Rain and Sunshine

Exercising under a tree while it rained

Advance bookings for the Bangkok Tour in November

After all the hustle and bustle of Saturday over the annual Eid Party, it was a relatively quiet and peaceful morning today. The sun played peekaboo in the clouds and with the grass in the lawns freshly cropped, we could even venture out of the China Hut, back to our old corner in the Garden. It was a calculated risk that ultimately did not pay off. A sudden cloudburst sent us scurrying for cover and for a while, we continued with our exercises in the shelter of a tree. Once the rains abated, we were out in the open.
If anyone was unduly agitated by the repeated change of location, it was Karuna Waghmare. She was adamant on braving it out by herself, insisting that the rainclouds “were on their way to Calcutta” and would not hang over Lokhandwala for too long. She was right in a sense, but there was nobody to give her company in the open and upon realizing that she was getting drenched to the skin in her white cotton dress, she joined the rest under the tree.
While Karuna was her usual hilarious self -- even recounting her days when she first landed in Bombay in 1964 -- Arun Patil made up for his absence last week by being extra vigilant and strict on enforcing discipline during the exercises. But it was all in a good natured way that offended no one. Only Razia Khan once raised her voice (in jest) against his “Hitlerian” ways after getting ticked off by him for talking too much.
Meanwhile, bookings for the Bangkok Tour in November have begun as several members today produced their passports (for verification) and also paid the necessary advance to confirm their participation. It seems that the tour would take off only if there is a minimum of 20 members joining in. That is the 'critical mass' required to avail of a bouquet of discounts and concessions on hotel, food and transport, thereby beating all competing offers by commercial tour operators.
Bihari Milwani:
Rain rain come another day / Little Karuna wants to play!