It’s not your 40th yet, I have plans:

 

Dining, relaxing, shopping, touring, day trip to Capri, cruising the Amalfi coast, food, drinks, shopping.  In the meantime, I thought you might like to remember my 40th…

 

Dear Mae,

 

Thanks for the overnight in NYC after a fine day of self-indulgence; a most happy birthday indeed.

 

When that brain singeing sun shot through my eyelids into my soul,  I remembered:  the Tylenol is on the hotel room dresser, and I was moved, and I thought;  the view from standing makes me nauseous, so I had best lie down and find my belly, and then…the coffee arrives.  You are a genius!  Only you would have been thoughtful enough to order a large pot the night before and have it arrive at the perfect moment.

 

And killing me too … hhmmm, yes that is a good question: Do I remember the last comedian of the night?  Memories, misty colored…That Mexican fella… oh yeah, Puerto Rican, that’s right…oh he wasn’t the last one?  That’s not good…

 

But all of that came later, so I won’t be sidetracked.  First, thank you, thank you, and thank you!  I cannot thank you enough for sharing Little India with me, it exceeded all expectations.  Oops, I forgot to tell you…

 

I did have a pre-conceived idea about the sights.  Lee shared an itinerary created by Significant Art Historians for a two week luxury-study tour of India.  It looked okay to me, they didn’t forget the spa day; it’s an impressive schedule.  Here’s the necked-down version:

 

Shore Temples of Mahabalipura, Archeological site, Dance performance, Transition to global economy discussions, Aryuvedic spa,  Maand music, Bazaar, Cattle fair, Fountains, Adapted Islamic motifs, Handloom textiles, Contemporary Art, Qwalls (devotional songs in praise of sufi saints).

 

Anyway, the point is all expectations were exceeded.  I even got a massage!  Did you take pictures?  This link has the pictures I would have taken had I not left my camera in that cab, or wherever.

 

http://www.getnj.com/jerseycity/jclittleindia.shtml

 

Thanks too for such a wonderful lunch, chicken shish-kabob and eggplant and rice and chickpeas and ghee with mango.  It’s a wonder I didn’t fall into a food coma.  And I am doubly grateful you didn’t end up with an irritated bowel… dietary restrictions aside, how good was that ghee and mango slushy?

 

And who knew a bazaar is a supermarket?  But I think Bollywood Video was my favorite storefront, no, upon consideration that would be the sari store we went into.  Damn, I just remembered we forgot to get dessert at the Chowpatty’s.  Ah well, next time.

 

That sari shop called me with shiny, sparkly, silky, crazy textiles ..  I am so easily led by the shallowest temptations, gilt and nonsense aside; I am going to have to order a few plainer cotton soft bra-tops; sari is the way to go!  Hides a multitude of sins, fits even on “fat” days, and I LOVE those sari tops.  Keeps the boobs up and doesn’t bind the belly fat.  Yo quiero taco bell – I am ready for you now.

 

Aaargh, I am like a 5 year old waiting for my…….anything!  I can’t wait for my sari to arrive.  SariSariSariSariSariSari!!!  You’ll get a picture as soon as I get it on! (the replacement camera is on the way from Amazon).

 

As always, you are far too generous and indulgent with me.  That excess of yours is a deeply appreciated virtue as far as I’m concerned and adds to the spectrum of my affections for you. 

 

And Poor Bill, give him my love too (don’t quit the day job brother).  Anyway, that beautiful day alone would have been the best birthday ever, so to have it followed by cocktails overlooking the UN Gardens, dinner at Sapa and a comedy club before nightcaps at the hotel…whew!  That was just too much for my slack middle-aged ass.

 

I was still drunk yesterday, which reminds me; Thank you (Mrs. Mario Andretti) for the Dramamine, I couldn’t have made it to the airport, on the flight or to my car without it.  I didn’t even have a barf-bag; I would have had to throw-up in my purse. 

 

How sad that I needed to make a plan for barf at my age.  And a Presbyterian too, Crikey.

 

With most, best and warmest affections,

Holly

 

PS – It is years later and here’s the sari -