Letter Six

Dearest Ponzy,

I'm sorry I have been ignoring you for so long. Unfortunately work and Dude have been taking up too much of my time. In fact Dude had come home for dinner and he's just left. So I decided I'll take some time out and write to you.

People at work have been very appreciative of my work Ponzy, and that excites me a little. Never in my life have I had such adventures. And here I am, having a mini adventure each day. I've never been the kind to enjoy monotony, though I know of some dreadful people who do! I believe taking this chance has been the best thing I have ever done in my life Ponzy. My professor once told me - 'throw yourself at the world. Don't worry if the world ignores you.' I don't know where my life will lead me, but since I have 'thrown myself at the world', I believe I will just go with the flow! :)

Phew..I got philosophical there...let me bring it down a notch and tell you about what's been happening workwise and in my personal life. Last week was slow workwise, so I had been roaming about here and there on my own. I even travelled the metro at 6pm! Unheard of by Delhi standards! There were hardly 20 people in the metro...quite unlike the regular chicken-stuffed-in-the-cages crowd. But I just plugged in my iPod, and ignored all the voices in my head telling me to 'Get the hell out of this metro!'

As for Dude, he is really growing on me Ponzy. I invited him to dinner tonight...I also wanted Granma and Grampa to meet this mysterious 'Dude' I keep mentioning on and off. He was so sweet Ponzy...He got flowers for Granma and a box of chocolates to Grampa (which are inadvertantly going to be eaten by me since Grampa isn't too fond of sweets! ;)) I had prepared an elaborate (and lavish, might I add!) dinner of Caeser Salad, Rosemary Lemon Chicken, Roast Potatoes and Tiramisu for dessert. Dude was also such a gentleman...he heard all of Grampa's stories with such delight, and helped Granma out with the dishes. Isn't that just so sweet? He even kissed me on my cheek when I walked him to his car. Sigh. Sweet! Even my Gramparents approve! Let's see where this goes from here on.

Apart from this, everything else is just peachy! I can't wait to see those Lavassa trip pictures you took, you lucky bum!

Miss you!

Love,
Belly

Letter Five

Dearest Ponzy,

New Year's almost here! OMG I'm so excited! And a little sad too, since this time I'll be away from you guys...but oh well! I'm gonna make the start of 2010 rock too!

You will never guess who I ran into yesterday! Anuradha Goswami! Can you believe it? The bitch from school is now in Dilli! Who'd a thunk it?! She was up to her bitchy antics, telling me about the perfect life she is living in her fabulous house, with her fabulous job as Fawks magazine's fashion editor...bleh. You should have seen how high her nose went when I told her what I was doing in Dilli. She's invited me to a party she's having for the New Years...I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna go though.

Well, Dude has asked me out on the 31st at this lounge called Q'BA at Connaught Place. His friends will be there too, so I'm feeling a little hesitant. Should I go..shouldn't I? I'll wait till the last minute I think. I even went shopping today for a dress, and I got a beautiful purple Gauri & Nainika dress from Khan market. I'm thinking of pairing them with black tights. I'm sure I'm gonna freeze my butt off, but hopefully it'll be worth it!

Apart from all this, the last shoot I went for was at this place called 'Majnu ka teela' (Funny name, I know) Apparantly, it is named after 'Majnu' from 'Laila and Majnu' who stayed at this teela. Now, it's a Tibeten refugee colony. I had such an amazing time there. It didn't feel like I was in Delhi at all! There were hordes of shops selling shoes like Vans, All Stars..there was a Tibeten monastry too, right in the center. I bought myself some checkered Vans and some colourful gloves. I'm definitely going back there again!

Ok it looks like my food's here. I've ordered some Chinese take-out!

I'll talk to you soon Ponzy! Hope you have a kickarse New Years....waiting for your photographs!

Love,
Belly

Letter Four

Dearest Ponzy,

Sorry for keeping you waiting for a reply for so long! Work has been taking up a lot of my time, and I just don't find the time to write to you. I have sooo much to tell you Ponzy, I just don't know where to begin. But first off all, let me wish you a very very Merry Christmas!

I'm missing the Christmas festivities we used to have in Moombai. But I had quite a memorable Christmas this year too! Dude called me in the morning (we talk on and off) and asked me out to coffee. So we met at The Big Chill in Khan Market. He was looking so cute, all dressed up in warm winter clothes. I wore the black D&G jacket you had gifted me last year before my Paris trip. So anyway, it was fun! He gifted me a pair of gloves. How thoughtful, no? I didn't know we were giving gifts, so I just treated him to coffee. We spent a looong time talking and stuff...we're meeting again soon, when I get the time!

For yesterday's shoot, I went to Lodhi gardens and the India Habitat Center. I think this was my best shoot so far. Lodhi garden was amazing. It's the biggest garden I have ever seen! It's like twice the size of Phoenix Mills! I took a long long liesurly walk...but it felt kind of strange. You know, I've never been so alone in my life. If I have ever gone someplace, I have always gone with someone. I like sharing my experiences..it's so weird and different, doing things on my own. But it's exciting at times too. I amaze myself everyday, because to be honest, I didn't think I'll be able to handle Dilli so well. Everyday is a new day, and every day is a new learning experience!

How did you celebrate Christmas, Ponzy? I bet it was full of eggnogg, turkeys cooked to perfection and lots of chocolate cake! Me, I had a quiet meal with my grandparents, and now I'm snuggled up under the covers, writing you a letter. And here's a virtual kiss for you from underneath the virtual mistletoe!

Have a good one!

Love,
Belly

Letter Three

Dearest Ponzy,

How are you today? I got your letter yesterday..and yeah I understand you won't be able to fly to Dilli for Christmas. *Sigh*. It's OK. I guess I'll have no one to kiss under the mistletoe this year :)

I have lot's to tell you with this letter Ponzy. First, you must be curious about the identity of the mysterious Shawarma person, right? Well, you see, sometime ago in my darling Moombai, I had met this dude at Soozie's party. Quite a charming fellow, really. We had exchanged numbers...now now Ponzy, don't you get jealous! Well, during the course of the evening, I found out that he was from Dilli. I had scoffed and raised my nose five feet high then! Oh, how times change!

So anyway, he (let's just call him Dude, shall we?) stumbled upon this blog of mine (at least someone's reading!) and he called me up immediately (that's what he said, anyway!) He asked me out for Shawarma (of all things, really!) And well, it was a really pleasant evening. And the Shawarma was yum, to say the least! I might see him again soon. I'll keep you posted on that.

Moving on, yesterday I went to Chandni Chowk for a shoot. Oh Ponzy, I have only seen Chandni Chowk being represented in movies (Delhi 6, Chandni Chowk to China) but the place is nothing, I repeat, *nothing* like what you have seen in the movies! It is truly a treat for the senses, if you are willing to open your eyes to the beauty of the place! Every corner is crammed with shops, selling everything imaginable! Books, clothes, bras, toys, spices, dry fruits, sarees...phew..you name it, they got it!

There are gallis here, named after the kind of food that galli is well known for. I know of only two so far - Galli Kababia (which, obviously is famous for its kebabs!) and Paranthewaali galli. I chose the latter for my gastronomical adventure, and Ponzy, I'm so very glad I did! I tried (believe it or not) one of *every* paratha available there. It was like a mini fiesta in my mouth. Of course, the repercussions were severe..but bah! who cares! Belly's happy, that's all that matters!

*Yawn* It's quite late now Ponzy, I should go to bed! I will talk to you soon...I'm waiting eagerly for my Christmas present! (if you don't send me one, you're dead!)

Love,
Belly

Letter Two

Dearest Ponzy,

How are you today? How has my love Moombai been doing? I saw the pictures you and the gang took at Leo's. Needless to say, I am very upset and jealous! You must make it up to me once I return by treating me to a beer at Leo's.

Ponzy, today I went to Khan market to get a haircut. I'm sure you saw the photo. I looked absolutely horrid! So I decided to *finally* chop of several locks of my hair. Thus, I landed at Khan market, to this small 'Chinese' saloon knows as 'Sunflower'.

I had never been to a Chinese saloon before, and simply the idea of one was getting me more curious by the second! The saloon itself was a small quaint place, so unlike the ones I went to in Moombai (which reminds me, do say hello to Adhuna if you meet her!) True to it's offering, all the women tending to the patrons were, supposedly, Chinese.

So I waited my turn, and Ponzy, for the first time in my life, I got a haircut from a Chinese woman, who, just for your information, spoke impeccable Hindi, complete with the Delhi nasal-twang accent! And she did a fabulous job! All the knots and roughness are out! I wish I had asked her name though. I will visit her for my next cut for sure!

Also, I loved Khan market! It reminded me so of Colaba. The streets were filled with small shops selling imported food (I picked up some Ragu pasta sauce..I so miss Mumsies' cooking!) There were these others who were selling Kakori Kebabs, Momos and the like! I dug into some momos...I wish I could have had those kebabs, but someone was waiting for me for some shawarmas..who it was, I shall reveal in my next letter!

Till then, take care!

Love,
Belly

Letter One

Dearest Ponzy,

How are you? I know, I was meant to write to you as soon as I reached Dilli, but so many things are happening, I just couldn't find the time. I hope you've been well, and not missing me too much!

I know the obvious question on your mind right now -- How is Dilli treating me, right? Well Ponzy, it's been a week since I came here, and already I feel a sense of non-belonging. I don't feel like this city is ready to accept me yet. Or maybe it's just me. I really don't know.

Everything seems so different here. Though I have been to Dilli several times before, I never really had a chance to truly check it out. I thought, since Moombai and Dilli are metros, there won't be much of a difference in the environment. I was expecting Dilli to be as fast paced and bustling as Moombai is. Unfortunately, Ponzy, I was wrong. Dilli is way slower. People take their time with everything. People in Dilli seem to follow what William Henry Davies said in his poem 'Leisure' - 'What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.' And people in Dilli have only be standing and staring so far!

But I have come here for a purpose...and I hope I get used to this city sooner than later!

I have just finished unpacking, and have finally begun settling in this house. Granma and Grampa seem happy I'm here. I can't say for sure though.

I'm missing you terribly Ponzy! I hope you visit me soon!

I will write to you again tomorrow!

Bye! :)

Love and hugs,
Belly