And sometimes dreams come true.



Some things leave you with an ache, a longing and deep despair to hold on to them, even as they slip through your fingers, like sand on a beach. My meeting with Niall and my holiday was one such thing.

Niall already wrote about it—you can read it here.

For me too, it was a like a dream come true. I couldn’t believe that I was actually inside this dream, and this dream in reality, is a reality! I was interacting with Jan, for the first time and I felt I had known her all my life. My kids too got along with Annie really well.

Niall gifted me EIGHT of his pictures. I just couldn’t take my eyes of them. Seeing them ‘in the flesh’ (as he puts it) is something else. The prints that he has of his pictures, are such high quality that you cannot distinguish at all, between the prints and the originals. They are incredible. He had inscribed them, and it makes it so special. He later told me that he has given his originals to very few people--and I felt so honoured to be among those few.

At the hotel room, when he took them out, I asked him which one was for me.
He said “All of them.” I was speechless. His pictures are simply Sui generic, outstanding, brilliant. I feel so proud to own so many of them—that too inscribed. These paintings are treasured so much and always will be.

Sometimes words are simply not enough, to express the depth of a friendship, a relationship or an emotional bonding that transcends all bondaries. If you find a friend like that, you must do everything to hold on to it.I feel really fortunate to be blessed with such friends.

We were there for about nine days. We did all the touristy things. Went to all the places worth going to. (or at least what the tourist brochures say are worth going to!) For me, more than these places, it was the chance that I got to actually gaze at Van Gogh and Rene Magritte (my favourite artists) ,Georges Suerat (along with Niall, at the National gallery) , Manet and Monet and many others. I never thought that I’d ever get an oppotunity to see all these paintings. Niall remarked that it is like meeting old friends. I couldn’t agree more. These images were so familiar, having grown up, gazing at prints of these pictures, and even copying some-- and suddenly here they were—the originals.

When all of us were walking outside, Big Ben, Niall said to Atul (my 9 year old) that the inscription on the clock, just under the clock face, says that the last person to go to bed has to wind it up. Atul and I actually looked up to see if it actually said that.(you never know—with the English sense of humour, they actually might have something like that!) A second later I realised he was joking and I burst out laughing. Jan quickly clarified to Atul that Niall was only joking, and the inscription was in Latin.

We went to Cambridge too—that was a stunning , magnificent and a picturesque town. It deserves a whole new post, and I shall write about it soon.


Here are some pictures—and I shall drop by your blog soon to see what you have been upto!

Comments

  1. Oh you lucky gal!!! Good to have you back. Sounds like a dream trip alright. The pictures are great too...you were missed!
    It is 10 am on a Saturday morning here...you are well ahead of us.
    I will click on the link after I comment to see his post...lucky you to get those pictures. You totally deserve them, and more!
    Your kids are cute as buttons too. I love your haircut!
    xo
    Blue

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  2. I loved the song, Gillian.Yes--I did feel fortunate--As regards haircut, I went really short this time.(I get bored quickly and keep experimenting.Now I am growing it!)

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  3. My feelings about our time together entirely echo the first paragraph! you could not have said it any better!!!

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  4. Ps great to have you back, hope you had nice fun

    always wondered how it would feel to meet blogger friends..

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  5. Good that u're back in action.Gr8 post...and it feels each one of those words are straight from the heart..friends are precious and valuable...we all agree.
    :-)

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  6. Cool.. good that u r back..
    missed reading ur entries and from 4th of october i have been visting this place to get hold of ur latest entry :) ...
    Anyways nice to know u had a great trip.. welcome back..

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  7. Niall: I know, i know --oh so well!

    Rambler:yes--I had blogged about meeting Ritu too in one of my previuos posts--and we are great friends now.

    Akanksha:thank you my friend!

    Me:Thanks!!I'm reallt flattered.

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  8. Hahah Niall is character!
    Imagining you looking at the paintings in the museum and saying it's like meeting old friends says it all. It's like a metaphor for everything.
    Loved the pictures and was so happy for you all :)

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  9. Glad to hear you had a wonderful time....I wish you many more such occasions!

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  10. Hey, welcome home! I was just looking at my old vacation photos, and wondering how your vacation was going. It looks like you had a great time.

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  11. I love your slide show! It sounds like you had a wonderful visit and a great time was had by all.

    I love the National Gallery too. I always found it a calm and cool oasis from the heat and noise going on outside. And I never get bored of looking at the art there.

    I was very sad that I didn't get to London to see you. I have had a number of personal 'trials' recently including being very ill while you were in London. I am still not 100% well but I am so much better!

    I am very glad that you had a great time. The picture of you adn Niall next to the Thames with the London Eye in the background seems to be taken in apark I often walk through near Embankment :)

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  12. u do realize tht u r one helluva woman, dont u?...really thrilled on ur behalf on meeting niall...its just abt the fact tht in this world, in this time, u can still find friends in strangers...love tht..

    btw, ur daughter is a replica of u...

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  13. Just had to say that I love this little slide show!!

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  14. DM: Funnily, the metaphor hadn't even occured to me!

    VJ:Thank you my friend--who knows taipei maybe next!!

    Diya:We did have a gr8 time--thanks!

    Sue:Thanks! Best part about vacations is reliving the memories--dont you think?

    Bob-Kat:you are bang on--It was embankment!By now i am very familiar with the tube, and most of the areas in london, as i had to get around by myself (with my kids) Sorry I missed you--maybe another time!

    Tys:Thanks! Sometimes its amazing how we feel totally connected to strangers.Hasnt it ever happened to you?
    Shall tell my husband that Purvi looks like me--we always argue (playfully)about it :-) One point for me!

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  15. Very cute kids.
    Couldnt help commenting :)

    Peace!

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  16. I love this slide show. It looks like you had a great time Preeti! :)

    Isn't it always amazing to put a face to the name , blog and everything else that we had known about the other person! :D

    I am happy for you!

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  17. Welcome back and what a great trip you had and how lucky to meet wonderful people in a wonderful city. The photo's are great and the children look so georgeous. Must be a great experience for them as well. It gives you good memories which you can keep forever.

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  18. Glad to hear you such a good time, PS, and welcome back.

    :-)

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  19. The smiles on everyone's faces says so much. I'm truly happy for you all. What a great moment to treasure. :)

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  20. So lovely! It can be so dreamlike, to meet friends that you never expect to meet.
    Read both your posts, Nialls too...and looks like you've had a great time. Your kids look so lovely.
    They have made friends too and another cycle begins for them :)

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  21. So good to have you back PS!:D

    And wow amazing post plus amazing picturesSS!!

    Thanks for sharing. :D So nice of Niall to have given orginal paintings.:D

    Cheers!

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  22. Mayth: Nice of you to stop by.Thanks!

    Vidya:very true.Thanks!

    Marja:Yes--it is indeed great when children are exposed to something so totally different.

    Scotty:Thanks mate! (isnt that what they say in australia?)

    Prats:yes--well said.And thanks for stopping by.

    Sweetsticky:I treasure them.Cheers!

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  23. welcome back! :) lovely to read both posts - yours and niall's heart rendering!! Both kids are lovely...God bless

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  24. Great post and wonderful pictures in your slideshow.Your children are so cute!

    Greetings,Steffi

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  25. Pretty woman:Thank you!

    Steffi:So are yours!Greetings--and thanks for stopping by.

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  26. hey, Preethi, is it ok for me to blogroll you?
    Thanks for stopping by my rants :)

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  27. WB PS!

    The smiles say it all!!

    Keshi.

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  28. Prats:Of course--I'm honoured--and you are welcome!

    Keshi::-) Good to be back.I loved that post of yours about siblings.

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  29. Wow, is all I feel when I read that blog note. It is so hard to find nice people and you found one I think.

    You guys done good and hope you fellas had a great time in London. Welcome home - though a tad bit late but hey, better late than never. You sure was missed. Now write a travelogue on what you did and where you went and all that. I would/am mighty interested. You know, I always want to go around the world as a tourist. Such a nice feeling.

    Enjoy the moment then you guys done good.

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  30. Your son has as beautiful a soul as your daughter. What a celestially beautiful photograph of humanity those three kids make.

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  31. wow dats really something getting to meet an online friend for real...gr8 snaps...

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