Family In Seattle, part 2
Terra left for home in southern California yesterday, and on Sunday we all went to the Seattle Aquarium, which, I have to say is (and much like the Seattle Zoo last year) well, underwhelming. Fortunately Aaron had tickets from the hospital at which Uma was born, because at 40 bucks a head the entry fee would be considered criminally negligent treatment of the general population. (Or perhaps just…..welcome to Seattle).
My conclusion is that what excites us about an aquarium is primarily the large creatures, sharks, dolphins, stingrays, all of which are absent here. There were some fur seals, and sea otters which surprised me by their large size. For me the most satisfying and attention grabbing exhibit was a small case in which were found plants or animals I didn’t identify, but which were of the most astounding, vibrant, luminous colors, that couldn’t fail to inspire by their shear intensity.
It seems like maybe a once-a-year event where we are all together; short, sweet, um…..mostly, this time new baby centered, maybe next time new baby centered again? For myself, I’m ready to go, which is why we planned to be here “only” a week. This is where my preferred limits of kid energy and extended family manifest, combined with being out of my preferred routine, my preferred diet, my preferred environment…….Nancy could stay for something approaching forever, and would have preferred to stay longer. Outside of Sherabling, being with her grandchildren might be the next best thing on planet earth.
Later this year/early next year the Seattle Davids will be spending some time in Senegal with Saly’s family, none of whom have yet met either child in person. Full timing and details to be decided.
Nancy and I have Tuesday (today) here before an early trip to the airport on Wednesday for our flight to San Francisco, connecting there for the 16 hours to Doha, Qatar. Uhhgggg! Maybe I’m expecting it to feel more grueling than it actually will. For the first time ever we have some benadryl with us, hopefully to help us sleep a bit on that longest leg. I’m sure we’ll be plied with meals, snacks and movies also. The good news is that we’ve reserved a sleeping pod at Doha, where at least we’ll be able to lie down after the trip. Then a “short” 3 or 4 hour flight to Delhi for one night before a truly short flight up north to Kangra/Dharamsala. After that a mere 2 1/2 hours by car to Sherabling. Ahhhhhhh………..
(It’s supposed to be difficult to get to the Guru, isn’t it?)
By the way, and just in case you weren’t fully cognizant, the pandemic must really be over, because virtually no one wears a mask anymore (there will no doubt always be a few exceptions going forward, and in Asia perhaps significantly more than just a few), full crowds, no illusion of distancing, indoors , outdoors, back to business as it used to be. We’re now in the “live with it” stage of covid. Be careful out there(??).
Today we’ll meet with our old friends from our Santa Cruz, CA days in the 80’s, Eileen and Mark, who’ve lived in Seattle for decades. She’s just back from Nepal and India where her non-profit Help Animals India works with various organizations to help and rescue our distressed four legged brethren.
Til next time…..
