A Safe Return from the Land of Grasshoppers

 As you have read from the title, I am back from Bharatpur, which I have thus dubbed “The Land of Grasshoppers.” If you look up Bharatpur on Google, you will get stunning images of the beautiful bird sanctuary and castle that it is known for. But I think that a picture of a hundred grasshoppers would be a much more suitable image. Because that is how I will remember it. There is an unnatural amount of grasshoppers in the little town. The first night I stayed there, there were two in the house. I think it was the only time I screamed on the entire trip. That, along with the huge lizard sitting near the clock on the wall. I must say, it was quite dream like. 

However, grasshoppers and all, it was still an enjoyable “Vacation within a vacation.” I met all of Puneet’s family, including father, mother, sister, aunt, nieces, and cousins. India is the land of people. There is always someone in and out of every house, whether its inhabitants want it or not. I must say, when I go back to the US, my house will feel very big and empty without an influx of people. 

I also got to go to an Indian birthday party. Something that I find very striking: cake is served BEFORE dinner! It makes sense, seeing as then, the cliche “Save room for cake” will never, ever have to be used. And, the cake is the most important part, right? The party was of Puneet’s cousin’s daughter, who turned five. Her name is Divya and she just moved to India after living her whole life in the UK. She is having a hard time adjusting to India’s lifestyle. I can honestly say “I know how she feels!” 

Last night, I went to another birthday party. The most notable thing was that the party was of an eight year- old boy. But, as I walked into the party, there was a spider man cake sitting on the table. Most of you are probably thinking, “Oh, that makes sense, 8 year-old boy, Spiderman, alright.” But, the cake was the brightest pink you could possibly order. In fact, I even asked Sumeeti if it was actually a party for a boy. She said “People don’t give much care to the color of the cake. They just get a cake!” It was quite a party.

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