Delighted!

Vastly encouraged by your positive response to my last post, I have gone a bit overboard in my enthusiasm today. Couldn't resist sharing my 'Sombrero moment' ! The food was sooooo inedible in this joint , and I was sooooo hungry, the only way to cheer up was to pose for this fun shot.

There is something about those mariachi men ( they look like Keralites, na?). This guy and his musicians serenade ladies at a really marvellous restaurant called Villa Maria in Mexico City. I tasted my first Tamarind Margarita here..... and it must have been potent enough for me to sing CuCuRuCuCu ( the Cockroach song) with this dude. Charming chap. He had all the old biddies swooning!

Aah.... the magnificent Sun Pyramid at Teotihuacan.I would have loved to clamber all the way to the top, but better sense and bad footwear discouraged me that hot, steamy afternoon. Besides, I felt spooked after hearing the guide's vivid accounts of human sacrifices conducted on top.... followed by his even more vivid description as to why the broad street along the pyramids is called the Avenue of the Dead.

Isn't that a beautiful altar? All gold! With gold prices being at an all time high worldwide, one could only gape at the splendour and not put a staggering number to its worth. There is gold in dem hills, amigos. And silver, too. I bought a bold, huge silver ring and convinced myself it was for good luck - still waiting for a windfall!

Wow??? Definitely. And a double wow after Pope John's visit. This is one of the most important religious centres for Catholics the world over. I got lovely rosaries to gift our devout staff at home .

A mass is said every hour in this gigantic area next to the old cathedral, and it has been designed by a famous Mexican architect. I was lucky to be there when mass was on. I felt uplifted and moved by the transparent faith and deep devotion of the congregation. I prayed with all my heart.... and I am sure at least one special prayer will soon be heard. If it is, I shall post the good news here first.

There are more images coming up - like the Frida Kahlo Museum , which is as vivid as her life and work. Now that my BlogDosts have given me an unambiguous thumbs up, I shall make the most of the opportunity. You know why? Because it is OUR space, and I value what you say!

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For the first time in my life I have felt totally blah about India's Independence Day. For the first time, too, I felt discouraged and disheartened. In fact, I turned down every single request to appear on those meaningless TV Shows that are created to 'celebrate' the occasion with talkathons galore. It would have been a hollow, futile exercise for me. Who needs hollow?

Then there were several attempts to get me to talk about the Big Fast scheduled for tomorrow. Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. As Rhett Butler famously said to Scarlett O'Hara at the end of 'Gone with the Wind."