Switzerland is a Bollywood dream—for me, you, and my Amma :)

 Our trip to Switzerland was an ode to all the fantasies of youth. Movies like Silsila, Chandni, DDLJ, Darr, and many more made Switzerland a fantasy land for every woman in India. I was no exception.

The Swiss flight was a big shocker in itself, with very few Indians on board, unlike our usual flights to Europe on the way to India. We landed in Zurich, then Geneva, and took a train to Lausanne. The next day, we went to Montreux, and the day after, we came to Lucerne. It felt like Switzerland, not mini India. Things changed drastically after a couple of days when we reached Interlaken. So many Indians—the town really is a mini India full of Indian tourists.

Many movies are shot in that region, and the town has a Yash Chopra statue, calling him the Ambassador of Interlaken. No wonder so many of us go there to relive those memories of our youth where Simran and Raj met each other (in DDLJ) or Chandni and Rohit danced in the snow (in Chandni) or Sunil and Kiran romanced (in Darr). I met so many travelers from various parts of the world. The train journeys bring people together. I still have to write about those experiences.

Every saree lover has to wear a saree in those mountains and valleys to feel like a Yash Chopra heroine—how could I not? We were traveling light, so had to pack wisely. Instead of chiffon, I packed Amma’s 50-gram silk saree.

This post is about my saree, Amma, and her love for Shahrukh Khan. Amma watched “Fauji” religiously (Shahrukh Khan’s debut TV series aired in 1989 on Indian television). Amma loved the TV serial and the hero. Not only that series, but SRK’s movies (at least younger SRK’s) remained her favorites. I didn't wear the saree on the mountains or lakes or shot any Instagram reel or video. I simply wore Amma’s saree as a tribute. I visited Yash Chopra's statue to thank him for bringing the fantasy land alive for so many women like Amma, who couldn’t visit Europe in real life but sure enjoyed the romantic notion associated with it.

I roamed around the town, took a picture at the filming location of a scene from DDLJ, bought a cowbell, and just sat on a park bench to watch people for some time. Amma was with me everywhere.

This was a big trip for me, booked in late February. I didn't get any time to plan, discuss, or pack with her. I had a very hard time planning and packing for this trip. Every day I missed her for various video calls and pictures and details of my trip. I took hundreds of pictures but lacked motivation to send them to anyone or post them anywhere. 

But in Interlaken, she was with me, sitting and chatting about those beautiful flowers, mountains, and people. She would have loved the bloom in Switzerland, enjoyed seeing Shahrukh’s poster at the DDLJ shooting location, and watched the movie again with me after my trip.

During my trip, my younger sister had a Satyanarayan Pooja in her home, and I wondered if my Amma was making those across-continents visits to be with her daughters. 

A silk saree from Amma’s closet. In Interlaken, Switzerland. 

I didnt shoot the famous "Jee le apni Zindagi Simran scene' in the train but managed to take a pic on the bus. 

The park where Raj played a prank on Simran, (DDLJ) across the Yash Chopra Statue and Victoria Hotel. 

for this trip he was my Raj and Rahul ( Names of the Hero's from the movies) 

How can you not buy a cowbell in Switzerland

A quiet dinner

the view from "our home" for 3 days in Interlaken 

The Church Simraj prays ( DDLJ) Town Saanen 

The famous "Palat palat Bridge - In Saanen 

In DDLJ Kajol is drunk and takes the stuff from this shop and SRK pays. There was no SRK , but Mr Husband bought the pastry and coffee :) 

Town - GStaad 

The Girl in the Information Center Victoria - she had a flyer "Movie locations in Bollywood" but didnt know much why Indians visit this small town ( Population around 9K) her Bollywood lesson started with Jaya, She promised me to watch DDLJ, Chandani and Darr  - 

The Song location - Jara Sa Jhoom loon main

The Station 

someone else was making an insta reel in Jungfrau

Music, Friendship and a Memorable Journey to Switzerland

 In 2009, we went to India for my sister's wedding, which was a reality check on how different our lives were and would be from everyone else's. Anand's autism really started impacting our lives. I came back frustrated, angry, and alone.

Work, motherhood, life in another country, and household chores had consumed my life, and things were not getting any better. It was a very dark period. In 2011, I brought music back into life through a karaoke group that met once a month on a Friday evening. That evening became my refuge.

That association brought many musical people into my life whom I would not have met otherwise. Some of them turned into lifelong friends and a support system. Meera and Mohan are among those friends. I have known them for over 12 years now. Music was the initial reason for our connection, and then our friendship grew over time. When they moved to Switzerland a couple of years ago, Switzerland made its way onto my travel list. I don't know if we would have visited the Alps if they were not there.

Meera helped me prepare the itinerary and guided me with many small nuances of a Swiss vacation. They both took great care of us while we were visiting them. She kept guiding me while we were visiting other parts of the country.

Our last day in Switzerland happened to fall on our 29th anniversary. The night before, she cooked a huge meal to celebrate. On the day itself, the night before we flew back home, they made sure we all could go out and enjoy a fabulous meal. 

But this post is not only about our travel or how wonderful our hosts were. It is about how friends enrich our lives, how they make you feel, and how you feel love and care in everything they do for you.

We didn’t have much time, but whatever we did was wonderful. An evening filled with music, a morning chai overlooking the mountain and lake, a dinner relaxing and chatting about life, a cup of wine talking about Desi Moms Network. We never could spend this much time together here in Boston. In their home, we had the luxury to get to know many things about our lives.

We returned home with the warmth of their friendship and hospitality. I am so grateful to have such amazing friends. 

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Their beautiful home

our view - our mornings and evenings were so amazing  

Amma’s legacy - adventure, travel and packing

 My mother loved traveling and any new experiences. She was always interested in whatever was going on around us. My sister put it nicely yesterday when she said that nothing ever bored her. I would add that she was excited about anything and everything her daughters were doing.

She would stay on the phone with me while I was washing dishes, folding laundry, cleaning, ironing, or cooking. She didn’t complain about the noise in the background or me not being on the screen; she was just happy that we were talking.

My mother was a meticulous packer. I remember her packing late into the night. All her daughters traveled much more and differently, but we followed her style.

For the last many years, she has been my packing companion. We would go through the gift lists, shopping lists, and wish lists together. WhatsApp video calls made our lives so easy. I could ask her opinion about everything from sarees to accessories.

A long-awaited vacation starts, and I just couldn’t pack this time. It was so hard to even take the stuff out. This time I packed at the last minute and realized how big the void is.

Amma, you would have loved listening to all about this trip and the places I visit. I would have loved to complain about packing and cleaning. We would have laughed together that I overpacked as always. You would have wished me a happy journey the same way you always did: "Travel, enjoy, eat, be happy, and be careful." You would have instructed me to send pictures.

Sheela Jha, I am sure you are traveling around the world. Stay happy, keep smiling and enjoy. We love you.

A simple cotton for a ceremony , a friend’s son became the priest , it was his “The Rite of Ordination” ceremony.

My first sunset trip for this summer-She was badly missed. I took pictures thinking of her.

I would have made the video call to show her how this male turkey was trying to impress his mate. We both would have laughed how hard life is for some male creatures.