Lord Hanuman and Mahatma Gandhi in San Rafael Farmers’ Market

Went to the San Rafael weekly Farmers’ Market on 17 Jul 08 (Thurs). They had blocked off one road completely for the market. Just like the “Haat” which we have back at home. Vegetables stalls, fruit stalls etc lined up for everyone and anyone. You also have other miscellaneous items like stones, artificial necklaces, shirts, pants pictures etc. Here you get items really cheap. We also had Chinese acupuncture experts treating their patients. Massaging was going on in one place.

The whole atmosphere was festive. Children were enjoying themselves in some games. The only difference as compared to India was that there were two or three Bands playing music and the place was not congested. Plenty of eatables were available. There was a Sardarji who had set up an Indian fast food stall also. We went to a Malabar store, slightly away from the Market, selling Indian groceries and picked up some Idli Rava and some coconut powder for a Bollywood Party which we are having at home tomorrow!

Sai is calling his American friends and they are going to have Idlis and Bondas along with a Bollywood Film on the DVD! It is indeed amazing. Our Indian thinking has really penetrated the hearts and minds of the Californians. I am sure that this must be the same story in the rest of the US also .The World has really shrunk in size in this digital age.

In one of the stalls set up by the Tibetans they were selling Lord Hanuman’s pictures. There were pictures of Durga and other Goddesses .The US Department had put up a stall for World peace and there was a poster containing a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King!!

We went to a Thai restaurant and had some "PadThai”,somewhat like noodles but more tasty; and some “yellow curry” , a lot of vegetables cooked in coconut milk and some rice .While we were driving back from the Farmer’s market through the Freeway it was just becoming dark .

The mountains on the side of the Freeway with fog hovering over them looked awesome ,majestic and beautiful and made me wonder about the mystery of Creation and as to how the Lord runs the Universe so meticulously and with such beauty and harmony.

Gym - Jalepeno - Citation

Sai went to his Gym in Larkspur along with us on 15 Jul 08 evening .As he was sweating it out in the Gym, Latha and I went for a walk to Larkspur Ferry terminal .The Terminal was a beautiful sight indeed. San Francisco is well connected to its suburbs though the sea route. And Ferry service is available to all office commuters at very convenient times. The Ferries are small ships in which a couple of hundred passengers can sit in air-conditioned comfort. You can even sit and do your office work on your lap tops .The minimum ride is for about half an hour from Larkspur to SFO.





Sai used to take this ferry regularly when he was in Novato. Now he takes a bus service from Sausalito as it takes less time than a Ferry and is more convenient. After the Gym routine, we went to Mill valley downtown to a Drive in restaurant “Jack in the box” and had Stuffed Jalapenos (a kind of Mirchi bhajji) with plenty of cheese stuffed into it. On the way we saw the Omnipresent police in action. A police car followed us, with their flickering blue lights on, and made us halt. Once you see the cops vehicle you have to stop, if you do not want to face any dire consequences which may also result in a shoot out!






The moment the Police officer stopped us,Latha in her anxiety started chanting “Om Sri Sai Ram” as she always does whenever she is afraid that something serious may happen.The officer who came to us was young and very smart. He came to us and asked Sai, courteously “Sir, Do you know as to why I have caught up with you?" And Sai replied "Officer I do not know”. Then he said "You were over speeding. Do you know that the speed limit is 30 mph here?" Sai said “Sir I am sorry, I thought it was 35 mph.” The officer said “I could see that you stopped at Jack in the box, my radar caught you at 41 mph, licence, registration and proof of insurance please ?”



Sai then gave his papers.The Police officer took them and came back after a good ten minutes .As we kept waiting for him to come back, Sai was saying that he could be fined 100 USD for over speeding and in addition to that the ticket given to him would go into his driving records. Fortunately that did not happen. The Police officer came back and told Sai “I am not giving you a ticket for your over speeding so that it does not affect your records .But your Insurance papers are not complete so I am giving you a citation . Sai still has to submit insurance documents for a 10 USD fine




Actually the Insurance renewal is done automatically here but you are expected to keep a printout of the same which Sai had not done. Whew! Did we get away!! Swami really saved us.

Swami says “A true devotee is one whose heart is pure and who chants the Divine Name wholeheartedly at all times. He may involve himself in worldly activities but he should not be attached to them. His mind should be constantly focused on God. Nothing untoward can happen to the devotee whose every cell of his body is filled with the Divine Name of the Lord. No danger can befall him whose very breath is filled with the Divine Name of the Lord.

Make any Name of God as the basis of your life; then you can achieve everything. Name is eternal but form is ephemeral; the form has old age and death. Therefore it is the name that is most important. Therefore chant the Name of God constantly. Other spiritual practices like charity, worship etc are of little use if you do not chant the Divine Name.

Visit to Napa Valley - Wine country of California

Started off for Napa Valley at about 10 am in the morning on 12 Jul 08 (Sat).Sai drove us to this world famous location ,about 60 miles away . Napa Valley has hundreds of vineyards growing all types of exotic grapes .Alongside the vineyards are Wineries which convert these luscious grapes into world famous wines.We had excellent breakfast in IHOP restaurant in Novato on the way .It was Brunch - crepes (like Dosas) with oooooh so much cheese , jam and some pancakes and coffee .

After a very smooth and enjoyable drive we landed up at Napa Valley .It is a small town like any other town in California state .We went to quite a big Reception Center where there were a number of staff who gave us excellent directions as to the 18 mile (one way) route we should take and what Vineyards we should visit .They gave us guide maps and small leaflets too. And they all had plenty of smiles and were very courteous.

Needless to say we followed the route map given to us by the Reception,although Sai has come here before.On both sides of the drive were acres and acres of beautiful green grape gardens maintained very meticuolously,American style. It is indeed amazing as to how these Garden managers take care of all these large gardens protecting them from pests, nature's vagaries human resources problems etc, at the same time continuing to maintain world class standards of grape cultivation and wine production.

The grape gardens stretch as far as the eye can see. And what was interesting was that these people were making use of all the land available to them, growing grapes on downslopes of mountain ranges ,something which I have never seen before. Back home in places like Nasik, the grapes are grown on the plains at temperatures of 40 deg centigrade or so and here they have to fight against frost also as the gardens are located in a valley surrounded by mountains.

We finally reached Sterling Vineyards , one of the more spectacular wineries in Napa valley.They have a tram car ride which takes you to the Winery located on top of a hill . A very well organised Winery .A huge welcome plaque at the entrance gives you an idea of the standard of the Winery.

The Tramway transports about 200000 vistors every year uphill .The tramway ride is for 5 minutes only one way.The tour of the winery costs 20USD per head and includes small sips of 5 different types of wine. Once you reach the top,the lady employee at the very first counter pours the first sample of wine manufactured there, into a goblet ,requesting you to keep the goblet for four more samples of wine which you would be tasting during the tour.

The small trip on the Tram way was smooth and interesting .We could see the entire lush green Sterling Vineyards from the top.Each tram car accomodates a maximum of 4 people only and they are flexible in allowing a family of two or three also to get into the tram car.As they charge 20 USD per ticket they probably make more money on the Tourist visits than on wine manufacture itself !

The Winery is not very large but absolutely clean and hygienic .We could see large fermentation tanks into which the crushed grape juice is brought in from crushers outside and allowed to ferment. The entire process is explained through a DVD played on a closed circuit TV .The tanks are kept at optimum temperatures which helps in the process of fermentation . By merely varying the temperatures they are are able to bring out 15 different types of wine .

The processed wine is then stored in huge barrels where they are allowed to mature . The longer the wine stays in the barrels the tastier they become . Such mature wines are in great demand.The barrels are made as per a 200 year traditional process from special French wood . The process ,which is laborious and quite primitive as per current technologicl standards has not changed much over the years ! We were offered one more sample of wine after we had gone through the rooms having the fermentation tanks and the wooden storage barrels.

The last three samples were served to us in royal style,by what looked like senior marketing people , in an open verandah ,under camp umbrellas on proper camp chairs.They were very enthusiastic and went out of the way to explain to us ,the three different types and tastes of wines which they served to us one by one.After we had tasted all the 5 samples we were guided through a route which ensured that we passed through a Wine shop where their choicest wines were up for sale . What excellent marketing indeed .

The tour over, we came back by the same tram car to the bottom of the hill.The video will give you a fair idea about the tram car ride.On our return we halted at two more vineyards but we were late and they had closed their tours for their vineyards/wineries.The two vineyards were "Beringer Vineyards" and "Rubicon estate".From Napa valley we drove straight to Petaluma where we had lasagnia and salad at Betty's place . She is ok now after having returned home from the hospital .

The San Rafael - Richmond Bridge

Since the time Ranju moved into Switzerland ,on 16 Jun 08,we are constantly in touch virtually every day over the phone .Bharath also speaks whenever he finds time as he is very busy with his project for which he has moved into Switzerland on behalf of IBM. Achyut is now trying to stand on his own and also walks a little bit with Ranju Bharath's support. Excited over the prospect of Ranju Bharath and Govind joining us for the SaiSteph wedding.

Went to Ranch market for our fortnightly purchase of vegetables from the Chinese market there. Everything which is available back home in India is available here Beautiful and clean market. Went as usual via the San Rafael - Richmond Bridge ,built across the bay - a technological marvel.The first video shows the first half of the Bridge from Richmond to San Rafael.

The second video shows the second half of the Bridge from Richmond to San Rafael.

The third video shows the same Bridge as we drive out of both parts of the Bridge.

After driving through the Bridge , on the way back ,we halted at "Re Millard Park" a very small park near the waterfront. Saw a ferry steaming away . It was simply beautiful.

Stephanie came in the evening.Had dinner together. The wedding invitaion cards are ready.The first invitation card was given to us by both of them . I told them that it was very sweet of them to give us the first card.I told Stephanie especially that the card was beautiful and that it was sweet of her to have given the card to us first. She just hugged me and was very happy.Kept one card at the Lotus feet of Swami on Sai's request.

Went to see Betty in the Petaluma Hospital where she was recovering after surgery.The Hospital was so spick and span and so clean .Just like our Corporate Hospitals like Apollo ,Medinova etc back home in Hyderabad.