Rakhee Ghelani

Tag: Family

  • Foodie Post: A Gujarati Barbeque – Matla Undhiyu

    Foodie Post: A Gujarati Barbeque – Matla Undhiyu

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    It has been a while since I wrote about some of the wonderful food I have been eating, and what better way than to rave about one from home – Matla Undhiyu.  I tried this when I was visiting my family in Vadodara, Gujarat recently, and my cousin explained it to me as a Gujarati…

  • Hidden Treasures in Gujarat: Modhera and Patan

    Hidden Treasures in Gujarat: Modhera and Patan

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    I recently visited Gujarat, on a trip that was to see family and explore Kutch.  However on the way, I was fortunate enough to come across a couple of stunning structures that I had no idea existed in my home state. It always amazes me how some of the most incredible buildings exist in the…

  • Diwali in Mumbai

    Diwali in Mumbai

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    For my second Diwali in India, I thought I would be alone.  My only family here in India lives in Gujarat, and my parents weren’t arriving until just after Diwali.  As good luck would have it, I received an email from a close cousin of mine in London who just happened to be passing through…

  • Bandh (Closed): Incredible India Indeed

    Bandh (Closed): Incredible India Indeed

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    My parents arrived in Mumbai a week ago.  Its been almost 18 months since we have been together, and so they are having an extended visit for a few months with me.  Its been really lovely having them around, I come home to home-cooked food, and its nice to show them my Mumbai. They arrived…

  • It’s the Season for Music

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    It seems to be the season for festivals here in India.  Mumbai Film Festival has just finished and everywhere I turn there seems to be another new festival to attend. One thing I did a lot of in my past life (in Australia) was see a lot of music and go to music festivals.  From…

  • Decoding the Indian Man Part 2: Infidelity and Apologies

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    Is infidelity a part of Indian culture? Is it one that is accepted? Is it something that women just turn a blind eye to because of economic dependence, desperation and / or lack of self-esteem? Are Indian men capable of apologising when they are wrong? These are the questions that have been occupying my mind…

  • Cultural Misfits: Where do I fit in?

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    I am learning Hindi and have found the experience particularly challenging given the rather diverse cultural history I come from ( something I have discussed a bit previously here). My grandparents were born in India, my parents in East Africa and myself in Australia. Growing up, a mixture of four languages were spoken in my…

  • 5 Things India Does Well

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    Whilst I have moved to India permanently, it has only been two months and I am still a foreigner in this country. For a foreigner India is a land of contradictions, frustrations and challenges.  She is also a country that has so much to offer and teach the Western world. Here are my top 5…

  • Foodie Post: Bhel

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    Bhel is one of those dishes that my mother makes very rarely, usually when we have some family around for a casual Sunday lunch. My cousin here in Delhi refers to it as “junk food”. I will just refer to it as Bhel. It’s from the family of Chaat, which is basically snack food. I…

  • Opportunity Cost: Travel for travel’s sake or is it all about getting a good photo?

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    *This post is participating in its first blog-hop hosted by Tortoise Mum on the theme of Opportunity Cost.  Hop on over and take a look at other posts on opportunity cost. I finally set out on my journey to travel across India, leaving the safe haven that had been my family’s home in Vadodara. First…

  • Raksha Bandhan… My Day

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    This weekend was Raksha Bandhan. It is a festival where a sister ties a Rakhi (which is like a wristband made from coloured thread and beads), around her brother’s wrist.  This is to wish him prosperity. In return, her brother gives her a gift. In Australia, I have always been aware of this festival, primarily…

  • Foodie Post: The Art of Paan

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    I must confess I am a foodie. I love food, I enjoy trying all sorts of delicacies and am that annoying person who takes photos of the food they are about to eat. So it will come as no surprise to those who know my true identity that I will be doing a series of…

  • Are women really impure in the eyes of god?

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    In my last post (here) I talked about how the temple is the centre of the community in India.  However I have now found myself banned from entering.  Yes, banned from the temple….. what terrible faux pas did I make to be prohibited from entering the temple? I bled. The most natural thing in the…

  • The rules of driving in India

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    Any westerner who has driven in a car, rickshaw, van or motorcycle in India will tell you its an experience that has to be lived to be believed. I have been in India for 4 days now.  Its only been a short while but I have been a passenger on many car trips, varying in…

  • A life of worship

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    For most hindu’s, daily life revolves around the local temple.  My auntie goes every morning, not specifically to worship, but just to say hello to everyone as they do their daily rituals. Because I am an early riser (well at least in Indian time), I have been going with her each morning for the 15…

  • All packed up

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    Phew! It’s been a busy few weeks. In the last week I have: Packed up a three bedroom house Moved all my furniture and belongings into a 3 by 3 storage unit Cleaned my house from top to bottom;  and Moved to my parents house. Of course I didn’t do it all on my own,…

  • The panic sets in

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    I haven’t written for a couple of weeks now, partly due to illness (its winter where I live and so very cold), and partly due to panic.  Panic over the amount of things that I have to do in the next 4 weeks and 4 days, and how little I seem to be achieving. Procrastination…

  • Keeping it flexible

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    I have booked my flights, only 8 weeks and 2 days until I am on my way. Thanks to my generous parents, I will be flying Business Class, enabling me to carry extra luggage.  Given that I am moving indefinitely, the extra baggage allowance will certainly assist me in over-packing.  I have a tendency to…