Married or not… you should read this.

Image via Wikipedia

Marriage.
“When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.

Suddenly I didn’t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn’t seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?

I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn’t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn’t love her anymore. I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn’t have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn’t want anything from me, but needed a month’s notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month’s time and she didn’t want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that every day for the month’s duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Jane about my wife’s divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don’t tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.

Suddenly it hit me… she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.

Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it’s time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office…. jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind…I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won’t divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I’ll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.

That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed – dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push through with the divorce.— At least, in the eyes of our son—- I’m a loving husband….

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves.

So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!

If you don’t share this, nothing will happen to you.

If you do, you just might save a marriage. Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna

It is situated in the heart of old city of Vienna which houses treasures and wealth of art. It is one of the most famous sights in Vienna particularly because of it’s gigantic roof, and it’s tall and lean tower. Guided tours are available on Mon-Sat.

Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna

This palace is slightly out of the city but worth to see Empress Sisi’s former summer residence. This beautiful landscape has a park, Palm House, the Gloriette and the famous Schonbrunn zoo. Depending on your scheduled stay, you can spend half a day or the entire day at Schönbrunn Palace: to visit the palace rooms with a ‘Grand Tour with Audio Guide‘, admire the splendid palace rooms, and stroll through the Labyrinth. It’s recommended to take the audio guide as well when visiting the palace as then you will have an overall appreciation for the art work and beauty of the palace rooms.

Vienna State Opera, Vienna

The Vienna State Opera is one of the popular architectural sites at Vienna which is quite close to St Stephen‘s Cathedral. This famous stage offers world class productions with a different program every day, with over 50 operas and ballet works on around 300 days per season. This is the perfect place to enjoy the true essence of Vienna- the musical city. Your trip will only be complete if you could attend one of the concerts.

Tip: Incase you plan on attending a concert, you may have to book your tickets a couple of days prior to your trip to Vienna.

Parliament Building, Vienna

It is situated close to the Vienna State Opera. The entrance of the building is just behind the statue of Pallas Athene on Ringstrasse, under the ramp leading up to the main entrance. This is where the two Houses of the Parliament of Austria conduct their sittings. This architectual building has an information counter which provides information to visitors, a cafe, a cloakroom and a small shop. Guided tours are also available.

Viennese Food

Vienna is known for delicious Schnitzel which is a cutlet of veal that is pounded flat thereafter coated with breadcrumbs and egg which is then fried and usually served with salad, mashed potato and peas.

Vienna is also known for its delicious cakes and desserts. These include Apfelstrudel which is apple mixed with sugar which is coated with a thin crust on the top and served hot. Millirahmstrudel which is a milk cream strudel, which is quite alike a milk toffee. The popular chocolate cake- Sachertorte which is created by Sacher Hotel which is a delight.

The popular sausages rolls of beef or pork which are stuffed in a long bread roll with mustard or mayonnaise (either sweet or spicy) which are available at street vendors throughout the day and into the night. Kebab and pizza snack stands are now increasingly gaining popularity.

 

Nashmarkets

It is a market which consists of varieties of vegetables, spices, meat, fish, spices et al. from different parts of Europe.

Viennese coffeehouses

There are many traditional coffee houses in the old city of Vienna. It is worth a try when visiting the city as you will feel the real essence of Vienna’s history in those coffee beans. Some of the traditional viennese desserts are also served at these coffee houses.

(Source: Images taken from Wikipedia)

We found that if you’re in Dubai and if it’s a Tuesday you must to go to Saffron at the Atlantis on the Palm. Tuesdays at Saffron is themed ‘ Seafood Tuesdays’. Knowing me I am a total seafood freak so this was a wonderful treat.

Image via Wikipedia

The Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeirah @ Dubai is located in the sea.. I think there is only one word which can describe this hotel.. i.e. Amazing! We then went to Saffron for the all you can eat buffet ‘ Seafood Tuesday’. Fortunately, we had reserved a table well in advance as the place was packed with families. As we entered, size would be the first thing that would impress you and it won’t stop there.  A huge selection of food with over 20 food counters- everything from sushi to chinese,  lobster bisque to spicy grilled tiger prawns, salads to a huge variety of seafood (oysters, crabs, prawns et al) with international and Asian flavors. I wouldn’t miss mentioning the dessert counter and the biggest chocolate fountain I have ever seen is the center-piece of this amazing place. After a king size buffet @ Saffron, we took a walk to the main hotel foyer to the huge aquarium for free. Normally, if you are not dining and are not a hotel guest, you will have to pay to get to visit the aquarium. At approx. AED 220 per adult, this was a sumptuous seafood experience for an opulent hotel like the Atlantis.

Dress code: Smart casuals.

Location: Saffron, The Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

My review is:

Ratings 1 to 5
(1 being lowest and 5 being Highest)
Service: 4   ★★★★
Ambience @ Saffron: 4.5  ★★★★★
Ambience @ Atlantis: 5  ★★★★★
Food: 4.5 ★★★★★
Value for money: 4  ★★★★

It’s a must try!!

See you again.

(Source: Image taken from Wikipedia)

The midnight all you can eat buffet costing approx. Rs. 550 is real value for money as compared to the regular buffet @ Orchid’s. The buffet consisted of a 3 course meal- starters, main course and desserts which is quite similar to their regular buffets. Food was good and service is the satisfactory. The decor of the hotel is very beautiful and scenic.

My review is:
Ratings 1 to 5
(1 being lowest and 5 being Highest)

Service: 3.5 ★★★★
Ambience: 4 ★★★★
Food: 3.5 ★★★★
Value for money: 4 ★★★★

To sum up, definitely worth a try when arriving in Mumbai around mid-night!

See you again with my next review on Global Fusion buffet @ Bandra.

This blog will contain information related to hangouts in Mumbai, Best buys, Movie Reviews et all. My next post will give you details on mid night buffet of Orchid Hotel.