Happy Ugadi

As I understand it, Ugadi is something like New Year, but with explicit pressure that the tone of this day sets the tone for your year... Ours went something like this:
Lokesh was totally determined that we would visit his family, along with the Murphy's and insisted we come by..."just for one hour". After much discussion between various two's of us (Tracy and I, Wade and I, Wade and Tom, etc.) we had all agreed we would NOT do this... a long holiday weekend would best be used in leisure pursuits behind the gates of Palm Meadows (the tone of our year need not be too altruistic, and a leisurely, hedonistic year sounded ok). But, Lokesh persevered, finally asking enough of us alone and in defenseless combinations that we could no longer resist (compelling excuses are hard with your only source of transportation).
We did breakfast and waited for Lokesh...and waited...and called ("just 30 minutes ma'am"). Our year might not be totally as per timeline.
We were picked up and made our way to Lokesh's nearby village where we were greeted like royalty with everyone eager to see us. In Lokesh's house were more pictures of Wade, Caden and I then anyone else which is something I found distinctly uncomfortable. We were served soda and then ushered to the temple for puja. Our year might be an experience.Wade and Harini (Lokesh's daughter) at the temple.
After the temple, we were all ushered to another friend of Lokesh's, where food and more onlookers awaited. With our late departure, and with our promised "hour" almost up, I had an appointment at the spa for a head oil and pedicure (the year needs to be a little relaxing, right?). Lokesh and I headed back to Palm Meadows, where he was going to pick up Murphy's to continue the fun.
Wade, Caden and the Murphy's settled in for a full meal amidst the banana plantations in what I understand was a somewhat surreal experience.
Perhaps the lesson for the year, is that the world outside the gates of Palm Meadows can be an interesting and different experience, enriching to you and those around you.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed my time at the spa and wandered back to the house in the warm summer sun to get ready for taco night with great friends and neighbors in the comfort of home.
In any event, it should be a good year.