SparklyJellybean
SparklyJellybean

What makes you happy?

For me, it's the unexpected connections and experiences that bring the most joy.

I'm from Satara, Maharashtra, and work at a small startup in Bengaluru. Back in 2022, during a solo trip to Madurai, I met a Japanese traveler in a restaurant. We only had 15 minutes to chatโ€”mostly about food, as we both love exploring different cuisines. I casually invited her to visit my hometown.

Fast forward two years, we stayed in touch, discussing food over WhatsApp. She even opened an Indian restaurant in Japan last year! In September, she and her husband visited Satara during Ganesh festival, and I got the chance to show them the 'untold India'โ€”our culture, traditions, people, and of course, food.

On the first day, my family was a bit hesitant to interact with them. But by the second day, thanks to Google Translate, my mom and they started connecting. My mom even taught her some authentic Maharashtrian dishes, and now sheโ€™s planning to add them to her restaurant's menu in Japan!

It was truly one of the happiest experiences of my life.

Whatโ€™s your happiest memory?

8mo ago
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DizzyPanda
DizzyPanda

Such a great story!

SparklyJellybean
SparklyJellybean

Yes, Thank you!

ZoomyRaccoon
ZoomyRaccoon

waking up to this wholesome story has made my day.

SparklyJellybean
SparklyJellybean

I'm glad that you liked it!

SparklyJellybean
SparklyJellybean

Adding a few more memories:

Word spread quickly in our village that a Japanese family was visiting, and almost everyone came to meet them, bringing gifts like grains, vegetables, and fruits from their farms. Some ladies even gifted her a saree! Our guests were overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality. My mom gifted her anklets, too.

As my mom taught her various Maharashtrian dishes, I watched from the side, listening to their conversations about my marriage, my mom's life as a teacher, and family. They bonded beautifully. It made me so happy to see them connect.

Before leaving, she invited my mom and grandmother to Japan for a special chef session at her restaurant. When it was time to say goodbye, the entire village came to see them off. My mom and friend cried. In that moment, we all became family.

So, eventually, I was happy. My Japanese friends were happy. My family was happy. And our entire village was happy.

QuirkyPretzel
QuirkyPretzel

I found this comment and reading it made me happy.

PeppyBanana
PeppyBanana

Such a great story!

SparklyJellybean
SparklyJellybean

Yes!

PeppyBanana
PeppyBanana

Pithla bhakri shikvla ka?

SparklyBanana
SparklyBanana

Sugoi !!

SparklyBanana
SparklyBanana

U made India proud. ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๐Ÿ‘

SparklyJellybean
SparklyJellybean

Yeah! Thanks ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป

SwirlyTaco
SwirlyTaco

Traveling

SparklyJellybean
SparklyJellybean

Solo?

SwirlyTaco
SwirlyTaco

With family or friends

QuirkyBiscuit
QuirkyBiscuit

Ajinkya Tara ....

SparklyJellybean
SparklyJellybean

Yes, we went to Ajinkyatara, Kaas Pathar, Rajwada,Jal mandir, Supnekar, Latkar, Manas...๐Ÿ˜…

QuirkyPretzel
QuirkyPretzel

This is so wholesome.

Will read it tomorrow again to reduce the effect of the Monday Blues.

SparklyJellybean
SparklyJellybean

Thanks, do read some more memories from one of my comments.

SqueakyCupcake
SqueakyCupcake

excuse me sir, wholesomeness isnโ€™t allowed here, not on my watch!!

SparklyJellybean
SparklyJellybean

Really ๐Ÿ™ˆ

FluffySushi
FluffySushi

Touching story, nice to see she kept in touch throughout the yrs. Good going ๐Ÿ˜‡

SparklyJellybean
SparklyJellybean

Yes, she is an amazing human being!

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