Happy and Peace filled New Year 2011 from the Abode

Where did the year go? The Abu winter festival will be ending shortly at mid-night.

And to you all my friends who have been reading my blog on the Abode.
A big "Thank You” for your friendship, laughs and memories during 2010.

    Here's wishing you all an enchanted Festive Season filled with Affectionate Wishes and Beautiful Thoughts.

May 2011 mark the beginning
of tons of Love, Happiness,
 Peace and Prosperity.

  And to those who need someone special, may you find that true love.
To those who need money, may your finances overflow.
 
To those who need caring, may you find a good heart.
To those who need friends, may you meet lovely people.

 
   A Prosperous New Year! 

Mount Abu December Wedding Daron weds Christina

December Wedding Daron weds Christina

Daron: - Are you nervous Christina?

Chris: - Who me? No way, remember the promise you made before coming to the floor!!

Daron: - What promise love? Yeah, yeah I recall I want touch any alcohol till after the show.

Family member:- Hey! Daron, come on over and have one with us.

Daron:- Sure, pours himself a soft drink and raises his glass in cheers.

The Group:- Hey Man! Have you lost it, It’s your wedding night and you are with your buddies, and anyway you are a guy who can drink us under the table. Why the soft???

Daron:- Sheepishly Guys don't get mad at me. I promised Christina I would not touch alcohol today as this is the first time in her life she has made a request of the man she loves. And if I do not respect her wish, I’ll have to hear this for the rest of my life

Oh, Daron, I am just a fool to have trusted you to come through for me!!

Please sweetheart, just for tonight be mine tonight. Tomorrow get sloshed. That will be all right with me.

Daron:- So guys bear with me and to everyone on the floor “Have a great time one and all, this is Daron’s call”

“THREE CHEERS”

Daron & Christina

Daron's Parents & Father in Law

You couldn't ask for a better picture 

Cheers Daron will have a drink with you tomorrow

Looks like the perfect time for the Cha-cha-cha

Feeling Good

Now that's what I call a pose

Family Celebrities 

Cliffie (MC of the show) & Junior 

Atham and Inno

A cool picture of my niece Cresu

What is this kid doing?

I love Paneer! You guys look outstanding 

'Ahhh,see how happy we are

How adorable the doting father

This is a great place to have a Ball

Oh! shucks, who's this funny-looking guy?

I can hear them yelling Anchor

Looks like everyone is having fun

That's the way ha-ha I like it

Karl and Agnes, good to see you here

Seriously, just going for a refill 

Literally, the best thing that happened in my life 

I feel on top of the world 

All I want for Christmas is a good son-in-law 

Thanks, Santa. He is on the floor.

Boy, the groom sure has made my day

No, it's not me carrying those chairs

Wish the show would never end could dance all night

Cheers! Our glasses are brilliant companions 

Love is in the air

This kitten in black sure is cute

Cheers! Remember I was here last year

Hey, I'm just trying to figure it out

Step-by-step training to make the boys come in line

Cheers! The right place to be

Quack-quack

Having the day of my life

This picture has me beating too many themes

I have to agree with this one. Everyone is having fun.

Say Paneer! and I'll eat you like cheese

This is a great place to freak out

Anyone guess

Watch your head mate

Some wallflowers look exceptional

Gosh ! what's that

Cheer !!

An interesting camera

What a wonderful day

They conducted the wedding at the school chapel! For individual snaps, go to this link.

Daron weds Christina

Boxing Day the day after Christmas Mt. Abu

I remember the day after Christmas was called Boxing Day, I was always curious as to why this day was named as such. I was told it was a day reserved for folks to visit one another to wish each other for the holidays as Christmas day was always spent at home with the family. I know for a fact it’s a bank holiday in a lot of places in the world, I don’t think it’s a holiday out here but well this year it fell on a Sunday so I guess it  turned out to be a holiday, and man some holiday it was.

All the ATM’s in Mount Abu went blink on Boxing Day putting hundreds of tourists through a lot of distress as they could not access much needed cash. I also went through the same embarrassment as I had to literally borrow a few hundred bucks to do some shopping as I was short of hard cash.

 This is not the first time that I have witnessed this scene, on many an occasion and especially on holidays I’ve seen these machines out of order. My advice to all tourists be extra careful and make sure you have some hard cash on hand especially on holidays. Abu will be crowded in the next few days as huge crowds make it up the hill to spend the New Year in this unique place. For those of you reading this blog I wish all of you a Very Happy New Year In advance as I might not get the chance to do so in the next few days as I will be busy attending weddings anniversaries and the general partying every night. Tonight I was to attend a stud party but could not make it as I had other commitments to take care off. Will be posting the latest updates on the Abode as they unfold over the next few days. 

The Year that was 2010 Mt.Abu

The Year That Was

This year in Mount Abu has been a battleground of sorts, filled with endless disputes over construction, repairs, and alterations. It’s been a tense dance between the local community and the authorities, each side pushing its limits in this fragile eco-zone. I’ve watched this saga unfold throughout the year — a torturous cat-and-mouse game.

The authorities, standing firm to protect this unique environment, have used every tactic in the book to ensure no unauthorized construction could take place. But rather than quelling the desire, it only ignited a stubborn resolve among the residents. "If they couldn’t build openly, they would find a way." And find a way they did. Materials that were banned from entering the hills still made their way up, often at great personal risk. 

Meanwhile, the watchful eyes of the authorities worked round the clock, swiftly demolishing any structures that sprouted without approval. Frustration grew among those seeking permission for genuine repairs, as the long, bureaucratic delays led many to simply act out of sheer necessity. For the Abuites, this year has been a rollercoaster of triumph and setbacks.

But amid the chaos, there was a silver lining: 2010 marked a renewed focus on going green. Environmental awareness has become the buzzword. And while progress has been made, we have only just begun. Restoring Mount Abu to its former glory will require both individual effort and collective responsibility. The path ahead is steep, but the resolve is there.

What’s ironic is the government’s indifference to Abu’s crumbling infrastructure. The roads, for instance, are in a deplorable state — a true shame considering there’s no shortage of funds. A single month’s toll tax during peak tourist season could solve many of these issues, but action remains elusive. And so, the roads continue to deteriorate, leaving both locals and visitors frustrated.

On a brighter note, the rain gods have been kind this year. On a brighter note, the rain gods have shown kindness this year, replenishing the reservoirs and alleviating the dire state of the underground water reserves. We even experienced an unusual mini-monsoon at the end of November, a rare week of steady rainfall. Yet, the summer was brutal — one of the worst we’ve seen in years. Now, with winter creeping in earlier than expected, I wonder what this season holds for us. Frost has arrived ahead of schedule, so I suspect we’re in for a long, cold spell. If only it would snow here… but that’s wishful thinking, isn’t it?

As I look back, I realize how quickly this year has flown by. Leafing through my collection of photographs, I’m reminded of the good, the bad, and the ugly — but above all, the lively and beautiful moments that define life here. It’s these moments that make Mount Abu what it is: a place of constant change, endless challenges, and undeniable beauty.

January and FEBRUARY:-

February: A Month of Trials

February felt like a month with the sword of Damocles hanging over me. My overall condition took a sharp turn for the worse, and if it weren’t for the timely intervention of my family doctor, I’m certain things could have ended differently. But the trials didn’t stop there — on February 12th, I lost my beloved Basset, Bosky. It felt like life had thrown all its challenges at me at once. Between Liz’s impending amputation, Bosky’s passing, and my brush with mortality, it was as though my resilience was being put to the ultimate test — or perhaps my agnostic beliefs were being questioned in the harshest way possible.

Yet, despite it all, providence had unique plans for me. I’m still here today, healthy and grateful, reflecting on this year of trials as I complete this blog. 

MARCH:-

 March: The Heat of What Was to Come

March brought an intense heat, foreshadowing what would become one of the hottest summers we’ve endured. The air was dry, and the forests were vulnerable. By the end of the month, we were already dealing with the first of many forest fires that would plague the hills. The land seemed to cry out for relief, but none came.

First time in the history of St.Mary's School the sports were held on the 1st of April

APRIL:-

This year, because of the scarcity and dearth of water, St. Mary’s High School had to reschedule all its programmes. St. Mary’s High School rescheduled the Annual sports to April instead of their usual October date, breaking tradition. Because of the precarious water shortage, all schools had to reschedule their holidays. The authorities declared a month’s holiday from the 15th of June to the 15th of May. The newspapers’ portrayal of the situation led to a sharp decrease in tourist traffic.

I turned into an older adult in India, which is the world’s largest democratic country, on April 25th.

Cliffy and Marie Dragwich Silver Jubilee Anniversary

Colonial Houses of Abu

MAY:-

May Day in St. Mary’s School   May Day celebrations

May: A Scorching Trial

May was relentless — hot beyond measure. The cooling breeze that offered some respite from the previous year was nowhere to be found. As the heat intensified, water became a scarce commodity. Every water hole and tube well ran dry, leaving the hill station parched. Tankers of water were sold at exorbitant prices to businesses and hotels to keep things running.

The economic downturn only added to the pressure. With the recession looming overhead, the situation in this semi-arid hill station felt dire. It was hard not to imagine Abuites being driven away from this Abode of the Gods in search of greener pastures if the rains didn’t arrive soon.

Thankfully, the monsoon, when it came, was generous, saving us from what could have been a complete collapse.

JUNE:-

The summers had now really descended on this Abode; we saw record-high temperatures. The wild animals such as the sloth bear and the leopard left the jungle to brave the premises of the humans looking for water and food. 

The month of June saw some massive sandstorms

June: A Month of Scorched Hopes

In June, people hear the first whispers of the monsoon, igniting a sense of hope. But this year, even the fervent “havans” and prayers to the rain gods couldn’t shift the tides of fate. While it’s said that prayers can move mountains and summon rain, here, the sun remained unforgiving, scorching the mountainside with relentless heat.

Before: because of the lack of water, the young trees planted the previous year, meant to revive the landscape, withered away. The once-vibrant greenery that adorned the hills vanished, leaving behind a dry, desolate scene. The trees, once symbols of resilience, stood lifeless and brittle.

Abu has endured many tough years, but none felt as dreadful as this one. June, with all its promises, became a month of disappointment and despair.

JULY:-

July: A Sigh of Relief

The long-awaited monsoons arrived in July, though they made us wait until the 24th. The residents of this mountain retreat were on edge, their uneasiness noticeable. Day after day, we watched the skies, hoping for the dark clouds to roll in and deliver the rains that would revive the land and our spirits.

When the rains fell, it was as if the entire hill station heaved an enormous collective sigh of relief. The tension that had built up over the months melted away as the parched earth drank in the life-giving water. It was a moment filled with deep gratitude and hope, assuring us that better times were coming.

AUGUST:-

The Return of Life and a Short-Lived Victory.

The rain gods had mercy on Mount Abu, blessing this parched hill station with the much-needed downpour. The better-than-average monsoon quenched the dry earth, bringing life back to the hills. With the arrival of the rains, the town returned to normal and businesses thrived once more. The air was filled with a renewed sense of hope as the vibrant greenery reemerged.

For a short time, another victory was celebrated — the news that Rajasthan, and especially Mount Abu, had committed to going plastic-free for better environmental protection. This was the talk of the town. The threat of hefty fines and even imprisonment led to the swift disappearance of plastic bags from the shelves. Overnight, paper and cloth bags made their way into the hands of shoppers.

But this victory was short-lived. With no real follow-up plans or enforcement, the reliance on plastic bags soon crept back into everyday life. The initial enthusiasm faded, and the town once again found itself dependent on the very thing it sought to eliminate. It was a reminder that lasting change requires more than just a momentary push — it needs sustained effort, commitment, and the will to see it through.

SEPTEMBER:-

September: The Month of Festivals and Gathering of the Gods

September in Mount Abu is a vibrant month, filled with festivals and celebrations. Every year, the town puts on its annual marathon, a long-standing custom that brings together both locals and tourists. Mother Nature lays out lush green carpets and refreshing rain drenches the hills, welcoming visitors during the peak of the monsoon season. It’s the perfect time for tourists to experience the beauty of this “Abode of the Gods” in its most breathtaking form.

For me, September holds a special place in my heart. It’s the month Liz celebrates her birthday, and I cherish these moments spent with her. I also have a deep love for the monsoon months; they grant me the freedom to explore this hill station in the environment I adore — surrounded by rain-soaked forests, misty vistas, and the ever-present hum of nature.

TOBER:-

October: The Perfect Time to Be in Abu

October is the month to be in Mount Abu. At this time of year, the hill station is at its most beautiful. The hills are draped in every imaginable shade of green, a vibrant tapestry that blends with the clear skies and cool breezes. The temperature is perfect — neither too hot nor too cold — creating an atmosphere that invites you to step outside and enjoy the outdoors.

It’s a time for fun, frolicking, and soaking in the serene beauty that surrounds us. October in Abu is a season of pure joy, the ideal time to embrace everything this hill station offers.

The annual school concert St. Mary’s School

The first Holy Communion for the young boys of the school.

The Annual School Fete for the pleasure of the visiting parents and students

NOVEMBER:-

The Diwali season went off extremely well. Thousands of tourists thronged the streets and haunts of Abu. The spectre of drought that was hanging only a few months ago was now a thing of the past.

I can’t recall Abu having continuous rain in November for almost an entire week. This unprecedented rainfall caused a mini imbalance in this Eco-zone, the birds, bees and animals were thrown off balance. This extraordinary show of the rain gods also put the human population out.

DECEMBER:-

December: A Month of Frost and Festivities

 December in Mount Abu begins with a flurry of activity for school-going students as they wrap up their final examinations. It’s a hectic time, but once the exams are over, they head home for a well-deserved winter vacation — three full months of rest and freedom.

The mornings embrace us with a familiar visitor, Mr. Frost, coating the landscape in a thin, icy sheen. Daytime temperatures remain pleasant, but the chill deepens with the sun’s descent, and the mercury dips between +3 to -3 degrees on many nights. The frosty darkness reminds us that winter is here.

As time flies, I am eager to get my last message out before midnight.

”Merry Christmas, Folks!”

Kalá Hristúyenna, Merry Christmas and Joyful New Year, शुभ क्रिसमस, Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo.

Wishing you all a magical festive season filled with love, warmth, and beautiful thoughts. I want to take this moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for all your support and kind wishes throughout the year 2010.

“Merry Christmas!”

Bosky, my beloved basset