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I’m back home after a whirlwind Delhi trip and what I’d like to do just now is to live in a bathtub. I thought Diogenes was crazy for having done it but I think I begin to understand the man now. Bookaroo was fantabulous. I had no idea the publishing industry was so glamorous and all. I thought writers were generally meant to be a little cobwebby, you know. Dirty socks and all that. But heck, no.
But anyway, despite my missing glamour, N and I had a whale of a time. The serious accounts of our experiences – the literary ones – you can read on the Tulika blog. I’m just going to write about my personal ones here.
Here’s what I’ve been dying to say: there was a bookshelf with my name with my books at Bookaroo. Okay, it may not sound like such a big deal to you but it was honestly my ‘I’m CEO, bitch’ moment. Though I’ve published books and all that, I’ve never really felt like some bigshot (also, I’m not) but but but, that bookshelf made my day, yo. Probably made my year also.
All the other authors stayed at this posh hotel but I had to stay at a friend’s place because of GBM and her kitchen needs. Neva mind. The sacrifices mothers make and all that. It was a bit of a pain traveling 40 kms a day but I also felt very important getting in and out of cabs at early morning and late night. What a VIP.
I also had my quota of Hindi experiences in Delhi. Since I had to give directions to cab drivers in Hindi to places I wasn’t familiar with, this was tremendous fun. I made several memorable speeches in Hindi, mostly starting with ‘Arrey bhaaisaab, kahaan hai aap’ and ending with ‘Hindi maaloom nahi.’
N and I met several awesome people. The most awesome being Petr Horacek. I got two of his books signed for GBM and have ever since been hiding them from her because they are too beautiful to be torn.
GBM also fell sick in Delhi and I slept for about two hours a night. In a sitting position mainly. Then I’d rush to the venue and tell stories and generally be a Nehru chacha with other children. Mother’s guilt and all was there now and then but I survived. Whenever I felt a bit low, I’d go look at that bookshelf and be Ha!
M was also quite drained out by the time we got back because he was the main caretaker for GBM for all those days. All that he had to say when we were back home is, ‘Ahhh. I feel human again.’ Since I was not around for most part of the day, GBM was apparently super-clingy and wouldn’t even let him go to the bathroom. Heh.
N and I ate crappy Chinese food, so that makes this trip complete.
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