Few days of Heaven in Washington

This has been the most special vacation as this is probably the last vacation before we hibernate for the winter. The trip was physically tiring but mentally invigorating. I loved being in the city, though my husband didn't like the noise and the traffic, I on the other hand loved being independent in the city.

We travelled on Sunday and reached Hyatt Regency at Bethesda at 7pm. We had carried dinner, so we went around Bethesda on foot and came back to eat dinner.

I wanted to rest the next day and after a good and heavy breakfast, I went around Bethesda in bus and got to see the town. Bethesda is known for its hi-profile shops and fine dining. I did a lot of window shopping and came back for lunch. We travelled to Washington with my husband's friend and his family. The family had plans to go to the Discovery museum and I went along.

I wasn't sure that I would enjoy it but I liked it. There is a plane which you can sit and move a few parts of.

The discovery space shuttle is amazing too. I knew that it would be big but this was HUGE.

I also saw Amelia Earhart's uniform and other cool stuff that I don't remember. :)

The Bellman at Hyatt, Raul helped me understand the city and the metro. He told me about the one day bus tour and I took it on the second day. I went to Union station and took the bus tour. The bus took me to the memorials

and gave a good commentary about almost everything. I saw the city and went to the NGA. With some help, I saw some works from Pablo Picaso, Da Vinci and other big names that I don't remember sadly :) I also saw some really interesting paintings. I think it was American art that had a part of it almost bright and white and gave a lovely embossed effect to the painting.

I liked the architecture of the city, it reminded me of CST. The tour lasted till evening but took me everywhere. Tired, I reached the hotel at 7pm.

I spent the second day on my own completely but started my day a little late. I went to the National museum of American History and took a one hour tour. The tour showed the highlights of the museum. The star spangled flag banner, the red ruby shoes of Dorothy, Abe's hat, dresses of the first lady and many other interesting things.
One thing that really took me by awe was this dress. The fiancé was saved by the parachute and the mother of the girl sewed the wedding dress out of the parachute.

I wanted to go to the Natural History Museum next and spent a good time there. I liked all the exhibits and enjoyed the butterfly pavilion the most. I also liked looking at the Hope Diamond. I didn't know that it was there. :) I didn't click any pics. I went to the botanical garden after this.

At first, I wasn't sure I made the right choice as it is Fall weather and most of the plants were barren but the Chrysanthemums took my heart.

 

I was super tired but as I went to the conservatory and sat there without my jacket and took in the oxygen. The tropical plants were amazing and sat took my aches away.

I went back early as we had found a group meditation place near our hotel and decided to go there. It was lovely to go there on the day of Diwali.

Thursday was my husband's presentation and I decided to watch and be part of it. After the presentation, we ate some delicious south Indian food and went to the zoo. The best part of the zoo was watching a real deer who came near us as we were waiting for the ride.

Friday was the day to come back. We went to the US capitol and then drove back to home. A lovely and memorable trip.

The essex train ride and the fall colors in CT

Have you ever been to a place where no matter where you point and shoot with the camera, the image is simply perfect and ... stunning? The Essex train ride was one such ride.

When I got up on Sunday, 25th October, I was super excited. My husband was going to take me shopping. It doesn't happen very often and I was soooo looking forward to it. Sure, it isn't as fun as shopping in mumbai but shopping is shopping!!! I had planned the day hour by hour. Not just clothes, we were also to buy things for the house. So, I was excited about it and knew it would bug him to eat out so I also made sandwiches and planned... really planned the day.

Fortunately or Unfortunately, My day didn't go as per plan.
In the morning, as I checked my whatsapp before leaving the house, my friend, Jaya told me that a couple of them were planning to go to a train ride. The Essex steam train ride to see the fall colors. It is a historic train ride with all the bells and whistles. I told my husband while eating our standard sunday breakfast - cheerios and knew that he wouldn't be very keen on it. He wasn't. I wasn't very unhappy either as I had shopping to look forward to. We packed and left. We met friends for the morning group meditation and had planned to eat muffins when Jaya invited us for breakfast. We went along as we had an hour before the heartfulness group meditation at Mystic Yogashala.

I still don't know what happened but somehow my husband said that we can go and push the shopping to later. Everyone got excited but we didn't have tickets. My sandwiches were still uneaten and we ended up having lunch at the magnetic house of Jaya and Ramky where once you enter, it is super difficult to leave. Somehow as fate would have it, one of our other friends, Saranya got tickets arranged and we left for the ride. Somehow we got late and were the last ones to leave.

The train was to leave at 330 pm and our GPS told us that we would reach the place at 330 pm. Frantic calls were made and specific instructions were given for parking. We reached the place at 329. I got a phone call from one of our friends, Phani saying that we shouldn't rush as they are making the train stop for us. I thought that he was kidding but I saw that it was 330 and the train hadn't left. From the window we saw the ladies sitting and telling us not to rush. And as we reached the almost deserted platform, we saw the conductor and two of our friends with him. They showed our tickets, we gave our thanks and at 336 pm we boarded the train and heard "All aboard." Almost red faced as I took my seat, my dear friend Phani said that the trip is more exciting because of all this. It was a relief to hear this and made us feel better.

Here is the kind hearted man who made it possible. I have never had a whole train wait. It still quickens my heartbeat when I think about the start of the trip. I normally don't write so much but I had to share the events to make you feel as if you are with me on the trip

So, the ride is gorgeous to say the least. The colors are prettttty. My phone or my photography might not do justice to the beauty of nature but it was an amazing experience.

 

They really do have the whole experience of a steam train with the bells and whistles. The smoke is so pretty to look at. Also, the train is so cool. They have some old advertisements and as you can see, antique lights. Worth going to once.

Well, here are all of us.

The trip ended beautifully. We still had uneaten sandwiches which we shared and one of our friends didn't eat lunch.

Anyway, we went shopping after this. We completed 3 out of 4 tasks and since we got late, we ate at The Indigo - Indian Bistro which was the cherry on the cake. I personally doubt if the food is fresh but it was delicious.
A very thrilling day that makes me smile and grateful for my life here.

I am not done yet. I have fall colors to show you. People had told me that the fall is the best time to be here. I so AGREE.
These are some pics from around the area where we live.

The roads are so pretty now a days...going places is fun and not very tiring.

The view from our house isn't bad either. I didn't get the chance to click images when the trees were in full bloom and vibrant but they look so pretty none the less.

 

This plant has leaves that look like petals. I love this weather. It makes my walks so much easier.