Next month will mark the second anniversary of my move to India! I’ve changed so much over the last two years, I’ve adapted to many parts of Indian life, but I know I still have a long way to go. I know that no matter how long I live here, I will still get homesick from time to time. I have missed England quite a bit lately, especially family and friends.
So, you can imagine how thrilled I was when my wonderful friend, Lola, came to visit! It was so surreal to see her here in Nagpur! It took so long to sink in and even longer to get my head around how lucky I am to have a friend who will travel halfway around the Earth to come and visit us! Such a breath of fresh air and a boost to my morale!
Argh, it’s hard to find the words to express how wonderful it was to have Lola here!
Lola was really keen to try the unique tastes of India and is a huge fan of pani puri but wasn’t so keen on dhokla. Dhokla is pretty unique, and although I adore it now, I was really surprised how weird it was when I first tried it too. Lola was also surprised at the amount of staring we had to try to ignore, seeing a foreigner in Nagpur is one thing, seeing two foreigners belonging to two different races seemed to blow people’s minds. College kids wanted selfies with us and families wanted to have their photograph taken standing next to us.
It was so refreshing to see India again through fresh eyes, this was Lola’s first time in India so I wanted to show her the best Nagpur had to offer. We went to Ramtek temple and on a tigerless tiger safari. My homesickness, like a pair of sad sunglasses, had stopped me seeing the incredible and colourful side to India. Lola’s visit removed the shades.
I really hope Lola had as much fun as we did, friends are such a gift and I feel so blessed! Thank you, gorgeous Lola!!
The gift of friendship, one like yours especially, can last a lifetime and is just as cherished at the beginning as at the end. May it never end.
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Awww thank you so much, CF ❤
Sending love xx
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There is an saying in the US ” you can’t make old friends”. So true, and it always helps. To see our new home through new eyes.
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Beautiful!! 😀 ❤
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Great, Lauren! I know how it feels – my university friend came to meet me in Mumbai in 2014, and it definitely was surreal!
PS I’ve been to this lake on your photo 🙂
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Oooh lovely!! 😀
Wow, you’ve been to Nagpur? Amazing, I didn’t know! xx
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Yes, I’ve been there twice something like 5-6 years ago. My husband has some family there, so we’ve been to his cousin’s wedding and his uncle’s wedding anniversary 🙂 I didn’t have a chance to explore the city properly, but I’ve seen bits of it here and there. This lake was one of the things I liked 🙂
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Oh wow 😀
Well, you probably saw the best of it because there is not that much to see to be honest 😛 xx
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Hi Lauren,
so good to hear from you. How is the weather at Nagpur, it too cold in bangalore. Did you show her the traditional dress and clture of india. Hope you are well. Too cold to write. have you seen kathakali , next week in kochi there program on it. Would you be there.
GOPAL
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Hey Gopal,
The weather is really lovely here at the moment, sorry I won’t travelling for a while 🙂
I hope you are well.
Take care
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This was a wonderful post! I am African American and look forward to traveling to India. I guess I have to be prepared to be stared at.
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Thank you so much, Charie!!
Yes, prepare yourself for the staring, people are very curious!
I hope you have an amazing trip in India! 😀 xx
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It’s always so much fun when friends and family come to visit. It looks as though you had a wonderful time together. PS- your photography is getting really good 🙂
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Thank you so much, Jess!!
It was so lovely!
I hope you are all well ❤ xx
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From your pic that you have uploaded here it seems that good news is awaiting for us…
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Yes, she definitely looks several months at least!
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Wow. Really? Maybe I should lay off the gulab jamun…
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I’m so happy you got to spend some time with your friend Lola! Friendship is a truly beautiful gift. You both look so lovely! ♥
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Thank you sooo much, Crystal ❤ xx
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Ohh how lovely! I love my friends so much and can only enjoy them when I go visit Mexico, so I can just imagine how nice and exciting it would be to have them over.
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Awww I hope you can visit Mexico again soon, Mani!
I hope you guys are well! Lots of love xx
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I’m visiting next week! For a 10 day trip. 🙂 xo
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Oh fabulous!! Have a lovely time! xx
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Are you anyhow related to Benedict Cumberbatch? There’s a striking resemblance!!
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Ha!
No…
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