1 hour before I purchased a flight ticket for my son Harry to come home, from America,

for Christmas 2012 in New Zealand, my very generous mother,

decided the entire family are going with her on her last overseas trip abroad.

Brother Craig chose India; his "spiritual home".

There is no place I want to go to less,

but if I want to see my sons Luke and Harry at Christmas,

I have to go.

This blog will tell the tale ...from start to finish.

Will I love India or hate it?

Showing posts with label Emails from Ann. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emails from Ann. Show all posts

Monday, December 3, 2012

EMAIL  from Ann…
Sent: Tuesday, 4 December 2012 12:55 p.m.
To: Luke
Subject: re trip to auckland
Dear Luke, I will be leaving here at 5am in the morning on the 18th to go to AucklandAs that is the only time I can get my hair done in auck.
If you choose to see dominique have her come here please and be VERY sure you are happy to leave at that time because I can get no other time for my hair
and I will leave without you to get it done.
If that does not suit you…I will get gran to fly you direct to auck from palmy…on the 18th. Let me know immediately.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Email from ann…
Sent: Saturday, 11 August 2012 8:16 a.m.
To:Harry
Subject: pins
Put aside the pins (NZ and NZ/USA) with your manbag to go to India,
and we’ll take them to India…and put your passport and visa there too
From: Harry
Sent: Saturday, 11 August 2012 8:22 a.m.
To: Ann
Subject: Re: pins
why? (They probably make them in India)
Email from Ann…
To:'Craig
Date: Saturday, 11, August, 2012, 8:22 AM
About stuff…. it is for everyone …excluding the she wee….and I thought each person could have a little gel bottle …50ml …there are 13…. And carry it in their own handbag? And the baby wipes are to share too…. 1 packet per family? I will be giving my little Christmas presents at the airport (tiny) Shall I take 50 tiny NZ pins? They are for gifts to the Indian people we like/meet?
From: Craig
Sent: Saturday, 11 August 2012 10:31 a.m.
To: Ann
Bakeesh is money honey.  Not poxy kiwis! (pins? Ed)
 From: Ann
Sent: Saturday, 11 August 2012 1:44 p.m.
To:Craig
Does bakesh mean gift?
Email from Ann…
To: Craig
Date: Friday, 10, August, 2012, 5:43 PM
I bought 6 packets of  baby wipes (non fragrance)Is that enough ? 80 in each-I thought maybe I should go back and get fragrance ones too?
From: Craig
Sent: Friday, 10 August 2012 7:17 p.m.
To: Ann
I need to let you know that while India looks like everything is 3rd world they actually have really good shops for stuff like hand wipes, alcohol gel etc etc etc.  I strongly suggest you take a little as possible with you and buy there.  By the way I understand that you are taking Christmas presents too????  You will be sorry about carrying all this luggage.  Yes there are porters BUT there is nothing worse having to panic packing bags prior to catching trains and plane across the country.  When you get there we can go down to the local sari shop and buy 1/2 doz light cotton tops and tie up pants, sandals and adult nappies and your all good.  Don't need anything else!
From: Ann
Subject: blair bday
To: Craig
Date: Friday, 10, August, 2012, 5:43 PM
Blair's bday is 30th dec. Mine 21st dec.
From: Craig
Sent: Friday, 10 August 2012 7:17 p.m.
To: Ann
Subject: Re: blair bday
So what are you saying?  do you want cake?
From: Ann
Subject: RE: blair bday
To: Craig
Date: Saturday, 11, August, 2012, 9:34 AM
I have a Rotary Christmas cake in a sealed tin and thought that could be our Christmas /bday cake…What do you think? Ann
From: Craig
Sent: Saturday, 11 August 2012 10:51 a.m.
To: Ann
Subject: RE: blair bday
What part of don't take lots of shit with you did you not get??????Cochin is a Portuguese enclave full of left footed fish eating Mickey Do's.  So Christmas is taken care of!
Email from Christine …
To: ann ; Mum ; craig; Laura ; emily; blair;; india
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2012 10:13 AM
Subject: Re: India..light relief
Volunteers please, to do with Ann, what the picture shows (Bags not) and I want a life belt like that one .Cheers Christine

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Email from Ann to Craig…
From: Ann
To: Craig
Date: Wednesday, 8, August, 2012, 8:44 AM
What book were you reading in the cabin of that train?
I thought I might see if I can buy a Lonely planet for india on trademe
 From: Craig
Sent: Wednesday, 8 August 2012 11:55 a.m.
To: Ann
It was lonely planet. I have three - 1995? 2000? and 2012.  also bought the pdf version…do you want a copy of that sent digitally?  or I can send you the two earlier LPs

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Email to Craig….
From: Ann
Sent: Sunday, 1 July 2012 2:14 p.m.
To: 'Craig
Subject: hand sanitizer
I got some hand sanitizers cheap at a liquidation sale!!!!
I got 16 to be sure everyone has their own little one 56ml

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Email From: Ann
Sent:
Wednesday, 6 June 2012 2:40 p.m.
To: 'Craig
Subject: RE: INDIA TRIP
Thanks Craig.
Ok- all good
if HARRY flight out of JFK is at 4pm up to evening(19th dec)-
and arrival back into JFK (on 7th jan) is before 7pmish.
GOD…does this mean I am going. Heaven help me!!!
Ok then!!! let’s do this Bitchin trip!!!!

RE: INDIA TRIP for HARRY

From: Craig
Sent: Tuesday, 5 June 2012 8:23 p.m.

Subject: Ok let's start planning in earnest

Please advise if these dates fit with each of you ASAP
NB Ann I have returned you with Luke - if that's good for you. Otherwise you get back to take over high time.
Harry depart NY 19th Dec Arrive Chennai 20th Dec. Return NY from Chennai 7th Jan arrive NY 8th Jan
Laura depart Canada (to be confirmed) 17th Dec Arrive Chennai 18th Dec. Leave with main body to Auckland on 15th. Your two bookings will need to be made in USA & Canada with Singapore Airlines but at present only need confirmation that the dates are good and what are the departure ports are best for you
June, Craig, Cheryl, India, Mickey, Christine, Stew, Emily, Blair, Ann, Luke Depart Auckland 17th Dec arrive Chennai 18th Dec
Ann, Luke depart Chennai 7th Jan to Auckland arrive 8th Jan
June, Craig, Cheryl, India, Mickey, Christine, Stew, Emily, Blair, Laura Return from Chennai 15th Jan To Singapore depart Singapore 17th Jan arrive Auckland same day.
Anyone wanting to return early can go with Ann & Luke on 7th but need to know soon
so look at the dates and let me know you are all good. Arriving at Chennai saves $3 to $4k in airfares and we will travel by train north and west back to Chennai for the two departures.
These dates and legs need to be confirmed soon to ensure a very good rate with Singapore Air - there is a sale on at the moment and I need to get the fares locked in to ensure we meet budget! craig