Way North...

It was third week of February 2016, despite snow and chilly winters we chose Grand Marais to be our winter vacation destination. I read in some magazine "Its easy to reach here but hard to leave" and thats absolutely true. I am back from vacation but my heart is still there. Would you like to walk with me to Up North? Yes. Lets go....

We left Plymouth around 5 am, it was a cloudy day. We took highway 35 N and then highway 61 N.

It was not snowing that day and highways were very well maintained.

We stopped at rest area to have some masala chai I bought from home with milk rusk. As soon as we drove past this rest area, there was this huge wolf right in front of our car, I screamed "STOP" in excitement. This beige colored guy was so smart he scanned both direction and crossed the road very carefully. I was so astonished that I could not even click a picture. But that incident is very well stored in my memory. We stopped at Gooseberry Falls, It was quite and less crowded as compare to last time we were there. I shared the wolf incident on Nature Observation Board.

Fall was frozen and there was only a small pond of running water beneath the falls as you can see in the picture. We spotted many deers on our way to Grand Marais. Deers are so fast I could only click this one pic, which is of not a very good quality.

We stayed at Art House BnB with our awesome host Rose, Jay and Innis Arrowsmith Decoux. 

As soon as we reached there, after meeting and greeting our hosts, we ran towards the harbor. It was at walking distance from our stay. Sweet ocean was cover with ice crystals, and those crystals were splashing on the shore, it was like a child stirring a straw in a bowl full of crushed ice.

We roamed around the shore and clicked a few pictures. I collected few stones with different designs over them. Look at the picture below closely you will see a different kind of pattern, ice created this beautiful snake skin pattern over the rock.

 

 We hiked Grand Flint Trail the next day, did some snow shoeing and had awesome dinner with live music at Gunflint Tavern.
Grand Marais is a small town, a serene and calm place away from crowd and chaos. This town is a magnet for artist and writers.

We did some research about Aurora Boleros or Northern Lights. Cook county is a good place to spot this beautiful phenomena. There was 50% chances to spot Northern Lights that day, but non stop snow fall spoiled it :(

Gifts from USA to India

Who does not like gifts??? Almost, everyone. Specially when you bring something different from the other part of world. It's easy to shop gifts in India than in USA. In USA handmade items are very expensive and not easily available. Most of the stuff is made in China. Which is easily available in China's neighboring country India. Not many fellas find this fact exciting and you may get response like; "Ye to yahan bhi mil jaata hai!(One can get it here as well!)", So what to buy "Jo wahan nahi mileage!! Well now a days you can get anything in India too. And since we are Sanskraari so we have to get something for everyone. So let's walk through these not that expensive, yet meaningful gifts ideas:

* Avoid buying electronics item to shun immigration and international warranty, guaranty issues.
** Shop during Black Friday, Memorial Day, Christmas shopping events, to get heavy discounts.

For Girls:
1. Fashion Jewelry
2. Coats
3. Winter wears
4. Perfumes

5. Handbags
6. Electric pedicure machine
7. Makeup kits
8. Shower gels
9. Hair extensions
10. Manicure kit
11. Cosmetics
12. Gloves and mittens


For Him:
1. Scarves
2. Hats
3. Ties
4. Funky tee shirts
5. Waterproof insulated gloves
6. Winter wears
7. Cufflinks
8. Shirt studs
9. Tie clips
10. Active wears

For Seniors: 

1. Electric heating pad

2. Wearable personal alarm pendant

3. Walking stick

4. Magnifying glasses
5. Handy light weight LED torch
6. B.P. Monitors
7. Blood sugar monitors
8. Knee and joints caps
9. Suger free delights
10. Dietary supplements


For New Mommy and Little One:
1. Breast pumps
2. Maternity wears
3. Baby teether
4. Microwave safe bottle sterilizers
5. Baby monitor
6. Insulated food jar and thermos
7. Baby nail clippers
8. Cute training toothbrushes

For Everyone:
1. Chocolates
2. Flavored green tea
3. Cushioned socks
4. Fleece ear warmer
5. Green tea infuser
6. Baking accessories
7. Handy tool kits
8. Waterproof shower speaker
9. Funky ice cube trays
10. Bar and wine tools and accessories
11. Coasters
12. Veggie spiralizer or pasta maker for health cautious friends.
13. Garlic press
14. Funky vegetable cutter
15. Posters of hollywood movies, city and landmarks
16. Fridge magnets
17. Bottle opener
18. Card cases
19. Money organizer
20. Active wears
21. Wall stickers
22. Tapestries

23. Snow globes
24. Essential oil diffuser
25. Mini LED night lamps
26. Wooden letters
27. Pedometers
28. American currency in origami boxes
29. Cookies
30. Home decor pieces with American flag on it.

Happy shopping guys, I hope everyone appreciate your gifts and efforts for buying, packing and carrying them all the way from USA to India.

Packing for USA from India

Many Desies travel every year for jobs, studies and other reasons to the land of opportunity. USA is developed country where you can get whatever you want under the sun. You just have to spend some extra bucks. Which off course we multiply with 60 for first few months. Limited luggage, sweets made by mommy, gifts by friends, favorite dresses, so many documents agghhh!! Its hard to leave something special or important behind.
Do not go for every other favorite items, pack smart, keep in mind what essential you would need in everyday life, which you might not get there easily, what you gonna need and may last through out your trip!! Think... Think.... Another funda is, that you should pack small and inexpensive stuff that you need to buy just once.
I hope this article helps you in your packing and stay.


Must Pack:

Documents: 

1. Passport
2. Visa
3. Confirmed tickets.
4. Original birth certificate.
5. Marriage certificates and photo showing religious wedding ceremony.
6. Senior citizen certificate to get discounts.
7. Driving license ( in some states you can drive motor vehicle for first 60 days if you have valid driving license from your country).

8. Medical certificates, test reports, prescriptions.
9. Degrees and mark sheets.
10. Money: Indian currency just to use on air port. US currency.
11. Passport size photos.
12. First aid kit.

Good to Pack:

For Everyone:

1. Some instant ready to eat dry and packed snacks or meals because you would be tired after 20+ hours of long flights e.g; Oats umpa, noodles, soups.

2. Pressure cooker, so that you don't miss those whistles, kidding, If you like Indian food, you need it.
  bring extra gascet.
3. Microwave safe idly maker.
4. Basic kitchen utensils, pinwheel, nonstick flat saucepans and tava.
Extra Tip: Utensils should be flat bottom since in USA burners are flat. Fill those utensils with packed food or clothes to save space.
5. Kitchen towels.
6. Nail clippers
7. General medicines, please bring doctor's prescription.
8. Religious books.
9. Phone covers.
10. Cotton towels, gamusa or gamchha.
11. Reading glasses, its very expensive here, so you better pack one extra.
12. Fine cotton bed sheet and top sheet. Check standard measurement for beds on internet.
13. Green tea.
14. toothbrushes.
15. Tongue cleaner
16. Extra shoe laces (thank me later ;)




For Her:

1. Mehendi cones.
2. Indian ethnic dresses and footwear.
3. Hair accessories, hair pin, rubber bands, hair bands etc.
4. Bangles.
5. Scarfs, shawls.
6. Bindi

For Him:

1. Belts.
2. Wallets.
3. Handkerchiefs.
4. Mufflers
5. Leather shoes.

There are few things you may wish you had pack once you reach here:

1. Essential oils.
2. Family  photos.
3. Woolens knitted by loved one to get special warmth.
4. Indian mouth freshener, dry paan, supari etc.
5. If you are a fan of Ayurveda get those jadi booti, with a prescription off course.
6. Get some made in India handicraft items for new friend you will make here, key chain, show pieces.

What NOT to Pack:

1. There is no point of packing spices, lentils, and other food if you are going to stay for long. You will find everything here, fresh and not that expensive.
2. Do not buy heavy jackets and coats in India, you will need heavy winter wears to beat winters in colder region, so better shop from here.
3. Ladies please don't shop and pack western dresses from India. You will get better quality for less money in here.
4. Crockery, knives, hangers, kitchen utensils, glassware.

* If you gonna stay for longer time, do check with your banker or CA regarding your bank accounts, property and taxes.
** Discontinue your mobile, dish, internet, gas and electricity connection.
*** You can convert your mobile connection to pre paid, to get free incoming sms.