Flying to Nashik
With the aid of some medication, I slept from 2100 till 0300 this morning, then got ready for my 0345 taxi to Delhi airport where I’m flying to an Indian wedding in Nashik.
Free from checked-in baggage, I was able to head airside straight away after going through the strict security checkpoint, where I accidentally left my puffer jacket behind.
I had been distracted by seeing Andrew, my Indian host’s partner, at the checkpoint. Fortunately, my jacket was still there for me after I had realised it later.
I took Andrew to the lounge around 0400 where we had some breakfast before our 0625 Indigo flight.
The A320 flight was operated by a Maltese damp-lease aircraft, during which I was served a grated cucumber sandwich (along with other snacks) because I had opted for a slightly flexible ticket just-in-case I had needed to rebook due to uncertainties coming from Iraq. The sandwich was quite amazing as I don’t know how anyone can stop the cucumber from getting soggy!
Arriving in Nashik
We arrived in Nashik about 15 mins ahead of our scheduled 0820 time. We were met by my host Roshan whose sister Janvi was due to get married in three days (6 December 2024).
I had met the other foreign guests back in Delhi, namely Tom, Beth and Jen. We went to Roshan’s apartment where we were welcome with a scarf and a starched fabric cap, some incense and a red dot on our forehead.
Roshan’s mum served us some awesome masala chai while we rested and chit-chat.
Shopping for the wedding
In the late morning, we went out for a South Indian lunch. The choice suited me well even though it was chosen especially for the three that can’t handle gluten.
With our bellies filled, we then went shopping for suitable attire for Andrew to wear to the wedding. Being part of the immediate family, he needed a higher standard of dress and a different one for each part of the ceremony.
I was able to make myself useful by offering my views on the various pieces being chosen. Between two adjacent shops, he bought a couple of gorgeous suits (one Indian-style), a shirt and a pair of trousers. There were some very stunning pieces available.
I checked in at my room at the Banzai Inn around 1500 and rested briefly before dropping off my dirty washing at the laundry. The man there told me that my cheap synthetics needed a special chemical wash and charged extra for that.
The price dropped to around half when I decided to walk away. While I agreed, I reckon it was still a bit too much.
In the evening, I took an Uber auto-rickshaw to Roshan’s apartment. The bride-to-be had had her hands henna-ed. Guests took turns having photos next to her before having dinner downstairs in the carpark around 2000.
I got back to my accommodation around 2100 after a long but enjoyable day.