Hyphenated-Homestead

I had grand plans. Write everything, edit like a pro, and drop the entire series at once—kind of like Netflix does, so my dear readers could binge-read the whole thing.

Yeah… that didn’t happen.

Turns out, writing about an 11-year overdue trip back home is just as overwhelming as taking the actual trip. So instead of stressing myself out (and likely ending up publishing nothing), I decided to go organic. Meaning: I’ll write, edit, and post these stories as they’re ready. Organic, real, and unfolding naturally—just like the trip itself.

So, what’s this series all about?

It’s about going back to India after more than a decade. It’s about the nostalgia, the changes, the things that remained the same, and the little moments that hit differently when you’ve been away for so long.

What’s coming up (or already published, depending on when you’re reading this):

• Part 1 – Preparing for the Journey: The trip started long before I boarded the flight. Packing, planning, and realizing how much my travel mindset has changed over the years.
  
• Part 2 – First Impressions of India: A brand-new Mumbai airport, a chaotic late-night Uber ride, and the first real test of patience.
  
• Part 3 – The Road Trip to Pune: A highway adventure, a moment of panic when my Uber took a random detour, and my first attempt (and failure) at paying with UPI.
  
• Part 4 – Food, Family, and a Walk Down Memory Lane: The first homemade meal, a visit to Pune’s legendary Kayani Bakery, and reconnecting with my only remaining elders from my parents’ generation.
  
• Part 5 – A Visit to अब-Normal Home: A deeply personal and inspiring chapter—my visit to अब-Normal Home, where my sister-in-law Kishori Pathak and her team are transforming the lives of special children through education, care, and confidence-building.
  
• And guess what? That’s just the half of it! This blog series now has 10 parts—each one packed with surprises, nostalgia, and a fair share of ‘only in India’ moments. Keep an eye out as they roll out – all parts will be live by the end of March (of 2025)!

If you thought the first five parts were a ride, wait till you see what’s next. From accidentally running a bank branch to discovering how India’s next gen is redefining success, the journey only gets wilder.

This trip was filled with moments too special to rush through. Would it have been nice to read all of this at once? Sure. But hey, this way, you have a reason to keep coming back and show me some love❤️I am certain, you will.

Buckle up, the best is yet to come! 🚀🇮🇳

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