a botanical pt. of view) and the creation of a father-son duo of glass artists viz. leopold & Rudolph Blaschka. There are more than 4000 models of plants , created by glass & having wires within which are replicas of the original variety. many snapshots taken by dada, Runi and even  a few by me. The gallery is sort of a wonder & the Harvard museum has added a feather in its cap, by patronising the art of the said 2 artists.

The mineralogical gallery has many minerals like oxides, sulfides, sulfates, calcites, carbonates, borates & many ors. Crystals of Gypsum etc. catch the eye.  Also there are meteorites which provoke many thoughts of an onlooker.

Children were there looking at the gallery and reading the introductory writings & some more writings which were benificial to them, for gathering knowledge. Adults also enriched themselves by reading such explanations.  One Mr. Sadasibyya of  India, Bengaluru befriended us  &  we had tit-bits of things to discuss among ourselves.

New England forest gallery:-----  It  showcases the ecological  &  natural  regional forests of Massachusetts, Rhode island etc. & White Pine, Birch, beech etc are displayed.

The zoological gallery has a large collection of fossils & other extinct animal life. Vertebrate Paleontology  showcases Dinosaurs.

 the  Great  Mammal hall shows  fossils of mammals of the past. Africa gallery showcases replicas of Gorilla, African elephant etc.

 We saw replicas of Bison,  very large  skeleton of whales hanging from the ceiling in a gallery, Bengal Tiger  (replica), Lions, giraffe, reptiles also.

 We also saw  Maya and   Aztec  murals.

 We made our exit at about 4-40 P.M and walked to Harvard Sq., thru   harvard univ. bldgs. where we pose for photographs before the statue of John  Harvard. We touched  with one hand  one of the feet of the statue. Runi said to do so and actually many younger visitors  were also posing themselves  in the same way & their friends were taking snapshots.  Next we peeped into COOP --- a bookstore with a good collection of books. No Books or mags. were  purchased , however fm the store.

 We availed trains & came home at about 6 P. M.     Boudi had tea for us within mins.,  following which Poha was served by Runi for us.  The earlier day Chandi wrote in his e-mail------" Those who love to eat, learn Cooking fast."
As  Runi is learning to cook fast, Chandi's opinion must hold good in the reverse order also i.e Runi loves to eat.

Eureka

Yesterday, 17th July, Runi drove us to Russo's market---- near BJ's.  Let me refresh my memory about BJ's---- this is a wholesale club where one can find 1001 things, so to say, under one roof; but, one has to buy wholesale.  However, one can have membership & enjoy concessions for purchases.
Near this BJ's, there is a market (Russo's) which has a variety of  plants ............... flower plants of all types, Tomato plants, Misti Kumro plants (creepers??) , green vegetables of different countries inclusive of Indian varieties  ( we were surprised to find banana flower i.e mocha even in good condn.), saags viz. Kumro saag, Palak (Palang) saag, mulo saag & many ors. Strangely, I found Chinese bitter (Karela chinese type), besides our Indian type bitter i.e Karela.  This was our Eureka moment really,   because, 99% of  the items were our own variety  &  for all such things,  we were exploring so many market places. A lot of vegetables were purchased therefore & everybody appeared to be more than happy.
Runi said that she came here for the first time, though she  knew about the mkt.
Next, we went to BJ's and bought things.
Sorry---- I forgot to mention here that in Russo's, I was highly impressed by a well-spread-out salad bar which had a lot of salads. Next time  (In case we arrive here)  I would taste salads definitely.
On 18th  (In the afternoon),  Runi took us to Kenmore by a bus, from Washington st., & Corey Rd. intersection. The bus ride here was new for us.
From Kenmore, we  i.e Runi, myself, Dada & Boudi  (Yash was in his lab) ----- all walked along Deerfield St., by the side of Ramakrishna Mission upto Charles River & sat there in a bench for about 25 min.
As usual, many snaps were taken. Opp. to us, on the other side of the river, Hayat (Hotel chain) was there with its massive & eye-catching structure,  two  capsule lifts going up & down like butterflies and the name of the hotel  (Hayat) showing more or less clearly, even from the considerable distance & inspite of the fact that lights were not on, though it was late hrs. of the evening  evident by the sun which was declining.. A bridge over the river was clearly visible--------people practising health exercises, joggers and a few boats sailing on the river added to the charm of the place. Dada & Runi took many photographs.
Next, we walked back towards kenmore Bus station and availed ourselves of a bus which took us to the same point of  intersection wherefrom our house would be just  2 or 3 min's walk.

To Acton

We all are going to Acton, Massachusetts today, in the afternoon, to Mr. & Mrs.  Sadhukhans' house. They came to our house on 22nd June already about which I wrote a line or two  in my blog the same day..
However, the Sadhukhans contacted Runi a no. of times for this visit. Mr. Sadhukhan (Ramu Sadhukhan)  is all set to prepare grilled & tandoor chicken leg pieces & other pieces also. Plus, veg preparations would also be there. In addition, Bengali style dinner for all------- nothing can be more tempting than this.
So, we started for Acton, Yash driving the car, Runi with GPS  guiding the route towards destination. Once, Yash stopped at his lab & we were able to see the  Harvard medical school , his place of research,  the front-view of the same was........... glass on every side of the bldg. rendering it magnificient to see fm outside.......then, again  he stopped for Runi  at Whole foods market wherefrom Runi procured some gift for the hosts.
It took us about 40 or 45  mins. to rech Drummers farm where they (Sadhukhan family) live........in Acton.. A serene place with a  natural backdrop & the house itself with its nice front view plus a backyard -----     it was a symbol of peace & tranquility.
Suvam, their only  child   (Son)  who is in the schools, seemed to welcome us outside their house. Also, his mother  opened the door the next moment  and we were led inside the house. Couches , Large digital TV within,  seemed to greet us. The dinner table was also ready for the party-----which later happened.   In the backyard, Ramu , in shorts & a casual  upper wear, was seen trying to gain control over their Barbeque machine. At the sight of me, he was all smiling & said--------" We have a table & chairs ready in the yard---  you may like to sit there in the open." Jayati i.e Mrs Sadhukhan wanted to serve Tea/coffee----- also we learnt fm her that  2 more families  i.e Amitava, his wife  Aparna and their son Arka... another schoolchild as well as Ashim & his wife Sumita would come & join us.  Actually, Arka came soon & grouped with his playmate Suvam. In the meantime, we tasted grilled chicken.  Bou-di had some veg dish to eat.  Also,
we had tea before or maybe after, the grilled food. Aparna came next & all of us had a lot to talk about. When the latter's husband Amitava came, it was a grand adda. Later came Ashim from  Boston perhaps. By the way,  His wife also was likely to join us  shortly.  Amitava and family  live near Ramu and Jayati's house.
Tandoor chciken had already been prepared by Ramu and we tasted the delicacy.
Next, Ramu, the 2 kids, myself, dada, boudi, Runi & Yash went to a swimming pool nearby where the kids would swim for some time. 
The swimming pool was quite good and we sat there for some time watching the said children jump in water, swim & resort to frolic.  A mother was bathing her baby under the watch of an elderly  gentleman. A lady opp. to us, in a chair, was reading a book or a mag  & seemed to enjoy the day  (the day was warm & enjoyable indeed and it  was late hrs. in the afternoon already).  Dada, Yash and Ramu were engaged in a conversation.   Runi, boudi and myself  liked this blissful nature all around and the pool and the swimmers plus the people present there already, before us.
Back home, we were introduced to Ashim & his wife (Sumita) and  now was the time for the adda  to gain real momentum.  Our talks ranged from weather to politics, corruption in India plus latest happenings etc. There is a term -----' bangalir adda'   which means bengalees love to assemble and  chat and that's their true color. So, we showed our true color and the adda was at its peak, when I was called by Jayati and some other lady to sit for the dinner. I joined the dinner party and was happy to taste what was there for me already. An all Bengal affair it was & we thanked Ramu, Jayati as well as the others for such an enjoyable evening. Lichhi (Kind of fruit) and cake (Taken by Runi) were also there, taking the place for sweetmeats.
Some of the guests exchanged e-mail addss. plus  cell  ph. nos. with Yash & Runi.  The hosts and the other guests  already  liked  it  very much to remain in touch with  them, now and in future.
Good bye hosts, good bye other friends also....all of us were now out on the road, having Runi in the driver's seat & Yash assisting her with the GPS, while we three were sitting behind, talking in low voice among ourselves as regards the v. good khana & hospitality of the Sadhukhans.

Gurupurnima festival in Ramakrishna Vedanta Society

 Today,  Runi left for her work quite early.... she had to go to a new place. Yash also went out soon after. Dada and Bou-di went to hay market for  gathering some experience of marketing, while I walked  for about 25 min. in the locality on foot & came home back. Thereafter, I was glued to my  laptop for mail checking, blog-writing , reply-mailing etc.
Dada  & bou-di  came therafter. They made some marketing. Green cabbage, long beans, potato, egg plant etc.
The  open-air mkt was certainly a new experience for them & they spoke at length for the same.
We had a program in the evening-------- we were scheduled to go to  Ramakrishna Vedanta  Society in the evening. We expected Runi & Yash to go there also, when they would be free from work. As we would attend the Gurupurnima festival there beginning from 6 P.M & join the potluck dinner also, runi & boudi prepared  Jeera Rice &  Payesh respectively for our share of food, In a potluck dinner---- this sharing of food is in vogue.
Upon words from dada, I sent an e-mail to the Maharaj there, who promptly welcomed  us to join.
We reached the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society , generally known as Ramakrishna Mission  at about 6 P.M. Runi had already reached the chapel & sensing that we were not that familiar with the streets of the city & were likely to be out of path for the chapel, was looking for us. We met  near the RK Mission, however, and everyone of us entered the same. We were guided to a hall where photographs of Sri Ramakrishna, Ma   Sarada & Vivekananda were there, on a throne & lights were on and total silence prevailed  there, notwithstanding a slowly- growing cosmopolitan crowd of  Bhaktas and Darshanarthis. We also took to our seats & found printed papers on the same which were prints-out of  songs to be sung by the singer bhaktas.
Notations of a song  (swarolipi) was also printed over the lyric of the song therein. Also there was a book containing some other  prayer songs which would be sung, after the  Arati by the President  Maharaj (Swami Tyaganandaji), next to the same Arati stotra and the songs...... a song written by Kazi Najrul Islam, the noted poet of Bengal plus other prayer songs. A kabir's Doha was also sung in between.
President Maharaj explained that Gurupurnima was significant  to seekers of spirituality, as the topmost Guru was being worshipped  (I think he referred to Guru Veda Vyas---- I am not sure... I will try to confirm later, if possible... I failed to listen to  his words correctly at that moment). He also explained that Guru and shishya that is the master & the disciple relationship  is absolutely necessary for a man or a woman seeking for sublimation. He next read out a translation  (by him) from Bengali to  English, for an article (Written in Udbodhan patrika in Bengali language)  by  Swami Brahmananda, the first President of Ramakrishna order.
 Swami Brahmananda, he said,   wrote seldom; but, this one he  (Swami Brahmananda i.e  Rakhal Maharaj) got  published while discussing about certain high points of spirituality.
The  subject related to Guru and shishya also, among other points of discussion and  Swami Tyaganandaji's translation was simple & straightforward. He, however, stopped short of the entirety of the matter & summarised to give  the assembly an opportunity to  offer  pronam to Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada & Swami Vivekananda.
Next, we attended the potluck dinner. It was wonderful----- all veg. items of food, cooked by bhaktas & brought there and arranged , as in a buffet.......... Roti, chana daal, Tamarind rice, Jeera rice, different veg dishes , alu dam and various other items  plus sweet dishes of different variety. Our items of food were also there and we ate heartily, according to ability, of course.
I met the President Maharaj and told him that I had e-mailed him earlier (On 6th of July) & today also &  told him about dada, Boudi and Runi.  Yash could not come , bec. he was busy with his work. Maharaj was also eating his dinner. I  begged to be excused for my disturbance. However, he seemed to recognise me because of my mailing him twice. later, Runi also talked with him. He speaks----- Eng., Beng., Marathi &  Tamil also.
Later, he wanted to know our date of departure from USA also. I think as the Krishna Festival will be held on 28th August here, in Boston, he wanted to know the date. Anyway, I informed that we would go away fm here on 16th August. Next, we  bowed to him in respect & made our exit.
Outside the chapel, Dada and Runi took a few photographs of ours with the R K Mission temple in the background.
I shd add that by the side of the chapel. the river Charles is flowing & that adds to the beauty of the place.

We came home via a green line train bound for Cleveland circle.

MU vs NEFC soccer match

The above soccer match between Manchester UTD & New England  Revolution was scheduled to held tonight (KO i.e Kick off at 8 P.M) tonight (13th July), at Gillette stadium, Foxborough-------some 40 min.'s drive from our house in Brighton.
Runi gave us  P/Os of the necessary coupons (equivalent to  Tkts.). Yash was to come early, whereas Runi was likely to be  returning late, from her work.
So, lunch over,  I had a bit of sleep & waited till Yash comes home. He came home before 7 P.M & had some khana. We started for the stadium at about 7 P.M.
As we got nearer  & nearer,  traffic became more & more slow. All roads tonight lead to the stadium. People------boys, girls & adults ---- some of them in New England Revolution's jersey----- some wearing jersey's of  Rooney, Berbatov etc. were to be seen. Jersey Nos. of their favourite players were also there in their dresses. Even one  was enthusiastic enough to wear a Lionel Mecy jersey.
We had some problem in parking the car. After that, we were in the que for seat allotment. Big-sized Tvs were hanging upwards & we saw players in action in Tv and also listened to the cheering and shouting from the crowd within the stadium.
When we entered, it was half-time already & as we took to our seats in the gallery, the play has just begun, in the 2nd half. Score:   goalless  so far. Yash told me:  " Kaku, perhaps we will see goals now". 
So it happened ----- within minutes, Michael Owen, the former great of  the  National team of  England, scored  1-0. I commented----" Yash, perhaps MU had so far been measuring the opponents, now they will go all out". Again it happened so---- Montena scored  another goal. Then NEFC had a free kick, some distance away fm the box. A freekick by M. Sally was deflected by a NE player &  the result was now 2-1 for MU. The goal went to Sally's credit.  Sir Alex  Ferguson's team had to be charged up now...... after being reduced to such a marginal result & really they rose to heights by combining for the 3rd goal---- again by Montena .. the No. 27.   Wayne Rooney ---- we understood played in the 1st half. So, we could not see him in action.  However, Vidic, Nani , Berbatov played. Result had to be 4-1 for MU when amidst much cheers from football fans, Park Ji Sung joined in substitution of one of his playmates.  Park was assisted by Ryan Giggs in scoring this goal------- he caught hold of a pass fm left and dodged from left to right and from right to left, several times, to get rid of the sideback chasing him & Park was intelligent enough to understand the game & placed himself in the perfect position to receive Giggs' pass and  made a superb finish by chipping over the onrushing goalkeeper of NEFC. Sorry------ I wished that the local club shd not concede more goals, as there was a gulf of difference between the two teams. So, it happened as I wished.
Final score  MU  4    NEFC  1.
Yash is fond of photography & he took many snapshots. Once, out of the stadium, we were sort of out of wits & could not locate where we have parked our car &  we searched for the same here & there. However, Yash could finally discover the same. so to say.
 Cars were moving at a snail's pace & we also joined in the go-slow. At a point somewhere,  roads bifurcated & the traffic was slightly  better now. Next, our car was on the highway  &  Yash changed gears to gain speed.
We reached  home at about 0030 hrs. Runi  and Boudi were awake-----khana was on the table & we ate the dinner  or  Shd  I call it a breakfast, as after 0000 hrs. no khana can be termed as a dinner.

MU vs NEFC, Gillette stadium, Foxborough, MA

I am all set to see the football match (friendly) between Manchester UTD & New England Revolution FC , a Boston club, along with Yash tonight, at  Gillette stadium, Foxborough, some miles away from our house.
Yash arranged for the Tkts & he will  drive me there. Kick-off (KO) is at 8  P.M.
MU is  a world football giant consisting of players like Van der sar (GK), Rio Fernandez, Xavier Harnandez, Ryan Giggs (a record No. of appearances for the club), Michael Owen, Nani, Asian star Park Ji sung, Wayne Rooney & ors.
To see all these world class players in action alone is an achievement, I feel so. Thanks to Yash, Amitava (for some information) & Runi.
 On the other hand----- this encounter with the EPL champions will definitely bring about a change in the ideas of the local team who might have aspired for such an opportunity, for many yrs. together. Regardless of the results, their level of confidence will go up, for sure.
I shall write  a blog tomorrow giving  results & other details, tomorrow.

Boudir rannar khata

 Runi insists that I shd get recipes from boudi & write the same down, somewhere, somehow   & e-mail the same to her, while on the other hand, Boudi remains silent. After some arguments from me, mainly in view of Runi's insistence, she has agreed to write a  piece on ranna i.e cooking,  which she wants to publish in the family magazine likely to be published this year...... hopefully during  Durga Puja, to be supervised & edited by Baby & Runi's Boro Mma ( The latter is , I presume, the brain behind this). I would like to name it BOUDIR RANNAR KHATA.

          Yesterday evening, we had been to Patel's i.e the Grocery shop known as Patel Brothers in Waltham
         -- about 25 min.'s drive fm our house. Yash was in Lab. He could not come---- so, Runi came fm  lab & drove us there.
         .
         A lot of sabji like  potato, egg plant i.e begun, onions. kancha lanka (Hara Mirchi)  i.e chilli  (smaller version), snake gourd  i.e chchinga, palak saag , tomato, parwal  (patal0 etc. purchased .Also, many other day-to-day items like oil, toothpaste etc purchased.  Next, we went to a wholesale mkt i.e BJs (Runi/Yash r members  & enjoy some concessions)----- she purchased things fm there also. I purchased a shirt fm there.

         I called Himadri at about US time 10-o-clock. His wife, Anjali & next Himadri,  talked to me. In the night, at about 1-30 A.M, a few  friends of kolkata (Tollygunge-Kudghat bazar) tea-stall talked to me via Anupam's mobile. (Anupam is a junior friend). Ashim has had his cataract removed thru surgery. About this,  Himadri already talked to me. Ashim was not there in chayer dokan. Subrata was not there also. I talked to Anupam, Dulu, bagha and  the owner of the tea-stall i.e Namita.   I already learnt fm Himadri that Shashi's wife sustained injury thru a fall and being x-rayed upon, for this.

       The friends of Tea-stall wanted to know about our  health. Thereafter, I fell asleep, as it was night already.



   

Hampton beach & Rye beach, New Hampshire

I forgot to mention about a lady performing mimicry & mime yesterday night, near Boston harbor and also near Hay mkt. She entertained people by dressing up  somewhat gorgeously, like a v v long doll &  making sudden movements of  hands  & other limbs of the body.  Specially the children around there were highly impressed & were intently gazing at her---- when she made an almost mechanical movement of the hand---- extending the same, in a posture of  begging for alms. This paid her dividends & many from the crowd  gave her alms, in an apparent bid of applause for the mimicry or mime, whatsoever it might have been.
Today, it is a sunday & Runi and Yash have already planned for going to New Hampshire....... to Hampton beach & Rye  beach  there. Runi & Yash began their career in New Hampshire. They  completed their Ph.D s  from College of Dartmouth, NH.
We had our lunch a bit early and Yash & Runi got busy in loading folding chairs  (For sitting in sea-beaches and other places) in the Dicky of the car.
Yash drove after filling Gas, towards New Hampshire. It took about  2  hrs 15 min. to reach Hampton beach.
 Both Yash & Runi told us that it is the cleanest beach in US.
A lot of tourists were already there & consequently, a lot of cars. Fallout---- no parking space for us.
Runi & Yash  talked among themselves & drove on & on to reach Rye beach. Still no space.
Yash drove onwards to reach a point of the beach where parking seemed to be avlble; but, fees for the same were astonishngly high & he turned around to go further. Ultimately the car stopped to another point in the Rye beach where it was very rocky. What I mean to say is that it was boulders  &  boulders everywhere on the beach, here.
However, this was our point to park our car  & walk some distance to find  a riddle before us. How to get down to the beach below, thru rocks & boulders, heaped at rondom??  Yash is our pathfinder & shows us the way. Yeah......... we have done it.   Chairs are laid for us to have some rest also------ great.
The  ocean brings a change of  scenary &  my mind soars across the Atlantic, up the sky & towards the horizon also. What is that there in the horizon? An outline faintly visible? Maybe an island--- Runi says, after thinking for a while.
We see people taking sunbaths, some adults and children also trying to swim in the sea, with some easy-to-handle type equipments which help them to  fight against the  sea-waves and breakers and float ; playful children on the beach & I find dada, Yash  & Runi busy with their cameras.  Who is this there   in a peculiar  as well as almost  horizontal posture?   Yes--- Yash it is, for sure.  Yash  has bent himself  into a unrecognizable figure, in an apparent attempt of  taking photographs  of sea-weeds  brought to the beach by the sea-waves. Runi walks for quite some distance  & Bou-di asks me------- where is Runi?  Can you see??
I see a fig. distantly & thoughtfully say--- I shd have brought my binocular.
After some time Runi appears & Yash goes slightly inside the sea---- he is already wearing a Bermuda.  Runi warns him loudly------ take care  Yash.... Yr things in the pocket will get soaked.
Startlingly, Yash feels his pockets & seems to be re-assured.
Photographs, photographs and photographs------ our team happily clicks their camera every single min. till they r tired.        Look---- there is the seagull flying... here it is  bathing in the sea , or maybe hunting fish etc. fm the sea. The screams and laughters of the boys, girls and smaller children spoke of joy unbound  everywhere on the beach. Even infants had their share of joy, as they sat unmovingly, upon the beach, under watch of their parents. The  sea-waves sent water upto the baby's lower part of the body & it seemed that it (the baby) liked it very much. In the meantime Runi led yash to a certain distance  & among the boulders where some stones of  different size & shape had been collected & kept, by someone ; but, left behind. Runi brought all those with her---- perhaps as a mark of our tour to the beaches.
While returning, we stopped at  a   restaurant viz. Bounty Bar & Grill------ they serve lobsters. Twin-lobster dish @ $ 21 (Nearly).
Runi ordered for fish with chips ----2 plates; garlic bread --- 1 plate; Yash ordered for -- 1 plate of Twin Lobster  (For him & dada). Besides, this Chicken finger ( I don't know if he ordered for the same or it came as a side-dish).
After breaking the bread,  we waited for a while; but very soon  hot dishes were served, as per our orders.
We were hungry and finished the course.
The lady, whom I thought to be the owner of the restaurant asked us------ did you all enjoy the dishes?
We replied in the affirmitive.      "  Bye"-- she said-----      then we made our exit listen to her last words "enjoy".
Next, we stopped at Hampton beach---- I have forgot to mention here that while in Rye beach , we found that tide-water was on the rise & we had to shift our chairs a no. of times backwards.  Here, in Hampton beach , we found that sea-water covered the beach soon and the  the same  could hardly be seen---- though the beach spans, in a semi-circular fashion, for a very large segment. Plainly speaking------- the beach became invisible & water was splashing now everywhere.
.
Many tourists have already gone away & it was less  problem for us for parking a motor car. So, we parked & stood behind the guard wall on the shore & took photographs at our free will.
On our way back home, the rural environ of NH provided a unique scenary & now I could understand why Runi had so long been so enthusiastic about NH. The scenary of  the setting sun , behind clouds, was perhaps comparable to a Kurosawa film .
The rest is retracing our path to Boston & I am stopping  here, writing my blog.

Boston harbor

It would have been called just another day........ I am referring about today the 9th  of  July....... but, when Yash & Runi made a plan of going to Hay Market and Boston Harbor, we  geared up fast.
The journey started from Beaconsfield  and ended  at  Hay  Mkt, via Government Center. A few min.'s walk brought us to the famous Hay Market which is a big farmer's mkt. The market hrs. were over & traces of  day-long brisk business  remained there.   Buildings galore around the market gave the place an extra dimension. Some of the bldgs. were tall & caught our attention. I was craning my neck upwards to see one of the  high-rise bldgs, when  Runi joked----- Kaku, so small buildings all around---- don't you see?      Now,  previously,  when she showed me skyscrapers in Manhattan,New York........ I  rather casually commented----- these bldgs. are but small  ones. Naturally, she waited for her turn to pay me back in some way & this time she did it. Being paid back in one's own coin--- did I like it?   Anyhow----- I had to swallo  the pill.
The cable-stayed landmark  Zakim-bunker bridge across river Charles was visible at a distance.  We moved on and stopped at an open place where a young lad was singing a song before a microphone,  another young woman (senior to him, of course, but  still  in her youth) was supporting in a musical instrument  (Synthesiser?) and still another young lad in the drum-set, and a crowd formed there to listen to them, We also spent a bit of our time out  there. In the meanwhile, many snapshots were taken by Dada and  Runi. Yash's camera ----- it is worth writing a few lines about his Pentax camera, with a powerful lens and facility,  plus  technicalities, but, as  photography is sort of a closed book to me, I would rather not venture to write. Yash aimed his camera from time to time, selecting subjects of  photographic interest. His camera catches mood of people and nature all around. We moved towards the harbor, thru areas which were filled with people   in holidaying mood------- variety of them, in different attires & seeking for rest, recreation & pleasure. Icing on the cake ------food-items in the  eateries . People qued up there and  were busy tasting variety of dishes, beer and soft drinks. Runi was keen for lobsters & found some ad  for the same on display. She exclaimed----- Kaku, Lobster.
The harbor area is beautiful----- full of boats & Cruisers---- an ideal subject for photography.
The openness of the area in front of the harbor was also admirable & we spent some time  by sitting on the bench   & taking photographs. A musical party was here also who seemed to have completed their performance & we found them winding up.
We walked , led by  Yash and Runi who were presumably  on the look-out for a path to the water-front  & actually they discovered the same, after  walking  some distance, along with us, of course.
This was heartening and we entered the path & got nearer to the harbor. A vantage point  & an opportune moment, for taking many snapshots.Opp. to the bay lights of castle island could be seen  (Of  course, we guessed the same to be the said island & nobody was sure enough). Also, Hotel Hayat could be seen. The electronic display signs were almost visible.  We saw an airplane  getting low, definitely for the runway below-----and we realised that it was the Boston Logan airport on the other side of the bay, near  hotel Hayat.
While returning--- night befell & lights were on everywhere. The whole area now looked  much more beautiful and we moved towards  Hay market Stn. for a  Green line train bound for Cleveland Circle to get down at Dean Rd.

Guess who are coming to dinner

Yes---- Arani,  Debasree & her parents would come to dinner tonight. Arani,  Debasree and Runi r old pals.
Dada & bou-di had been to star mkt (nearby) yesterday afternoon & bought a few items for preparation of sabji. Runi purchased other items fm Whole Food Mart. Runi prepared dishes yesterday. Bou-di also assisted.
Today, Bou-di is v v busy in kitchen. Dishes like Cabbage with Ruhu-fish head piece, daal, Ruhu fish curry etc. prepared by her.
Yash also was eager to know whether any other item to be added in the menu or not. Runi left early in the morning. She would go to Rockport & Cape Ann (North from here) along with her colleagues/friends/staff (I don't know).
A parcel full of cooking utensils has been  door-delivered. This, of course, was as per earlier order by Runi  to Macy's.
In lunch------ I had a taste of the cabbage sabji as well as Ruhu fish------ both r v v good.
The daal itself is appetising.
I talked to Runi, over phone, thru Google talk. She is enjoying. Yash is also in touch,  thru e-mail.

It is now 5-15 P.M ; after some time  Yash is likely to come home. The guests may reach at 7-30 P.M or so.

Rest I shd write at a later stage.

Hare KRSNA

Yesterday, Dada, Bou-di & myself went to ISKCON temple in Boston, in the afternoon. It is situated in Commonwealth  Avenue  & is near Copley.
So, we started fm Dean Rd. Station & got down at Copley---  about 10 min.'s walk fm there brought us to the temple which is within a big mansion. It was 20 min. to 4-O-clock in the afternoon. The temple was closed --- still, without knowing anything, i pressed the bell & fortunately for us, a monk opened it.  The following were the conversation between me & him:      
me:          Hare KRSNA, Can we enter within?
monk:     (silence; but, signals us to go within)
me:          We are from India.Can we see the temple?
monk:      (Understandingly)  Darshan?
me:          yes
monk:      (Opens the temple-door which had so far been closed). 
               We are now standing opp. to the murti of Prabhupad Srila Srijukta AC Bhakti  Vedanta. 
               I bow my head in respect.
monk:      Temple will open at 4-o-clock.
               We see our watches, 4-o-Clock is about to be. Definitely we are fortunate. Sofa settes r there & we sit upon the same, while the monk makes his exit. After some time, he comes again & leaves again; it seems that he is involved some activity. Then a lady monk comes & says ---- temple will open at 4-O-Clock.
We wait there patiently till the time.
Then  Sanskrit Stotras are chanted from somewhere followed by  melodious kirtan accompanied by Khol-Kartal. The same continues for some time & opposite to Prabhupadji sitting, a curtain goes off & Wonderful Murty of Lord KRSNA and Radhika, as well as murty of  Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balaram, along with  photographs of  other great saints are all a feast of our eyes. The murty of the deities  are decorated with garlands & it really is a  piece of fortune for all of us to have such a grand Darshan.
We stand and pay our pronam. The lady monk comes & Aarti begins.  She does the Aarti in full and dada pays Pranami in a box.I ask for charanamrita & she (The lady monk) gives us two prasadi flowers.
While returning, we find that a bhakta is there in the office with a computer.
Him:         Hare KRSNA,  May I help?
Me:          Hare KRSNA, We are from India. We wished to see the temple.
Him:         India,  Oh--- that's a long way. Anything more?
Dada:       May I know how many sannyasis r there here in the temple?
Him:        Yes--- you may;  there r 13 of them here.

     Now, it was time to go out & we did so. Dada took a few photographs of the Mandir.
Next, we strolled & came to Copley sq. & sat there for some time.  Next, we saw the Trinity Church which is very old and a good no. of school children were seeing the same also. The Church is worth seeing for its commendable sculpture & has a history of its own.

 While returning home by a train bound for Cleveland Circle, a pleasant surprise awaited for us when I noticed Runi boarding the train from Coolidge Corner Stn. I told boudi who was sitting ---- Look , Boudi, Runi is boarding the train.
Boudi craned her neck; but, could not see her in the 2nd bogie  (The 2 bogies r inter-connected ) as well as the 1st one also, where we were there. She told me--- No, Runi is not there. U r mistaken, maybe u have taken some other girl for Runi.
I did not agree ---- Pl wait, the passengers first get down & then the new ones entrain. So, it happened & Runi was up & moved to the farthest corner of the 2nd bogie.                                                            Boudi---- Go & call her here. What stops u to do so?
I said --- yes, of course, I am going.
Runi also was pleasantly surprised to see me calling her.
Runi---- Kaku, great. How did u see me?
The evening thus became v v special to all of us.





    About today, the 7th July------- a quiet day. I made routine walks outside. Yash  & Runi were out for work early in the morning. Runi came home back sooner than we expected.

    Khana -------- v good khana--- daal, bhat, begun bhaja, achar, Posto bata with onion, ekta tarkari, dahi----  really really good.
    In the afternoon, the 3 of us went to star Mkt which is near-by & dada & Boudi made certain purchases. Also, Runi came in the evening & bought some more purchases fm Whole food mkt which also is near-by.
Everything is in view of tomorrow when a few guests would come to our house. Runi & Boudi r busy for the same.

yesterday, today & tomorrow

Yesterday,  it was 5th of July.  Maybe all 3 of us liked being home, at least I liked it so------ after the trip to Maine. I listened to bou-di for the much-talked-about beguner tarkari with alu, barbati & coconut chips, jotted down all that I could grasp &  put the same in 'Words'  in PC & e-mailed to Runi.      Runi was happy to have the recipe.

A young  girl named Srabani, who resides in New Jersey area had already come to Boston. She as well as her elder sister had tutions from dada in Cossipore perhaps or maybe Ichapore. Their father is a colleague of dada .

Srabani availed this opportunity to meet all of us  (Yash was already out for work, however, meanwhile). She came to our house here at about 11 A.M along with Aritra whom she would marry in next January, in India, Kolkata  (if I am correct). The previous night, they saw the festivals of the 4th July i.e  fireworks over the Charles river  & were highly impressed.     Bou-di prepared:------ Illisher tel, machher (Illish) dim bhaja, dal-bhat, lau ghonto with illish macher muro & Illisher jhol.      Srabani & Aritra   had the khana & looked liked people who are under feelings of  deza vu----- I think,  on account of the dishes they seldom can get taste of. I also was delighted to taste such delicacies. Yash is to be thanked for picking up the right piece of  Illish mach

Fruit dishes:  Persimon  (A  fruit new for me, brought fm mkt by Runi). In the Brk fast, I tasted blackberries.

In the evening Runi prepared Rosgolla &  I ate 2 pcs. 10 out 10  marks she gets from me for the Rosogolla. How does she manage to do all such things? Yash says that  her Bengalee self  is roused when she prepares Rosogollas.

Today,  (6th),  we thought of going to Ramakrishna mission, Boston--- not very far fm here; but, Yash/Runi  infmd us that   RK Mission is now closed for summer. However, I e-mailed to Maharaj & he advised us to come on 15th July (The Gurupurnima day) for attending the festival & darshan of the temple. Also, potluck dinners would be avlble. on the said day. We are hopeful to attend, if  all other things r in favor.

Tomorrow   (7th July) ------  I will send blog.

 

Acadia National Park, State of Maine

       Acadia National Park is in the state of Maine, US------ about 6 hrs. drive from Boston. It attracts a lot of tourists every year with so many geographical & topographical features like the Atlantice shoreline, the Cadillac mountain, from the top of which one can have a unique view of the sun-rise----  first,  one sees a wide spectrum of  light on the horizon for quite some time followed by the sun rising apparently from beneath the sea, enthralling all who watch this spectacle & then it is over the horizon, amidst joy for one & all.  It is like a phenomenon---- i am inclined to comment, after viewing the sunrise. Also, there is the forest in some 2-3 islands which all are part of  the place which is also known as Bar Harbor. The forest has flora & fauna : variety of trees (maybe Birches etc. & ors.), variety of  flowers, deers, foxes & many other animals, eagles & other variety of birds. Bird-watcher's paradise it is for sure. There r many lakes here----- transparency of the same r worth mentioning
Google search says, glaciers receded some 18,000 yrs. before (the end of Ice-age). & that is the reason for such transparency of the lakes. We saw the Echo Lake, the Sand beach & the Thunderhole plus a few other water bodies  (All lakes). The thunder hole is also created at the end of the ice-age when granite rocks were formed by the side of the  Ocean. Sea waves surged to cause decay to the bottom of the granite & when a hole was formed (It took ageless time to cause such things, of course),  air was compressed within the hole & surging waves hit the same to give rise to a sonic boom. Hence, the name -- The Thunderhole.
The Atlantic ocean--------- In Bar Harbor, the tourist enjoys kayaking, boating, cruising, nature trips, swimming, fishing etc.
Restaurants  & food joints------ Italian-style dishes, chinese dishes, mediterranean dishes & other dishes, wine & liquor, beer. We tasted Italian-style dishes as well as chinese dishes. The Italian dishes were  v v good, chinese dishes--- we got take outs & tasted them later in our Motel viz. Cromwell Harbor motel.  The motel  had a wide area with a swimming pool of its own, bath, some kitchen facilities, AC, Cable TV, a very good  Parking lot  etc. & it was neat & clean. Thanks to Yash/Runi for the right selection. 
I have forgotten to mention here about the main item of food in Bar Harbor i.e Lobsters. Lobsters here are the delicacies which people relish most.  Yash lead us to dine with in an italian restaurant viz. Poor  Boys' Gourmet Gallery or something like it (I exactly do not remember the name) & I availed the opportunity of tasting a lobster-dish there. It was palatable indeed.
Also, I tasted lobster roll in a wayside food joint & it was ok. Sorry---- I failed to abide by my Doctor's advise. I had earlier been advised to avoid lobsters, while eating meals, for keeping cholesterol level within range.
While going to  Bar Harbor, Maine, we went to a tourists' spot known as Ogunkut beach. We travelled a loop fm the highway for this. The place is a confluence of a river plus a bay---- full of tourists who were eager to savour the taste of the long week-end  (3 days, from saturday----monday---- monday is the 4th of July-- the independence day). Umbrellas of  vibgyor color, people sunbathing below them in different costumes, sea-bathing, playful children in every nook & corner ----- it was a highly attractive spot for the tourists.
Dada went thru many  tour mags. to discover this place & Yash & Runi  also were curious to see the pl.
Runi drove the car while Yash assisted with GPS---- I think Runi drove for nearly 2 & 1/2 hrs. Thereafter, Yash was on the wheels----- all the while.
We took  an exit to a village restaurant to  have some khana.  The dishes:   Soup--- the starter, salad, bread, banana & ice-cream. I preferred soup & salad.
Also, we had a coffee-break in another way-side food-shop. At about 7-o-clock in the evening, we reached  Bar Harbor.  Isn't it daring for anyone to find way to a motel, thru a  maze of  roads, when daylight was not there & the forest on the side of the motorable road---- a quite dense forest that had possibly many animals hidden in its interior. At last, we r there--- in front our coveted motel i.e Cromwell Harbor Motel.  No more anxious moments. Two nights' stay in a good motel near a dense forest will, for sure  give me a change of vision as well as mind.
About the sight-seeings, I have already written herein above.
I am not elaborating any more. We left the motel on 4th July (The Independence day) at about 10-45 A.M & found people in a festive mood everywhere. This caused us some turn-arounds here & there &  finally we were on our way back home. We saw writings on board & a few displays for the independence day, in places.  Runi drove for nearly 4  hrs.------- we stopped for khana  (Already I said about this) at about 12-o-clock, in a wayside food corner & also for a cup of coffee at Mcdonald's, while nearing Boston. 
In Boston, so many detours i.e traffic diversions were there & this caused us some delay in reaching home. Of course it was in view of the jubilations of the 4th July. We saw people slowly moving to convenient points to witness the ceremonies & fireworks. I already saw in the internet that the famous singer Lionel Richie would be there, for this  (Though later, I learn that he was ill  & unable to come &  popster Mcbride performed).
We were home at about 6-o-clock. Could we go to see fireworks over the Charles river which was due at 10-30 P.M?  No------ we are too tired & scared of the huge gathering of crowd. Already we have seen long rows of cars parked on both sides of the street.
So, Yash arranges for a show of the celebration (mainly fireworks over the Hudson river in NY), in the computers------ it was  broadcast live thru Cable TV.
The display was highly entertaining.
Then a fighter plane overhead ----- we listen to sound created by the same & wonder.  Yes----- it is a part of the celebration. We also listen to the  bursting of the firecrackers & have  Khichri with Alu in it plus pcs. of begunbhaja. Bou-di jug jug jiye.
I listen to the firecrackers sound of  bursting plus people talking among themselves as well as cars moving in  & out--- till much late hrs.  & then, all the excitement are gone & I am asleep.

Plans for journey to Acadia national Park

 Acadia  National Park is in Maine. We have planned to go there tomorrow morning, by car. It will be about a 5-hr. drive from  our place. We are to come here back on monday morning.

The National Park is a home ro many plants & animals. It has the tallest mountain in the U.S Atlantic coast, Google search says so. It has a rich & diverse culture & history.

About today's menu  for  lunch:---   Karela soup, boiled karela,  rice, daal, sabji : 2 varieties (The alu-pataler tarkari was v v spl.), achar (Pickles) & dahi.
Though I am not such a foodie,  I  find them all palate-teasing, thanks to Bou-di and also to Yash plus Runi.
Runi is after me for noting down all the important recipes------- I will do the same, whenever bou-di talks.
Presently, she is rather casual & is not taking such ideas seriously.
Dada and Boudi went to a shop  in Harvard st. or maybe  Harvard Ave., by a B-line train. Dada utilised his reduced rate (Senior person's) tkt in the process. The shop has a stock wherefrom one can pick up one's necessary items such as shirt/trouser/many other items, in case one is lucky enough to get the same.
Of course, I was not there and I had been home always, save some walking in the morning, firstly to  Cleveland Circle  & next,  backwards upto Metro cat hospital. Yes--- don't get startled-- It's a cat hospital.
Now, dinner will be laid on table & we will pack up for tomorrow.